me arts ed

Good News for Dance and Music

Dance teacher at Lake Region High School, Carmel Collins has good news! The community of MSAD#61 which is Bridgton, Casco, Naples and Sebago voted YES on November 3rd to remodel the high school facility. The plans include a new dance studio to be built on the front of the school. The music room will increase in space as well. They will break ground in the summer.

Carmel sent me this short piece on a recent opportunity her students had working with a  professional dancer:

Students of the Lake Region Dance Showcase class experienced the expertise of professional dancer and choreographer Elizabeth Goulet of the Rhythm Factor Dance Company.  Energy and enthusiasm reached its heights as Elizabeth took the students through their paces of the latest moves on the hip-hop scene.  Original choreography was taught to the students as well as the opportunity for their own creative input towards the end of the workshop.

Hip-hop is a very dynamic intense form of dance, infused with deep felt expression and topped off with a little attitude.  A popular style of dance with our younger population, the hip-hop workshop gave students the opportunity to observe and experience the high level of skill, dedication, and discipline it takes to be a proficient dancer whether it be hip-hop, jazz, or ballet.

Participants from top left: visiting dance artist Elizabeth Goulet, Angelica Beek, Tristan Lacey, Zackary Larrabee, Caitlyn Paul, Shelley Tomacchio, Dance Teacher Carmel Ann Collins,
bottom left; Michaela Rullo, Alesha Schaffer, visiting student April Potts, Sydnee Chainese, Alyssa Hoyt, Sarah Curly,  absent from photograph Bridgitte Kwakk.  Photographer Cheryl Chapman.

I look forward to seeing the changes at the Lake Region High School and know that the students are fortunate!

Possible funding for high school music students- $2000-5000

ImproVox

Martin Swinger is one of an ensemble of 5 professional musicians called ImproVox. They are dedicated to exploring and refining the art of vocal improvisation. ImproVox offers a workshop of 60 minutes to 4 hours on the art of vocal improvisation. ImprovVox introduces simple singing ‘games’ then scaffold into more complex forms which offer opportunities for large group, small ensemble and solo improvisation.

Recently Martin contacted me and let me know that National Education Association grant that is available ($2000-5000) to support implementation of programs to introduce musical improvisation in the high school curriculum. This is a grant that schools must apply for, and it is a program that ImproVox offers.

You can learn more about improVox work by clicking here. And you can learn more about the grant by clicking here.

Adaptive Physical Education Award

MaryEllen Schaper

MaryEllen Schaper worked on the original Maine Learning Results and helped update them in the 2007. One of MaryEllen’s passion is Dance along with Theater and Music. She has acted and directed plays for years. She has devoted more than 30 years to teaching, mostly in at the middle level.

For several years she has been teaching physical education at Bonny Eagle Middle School and was recently recognized for her teaching. She received the Richard H. Bartlett Award from the Maine Adapted Physical Education Task Force for her ‘outstanding work with students in Adaptedd Physical Education.

CONGRATULATIONS MARYELLEN… We’re sooooooo proud of you!

Maine Institute for Human Genetics and Health in Bangor

Randy and her student Whitney Seymour. Whitney's work on top and Randy's on the bottom

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the opening for the grades K-12 art exhibit at the Institute for Human Genetics and Health. Brewer art teachers organized the show with Randy Menninghaus at the helm. Randy has collaborated with the institutes Director, Dr. Janet Hock, in establishing a long term relationship of exhibiting artwork at their facility.

Dr. Janet Hock is delightful and understands the connections of art and science. She is enthusiastic about the partnership that has been established through the art exhibits they’ve been hosting. Many parents and students attended and of course, art teachers were on hand to share in the excitement. The institute provided food and beverages as well.

Throughout the evening tours of the lab were being given by staff including Dr. Hock. It was a treat to be on a tour with three high school students led by Dr. Hock.

Bangor High School photography teacher, Eric Hutchins, with students Melanie Jackson and Brooke Lyons

“My Teacher and Me” is a unique exhibit that contains not only student work but teachers work. In fact, teacher and student work hang side by side. The exhibit is on display for several months and can be visited during regular office hours. The Institute is located at 246 Sylvan Road in Bangor.