WVU Community Arts Program registering students for summer classes

May 14th, 2008

Have you ever wanted to make a colorful ceramic bowl for a friend? What about joining that yoga class youve always said you planned to take, but never had time for?

Now is your chance.West Virginia UniversitysCommunity Arts Programis registering students for summer classes at the Creative Arts Center May 19-June 6. Classes begin the week of May 19 and run through Aug. 10.

The program offers private lessons for children and adults in piano, organ, Suzuki violin, strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, voice, jazz singing, harp and guitar. The summer lessons are flexible to accommodate various schedules. Students may register for any number of lessons, depending on teacher availability.

New classes include:

  • A Summer Sampler: Intro to Music for Pre-school Children is a fun-filled class where children explore the first steps in music education together with their parents or caregivers. Kids will learn games and activities that include movement, singing and exploration of sounds.
  • Meet the Masters (ages 5-11) is a general introduction to classical music. Each session will focus on a specific area of Europe. Children will learn about composers and their musical influences from the place and period. Games, hands-on projects and listening skills will make up each session. The final weeks will focus on American music and composers.
  • From Bach to Bartok: Introduction to Standard Piano Literature (ages 12-adult) will introduce standard piano repertoire of significant composers from different periods, including Baroque, classical, romantic and modern. Students will learn easy piano pieces, listen to recordings, learn about composers, watch videos of live recitals and perform in a final informal recital (optional).
  • Demystify the Dragon: Chinese Language and Music (all age groups) is a short-term course on Chinese language and music that focuses on Mandarin Chinese pronunciation and basic conversations, as well as reading, writing and typing Chinese characters. Students will learn to perform various tasks in Chinese, including meeting people, talking about the weather and ones hobbies and shopping. Chinese music will be incorporated into the class through various hands-on activities, such as Chinese folk songs and dances, calligraphy and visual arts.
  • Music Around the World (ages 15-adult) will explore the cultures and traditions of music from various cultures. The class will introduce students to world music via discussions, listening and multimedia. Possible genres include West African, Native American, Appalachian and Eastern European music, along with music of the Indian subcontinent.
  • Introduction to Recording Technology (ages 15 and up) will teach the basic technology of recording and producing audio for broadcast and/or media release. Students will also learn the basics of acoustic sound and recording methods, and they will listen to and analyze a variety of styles and take part in some hands-on production work.
  • Basic Sound Design for Video (ages 15 and up) will cover basic synchronization and insertion of sound effects and dialogue to video selected by the students. Sampling sessions andsound safariswill be conducted in and around the Creative Arts Center, depending on project needs. Recording equipment will vary, based on application, but the majority of recordings will be done using Digidesign Pro Tools HD and Bias Peak Pro software. Students must have taken the Intro to Recording Technology course or have prior Digital Audio Workstation experience.
  • Making Our Own Picture Books (ages 8-10) will explore the craft of writers and illustrators through close study of notable picture books. Using a variety of media, students will combine text and illustrations to create unique works of art. At the end of the class, there will be an informal display of the studentsworks to share with family and friends.
  • Clay for Kids (ages 8-11) and Clay for Teens (ages 12-15) will focus on traditional hand-building techniques for working with clay. Older students will make several quick hand-built projects before moving to the potters wheel.
  • Introduction to Printmaking (various ages) is a fun class in which students will learn two techniques of printmaking, relief and silkscreen.
  • Calligraphy for Adults will teach students how to transform their own handwriting into beautiful calligraphic design. With individual instruction by a professional calligrapher, the class will focus on Italic style, as it is the most legible and simplistic form.
  • Wheel Thrown Clay for Beginners (ages 16 and up) will focus on techniques needed to center and open up clay on the potters wheel. Students will make open vessels, such as mugs, bowls and planters.
  • Intermediate Wheel Thrown Clay (ages 16 and up) will build on the skills introduced in Wheel Thrown Clay for Beginners. Anyone able to center clay on the wheel is invited to take this class, which will explore some variations on the mug and bowl design and introduce more intricate forms, such as lidded vessels, teapots and casserole dishes.
  • Intro to Adobe Illustrator for Adults will acquaint students with the user interface, tools, layers, filters and basic illustration.
  • Intro to Adobe After Effects for Adults will acquaint students with the user interface, tools, layers, filters and basic animation rendering.
  • Intro to Flash Animation for Adults will acquaint students with the Flash softwares user interface, tools, project organization, layers, tricks, tips, basic animation rendering and Web exporting.
  • Intro to Final Cut Pro for Adults will acquaint students with the user interface, tools, layers, filters and basic video rendering. It will also provide them with skills needed to import and export video at varying quality.
  • Teen Yoga will help participants increase strength and flexibility, harmonize emotions, enhance concentration and cultivate a healthy self-image. Each class will center on themes such asBe True to You,RockinWarriorsorEnergize and Solarize.Using a gentle, moderately paced approach, each unique class will explore sun salutations, warrior poses, twists and backbends. All levels are welcome.

In addition to the new classes, the program will continue popular classes such as Musicland Express (ages 4-6), A Star is Born (various ages), Introductory Harp (all ages), Croon a Tune (high school through adult), Steel Band Ensemble (ages 9 and up), Adult Vocal Ensemble (ages 18 and up), SMArt Kids (ages 3-5), Mask Making/Puppetry for Kids (ages 5-8), Summer Art Camp (ages 5-10), Flute Camp (high school students), Introduction to Digital Photography (ages 13 and up), Introduction to Photoshop (adult), Ballet (ages 3-teen) and Yoga 4 Creativity (all ages).

For more information, call 304-293-4841 ext. 3168, or visithttp://www.ccarts.wvu.edu/community_arts/. Discounts and payment plans are available. Program office hours in Room 401A of the Creative Arts Center are from 10 a.m.-noon and 1-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The office will be closed Monday, May 26, for Memorial Day.