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Music

Faculty Feature: Wendy Chinn

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Wendy Chinn is our French Horn instructor and has been teaching private lessons at Potomac Arts Academy for about a year. She is working on a master’s degree at George Mason University and expects to graduate in December 2016! She performs professionally with the Cardinal Brass Quintet and the Morpheus Chamber Players, a woodwind ensemble, and also works as a substitute music teacher in Arlington and Fairfax counties.

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Potomac Faculty Coordinator Claire Allen recently sat down with Wendy to find out a little more about her:

PAA: How did you first fall in love with music?

WC: I watched my older siblings taking piano lessons and then instrumental lessons and I couldn’t wait for my turn.  These days I keep my enthusiasm by organizing horn players and throwing horn parties where we play horn ensemble music for 4-20 horns. I organized a Horn Day event for George Mason University where there were lectures about the horn, vendors selling horns, and people playing in horn ensembles.

PAA: Tell us about a teaching experience you had that was especially memorable.

WC: All of them! I especially like the trumpet player I taught who got a college scholarship to Penn State. Even though she studied engineering they gave her the scholarship as long as she played in their ensemble.

PAA: What are some unique things you do when you teach?

WC: Every student is different and my approach is different with all of them. I do always teach theory, which helps with everything else.

PAA: Do you have any pets?

WC: I have a cat. One of my older cats used to love when I practiced and would always come into the room when I played. The cat I have now is afraid of my horn and scatters when I open up the case.

To sign up for private French Horn lessons with Wendy, please visit the Private Lessons section of our webpage or give us a call at (703) 993-9889!

 

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Events Music

Disney Fantasia at Center for the Arts

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This Saturday, February 27 at 8pm: Dancing hippos, ostriches, and alligators; frolicking mythical centaurs and unicorns; and one famous mouse dabbling in magic come to life with live music in this performance for all ages.

Experience these animated Fantasia films as you’ve never experienced them before: accompanied by a full, live orchestra. Conceived as a concert work, Walt Disney’s original legendary film Fantasia (1940) was considered a masterpiece when it was released and introduced generations to some of the most magnificent works of classical music as well as the most creative animation of the time. Now you can enjoy favorite scenes from this groundbreaking film and its popular sequel, Disney Fantasia 2000, with live music played by the Czech National Symphony Orchestra.

Stunning imagery from Disney’s unmatched animation studios appears on screen above the orchestra as Broadway and orchestra conductor, Ted Sperling leads it in famous works such as Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Suite, Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony, Resphigi’s Pines of Rome, and Dukas’s unforgettable The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

This event is part of the Great Performances at Mason concert series at Mason’s Center for the Arts in Fairfax.

GET TICKETS NOW

 

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Announcements Events Music

Orchestra of the Americas Masterclass: Saturday, February 27

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Musicians from the Orchestra of the Americas will be visiting George Mason University on Saturday, February 27 to give a performance, teach a masterclass, and lead a discussion on the unique mission of their ensemble that combines performance and outreach for a global audience.

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YOA members Marlene Sanchez (National Symphony Orchestra of the Dominican Republic), Luciana Arraes (Doctoral Candidate,  Hartt School of Music), Gabriel Polycarpo (Porto Alegre Symphony Orchestra), and Jessy Dube (Hochshule fur Musik Basel graduate) will lead a masterclass with performers including undergraduate students at the George Mason University School of Music as well as Mason’s Potomac Arts Academy.

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The students from Mason’s Potomac Arts Academy are ten-year-old violinist Mikaela Garza, who is a student of Rachel McAleer and a fifth grader at Sangster Elementary and eighteen-year-old violinist Marina Huang, who is a student of Claire Allen and a senior at Oakton High School. Mikaela has performed in several Potomac Arts Academy recitals and was a featured performer in the 2015 Spotlight on the Arts Student Showcase. She will be playing Gavotte by Martini. Marina was accepted to the first violin section of the District XII Honor Orchestra this past year and also performed in the 2015 Spotlight on the Arts Student Showcase. She will be performing the first movement of the Violin Concerto by Kabalevsky. Both students will be accompanied by David Norfrey, one of the piano Teaching Artist faculty at Mason’s Potomac Arts Academy.

This unique event is sure to be of interest to music lovers, string and percussion students, and those with an interest in global arts outreach alike. It is free and open to the public!

WHEN: Saturday, February 27, 2016     4pm-6pm
WHERE: de Laski Performing Arts Building, Room 3001, on the Mason Fairfax Campus   Campus Map (#14 on the map)
PARKING: You can park for free on Saturdays in Lot K, which is across the Mason Pond from the Performing Arts Building (about a 5-10 minute walk). You can also park in the Mason Pond Parking Deck next to the Performing Arts Building for an $8 fee.

Presented in collaboration with
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Announcements Art

Calling All Visual Artists

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The Hylton Performing Arts Center is pleased to announce its Third Annual Juried Exhibition celebrating the region’s vibrant visual arts community. Artists from across the Commonwealth of Virginia are invited to submit up to two original works of art to the Hylton Center between February 1 and April 1.

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A distinguished panel of judges will choose the best entries to be exhibited in the Hylton Center’s Buchanan Partners Art Gallery from May 15 – July 10. The very best pieces will receive an award and will be announced at a reception on Thursday, May 19 from 6 – 8 p.m. Award winners will receive a certificate and a cash prize, and the winner of “Best of Show” will have the opportunity to exhibit his or her work in a solo exhibition at the Buchanan Partners Art Gallery during the 2016-2017 season.

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We invite all Virginia artists to apply, including past participants!

LEARN MORE AND SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY

 

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Music

Teen Guitarists Enjoy Special Ensemble

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Guitar Teaching Artist Chris Jenkins started the Guitar Ensemble for Teens last year, and the response has been wonderful. Designed for intermediate to advanced guitarists, the ensemble provides a unique opportunity for students to hone their skills and learn small ensemble techniques.

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Along with learning to play as an ensemble, students gain good practice habits, learn how to prepare for a performance/audition, and explore fingerstyle/classical technique.

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The next Ensemble session starts on February 29th, and runs on Mondays from 8pm-9pm for 10 weeks. The ensemble will perform in Potomac’s Spring Recital Weekend on May 21 & 22. There’s still time to register – don’t delay!

MORE INFO ON THE GUITAR ENSEMBLE

 

See Video of Teaching Artist Chris Jenkins:

 

The Academy will be closed for Spring Break beginning Monday, March 25 and will re-open on Monday, April 1. We will be operating with limited hours. For any urgent requests, please call 703-993-9889.

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