Community Arts Blog and Events | Mason Arts Academy GMU

Introducing Creative Spring Break Camps

Post author By Matt Geske
Post date February 5, 2016

When FCPS Spring Break rolls around, it can be challenging for working parents to find quality activities for their children to do during the day. Give them an unforgettable week at Mason! We will have Acting, Computer Game Design, and even Magic Camp – sign up soon!

Fairfax County Spring Break is March 21-25, 2016. Plan ahead to claim your space in one of our programs. In collaboration with Mason’s Human Resources, we are offering Magic Camp, featuring the astounding Professor Fizzwiffle. Acting For Young People is presenting Spring Break on Stage, including games, activities and projects from their regular theater curriculum of acting, voice and movement. Mason Game & Technology Academy will present Game Design, Creation & Entrepreneurship, where articipants will learn the fundamentals of game design, rules, and game mechanics, with hands-on experience using current game engine tools.

SEE SPRING BREAK CAMP INFORMATION

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

Music

Faculty Feature: Jason Mullen

Post author By Alaina
Post date February 5, 2016

Guitarist Jason Mullen joined our faculty as a Teaching Artist in Fall of 2015. In addition to teaching private lessons at Potomac Arts Academy, he is also pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Shenandoah Conservatory in the studio of Julian Gray. Enjoy this video of Jason performing and read on to learn more about him as a teacher and a musician:

PAA: How did you first fall in love with your instrument?

JM: I first fell in love with the guitar as child. I have a particularly vivid memory of my grade school music teacher using the guitar to accompany us in songs. I remember being completely enamored when she would stop the sound by placing her right hand over the vibrating strings. The sound seemed to magically disappear! I think now I can articulate it a bit better in saying, playing the guitar is an experience where you are in complete control of the creation of sound. There is no mechanism between you and the sound, you both generate and extinguish it with your hands directly on the strings. I still find this to be one of the most exciting and creative aspects of the instrument!

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

JM: Each individual student is unique. My goal is to equip students with skills that support their long-term musical goals no matter what their aspirations. I love it when students who I haven’t seen in years get in touch and tell me what they’ve been up to. Some of my students have gone on to music studies of their own, while others have continued to play simply for enjoyment. It’s such a great feeling to know that you’ve positively affected someone’s life through music and the instrument!

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

JM: I’ve learned so much through my students—It’s totally cliché to say, but that’s why it’s true! I like to have students create their own original musical exercises based around the concepts they’re learning. They have to teach me the exercises that they have created and explain exactly how the activity supports the outcome they desire. Not only does this help develop critical thinking skills, but it allows the student to take ownership in the improvement of their playing in a fun and creative way.

PAA: Do you have any pets? Tell us about them!

JM: My wife Heidi, (who is a guitarist and musicologist) and I, have a six-month old son named Glenn and three-legged cat named Binks.

To register for or learn more about lessons with Jason Mullen, give us a call at (703) 993-9889 or email us at [email protected]!

LEARN MORE ABOUT PRIVATE LESSONS

Music

Faculty Feature: Seon Gyu Park

Post author By Alaina
Post date February 3, 2016

Seon Gyu Park is a Teaching Artist of Voice who has been on our faculty since Fall 2015. She teaches private voice lessons with us as well as the Voice Classes for Teens and Adults. An experienced performer, Seon Gyu has sung in concert halls and on opera stages around the world.

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

SGP: When I was an elementary school student, I was a member of the MBC children’s choir in Korea. I appeared in a children’s TV show every week for 3 years. We were dancing and singing in the program and I loved it. That experience gave me the dream to become a singer.

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

SGP: I was the conductor of a middle school choir. At that time, they couldn’t sing very well but I didn’t give up. I taught them the basics, like how to breathe and how to support. Above all, I encouraged them to enjoy singing. They changed little by little, and then we finally made a great harmony and we won 2nd Prize at the national choir competition.

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

SGP: Before singing, I teach how to warm up our body and what is a good pose to sing. Because our bodies are our instruments, I try to teach my students to understand our bodies well and to use them properly.

PAA: Do you have any pets? If so, tell us about them. If not, tell us the type of pet you would like to have.

SGP: I have two goldfish. I don’t have a dog yet, but my husband and I are planning to have one. Hopefully, we can meet a cute and nice furry friend.

To schedule a lesson with Seon Gyu Park, please email us at [email protected], call us at (703) 993-9889, or register for our Teen or Adult Voice Class!

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Summer Is In The Air (No, Really!)

Post author By Matt Geske
Post date January 29, 2016

It may be wintry and snow-clad outside, but Summer is on our brain around here. We have posted our Summer Arts at Mason camp line-up and are taking registrations. Our popular programs start filling quickly, so get a headstart on your summer planning!

We have weekly camps running from end of June through mid-August. The majority of our camps are full-day programs (9am-3/4pm), with some exceptions. A selection of our programs now have a new overnight Residential option, where older kids can stay in the campus dorms and enjoy special evening activities.

Check out this photo slideshow from the 2014 Composition & Songwriting Workshops:

Reserve your spot today! You can also take advantage of our Split Payment option during registration – pay half when you enroll, and the other half won’t be charged until June 1st.

SEE FULL LIST OF SUMMER PROGRAMS

Overwhelming to look through? Check out our handy “Camps-By-Age” tool!

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