Mason Community Arts Academy

In August, guitar Teaching Artist Glen McCarthy held a guitar workshop in Kelowna, British Columbia. In addition to teaching at the Academy, Glen travels often to teach students guitar and ukulele.

While our adult guitar classes are already in session, registration for our teen and adult art classes are open through Thursday! https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/classes/

Our Fall Music and Acting/Theater programs started this week, but we still have registration open for our teen and adult Art programs beginning next Saturday, the 23rd! Register now for classes in drawing, painting, digital illustration, and mixed media: https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/art-classes/

[September Newsletter] This Fall at MCAA

The Academy values the importance of our teacher’s professional development.

[September Newsletter] This Fall at MCAA The Academy values the importance of our teacher’s professional development. The Faculty Enrichment Fund annually provides partial reimbursement for teachers to attend conferences, workshops, and teacher training sessions.

[August Newsletter] The Academy Wraps Up Its Biggest Summer Yet

Summer is always something to celebrate here at Mason Community Arts Academy, and this year is no exception!

[August Newsletter] The Academy Wraps Up Its Biggest Summer Yet Our faculty and staff had the privilege of working with over 1,700 students across our programs in Music, Acting, Visual Art, Film & Video, and Professional Development.

For teens who who want to develop and improve their overall musicianship skills through ear training and rhythm exercises, our Building Your Musicianship Skills course is the perfect supplement to student's regular music lessons.

Open to both Academy and non-academy students, this class will cover topics in music history, music theory, aural skills, and musician wellness.

Student who took our Level 1 course can build upon their skills in Level 2! Level 2 will continue to focus on music theory and history, learning about new chord types and chord progressions.

Building Your Musicianship Skills: Level 1
Ages 12-18
Tuesdays, 7:15 – 8:15 pm
September 12 – December 5, 2023

Building Your Musicianship Skills: Level 2
Ages 12-18
Thursdays, 7:45 – 8:45 pm
September 14 – December 7, 2023

https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/classes/

Our Violin Adventures class is filling up fast! We have a few spots left in our Ages 6-8 section and just 1 spot in Ages 4-6.

Tuesdays, September 12, 2023 – May 7, 2024
Ages 4-6, 5:15 – 6:15 pm
Ages 6-8, 6:30 – 7:30 pm

Secure your spot today: https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/music-classes/fall-violin-beginnings/

Dr. Ina Mirtcheva Blevins has served as our Piano for Adults 55+ instructor for several years! Many of her students start in the Level 1class and continue on into the Intermediate level. 🎹

We offer a supportive and relaxing environment in these courses and encourage students to repeat classes until they are comfortable to move on to the next level. 🎼

Join us Wednesdays mornings and early afternoons, beginning September 13: https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/music-classes/

Congratulations to Dr. Samantha Clarke, who also coordinates our Instruments in the Attic program!

Earlier this year, Dr. Clarke coordinated a donation of 100 instruments to Wynne Schools in Arkansas after the town was devastated by tornadoes: https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/instrument-in-the-attics-donation-to-wynne-schools/

The Mason Bands wish to congratulate Dr. Samantha Clarke (Mason DMA Wind Conducting '23) on her recent appointment as Director of Bands at Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Maryland.

Dr. Clarke studied conducting with Mason Director of Bands, Dr. William L. Lake, Jr., and Professor Mark Camphouse, Director of Bands emeritus. She actively conducted the Mason Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony, and served as Assistant Camp Director for the Mason Summer Band Camp. We all send an enthusiastic ovation to Dr. Clarke and wish her the very best!

Mason Bands Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music Mason Arts Mason Community Arts Academy

Learn one of the world's most popular instruments with our Guitar Teaching Artist, Glen McCarthy! Recognized as one of the top ten music educators in the US by the Grammy Foundation, Glen and his students have fun learning the basics of the guitar every semester.

Adult Guitar Level 1
Ages 18+
Mondays, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
September 11 – December 4, 2023

Adult Guitar Level 2
Ages 18+
Mondays, 7:45 – 8:45 pm
September 11 – December 4, 2023

Register now: https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/music-classes/

If you enjoyed our Creative Discoveries program this Summer, join us this Fall on Saturdays for our art programs for ages 4-18!

Art Adventures, 4-7
Art Foundations, 8-11
Art Explorations 12-18

Each semester we explore different themes and concepts through various art mediums.

Register today, classes begin Sept 23: https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/art-classes/

And that's a wrap on Summer Arts at Mason 2023! We hope you enjoyed our summer programming. Registration for Summer 2024 will open in January!

Until then, join us for our Fall programs in Visual Art and Music. Register today as we already have programs waitlisted: https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/classes/

Tomorrow at Fairfax Regional Library in Old Town Fairfax! 2-3pm.

"Frederico, the Mouse Violinist" and violin petting zoo Join Mason Community Arts Academy and Fairfax Fine Violins to learn all about the violin! Violin students from Mason Community Arts Academy will perform a selection of pieces from...

What's the News? Mason Community Arts Academy and the Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music made THE GEORGE today in a feature highlighting Mason's Summer Camps, including the inaugural Mason Summer Band Camp!

Mason Summer Band Camp by the Numbers:
* 102 Campers
* 52 Overnight Campers
* 53 Schools represented from VA
* 7 School represented from MD
* 43 Junior High Students
* 59 Senior High Students
* 30 Hours of Private Instruction
* 14 Hours of Large Ensemble Instruction

The Mason Bands are excited to collaborate with the Mason Community Arts Academy to bring the Mason Summer Band Camp 2.0 this June! Stay tuned for more information, registration openings, new additions, and more fun in music!

Week 7 of Summer Arts at Mason 2023 was a jam packed week of programs! Acting for Young People concluded programming with Musical Theater Workshop, Improv Comedy Workshop, and Musical Theater Scenework Intensive.

Our highly competitive film programs also closed out the summer with Filmmaking for High School Students.

We'll be seeing more music programs this week in production, violin, and piano before we finish Summer 2023.

Enjoyed our Summer programming? Join us this Fall in Music & Visual Art: https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/classes/

The Academy building will be closed starting at 5 pm due to Inclement Weather.

For students with private music lessons today, please check your email for more details and contact us at [email protected] if you have questions.

[August Newsletter] Register Now for Fall 2023 Programs

Join us for programs in piano, voice, violin, oil painting, and more!

[August Newsletter] Register Now for Fall 2023 Programs at MCAA Join us for programs in piano, voice, violin, oil painting, and more. There are a few spots available in our Fall Acting For Young People Mini Actor's Showcase for ages 5-6. Check out our NEW Art and Music programs:

We're set to wrap up Summer Arts at Mason 2023! But not before some stellar performances and presentations.

Summer 2024 registration will be available in January. But until then, you can join us for Acting, Music, and Visual Art programs this fall!

Register now: https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/classes/

Only three weeks left in Summer Arts at Mason 2023! But Fall is just right around the corner. View our current fall class offerings now: https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/classes/

More classes will be added, so stay tuned!

[July Newsletter] Save the Date! Fall 2023 Programs at Mason

Fall Programs in Acting/Theater, Art, and Music for ages 4-18+ will soon be open for registration!

[July Newsletter] Save the Date for Fall 2023 Programs at MCAA Join us again this Fall for programs in acting, piano, singing, oil painting, and more. Acting For Young People programs will open for registration on Tuesday, August 1st. Art and Music programs, will open for registration by August 1st.

Week 4 at Summer Arts at Mason marked the halfway point of our summer programs. Our fall programming will be available for registration in August, stay tuned!

Mr. Jeebs, GMU Department of Biology's resident skeleton model, is taking a much needed vacation at Summer Arts at Mason.

Yesterday, Mr. Jeebs assisted the Teacher Training programs in their discussions on dance and the body.

Follow along for more of Mr. Jeebs adventures, and thanks to our friends over at the Biology Department for approving Mr. Jeebs PTO.

Our Acting for Young People students took audiences on a Tour of the Laugh Factory during Session II's Comedy Week, including a tour through Clown School, comedic vignettes, improv, and more! 🎭

Join us next week in Session IV, Superhero Week. Claim your spot as it'll be your last chance to join us for our Weekly Acting Camps, with Session V already full!

Register now: https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/acting/summer/camp-sessions/

In Week 2 of Summer Arts at Mason 2023, students learned the basics of guitar in our Beginner Guitar Camps, created works of art in Digital Illustration and Creative Discoveries, created their own original screenplays in the Screenwriting Workshop, created epic science fiction characters in the Weekly Acting Camp, and played in a string orchestra.

Join us in select programs still open for this summer, including Weekly Acting Camps, The Art of Filmscoring, and more: https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/summer/

[July Newsletter] First Inaugural Mason Summer Band Camp

Last week, Mason Community Arts Academy (MCAA) kicked off the first-ever Mason Summer Band Camp.

[July Newsletter] First Inaugural Mason Summer Band Camp Last week, Mason Community Arts Academy (MCAA) kicked off the first-ever Mason Summer Band Camp. We had over 100 students from around Virginia and out of state, Dewberry School of Music faculty, and the Green Machine participating in this year's program. Program Director Dr. William L. Lake, Jr, was...

Read more about how MCAA's Outreach program, Instruments in the Attic, serves students in need not just in northern Virginia, but around the country:

Instruments in the Attic donations help Arkansas schools Just weeks after a massive tornado destroyed their high school and half of their town, music students in Wynne, Arkansas, were able to continue their music education and even keep some performance dates, thanks to Mason’s Instruments in the Attic program.

We hope our students, families, faculty, and staff enjoyed our inaugural Mason Summer Band Camp 💚💛🎼 Throughout the week, students participated in ensembles, masterclasses, private lessons, activities throughout campus, and life as a Mason student.

Stay tuned for dates for next summer's Band Camp 2024!

Mason Bands LaToya A. Webb William L. Lake, Jr.

Students in Week 1's Musical Theater Workshop and Audition Intensive focused on singing, acting, and choreography 💃🎭🎤

We're excited for our next Theater Workshop and Intensive in July!

In the meantime, we still have spots open for our weekly acting camps: https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/acting/summer/camp-sessions/

The Mason Bands are thankful for the collaborative artistic spirit of the 2023 Mason Summer Band Camp large ensemble directors! Dr. LaToya A. Webb (Mason Alum and Director of the Wilfrid Laurier University Wind Symphony) and Dr. Michael Nickens (Director of the Green Machine Ensembles and Composition and Tuba) joined Dr. William L. Lake, Jr., Director of Concert Bands to facilitate the Junior High Concert Band and Green Machine Experience!

Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music | Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music | Mason Arts | Doc Nix & The Green Machine | Mason Community Arts Academy

In preparation for today's performance!

Day 3 of Band Camp! Continuing on with our Masterclasses and Private Lessons. 💚💛🎼

Yesterday began our first ever Mason Summer Band Camp and week 1 of Summer Arts at Mason! 💛💚🎼🎭

Spots are still open for Acting Week 1 and Beginner Guitar Teen camp starting next week: https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/summer/

Next week!

We're 1 week away from Summer 2023 Arts at Mason! While most of our programs are full, we do have spots available in select programs, such as our Weekly Acting Camps, Filmscoring, Fine Arts Sampler, Beginner Teen Guitar Camp, and more: https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/summer/

Summer Programs Now Open for Registration! https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/summer/

Mason Community Arts Academy proudly presents summer camps and workshops in music, acting, visual art, film & video, and professional development for ages 4 through adult at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.

Our programs connect you with George Mason University faculty, professional teaching artists, and experienced arts educators. A variety of weekly programs run from June 19th through August 11th. Learn, create and perform with other like-minded artists and make it a summer to remember!

[June Newsletter] IiA Provides Instrument Donation to Arkansas School Struck by Tornado

On April 28, 2023, Instruments in the Attic (IiA) was able to provide over 100 instruments and accessories to middle and high school students in Wynne, Arkansas.

[June Newsletter] IiA Provides Instrument Donation to Arkansas School Struck by Tornado On April 28, 2023, Instruments in the Attic (IiA) was able to provide over 100 instruments and accessories to middle and high school students in Wynne, Arkansas.

Congratulations to our Acting for Young People Spring 2023 Showcase participants for a wonderful performance weekend!

There are still spots available for our Weekly Acting Camps, beginning June 26th! Register now:
https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/acting/summer/camp-sessions/

Join our Teaching Artist and Violin Academy director Claire Allen and collaborative pianist Mark Irchai on Sunday, June 11 for a chamber recital of sonatas by Coleridge-Taylor and Brahms!

Applications for the Summer Violin Academy's remaining spots will be reviewed on a rolling basis until full: https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/summer/music-camps/violin-academy/

Claire Allen, violinist Allen Violin Studio

We've wrapped up our Spring music classes, including this Spring's Guitar Foundations with our guitar teaching artist, Brian Slaymaker. Brian will also be teaching this summer's beginner guitar programs—we still have spots open in our teen class, Beginner Guitar Teen Camp for ages 13-18, June 26 – June 30, 2023:

https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/summer/music-camps/guitar-beginner-teen/

It's June 1st! THIS month, we'll be starting Summer Arts at Mason 2023 on June 19th. Many of our programs are currently waitlisted, but we still have spots open in photography, early childhood fine arts, filmscoring, professional development, and more!

Secure your spot today! https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/summer/

Summer Programs Now Open for Registration! https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/summer/

Mason Community Arts Academy proudly presents summer camps and workshops in music, acting, visual art, film & video, and professional development for ages 4 through adult at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.

Our programs connect you with George Mason University faculty, professional teaching artists, and experienced arts educators. A variety of weekly programs run from June 19th through August 11th. Learn, create and perform with other like-minded artists and make it a summer to remember!

Our Teaching Artists Claire Allen, Dr. Lillian Greene, and Hannah Price incorporate the violin with storytelling during this past weekend's Musical Storytelling at the Fairfax Regional Library. Aspiring young musicians had the opportunity to discover the violin 🎼🎻 Thanks again to Fairfax Fine Violins for sponsoring this event!

Violin private music lessons, as well as lessons for piano, guitar, and more, are available year round at MCAA. All levels and ages are welcome! Get started today: https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/private-lessons/

[May Newsletter] Mason Summer Band Camp

Mason Summer Band Camp registration closes Thursday, June 1.

[May Newsletter] Mason Summer Band Camp The Mason Summer Band Camp is a comprehensive musical experience for students enrolled in music programs or private lessons in Grades 6-12 with at least two years of playing experience.