Welcome to La Bella Strings!

La Bella's Footprint in India Expands: Welcome Bruce Lee Mani of 'Thermal And A Quarter' to the La Bella Family of Artists!

Yes, that's his real name. As founding member of what is arguably India's most respected rock band, 'Thermal And A Quarter,' Bruce Lee Mani has earned widespread admiration and critical acclaim at home and abroad. Primarily self-taught, his style has been called 'instantly recognizable' (Rolling Stone Magazine) and has served as an inspiration for many up-and-coming musicians. Across his 15-year career, he has worked and performed with a veritable who's-who of Indian and international musicians, and won several awards for musicianship.

"With influences ranging from jazz to rock to funk, Mani's playing is instantly recognizable: sinuous wah-wah riffs, funky rhythms and staccato solos."
- Rolling Stone Magazine

"Thermal And A Quarter... is on the vanguard of the Indian Rock scene"
- National Public Radio (All Things Considered), USA

Winner, 'Guitarist of the Year'
- Rolling Stone/Jack Daniels Awards, 2009

To learn more about Bruce Lee Mani and 'Thermal And A Quarter,' please visit http://www.thermalandaquarter.com

La Bella Strings is Proud to Announce our First India-Based Endorsee, Advaita!
Advaita is an eclectic music group from New Delhi, India. Since the group was formed, in 2004, Advaita has steadily grown to become one of the most respected acts on the Indian music scene. Advaita's sound is a mélange of the styles, moods and textures taken in from different cultures and different music systems of the world.

La Bella Music Strings is especially proud to support Advaita's string players: Abhishek Mathur (guitars & electronics), Chayan Adhikari (lead vocals & guitar), Suhail Yusuf Khan (sarangi & Hindustani Vocals), and Gaurav Chintamani (bass guitar). To learn more about the band and listen to their unique sound, please visit their website at http://www.advaitaonline.net.

Get recognised as one of 2011's top masters of the strings
STRING INSANITY 2011
Launch Date: June 1st, 2011

Here at Shred Academy we are running a competition to find some of the top talent from around the world. Not only will the winner be broadcast on prime-time TV throughout California on Modesto Advanced Guitar Instruction TV show, there is also over $3,000 of prizes up for grabs, for the top 10 contestants!

COMPETITION DETAILS:
Shoot a video showing us what you can do - we want you to really tear up the fretboard for this one! You can play anything ORIGINAL that you feel showcases your talent. We're looking for a video that demonstrates both technical ability and musical understanding.. we want to see some slick skills and creative shredding, Don't hold back! Blow our minds!

Just follow these simple steps:
- Record a video that demonstrates your skills - REMEMBER speed isn't everything, keep it musical.
- Upload your video to YouTube entitled YOUR NAME plus "String Insanity 2011 Entry"
- Post the video as a video response to our official video promo:
To do this, simply click in the comments section of the video, and then click 'create a video response' and select your video.

When the competition ends, we will select a shortlist of 10 winners. We will then post these videos for voting, to decide the order of the winners. The winners will also be judged and given a full written review by Shred Academy instructors!

1st Place:
A prime-time TV Spot, plus... Kona Electric Guitar KE30 ($399.99), La Bella Strings x 12 Sets ($156),
Shred Academy LIFETIME VIP Membership ($100+), Shred Academy Store Credit ($100),
Intellitouch Tuner PT40 ($49.99), Stylus Pick Kit ($9.95), 1 Years supply of Stylus Picks + Lifetime upgrades ($99.50),
David Shankles "Masterclass" DVD ($34.95, due Q4 2011), 1-Hour Webcam Lesson with SA Instructor 'Roo' ($49.95),
Niels Vejlyt "Advanced Arpeggios" ($24.95), Mini DV Video Camera ($19.95), Chronicles CD of instrumental guitarists,
Jim Dunlop Jazz III Pick x10, plus a Shred Academy 'goody bag' of treats,
an 'Artist Profile Page' on www.shredacademy.com,
and a Professional review by one of our Shred Academy Instructors!
Total Value Approx. $1,066

2nd Place
La Bella Strings x 12 Sets ($156), Intellitouch Tuner PT40 ($49.99), Stylus Pick Kit ($9.95),
"Tao of Shred" DVD ($24.95), 30-Minute Webcam Lesson with SA Instructor 'Roo' ($29.95),
66 Licks Guitar Solo Software ($49.95), Shred Academy Store Credit ($75), Lead Guitar Techniques ($27.95),
Shred Academy 6 Month VIP Membership ($19.95), Mini DV Camera, Chronicles CD of instrumental guitarists,
Jim Dunlop Jazz III Pick x5, plus a Shred Academy 'goody bag' of treats!
Total Value Approx. $484

3rd Place
La Bella Strings x 12 Sets ($156), Intellitouch Tuner PT40 ($49.99), 66 Licks Guitar Solo Software ($49.95)
Stylus Pick Kit ($9.95), 30-Minute Webcam Lesson with SA Instructor 'Roo' ($29.95),
Shred Academy 6 Month VIP Membership ($19.95), Shred Academy Store Credit ($50), Mini DV Camera,
Chronicles CD of instrumental guitarists, Jim Dunlop Jazz III Pick x5, plus a Shred Academy 'goody bag' of treats!
Total Value Approx. $406

4th Place
Professional review by one of our Shred Academy Instructors, La Bella Strings x 12 Sets ($156), Stylus Pick Kit ($9.95),
66 Licks Guitar Solo Software ($49.95), Shred Academy 6 Month VIP Membership ($19.95), Shred Academy Store Credit ($50),
Chronicles CD of instrumental guitarists, Jim Dunlop Jazz III Pick x3, plus a Shred Academy 'goody bag' of treats!
Total Value Approx. $306

5th Place
Professional review by one of our Shred Academy Instructors, La Bella Strings x 12 Sets ($156), Stylus Pick Kit ($9.95),
Shred Academy 6 Month VIP Membership ($19.95), Shred Academy Store Credit ($50), Chronicles CD of instrumental guitarists,
Jim Dunlop Jazz III Pick x3, plus a Shred Academy 'goody bag' of treats!
Total Value Approx. $256
6th, 7th, 8th, 9th & 10th Runners Up
Professional review by one of our Shred Academy Instructors, Shred Academy Store Credit ($50), Stylus Pick Kit ($9.95),
Finger Trainer ($34.95), Chronicles CD of instrumental guitarists, plus a Shred Academy 'goody bag' of treats!
Total Value Approx. $115 each

At La Bella Strings, we're big believers that musical education is complimentary and essential to a child's academic education. In fact, many studies have proven that children who study music perform better in school than those who don't. So when one of our own decided to pack up and teach abroad in India, we jumped on the opportunity to help out where we could and where we knew best. We're pleased to report that La Bella Strings has recently donated guitars, violins, cellos and music strings to an incredible cause, the Shanti Bhavan School.

Shanti Bhavan is a non-profit boarding school located in rural Tamil Nadu, India. The school recruits the most impoverished and disadvantaged children from the lowest caste in India and provides them with a fully paid, world-class education. The goal is to eradicate 2,000 years of discrimination and poverty in one generation.

Lorenza Cocco (daughter of President, Richard Cocco Jr.) and Justin Golden spent the last six weeks teaching at the Shanti Bhavan School. What they noticed was that most of the existing instruments were full-size, not ideal for younger children eager to learn. With the help of Ravi, owner of Music Gear and RaGa School Of Music in Bangalore, www.musicgear.in, students of all ages at Shanti Bhavan will now be able to play the guitar, violin and cello.

Please contact us if you have any leads on similar projects around the world. La Bella would be proud to help make more of a difference.



	We're Sponsoring The Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase - Come Join Us in Woodstock! The Woodstock Invitational is an alternative guitar show, featuring contemporary, handmade acoustic guitars and stringed instruments, exhibited by their makers. Promoting the art of lutherie, The Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase is a low-key, laid-back event for the community of acoustic stringed-instrument builders, players, collectors and aficionados, presenting a gathering of handmade acoustic guitars and stringed musical instruments from around the world, the absolute finest expressions of the luthiers art. Fine handmade instruments such as these are not usually available in music stores or other retail environments, and the Luthiers Showcase is a rare opportunity for the public to see, play and experience the instruments, meet with their makers, discuss custom options and one of a kind creations, and buy or order a dream guitar from dozens of master builders, all gathered together in one place. For more information, please contact Baker Rorick at (845) 679-9025 or info@woodstockinvitational.com La Bella is a Proud Sponsor of the Alain Caron Clinics http://www.alaincaron.com/ Humber College Clinic: Auditorium in the music building 3199 Lakeshore Blvd. West, Etobicoke (Toronto), Ontario Wednesday, September 14, 2011 from 12:15 to 1:30 PM Alumni only Mohawk College Clinic: In the Campus Theatre 135 Fennell Avenue West, Hamilton, Ontario Thursday, September 15 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm Open to the public, free of charge Cosmo Music Clinic: In the theatre 10 Via Renzo Drive, Richmond Hill, Ontario Wednesday, September 14, 2011 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm Phone for tickets: +1 905 770-5222 Check out La Bella Artist, Eliot Fisk, perform at the BGGS's GuitarFest Fundraiser Concert in Woodshole, MA on September 11, 2011. Eliot Fisk leads special GFest fundraiser concert Eliot Fisk will be giving a spectacular concert in Woods Hole! This year Eliot will be joined by guitarist Zaira Meneses and pianist Virgina Eskin, plus special guest Raquel Fisk! On the program is Chopin, Bach, Scarlatti, Sor, and selections from KLEINES REQUIEM by Kurt Schwertsik, written for Eliot and recently recorded by him on CD. Sunday September 11 4:00 PM Woods Hole, MA This annual event is the primary fundraiser for the Thomas Hiksdal Scholarship Fund of the Boston GuitarFest. Proceeds help defray tuition costs for guitar students to attend the festival and have the chance to study with Eliot and other guitar masters. Tickets for the concert are $100 each, and all proceeds go to the Scholarship Fund. If you would like to make a reservation please call +1 508 274-1354. La Bella's Footprint in India Expands: Welcome Bruce Lee Mani of 'Thermal And A Quarter' to the La Bella Family of Artists! Yes, that's his real name. As founding member of what is arguably India's most respected rock band, 'Thermal And A Quarter,' Bruce Lee Mani has earned widespread admiration and critical acclaim at home and abroad. Primarily self-taught, his style has been called 'instantly recognizable' (Rolling Stone Magazine) and has served as an inspiration for many up-and-coming musicians. Across his 15-year career, he has worked and performed with a veritable who's-who of Indian and international musicians, and won several awards for musicianship. "With influences ranging from jazz to rock to funk, Mani's playing is instantly recognizable: sinuous wah-wah riffs, funky rhythms and staccato solos." - Rolling Stone Magazine "Thermal And A Quarter... is on the vanguard of the Indian Rock scene" - National Public Radio (All Things Considered), USA Winner, 'Guitarist of the Year' - Rolling Stone/Jack Daniels Awards, 2009 To learn more about Bruce Lee Mani and 'Thermal And A Quarter,' please visit http://www.thermalandaquarter.com La Bella Strings is Proud to Announce our First India-Based Endorsee, Advaita! Advaita is an eclectic music group from New Delhi, India. Since the group was formed, in 2004, Advaita has steadily grown to become one of the most respected acts on the Indian music scene. Advaita's sound is a mélange of the styles, moods and textures taken in from different cultures and different music systems of the world. La Bella Music Strings is especially proud to support Advaita's string players: Abhishek Mathur (guitars & electronics), Chayan Adhikari (lead vocals & guitar), Suhail Yusuf Khan (sarangi & Hindustani Vocals), and Gaurav Chintamani (bass guitar). To learn more about the band and listen to their unique sound, please visit their website at http://www.advaitaonline.net. Get recognised as one of 2011's top masters of the strings STRING INSANITY 2011 Launch Date: June 1st, 2011 Here at Shred Academy we are running a competition to find some of the top talent from around the world. Not only will the winner be broadcast on prime-time TV throughout California on Modesto Advanced Guitar Instruction TV show, there is also over $3,000 of prizes up for grabs, for the top 10 contestants! COMPETITION DETAILS: Shoot a video showing us what you can do - we want you to really tear up the fretboard for this one! You can play anything ORIGINAL that you feel showcases your talent. We're looking for a video that demonstrates both technical ability and musical understanding.. we want to see some slick skills and creative shredding, Don't hold back! Blow our minds! Just follow these simple steps: - Record a video that demonstrates your skills - REMEMBER speed isn't everything, keep it musical. - Upload your video to YouTube entitled YOUR NAME plus "String Insanity 2011 Entry" - Post the video as a video response to our official video promo: To do this, simply click in the comments section of the video, and then click 'create a video response' and select your video. When the competition ends, we will select a shortlist of 10 winners. We will then post these videos for voting, to decide the order of the winners. The winners will also be judged and given a full written review by Shred Academy instructors! PRIZE DETAILS: 1st Place: A prime-time TV Spot, plus... Kona Electric Guitar KE30 ($399.99), La Bella Strings x 12 Sets ($156), Shred Academy LIFETIME VIP Membership ($100+), Shred Academy Store Credit ($100), Intellitouch Tuner PT40 ($49.99), Stylus Pick Kit ($9.95), 1 Years supply of Stylus Picks + Lifetime upgrades ($99.50), David Shankles "Masterclass" DVD ($34.95, due Q4 2011), 1-Hour Webcam Lesson with SA Instructor 'Roo' ($49.95), Niels Vejlyt "Advanced Arpeggios" ($24.95), Mini DV Video Camera ($19.95), Chronicles CD of instrumental guitarists, Jim Dunlop Jazz III Pick x10, plus a Shred Academy 'goody bag' of treats, an 'Artist Profile Page' on www.shredacademy.com, and a Professional review by one of our Shred Academy Instructors! Total Value Approx. $1,066 2nd Place La Bella Strings x 12 Sets ($156), Intellitouch Tuner PT40 ($49.99), Stylus Pick Kit ($9.95), "Tao of Shred" DVD ($24.95), 30-Minute Webcam Lesson with SA Instructor 'Roo' ($29.95), 66 Licks Guitar Solo Software ($49.95), Shred Academy Store Credit ($75), Lead Guitar Techniques ($27.95), Shred Academy 6 Month VIP Membership ($19.95), Mini DV Camera, Chronicles CD of instrumental guitarists, Jim Dunlop Jazz III Pick x5, plus a Shred Academy 'goody bag' of treats! Total Value Approx. $484 3rd Place La Bella Strings x 12 Sets ($156), Intellitouch Tuner PT40 ($49.99), 66 Licks Guitar Solo Software ($49.95) Stylus Pick Kit ($9.95), 30-Minute Webcam Lesson with SA Instructor 'Roo' ($29.95), Shred Academy 6 Month VIP Membership ($19.95), Shred Academy Store Credit ($50), Mini DV Camera, Chronicles CD of instrumental guitarists, Jim Dunlop Jazz III Pick x5, plus a Shred Academy 'goody bag' of treats! Total Value Approx. $406 4th Place Professional review by one of our Shred Academy Instructors, La Bella Strings x 12 Sets ($156), Stylus Pick Kit ($9.95), 66 Licks Guitar Solo Software ($49.95), Shred Academy 6 Month VIP Membership ($19.95), Shred Academy Store Credit ($50), Chronicles CD of instrumental guitarists, Jim Dunlop Jazz III Pick x3, plus a Shred Academy 'goody bag' of treats! Total Value Approx. $306 5th Place Professional review by one of our Shred Academy Instructors, La Bella Strings x 12 Sets ($156), Stylus Pick Kit ($9.95), Shred Academy 6 Month VIP Membership ($19.95), Shred Academy Store Credit ($50), Chronicles CD of instrumental guitarists, Jim Dunlop Jazz III Pick x3, plus a Shred Academy 'goody bag' of treats! Total Value Approx. $256 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th & 10th Runners Up Professional review by one of our Shred Academy Instructors, Shred Academy Store Credit ($50), Stylus Pick Kit ($9.95), Finger Trainer ($34.95), Chronicles CD of instrumental guitarists, plus a Shred Academy 'goody bag' of treats! Total Value Approx. $115 each FOR ALL QUESTIONS, PLEASE USE OUR CONTACT FORM La Bella Strings Supports Musical Education Around the Word At La Bella Strings, we're big believers that musical education is complimentary and essential to a child's academic education. In fact, many studies have proven that children who study music perform better in school than those who don't. So when one of our own decided to pack up and teach abroad in India, we jumped on the opportunity to help out where we could and where we knew best. We're pleased to report that La Bella Strings has recently donated guitars, violins, cellos and music strings to an incredible cause, the Shanti Bhavan School. Shanti Bhavan is a non-profit boarding school located in rural Tamil Nadu, India. The school recruits the most impoverished and disadvantaged children from the lowest caste in India and provides them with a fully paid, world-class education. The goal is to eradicate 2,000 years of discrimination and poverty in one generation. Lorenza Cocco (daughter of President, Richard Cocco Jr.) and Justin Golden spent the last six weeks teaching at the Shanti Bhavan School. What they noticed was that most of the existing instruments were full-size, not ideal for younger children eager to learn. With the help of Ravi, owner of Music Gear and RaGa School Of Music in Bangalore, www.musicgear.in, students of all ages at Shanti Bhavan will now be able to play the guitar, violin and cello. Here are some photos of the students rockin' their new gear: To learn more about Shanti Bhavan, please visit www.shantibhavanonline.org To make a donation, please visit www.shantibhavanonline.org/donation/donate.html Please contact us if you have any leads on similar projects around the world. La Bella would be proud to help make more of a difference. March 30th, 2011	English Espanol Featured Artist Andrew York





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