Category: Music

Disney Fantasia at Center for the Arts

Post author By Matt Geske
Post date February 26, 2016

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.

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Orchestra of the Americas Masterclass: Saturday, February 27

Post author By Alaina
Post date February 24, 2016

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.

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

Music

Teen Guitarists Enjoy Special Ensemble

Post author By Matt Geske
Post date February 19, 2016

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:

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Piano Students Selected to Perform At Carnegie Hall

Post author By Alaina
Post date February 12, 2016

FaithZuniga2_headshot Two piano students of Teaching Artist Faith Zúñiga were awarded prizes in the American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition! They will both be performing at Carnegie Hall in New York City later this year. Ava Harhay is a Second Place Winner and Keira Konson received an Honorable Mention. We are so excited for both of these students and look forward to updating you later this semester about their performances!

Ava Harhay (pictured above with Ms. Zuniga) is 10 years old and lives in Falls Church, Virginia. Ava showed an interest in playing the piano at an early age and started lessons when she was six years old. She is currently taking lessons with Faith Zúñiga, adjunct faculty, at George Mason University Potomac Arts Academy. Ava enjoys piano performances and has participated in numerous winter and spring recitals. Ava was a winner at the 2015 Potomac Arts Academy Spotlight on the Arts competition and performed in the winners’ recital April 2015. She also recently earned second place in the American Protégé Competition and will be performing at Carnegie Hall in May.

In addition to her love and dedication to the piano, Ava plays soccer and is the goalie on her team. In her free time, Ava enjoys reading, watching, and learning everything there is to know about Harry Potter.

Keira Konson (pictured with Ms. Zuniga) is 11 years old and from Oakton, VA. She started her piano study at the age of 5. Keira enjoys piano performance, gave her first shared solo recital last year and has played in the Fairfax County Piano Festival for the past 3 years, obtaining the highest rating each year. This is the second year Keira is learning under the great instruction of her teacher, Faith Zúñiga. She particularly enjoys playing the music of Edvard Grieg, but enjoys listening to a wide variety of music. Keira currently also plays the French horn in her school band. She makes fabric-tie wreaths to benefit AIDS orphans in her parents’ native South Africa – and loves every opportunity to visit! Keira has a great desire to serve others, starting with her parents and 3 siblings at home. She also enjoys ballet, lyrical, jazz and acro dance, baking and just about anything else she can pour her creative energy into!

CONGRATULATIONS, AVA, KEIRA, AND FAITH!!

To start your own musical journey at Potomac Arts Academy, please use this link to learn more about private lessons!

Music

Fun Piano Classes for Senior Adults

Post author By Matt Geske
Post date February 5, 2016

Dr. Ina Mirtcheva started teaching Piano Classes for senior adults about 4 years ago, while pursuing her doctorate at George Mason University’s School of Music. Since then, she has not only completed her degree, but also gained an admiring following of happy piano students, who just happen to be 55 and older!

Students start out with Piano Level 1, which is meant for complete beginners. Hour-long classes run for 10 weeks and are specially priced at $255 (plus a small book fee). After completing Level 1, a large percentage of participants continue on with what is generalized as “Intermediate” classes. Dr. Mirtcheva has designed the classes so that you can repeat the class and learn new skills and new songs.

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Some people who sign up for the class have never touched a piano before but have always wanted to learn. To them, it is a sort of “bucket list” experience. For some, they used to play piano, but it has been many, many years since – as is often said – life just got in the way. In this regard, adults are re-inspired to explore their musicality and creativity. Becoming a student again can be challenging, which is why Dr. Mirtcheva makes every effort to make the classroom relaxed, comfortable and enjoyable. Sounds of laughter can often be heard in the building during piano class times!

SIGN UP FOR PIANO CLASS THIS SPRING

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Dr. Mirtcheva is now an adjunct professor at Mason’s School of Music. Ina Radeva Mirtcheva started playing the piano when she was five years old. From 1st to 9th grade, she attended L. Pipkov Music School in Sofia, Bulgaria studying piano with K. Karadimchev. In 1998, she moved with her family to the United States and was part of the honors program at Levine School of Music in Washington DC. Ms. Mirtcheva earned her Bachelors and Masters of Music in Piano Performance from George Mason University, studying piano with Dr. Anna Balakerskaia. She earned a second Masters in Instrumental Collaborative Piano at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where she had a full graduate scholarship and assistantship and studied piano and chamber music with James Tocco and Sandra Rivers. Most recently, she has earned her Doctorate in Musical Arts, from Mason and is performing in the Washington Metropolitan Area.

SEE ALL SPRING CLASSES