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Community Outreach Instruments in the Attic

Academy Awarded Instrument Donation From D’Addario Foundation

Daddario Foundation Donates to Academy

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We are happy to announce that the D’Addario Foundation has generously awarded the Academy’s Instruments in the Attic program with an in-kind donation of D’Addario musical instrument accessories in the amount of $500, which will be used in several music outreach programs that occur throughout the year, both in schools and beyond.

The Academy’s Instruments in the Attic program has been providing donated musical instruments to local school band and orchestra programs, community organizations, and even international initiatives for 10 years, with an ever-growing inventory of instruments collected from conscientious and music-loving community members like you.

 

Donated Musical Instrument Storage

 

The in-kind donation of musical instrument accessories from D’Addario Foundation will allow the Academy to keep the “recycled” instruments in top playing condition and will reduce the overhead costs of instrument repair involved in maintaining the outreach program.

The D’Addario Foundation is a unique non-profit grant-making organization providing monetary and product support to high-quality sustainable music instruction programs on the frontline to improve access to music education. The Foundation’s mission is to support programs that bring music back into communities and schools and get kids playing as early and as frequently as possible. The D’Addario Foundation believes in the transformative power of music and that mentoring and building communities through music can positively affect social change.

 

Daddario Foundation Logo

 

The Academy would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank You” to the D’Addario Foundation for the honor of this award, and for recognizing the valuable contribution that the Instruments in the Attic program is providing to our local community, region and beyond!

 

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE D’ADDARIO FOUNDATION

 

LEARN MORE ABOUT INSTRUMENTS IN THE ATTIC

 

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Acting

Technical Theater Boot Camp Is Back This Summer

Theater tech summer camp

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Technical Theater Boot Camp returns to the Hylton Performing Arts Center in July, where students learn what happens behind the scenes of a real performing arts venue! These exciting one-week training programs are led by the Hylton Center’s own in-house production staff of experts and guest instructors.

This summer will feature two class offerings for Ages 16 through Adult (ages 14-15 with recommendation):

  • Technical Theater Boot Camp I – July 16-20, 2018
  • Technical Theater Boot Camp II – July 23-27, 2018

 

Participants will experience the opportunity to learn everything from the essential skills of technical production and stage lighting/rigging to the operation of sound equipment and stage crew best practices. And that’s just in Technical Theater Boot Camp Level I! Level II continues to build upon skills learned in Level I.

 

Merchant Hall at Hylton Performing Arts Center

 

Former participant Erika Koekkoek gives the camp enthusiastic thumbs up, stating “[the camp] is taught by people who love what they do in a place that will welcome you back to continue exploring theatre.”

Rick Davis, the Dean of Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, shares, “One of the best things about the Tech Boot Camp is the hands-on experience the students get under the watchful eyes of our professional staff. There’s nothing like ‘learning by doing’ when you have an excellent real-world mentor standing by.”

The registration deadline for both classes is July 12, 2018.

 

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER TODAY!

 

 

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Announcements Community Outreach

Ovations Strings Program Receives Grant Award

Associated Chamber Music Players

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We are thrilled to announce that our Ovations Summer Strings Academy has been awarded a grant from the Associated Chamber Music Players, an organization whose mission is to stimulate and expand the playing of chamber music for pleasure among musicians worldwide, of all backgrounds, ages and skill levels, by connecting people and supporting chamber music activities for individuals, groups and institutions.

Since the organization began 70 years ago, the Associated Chamber Music Players has helped chamber music players to find one another to share and play music together. More than 2,500 members come from every part of the world and share one interest: the love of making music with others. Since the ACMP Foundation was founded in the 1990s, ACMP has contributed more than four million dollars to support programs for adult amateur players and community-based chamber music education programs for young musicians and others.

 

String students in chamber ensemble

 

This grant award will assist the Academy to provide more opportunity for young string players to participate in Ovations (June 24-29), which focuses on chamber music repertoire, rehearsals and performance for high school and middle school students. Each summer, Ovations brings around 80-90 students from across the northern Virginia region to the George Mason University campus, taking over the School of Music classrooms for one week.

This year’s Ovations program has been made possible, in part, with the support from ACMP Associated Chamber Music Players, and the Academy would like to express our sincere gratitude for their generosity and passion!

 

LEARN MORE ABOUT OVATIONS

 

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Announcements Community Outreach Music

Piano Available To Good Home

Donated Piano

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A generous community member from the Fairfax area recently called the Academy about donating her acoustic upright piano to a good home. If anyone is interested in accepting this donation, please contact us asap.

The piano (pictured above) is a Fisher acoustic upright. The piano itself would be free of charge (to a good home); however, the recipient is required to pay for the moving expense, which averages $300-$500 (when using a professional piano moving company) depending on the distance traveled, number of stairs involved, etc. Also, acoustic pianos usually require a tuning from a professional piano tuner after a move as well.

If you think you have a need (and a space) for this piano, it’s a great opportunity to look into. As per usual, we will handle this on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please email us at academy@gmu.edu  (no phone calls please).

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Art

Summer Art Camp For Ages 6-8 Tells Stories Through Art

Summer art camp for kids

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Our Creative Discoveries Art Camps for young children are the perfect place for your child to explore storytelling through visual art and to work on projects not typically covered in school classrooms.

The original week of camp is scheduled for June 25-29, taught by Art Education Graduate student Rebeca Chung. Due to the popularity of the program, we have since added a new section for July 23-27, which will be taught by Art Education Graduate student Mary Dolmat!

 

Art camp for young kids

 

“Creative Discoveries is a great arts program where students create art in thoughtful and meaningful ways,” said Ms. Chung. “My focus will be on material exploration, providing art projects that are not typically introduced in the public schools.”

“We will be focusing on storytelling and character development in my camp,” stated Ms. Dolmat. “My students will learn to use art as a tool express themselves. There will definitely be printmaking, collage, and bookbinding involved!”

 

Summer camp for art students

 

The camps will take place on the Mason Fairfax campus in the School of Art university classrooms. With a Lead Teacher, a  Teaching Assistant, and a building supervisor, along with extended Academy staff, children will be well guided, monitored and supervised. Since it is a full day camp (9am-4pm), along with a standard lunch break and snack time, students will be provided with exercises and games to help break up the more focused classroom time.

“I am always learning as I teach my students, and I am inspired by my students as well,” reflected Ms. Chung.
“I’m very excited to be able to share all the different art making processes and mediums in my program,” said Ms. Dolmat.

 

Young student artwork

 

The camp week will finish with a student art exhibit and classroom presentation for family and friends. Let your young child experience the wonder of art and learn new ways to express themselves and their creativity.

 

GET DETAILS & REGISTER TODAY!