Category: Events

Spotlight on the Arts Music Recital

Post author By Matt Geske
Post date April 13, 2017

On Sunday, April 30th, the Academy will present our Spotlight Music Recital featuring students and faculty at the Sherwood Center, as part of the City of Fairfax’s annual Spotlight on the Arts celebration.

WHEN: Sunday, April 30, 2017 at 2PM
WHERE: Sherwood Center, 3740 Old Lee Hwy, Fairfax, VA 22030 See Map
COST: FREE and open to the public
AUDIENCE: Family friendly

Cello student performing

After a formal audition process, a collection of Academy music students which best represents a “snapshot” of Potomac Arts Academy’s music program is selected by the judging panel of music teaching artists. This special group of performers includes a range of instrumentation, age and skill level (although all performers must present a “polished” piece at the audition to be eligible).

Adult voice student performing

The outcome is a wonderful and varied recital event, and the perfect Sunday afternoon activity! Everyone is welcome to come and hear great music presented by these hard-working students, with a few music faculty performances rounding out the concert.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR EVENTS

The Academy would like to thank the City of Fairfax Commission on the Arts for providing the venue for this program.

Events Music

Faculty Recital Spotlights Teaching Artists

Post author By Matt Geske
Post date April 7, 2017

The Spring Academy Faculty Recital on April 2nd in the City of Fairfax’s Old Town Hall was a wonderful success, featuring 9 of our amazing music teaching artists, and attended by a diverse crowd of approximately 75 community members.

The program included a rich mix of chamber (small ensemble) music repertoire and varied combinations of instrumentation. Classical guitarists Suzanne Dorman and Christopher Jenkins began the recital with a duo performance of “Prayer” by Frederic Hand.

Chris Jenkins and Suzanne Dorman performing

Flautist Nayoon Choi joined Suzanne Dorman to perform two pieces by Astor Piazzolla, “Oblivion” and “Libertango”.

Nayoon Choi and Suzanne Dorman performing

Vocal Soprano Seon Gyu Park, Nayoon Choi, and Pianist Faith Zuniga also performed two pieces. “Destiny” by Wonju Lee depicted a Korean love story (see video below), and “Meine Lippen, sie küssen so heiβ” (from Giuditta) by Franz Lehar portrayed a rather brash, self-confident German woman.

The program was completed with two robust numbers from this year’s official Academy Faculty String Quartet – Violinist Claire Allen, Violinist Hyunji Lee, Violist Patrick LeStrange and Cellist Zachary Whitaker – who presented Antonin Dvorák’s “Quartet No. 12 in F Major, I. Allegro”. Joined by Faith Zuniga, they concluded the recital with Robert Schumann’s “Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44, I. Allegro brilliante”.

Faculty string quartet performing

The Academy would like to thank all of the performers and audience members for attending this special event, and we would like to once again gratefully acknowledge the generous support of the City of Fairfax Commission on the Arts for helping to make this performance possible.

Community Outreach Events Music

Mason Giving Day, Thursday April 6th

Post author By Matt Geske
Post date March 31, 2017

This spring is a great time to show some Patriot pride by starting a new tradition of giving. Mason’s first “Giving Day” will offer the opportunity to support your favorite Mason programs – including the Academy’s own Instruments in the Attic program.

Visit givingday.gmu.edu for full details on next Thursday, April 6th’s official “Mason Giving Day”. In the “Projects You Can Support” section, you will notice “The Arts” category. If you click there, you will see Potomac Arts Academy’s listing for Instruments in the Attic.

Support the Instruments in the Attic program as we collaborate with the Mason School of Music to repair and ship donated musical instruments to Costa Rica for the inaugural International Teaching Scholars Program. Fifty instruments will be distributed to underserved communities in the San José area. Six Mason School of Music student Teaching Scholars will accompany the instruments on their journey. Working side by side with local music instructors, Mason students will experience the power of music and its ability to impact and transform communities. Help us raise $1,800 to help cover travel expenses for the students!

University music students traveling to Costa Rica

Here’s what to do: anytime on Thursday, April 6th, visit givingday.gmu.edu, and when you make your donation, select “Potomac Arts Academy – Instruments in the Attic” as your designated project. As the name suggests, this special “window of giving opportunity” only last 24 hours. The Academy will be pushing out several “Mason Giving Day” posts on our social media channels on that day as helpful reminders, including the unique hashtag #Give2Mason.

Music students rehearsing in Costa Rica

Thank you for considering making a gift to this wonderful outreach initiative!

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR TEACHING SCHOLARS OUTREACH PROGRAM

Events

Cuisine & Confessions Event at Mason

Post author By Matt Geske
Post date March 24, 2017

Mason’s Center for the Arts invites you to the party as they host a special “Cuisine & Confessions” mini-festival on Saturday, April 8th. Enjoy food and entertainment on the CfA plaza in between the high energy theatrical performances by the “The 7 Fingers of the Hand” company in the concert hall.

About “The 7 Fingers of the Hand” Performance
Dance, acrobatics, and a pinch of theatrics are the essential ingredients in this remarkable show that explores life in the family kitchen where lessons are learned, bonds are forged, and secrets are exchanged. In their latest delightfully inventive production, Cuisine & Confessions, The 7 Fingers of the Hand interprets relationships and storytelling as they prepare a meal in a unique and playful way.
LEARN MORE & BUY SHOW TICKETS

About the Cuisine & Confessions Mini-Festival
Enjoy food and entertainment in between the Saturday performances of Cuisine & Confessions on the plaza outside the Center for the Arts. Food trucks will sell snacks and dinner as well as artsy outdoor demonstrations. Plus, come early or stay late for an indoor confessions booth to reveal your most guilty food pleasure.
LEARN MORE & GET DIRECTIONS

Cuisine & Confessions theater show

Admission to the mini-festival is FREE (food/ snacks are available for purchase), but the concert hall performance does require tickets. Make your theatrical taste buds come alive with this mouth-watering event!

Events Music

Academy Faculty Recital on April 2nd

Post author By Matt Geske
Post date March 24, 2017

Select members of the Academy’s Music faculty will give an engaging and dynamic recital of chamber music works on Sunday, April 2nd in the historic Old Town Hall in Fairfax City, Virginia. This concert is free and open to the public, so bring the whole family!

The program will include works by famous composers Antonin Dvorák, Astor Piazzolla, and Robert Schumann. The audience will enjoy a variety of instrumentation from our faculty, including Claire Allen (violin), Nayoon Choi (flute), Suzanne Dorman (guitar), Chris Jenkins (guitar), Hyunji Lee (violin), Patrick LeStrange (viola), Seon Gyu Park (voice), Zachary Whitaker (cello), and Faith Zuniga (piano).

Claire Allen, Hyunji Lee, Patrick LeStrange and Zachary Whitaker (pictured above) are members of this year’s official “PAA Faculty String Quartet”.

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WHEN: Sunday, April 2nd at 4PM
WHERE: Old Town Hall in Fairfax City (next to Old Town Square) See Map
PARKING: There are several public parking lots nearby.
COST: FREE

Light refreshments will be served following the performances. It’s the perfect Spring-time Sunday afternoon event!

Call the Academy office at 703-993-9889 for more information.

This concert was made possible with the generous support of the City of Fairfax Commission on the Arts.