We kicked off the 2019 Summer Arts at Mason with a successful week of programs from June 17-21. The Academy welcomed about 200 students to George Mason University Fairfax Campus to attend acting, music, or photography summer programs. Here is an overview of the week:
Acting for Young People students in Ages 7-18 rehearsed and performed a full-length musical “Halloween High” with Mr. Ahmad Maaty and Ms. Hayley Dandreaux in just one week. Our theater artists and staff worked with students, who were divided by age groups, from learning the script to practicing their dance moves before their final performances on Saturday, June 22. Written, directed, and choreographed by Mr. Ahmad Maaty and musical directed by Ms. Hayley Dandreaux, “Halloween High” sets a story in a high school for monsters, where monsters unveil, embrace, and celebrate their identities and learn to respect one another for who they are. To see more photos, visit HERE.
The Summer Music Intensive Week welcomed aspiring young musicians who play flute, clarinet, trumpet, and percussion and students who are interested in music composition or recording for a week of challenging and rewarding programming. Students rehearsed their pieces with esteemed artists, listened to faculty and guest artists recitals, and attended masterclasses with prestigious musicians, who share about their experiences and career journey. This year, we are honored to have distinguished U.S. composers Dr. Frank Ticheli and Professor Mark Camphouse join us for a guest lecture and share their advice with our aspiring musicians. Each academy also invited numbers of accomplished musicians for guest lectures in their private sessions. Students presented their final concert at Center for the Arts Concert Hall on Friday, June 21. College of Visual and Performing Arts Dean Rick Davis greeted our guests with a warm-welcoming remark, and the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets opened the concert with an astonishing performance. To see more photos, visit HERE.
In this section, students learned about the in-depth and creative process of digital photography and photo editing and manipulations. In the first part of the week, students learned about photo compositions and camera settings and went on field trips for practice shots around the campus. Ms. Samantha F. and Mr. Arthur Reinaltt led the class step by step to edit their photos in Adobe Photoshop. In the end of the program, students showcased their artwork to families and guests and shared their ideas and meanings behind the photos. To see more photos visit HERE.