Arts
SCA announces 2011-2012 Arts in Education Programs
By SCA announces 2011-2012 Arts in Education Programs
Oct 5, 2011 - 5:58 AM

Stamford, CT - “Arts in Education will continue to be one of the driving forces of the institution as we move forward,” said SCA Executive Director, Elissa Getto. “We are able to capitalize on the momentum created through our past programs and continue to develop and offer some truly unique experiences for our youth this year.”

Since its re-instatement two years ago, the Stamford Center for the Arts Education Department has presented a variety of artists and workshops for area youth and adults. In 2011-2012, SCA has planned an expansion of its programs and presentations. A new Young Choreographers Festival to encourage the next generation of artists in dance; a Next Generation performance at The Palace presenting the best of local talent through four resident companies; a series of In-School Time performances for elementary students; and to co-sponsor with Stamford Gives Back, a week-long, community oriented residency with the noted international African Children’s Choir.

“We are very excited about the expansion of this year’s programming, a result of the cultivation of new relationships and the continuation of established relationships within the community. The programs reflect a wonderful combination of the new and the familiar” said SCA Director of Education and DanceFest Producer, Carol Bryan.

On Sat., Nov 20, we introduce our first Young Choreographers Festival to present and showcase the work of aspiring, talented and innovative young choreographers in a non-competitive environment for the general public, the dance community and family. Through concert dance and the styles of contemporary and classical ballet, modern, lyrical, hip-hop/funk, musical theatre, and multi-cultural dance, choreographers will be able to show their work to an audience that will benefit from the experience of seeing different kinds of work from young dancers from varied backgrounds.

On Fri., Dec 2, we launch our first “Next Generation,” event with the SCA’s resident companies: Lumina String Quartet, Ballet School of Stamford, and Young Artists Philharmonic showcasing the talents of their students in a collaborative evening of music, dance and choral selections. SCA’s Emerging Young Artist Scholarship winner Danny Pravder will also perform an original composition. All net proceeds (after direct expenses) will go to the arts organizations. SCA is providing free of charge the facility and its organizational and management expertise.

On Thurs. Dec 8, – Nova Scotia’s Mermaid Theatre returns to present their adaptation of Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd’s bedtime classics Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny for ages 3 – 10yrs. Goodnight Moon is a celebration of familiar nighttime rituals, while The Runaway Bunny’s pretend tale of leaving home evokes reassuring responses from his loving mum. Both tales feature endearing rabbit characters, and the soothing rhythms of bunny banter and dream-like imagery never fail to infuse young readers with a reassuring sense of security. Mermaid’s staged adaptation will bring a new sense of appreciation to stories that have delighted several generations. Mermaid Theatre's emphasis on imaginative design elements, original music, and challenging texts provides a rich opportunity to acquaint young spectators with the visual and performing arts as well as with the pleasures of reading.

In May, 2012 the African Children’s Choir™ comes to the Palace. “The SCA is thrilled to welcome the African Children’s Choir to Stamford. We are very pleased to work with Stamford Gives Back (SGB) to host the African Children’s Choir for a week-long residency, the center piece program for the organization involving the entire Stamford community and beyond. This week-long collaboration of educational and cultural events with schools, churches, synagogues and community organizations will create a life-time of experiences for our guests!” says Carol Bryan, SCA Director of Education.

The African Children’s Choir™ is made up of some of the neediest and most vulnerable children in their countries. Many have lost one or both parents to poverty or disease. The choir helps these children break away from the everyday cycle of poverty and hopelessness. Before being selected to join the choir, the children ages 7 -11 attend the “Music for Life” camp. Children selected to tour will spend approximately five months at the Choir Training Academy in Kampala, Uganda. Here the children learn the songs and dances, attend school, play and attend Sunday School at a local church. While touring with the choir, the children are exposed to a world of new possibilities. Chaperones, host communities and caring professionals share their wide variety of experiences with the children, exposing them to many new ideas and encouraging them to dream. The choir will offer drumming workshops for middle/high school students, school performances with a Q & A period, collaborations with local children’s choirs from schools, community centers, churches, and youth serving organizations.

“I believe that having the opportunity to welcome the African Children's Choir to Stamford from May 21-26, 2012 is a very unique and special opportunity that both SCA and SGB are anticipating with great excitement. Our committee is already working on educational and cultural exchanges, field trips, and of course memorable performance concerts. This project is of great importance to me personally because I enjoy and am committed to providing opportunities to enable and encourage children to participate in the Performing Arts in Stamford and the rest of Fairfield County,” says Maureen Pavia, Director of Stamford Gives Back.

For the Summer Program in 2012 we anticipate a continuation of our past efforts with public performances, workshops and master classes consistent with existing programs as well as a potential residency and performance of a major Broadway and cabaret performer.

In addition to these new and ongoing Arts in Education programs, the proceeds from The Palace Gala Ovations have enabled the SCA to create an annual Emerging Young Artist Scholarship. The first award was given to Darien violinist Anna Leunis, a 14-year old student of the Lumina String Quartet’s Chamber Music Institute. The second annual scholarship was presented to high school jazz pianist and junior at Staples High School, Danny Pravder, in honor of Dave Brubeck (last year’s Arts Legacy Award honoree) at the Palace Gala Ovations on March 18, 2011. The Gala featured soul icon Diana Ross and will benefit, in part, this year’s arts education programs.

Through the generosity of producing sponsor Pitney Bowes, each of the workshops will culminate in lobby performances for each of the students participating. These performances give the students the opportunity to demonstrate all the skills they honed while learning from professional musicians and performers.

Scholarship opportunities are available to enable children to participate in the education workshops and attend performances. For more information about SCA’s 2011- 2012 Arts Education program, please contact Director of Education, Carol Bryan at 203-517-3431 or cbryan@scalive.org. Tickets can be purchased at the SCA website, www.scalive.org or charged by phone with major credit cards by calling the SCA Box Office at 203-325-4466. Tickets may also be purchased in person at The Palace Theatre box office in downtown Stamford, CT. The box office is open Monday-Friday from 10am to 6pm.

About the Stamford Center for the Arts: The Stamford Center for the Arts Center (SCA) is Fairfield County’s most vibrant not-for-profit performing arts center –home to dozens of world class performances at affordable prices reaching audiences of over 100,000 each year. SCA is also a home to Stamford Symphony and The Connecticut Ballet. However, the soul of SCA can best be seen in our efforts to provide a home for innovative arts and educational programs that reach out to hundreds of families.

Make SCA Your Home for Arts and Education today. Become a ticket buyer and please consider donating to our important efforts in your community. Take advantage of the many benefits connected with becoming a SCA Member -Advance Notice on All Shows, the Best Seats in the House, Member Only Events.

Membership in SCA is your connection to world class performances and one of our region’s largest arts and education programs.

The vision of the Stamford Center for the Arts is to be the regional arts center for exciting entertainment that enhances and enriches the cultural, educational, economic, and social life of the community. The SCA strives to achieve this vision by demonstrating integrity in all work and relationships, providing service and quality in all activities, fostering and promoting diversity of thought, ideas and culture, providing stewardship for the Stamford Arts community, emphasizing outreach in our community, and offering creativity in all endeavors. Major funding provided by the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism. For additional information (directions, dining, parking) please visit the SCA website at www.scalive.org or call 203-325-4466.


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