Many hands come together to create and put on the wonderful programming that Mason Community Arts Academy (MCAA) provides to the Northern Virginia community. The Academy employs many George Mason University faculty, staff, current students, and alumni to teach and staff our year-round programs, private music lessons, and outreach events and initiatives. Two of our long time team members, Lucas Kremer and Adam Lemos, who have worked in teaching and admin capacities, have now joined the Academy as full time staff members in specialized areas.
Lucas Kremer is a saxophone instructor at the Academy and a George Mason alum, and has joined the Academy as our new Coordinator of Music Programs and Outreach. Adam Lemos is teaching artist with Acting For Young People, the Academy’s theater and acting program, a George Mason alum, and joins us as the Assistant Coordinator of Programs and Outreach.
Coordinator of Music Programs and Outreach
How long have you worked for MCAA, and what are your new official duties?
I first joined the Academy in 2019 during my undergraduate studies at George Mason. Since then, I have had the privilege of serving in several part-time roles across nearly every area of the organization. In this new full-time role, I will be coordinating our music outreach initiatives, including the Instruments in the Attic instrument donation program. I will also continue teaching saxophone lessons and serving on the administrative teams for private music lessons and summer programs.
How did you first fall in love with music?
I first started playing the saxophone in fifth grade when I joined my school’s band program. I was always motivated by practicing and improving on the saxophone from the beginning, which got stronger over the years as I fully realized the beauty and versatility of the instrument. Thanks to the constant support of my family and many teachers along the way, I was inspired to pursue music in college and professionally.
Tell us about a memorable teaching experience you’ve had.
A memorable moment was witnessing one of my Academy saxophone students make All-District Band for the first time and attending their performance at the All-District Band event. Given how these milestones were also pivotal in my own musical journey, it was a full-circle moment to have my own student have the same experience.
What excites you most in your new role?
This new role allows me to expand on much of the work I was already immersed in at the Academy, while also pursuing new opportunities within the organization. I am particularly excited to delve more into our outreach efforts and to spread the Academy’s influence in the area and beyond. Most importantly, I am looking forward to learning and growing even more from my wonderful colleagues, who have been nothing but supportive and encouraging throughout the years.
Do you have any pets?
While neither my family nor I own any pets (mostly due to allergies), we are animal lovers from afar. My mom frequently sends us posts from social media, especially from the WeRateDogs accounts!
Assistant Coordinator of Theater Programs and Outreach
How long have you worked for MCAA/AFYP, and what are your new official duties?
I started as an afterschool teaching artist with Acting for Young People in the Spring of 2014 as a freshman theater major at George Mason. From there I moved into our Saturday showcase programs working first with our Adventures group (ages 7-8) for many years before moving up to direct and stage manage shows for our Musical and Advanced programs. My new official duties include a lot of back-end management such as helping process registrations, building out programs and curriculum, as well as more front–facing outreach initiatives that help bolster our presence in the George Mason and greater Fairfax communities.
How did you first fall in love with acting/music?
I was seven years old when I did my very first play–On Borrowed Time–at the Putnam County Playhouse in Greencastle, Indiana. My dad was actually in the play with me and played a character who is essentially the grim reaper. I had a very small role with a handful of lines but I was hooked. It was the one extracurricular [activities] that sort of stuck–and believe me, my parents tried a lot–and the rest is history.
Tell us about a memorable teaching experience you’ve had.
One of the things I love most about AFYP is how focused it is on the longterm growth of its students. Kids as young as five can join our Mini Actors’ Showcase and continue to move up through the program until they reach the Advanced Actors’ Showcase, which they can perform in through high school. One of the most memorable and heartwarming experiences I have is getting to work with a number of students I taught when they were eight years old who are now in high school. Witnessing their growth as both performers and people is a near indescribable joy.
What excites you most in your new role?
The opportunity to represent such an exceptional organization and group of people at multiple outreach opportunities throughout the area.
Do you have any pets?
No–but hope to rectify that very soon! 🙂
Congratulations to our music faculty for a splendid evening of music and voice at yesterday’s Fairfax, Spotlight on the Arts festival performance. Our theme this year was music from film and television.
Pieces ranged from the main theme of Interstellar, performed by Dr. Nayoon Choi on flute and Dr. Estrella Hong accompanying on piano, to a selection of pieces from Star Wars and The Hobbit, performed by a guitar trio of Geoff Sawyer, Brian Slaymaker, and Hang Yin.
This year was our highest attendance to date with 150 attendees! We look forward to more performances by our faculty in the future and we hope to see you for next year’s Spotlight performance.
This performance was made possible with the generous support of the City of Fairfax Commission on the Arts.
