Category: Announcements

A generous family from Arlington, VA recently contacted the Academy about gifting their Wurlitzer Spinet piano to a good home. If anyone is interested in accepting this gift, please contact us ASAP.

The piano is approximately 50 years old and is free of charge (to a good home); however, the family requests the recipient to pay for the moving expense, which averages around $250-300 (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. We will handle this on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please email us at academy@gmu.edu  (no phone calls please) and put “Piano Available to Good Home” in the subject (or simply Reply to the Newsletter email). A recipient will be matched as soon as possible.

Please note that these opportunities typically come up several times throughout the year, so keep checking the Academy Newsletter!

The Academy values the importance of our teacher’s professional development. Because of this, the Faculty Enrichment Fund annually provides partial and full reimbursement for teachers to attend conferences, workshops, and teacher training sessions. 

Our piano teaching artist, Catherine Grimball, attended the Virginia Music Teachers Association State Conference and writes about her experience:

Written by MCAA Piano Teaching Artist, Catherine Grimball

The Virginia Music Teachers Association State Conference is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy live performances, network with like-minded musicians, and grow professionally through masterclasses and a variety of well-researched presentations.  

(Above) Catherine with Guest Artist Thomas Pandolfi, after his masterclass.

The VMTA Conference programmed many informative sessions on a variety of topics.  Prolific composer and educator Lisa Bastien shared her insights not only on pedagogy, but also on the business of running a studio as well as new ways to incorporate technology in both lessons and communications with students.  June Huang, Director of Strings and Assistant Professor of Violin at George Mason University’s Dewberry School of Music and Program Director of our Summer Strings Programs, presented a session on “How to Improve Sight Reading Skills.”  Some other favorite sessions included Dr. David Berry’s “Finding Your Voice: Learning to Make Creative Piano Arrangements and Teaching Your Students to as Well,” a session on Nkiolai Kapustin including the performance of his Trio for Flute Cello and Piano, and Dr. Akiko Konishi’s “The Importance of the Bow and Blurb: Introducing Students to Effective On-stage Comportment.”       

I am very grateful that the Mason Academy encourages professional development with the Faculty Enrichment Fund.  My piano studio will benefit from my experiences at the VMTA Conference, and I hope that others may be motivated to attend the conference and share their areas of expertise with other educators.  

A generous family from Herndon, VA recently contacted the Academy about gifting their Kranich and Bach (model 452) piano to a good home.  There is one missing knob on the key cover. If anyone is interested in accepting this gift, please contact us ASAP.

The piano is approximately 42 years old and is free of charge (to a good home); however, the family requests the recipient to pay for the moving expense, which averages around $250-300 (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. We will handle this on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please email us at academy@gmu.edu  (no phone calls please) and put “Piano Available to Good Home” in the subject (or simply Reply to the Newsletter email). A recipient will be matched as soon as possible.

Please note that these opportunities typically come up several times throughout the year, so keep checking the Academy Newsletter!

A generous family from Stafford, VA recently contacted the Academy about gifting their Kimball upright piano to a good home. If anyone is interested in accepting this gift, please contact us ASAP.

The piano is approximately 38 years old and is free of charge (to a good home); however, the family requests the recipient to pay for the moving expense, which averages around $250-300 (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. We will handle this on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please email us at academy@gmu.edu  (no phone calls please) and put “Piano Available to Good Home” in the subject (or simply Reply to the Newsletter email). A recipient will be matched as soon as possible.

Please note that these opportunities typically come up several times throughout the year, so keep checking the Academy Newsletter!

This January, Mason Community Arts Academy and Moving Story welcome students and performers ages 15-20 with musical theater experience to participate in the Moving Story Musical Theater Intensive.

Kelly D’Amboise, a program faculty member who is a director, choreographer, & teaching artist, writes 5 reasons students should join us this January!

1. Connect to your most authentic self as an artist-YOU are what’s most exciting about your audition or performance!
2. Work with artists and industry professionals who are passionate about musical theatre. 
3. Dance, Sing, and Act your face off! 
4. Sharpen your audition skills- learn from Broadway veterans and Casting Directors how to make the most of your time in the audition room and what gets you cast! 
5. Connect with your peers in the DC area and have a blast! 

Students will receive invaluable feedback to sharpen their audition and performance skills, hone their craft, and most importantly, tap into what makes them unique as a performing artist! Learn from the best, do the work, and have a blast! JOIN US!

A generous family from Fairfax, VA recently contacted the Academy about gifting their Clark and Story console upright piano to a good home. If anyone is interested in accepting this gift, please contact us ASAP.

The piano is approximately 58 years old and is free of charge (to a good home); however, the family requests the recipient to pay for the moving expense, which averages around $250-300 (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. We will handle this on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please email us at academy@gmu.edu  (no phone calls please) and put “Piano Available to Good Home” in the subject (or simply Reply to the Newsletter email). A recipient will be matched as soon as possible.

Please note that these opportunities typically come up several times throughout the year, so keep checking the Academy Newsletter!