Community Arts Blog and Events | Mason Arts Academy GMU

Journey to the Islands This Saturday

Post author By Matt Geske
Post date March 4, 2016

This Saturday, March 5 at 8pm in Mason’s Center for the Arts: Sway to the island rhythms as the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra transports you to paradise on the Caribbean shores. Imagine a warm island breeze beneath the palm trees with sounds of steel pans floating by. It’s a perfect winter getaway!

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This illustrious jazz orchestra is joined by featured steel pan virtuoso Victor Provost, a member of the Grammy Award-winning Afro Bop Alliance, and his ensemble for a program of Caribbean music. Washington City Paper’s “Jazz Percussionist of the Year” for the past five years, Provost has performed alongside Cuban jazz legend Paquito D’Rivera and his Panamericana Orchestra and was named the Art Ambassador to his home of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Don’t miss this incredible night of music filled with rhythmic island soul!

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Dance

Testimonies from SummerDance Students

Post author By Matt Geske
Post date March 4, 2016

The evidence is in – SummerDance delivers! Recently, four former SummerDance participants revealed to Director Karen Reedy how their experiences with the program transformed their lives and helped them navigate their higher education decisions.

“The summer dance program played a huge role in deciding which direction I wanted to take my future; I wouldn’t be as comfortable pursuing a BFA if I hadn’t had previous experience taking the same classes I take now during the intensive,” said current Mason Dance sophomore Sydney Gorena. “The summer dance program offered me a safe and positive space to explore several different techniques that challenged my body and mind.”

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“Summer dance at Mason was an incredibly helpful experience to have had when making my decision for where to attend college,” said current Dance Major Beth Whelan. “The faculty at Summer Dance were enthusiastic, creative, and helped every dancer push their limits. After two weeks of dancing with Mason, I felt I had a good feel for the company as a whole and was inspired by the work ethic and prestige that was expected. My experience was challenging, motivating and a great way to cultivate not only my technique but my artistry before coming into the college scene. Summer Dance at Mason made me certain that I wanted to spend the next four years dancing here and I have not regretted my choice for one second!”

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“I would say that the biggest take away from the Mason Summer Dance program was not only being challenged technically and pushed out of my comfort zone, but also being surrounded by so many dedicated peers,” said Mason Dance student Tori Gray. “The positivity that surged throughout the participants was beyond powerful and gave me a glimpse of what the dance world is truly like. There isn’t a doubt in my mind that I made lasting friendships at the Mason Summer Dance program.”

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SummerDance alum Casey Landon, currently a Dance Major at Point Park University, summed it up like this: “I cannot thank you enough for teaching me so much about musicality and stage presence. Memories with you are ones I will never forget.”

This year’s SummerDance program is July 10-24, 2016. Applications with a $250 deposit* are being accepted now! If accepted, full tuition cost is $1,350 (includes deposit) plus $1,125 for Room & Board (which the majority of participants choose, as activities go from morning until night). Activities focus on ballet, repertory, modern and conditioning, plus students will each produce a solo audition DVD. The two-week intensive culminates in a student public performance in one of Mason’s professional theaters!

Reedy “While the snow is still falling and the temperatures are brisk, we are excitingly looking forward to July at Mason!” says SummerDance 2016 Director Karen Reedy. “Don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have about our program.”
Email: [email protected]

GO TO SUMMERDANCE WEBPAGE

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Music

Faculty Feature: Wendy Chinn

Post author By Alaina
Post date March 2, 2016

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!

Events 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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Announcements Events Music

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.

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