CFA

ARTS by George! 2024 Celebrates Mason Arts, Culminating in Concert by Tony Award Winner Lea Salonga

Laura Mertens — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 18:26:26 +0000

ARTS by George! 2024 Celebrates Mason Arts, Culminating in Concert by Tony Award Winner Lea Salonga Laura Mertens Wed, 08/28/2024 - 14:26

George Mason University's College of Visual and Performing Arts Presents ARTS by George!, an Evening Celebrating Mason Arts

ARTS by George! makes its return to George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus on September 28, 2024. Headlined by Tony and Olivier Award-winning singer and actress Lea Salonga, the annual benefit event raises funds for student scholarships at the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA), as well as for the Mason Community Arts Academy, Green Machine Ensembles, and the Great Performances at Mason season at the Center for the Arts. Since its launch in 2006, ARTS by George! has raised more than $4.1 million for Mason Arts.

“‘Something for everyone’ might be an overworked phrase, but it fits ARTS by George! perfectly,” notes Rick Davis, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. “From art and music to dance and theater, virtual reality to documentary film, the student showcases offer an unparalleled opportunity to experience the breadth and depth of what we do every day in Mason Arts. I learn something new every year and become an even prouder Dean.”

ARTS by George! begins at 5 p.m. by bringing hundreds of CVPA students and faculty together to showcase performances and exhibits, as well as to offer a behind-the-scenes look at their collaborative process. The seven CVPA academic units will be featured in showcases, which are a highlight of the annual event.

The School of Art will host an antique photobooth and give demonstrations of 3D art and letterpress printing, while Arts Management will host a display of the Free Little Art Gallery created by a graduate from the program. School of Dance will offer two presentations by faculty members—Christopher d’Amboise on dancing to the music of Stravinsky and Karen Reedy on Robert Battle’s “The Hunt”—which also include live dancing by students. Film and Video Studies will screen a selection of films by students, and Computer Game Design will offer a presentation titled “Unlocking the Future: Game Design with A.I. and Mixed Reality.” Students in the areas of jazz, opera, classical piano, and percussion will perform, representing the Dewberry School of Music; and students from the School of Theater will stage selections from 110 in the Shade, this fall’s musical, and student-written plays to be premiered in The Originals! 2024. In addition, two Mason Arts programs—the Green Machine Ensembles and Mason Community Arts Academy—will also offer performances throughout the event. These showcases will be held in the Harris Theatre, de Laski Performing Arts Building, and Horizon Hall. Guests will enjoy a buffet dinner and drinks over the course of the evening.

At 8 p.m., attendees will move into the Center for the Arts’ Concert Hall for a live Fund-a-Student appeal. The event culminates with a performance from Lea Salonga, starting at 8:30 p.m. Salonga will treat audience members to famous songs from her roles on Broadway and in animated films, and join them onstage for a champagne toast following the show. Beforehand, she will welcome George Mason students for an open soundcheck and Q&A.

ARTS by George! Chair and Mason Arts Board member Annie Bolger shared, “I’m thrilled to return as chair of this awe-inspiring event, which features George Mason’s impactful arts programs and highlights the talents of its amazing students. I invite our community to join us for what promises to be a very special evening, and to support us in raising critical funds for student scholarships and community arts programs so that the exploration and creativity continues for years to come.”

For high-resolution images, press tickets, and interview requests, please email kfranko@gmu.edu and pr@camillecdevlin.com.

**2024 ARTS by George! Schedule:**

5 p.m., Harris Theatre, de Laski Performing Arts Building, and Horizon Hall

Showcases by the talented students from George Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, complemented by a buffet dinner and drink stations throughout the event.

8 p.m., Center for the Arts

Alumni performance and Fund-a-Student appeal.

8:30 p.m., Center for the Arts

An Evening with Lea Salonga, followed by an onstage champagne toast

Ticket and Sponsorship Information for 2024 ARTS by George!:

Individual benefit tickets are $350 per person and include entry to the student showcases, dinner, An Evening with Lea Salonga, champagne reception, and free garage parking. Each ticket includes a charitable donation portion directly supporting student scholarships and community arts programs.

Sponsorship packages begin at $2,000. To reserve tickets, become a sponsor, or for more information, please contact Susan Graziano at cvpagive@gmu.edu, 703-993-4188, or visit the ARTS by George! website.

Standalone tickets to only the 8:30 p.m. performance of An Evening with Lea Salonga are $50–$100 and are available for purchase through the Center for the Arts website.

The Premier Sponsor for ARTS by George! is Dominion Energy.

The Presenting Sponsor for ARTS by George! is Sandy Spring Bank.

Learn more about ARTS by George!

Purchase tickets for culminating concert, An Evening with Lea Salonga

“‘Something for everyone’ might be an overworked phrase, but it fits ARTS by George! perfectly.”

~ Rick Davis

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Small Island Big Song Connects with George Mason University and Local Community

Zoe Harr — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 16:38:19 +0000

Small Island Big Song Connects with George Mason University and Local Community Zoe Harr Wed, 04/24/2024 - 12:38

In This Story

Victor Adebusola

Adrienne Bryant Godwin

Learn About Mason's Artist-in-Residence Program

Right before Earth Day, Small Island Big Song (SIBS) presented an "impassioned" (Roots World) concert experience at the Center for the Arts on April 20, combining music, spoken word, and stunning projections of indigenous artists from Pacific and Indian Ocean island nations while shining a light on the devastating effects of the climate crisis on our world’s oceans.

After hearing the 5th Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, Small Island Big Song Co-founders and husband-and-wife duo, BaoBao Chen and Tim Cole, quit their jobs and spent three years visiting artists and the artists’ homelands, sharing and building upon songs from island to island. The outcome includes two award-winning albums, a feature film, educational programs, and a live concert that has toured all over the world. Billboard describes Small Island Big Song as “one coherent jaw-dropping piece that is likely the first time these traditional instruments have been mixed together… The result is breathtaking.”

Want to learn more about Small Island Big Song? Read more on the official website.

As a Mason Artist-in-Residence, Small Island Big Song also deeply engaged with the community through a series of education and engagement programs. Programming and Engagement Manager at the Center Vic Adebusola notes, “Small Island Big Song connected with academic classes, local nonprofits, and students from local K-12 schools in our community through demonstrations, panels, and arts activities. It was powerful to witness firsthand their ability to simultaneously shed light on the climate crisis of their artists’ Indigenous communities while building community through music, dance, and crafting. They are truly the full package!”

Meet the Participating Small Island Big Song Artists

BaoBao Chen (Taiwan) has produced and managed Small Island Big Song's two multimedia concert productions, two award-winning albums, documentary, as well as curating world tours across 18 countries in Europe, the USA, Asia, and Oceania. BaoBao is one of Taiwan’s most prominent producers of cross-cultural arts projects, an International Society for the Performing Arts fellow, and has been invited to speak at TEDx, WOMEX, APAP NYC, and Stanford Live. (Image courtesy of artist)

Tim Cole (Australia) is a music producer and filmmaker who’s produced numerous albums, films, and concerts for Australian aboriginal, Torres Strait islander and Pacifica artists including Archie Roach, Telek, and Shellie Morris. He was a senior music producer at CAAMA - Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association before beginning Small Island Big Song and has received a Churchill fellowship as well as invitations to speak at the United Nations HQ, APAP NYC, and WOMEX. (Image courtesy of artist)

Sam Roem (Wamena heritage, West Papua and Indonesia) is an Australian- based performing artist from West Papua. In 2006 with 40 other West Papuans he crossed over 600 miles of open seas to seek political asylum in Australia, sparking a diplomatic crisis. After graduating from Australia’s Dance Academy Sam has pursued a dynamic career in the arts drawing on his unique Papuan heritage, performing at The Sydney Opera House, Womadelaide, and BluesFest Byron Bay. (Image courtesy of artist)

Emlyn (Creole heritage, Mauritius) is leading a wave of performers across the Indian Ocean proudly reclaiming their unique rhythms and cultural mix. Written with a reactive pen and sung in Mauritian Creole, Emlyn brings the grooves of Sega with the sounds of her traditional frame drum, Ravann, which originated from the rhythms of African/Madagascan people during the slave trade. SIBS has been collaborating with Emlyn since 2020. (Image courtesy of artist)

Sammy (Merina heritage, Madagascar) followed his passion for Madagascar’s musical heritage by mastering and learning how to make most of Madagascar’s instruments. His efforts came to the notice of the UK’s world music scene as his band Tarika Sammy gained international recognition, becoming a regular on major festival stages and being acknowledged as one of the world’s “Best Ten Bands,” alongside U2, by TIME Magazine. He’s featured in both SIBS albums and concert tours since 2018. (Image courtesy of artist)

Yuma Pawang (Atayal heritage, Taiwan) is a multidisciplinary artist expressing her thoughts on "Atayal" cultural preservation, transformation, essence, and social equity in film, music, painting, and performance. With Taiwan’s respected Minang performance group, she was invited by Indigenous nations of Northern Europe for a cultural exchange. This experience along with studying film performance made her aware of the significance of cultural practice in the context of Atayal life, where written language was historically limited. (Image courtesy of artist)

Mathieu Joseph (Creole heritage, Mauritius) has been a professional dancer and choreographer since the age of 14 when he was discovered breakdancing on the suburban streets of Port Louis, Mauritius by renowned choreographer Stephen Bongarçon. Quickly embedding himself in Bongarçon’s SRDance, he won the gold medal for dance at "Les Jeux de la Francophonie'' in 2009. This led to a succession of shows and companies, including choreographing "Di Sel,” a tribute to the salt workers of Mauritius which won the "Les Jeux de la Francophonie” in 2017. (Image courtesy of artist)

Mea Joy Ingram (Motu heritage, Papua New Guinea and Australia) comes from a long line of drummers and dancers. She was taught by her father, master percussionist Airileke Ingram in the tradition of Manus Garamut, Cook Island Pate, and Gabagaba Motu Mavaru. The Garamut drumming of Papua New Guinea was traditionally an artform dominated by men, however Mea, having just turned 18, represents the new generation of female log drummers. (Image courtesy of artist)

Airileke Ingram (Motu heritage, Papua New Guinea) is a percussionist, producer, composer, activist, and, in the words of Britain's Songlines Magazine, "cause for celebration." Airileke is a master drummer with one foot in the world of traditional drumming of Melanesia and his other in the modern world of beat production and hip-hop. Tim and Airileke have been long-time collaborators; they met up again during SIBS’s field trip to Papua New Guinea in 2016. (Image courtesy of artist)

Richard Mogu (Magi, Papua New Guinea)—singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist—has spent many years as a solo artist and session musician, excelling in both traditional and contemporary style. While bass is his featured instrument, he is also adept at mambu (bamboo flutes), garamut drumming, guitars, and percussion. Mogu has also been involved as a producer of other PNG artists and toured internationally in the London Olympic cultural festival and in the U.S. as well as Australia. (Image courtesy of artist)

Small Island Big Song artists and Center for the Arts staff enjoy a welcome lunch together.

The residency’s activities commenced with an April 2 potluck lunch with Center for the Arts staff and guests from across campus, including Mason Dining Marketing and Sustainability Manager Sophia Nelson, to welcome artists of Small Island Big Song. The lunch included sustainable practices such as the use of reusable/compostable plates and cutlery, take-home containers, and local ingredients. SIBS co-founder BaoBao Chen explained at the welcome luncheon that creating community through the arts, similar to Mason Arts’ mission, was a goal of Small Island Big Song and its hope to take audiences to some places that “we might not have the courage of going alone, to celebrate, to confront, to inspire, to mourn, to feel hopeful.” During the event, members of the ensemble were presented with welcome gifts, including Mason merchandise and honey harvested by Mason’s own The Honey Bee Initiative, a program supported by George Mason University’s School of Business and operated by the Business for a Better World Center.

“What I loved about this welcome event was that we brought together people from across campus and the world to help build community and introduce our Mason Artists-in-Residence directly to our Center for the Arts staff and people across campus in a fun and casual way. I think everyone really appreciated the opportunity to interact with the artists and enjoy a delicious meal together."
-Adrienne Bryant Godwin, College of Visual and Performing Arts Director of Programming

SIBS artists Richard and Emlyn converse with audience members after Artists in Conversation event.

Later that day, SIBS artists Sammy, Yuma, Mathieu, and Co-founder Tim Cole visited Mason’s Dewberry School of Music program’s “Music History in Society III” course taught by Professor Gregory Robinson. With over 20 students, the artists led a discussion that shared traditional string instruments like the valiha, jejy, and kabosy; drums such as the kundu and garamut; and rhymes, songs, and stories. In the evening, Small Island Big Song hosted a Friends of the Center for the Arts Artists in Conversation event, Our Shared Seafaring Heritage, Alive in Rhythm and Song, at the Stacey C. Sherwood Community Center in Fairfax, VA. Co-presented by the City of Fairfax and Center for the Arts, SIBS artists— Emlyn, Richard, Mea Joy, BaoBao, and Tim— led a lecture-demonstration that provided geographical and historical background about the great oceanic migrations that affected the featured island nations of the project. The event included musical demonstrations and an interactive Q&A.

In a Dancing Mauritian Sega workshop the following day, approximately 100 grade school students from Hunters Woods Elementary School were invited to learn the Sega dance from Mauritius, led by Mathieu Joseph and Sam Roem, who also provided drumming accompaniment. Both the national dance of Mauritius and a profound artistic embodiment of the historical and cultural memory of colonial slavery, Sega is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the capacity to create and express beauty out of nothing.

Small Island Big Song artists join “Folklore and Festival Management” course.

Small Island Big Song artists and co-founders BaoBao Chen and Tim Cole led a virtual discussion on the topic of “Artivism in Action - Managing Cultural Initiatives” with more than 20 students of Mason’s Arts Management and Folklore programs’ “Folklore and Festival Management” course, a collaboration with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Director of Mason’s Arts Management program and co-professor of the course, Dr. Karalee Dawn Mackay, notes, "Being able to hear about how their projects were funded, created, their goals for the performances, and the multi-dimensional aspect of their work were an invaluable experience for our students as they explore how to work with and create programming with cultural tradition bearers. Our students were able to ask questions that greatly enhanced their understanding of this project and how it impacts the Pacific Island communities, the artists, and the audiences that they share their work with through their documentary and concert performances."

“For students, this project exemplified folklore studies’ emphasis on community-based collaborative projects.” -Dr. Lisa Gilman, co-professor and director of the folklore program

BaoBao Chen joins Mark Cooley (middle) and Edward Maibach (right) for Climate Change: Our Response as Artivists.

On April 18, BaoBao Chen joined Mark Cooley, Mason School of Art faculty and Green Studio founder, for a special discussion entitled Climate Change: Our Response as Artivists. Co-presented with the Inclusive Collaborative Arts at Mason (ICAM) project and moderated by Distinguished Professor at George Mason University and Director of Mason’s Center for Climate Change Communication Edward Maibach, the conversation explored ways in which artists can use their voices to expand global conversation on political, economic, social, and cultural questions at the root of the climate crisis.

The following day, Small Island Big Song hosted a schooltime matinee performance for more than 800 local students, teachers, and parents. In a specialized, shortened version of the April 20 performance, SIBS artists brought students to their feet to dance and sing along with unique oceanic grooves and soulful island ballads. Adebusola recalls the meaningful interactions between the audience and SIBS, stating, “I don’t think I’ve ever heard this much excitement, laughter, and singing in our Concert Hall. The visiting students were enthralled with Small Island Big Song’s music and dance—likewise, the Small Island Big Song artists left the stage beaming with joy. It was truly an equal exchange of positive energy.”

Later that afternoon, Emlyn led a cooking demonstration at Ike’s Dining Hall, presented in partnership with Mason Dining. With assistance from BaoBao and Tim, as well as musical accompaniment from Sammy and Mathieu, Emlyn created a traditional island dish, fish curry, for the assembled Mason students and community members.

On the morning of April 20, SIBS artists Sammy led a “Trash to Music” workshop with the help of Richard, Yuma, and Nini, the ensemble’s company manager. Hosted by UpCycle Creative Reuse Center, the hands-on workshop demonstrated how to make musical instruments from trash, commonly recycled, and/or reused materials. Participants made a Malagasy-style berimbau, trying them out alongside the artists. Watch the video below to see SIBS’ Sammy play a berimbau in the first moments of the video:

That evening, audience members at Small Island Big Song’s culminating concert at the Center for the Arts, One Island, were treated to a plethora of pre- and post-show experiences including a performance from Mason’s Healing Arts Ensemble in the lobby. The ensemble is improvisatory in nature and includes unconventional, as well as common, instruments and voice. Led by Director Rita Gigliotti, students played instruments such as crystal quartz singing bowls, handbells, gong, and Tibetan flute.

Mason's Healing Arts Ensemble.

In Monson Grand Tier, BaoBao Chen and Tim Cole joined a pre-performance discussion moderated by Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies and Ethnomusicology for Mason’s Dewberry School of Music, Dr. Gregory Robinson. Prior to the performance, Vice President of Mason’s Native American and Indigenous Alliance (NAIA), Sara Jefferson, delivered a land acknowledgement from the stage. Small Island Big Song strives to amplify the voices of indigenous communities so by having local representation at the performance, SIBS continued to apply its mission to retain and recognize indigenous culture. After the Small Island Big Song performance, SIBS artists greeted the audience in the Center’s lobby, signing CDs and sharing handmade items from their respective islands.

Small Island Big Song touched the lives of Mason and its local community, proving that there truly is “one island” we all share. Adebusola elaborates, “It is very clear to me that Small Island Big Song prioritizes making an impact in the communities they visit. Every participant who interacted with them left the engagement or performance with a smile on their face. They use the arts to create community and inspire hope to address climate change--they are the real deal!”

Read more about the Center for the Arts’ Mason Artist-in-Residence program, including the upcoming 2024—25 visiting artists.

This engagement of Small Island Big Song is made possible through the ArtsCONNECT program of Mid Atlantic Arts with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Mason Artist-in-Residence program is supported in part by the Wendy Frieman and David Johnson Fund.

The Small Island Big Song residency is supported in part by Eloise Stinger.

Thank you to the City of Fairfax Parks and Recreation Everybody Plays Grant program for making free tickets possible for the schooltime matinee program. This grant was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Topics

CFA

Center for the Arts

Mason Artists-in-Residence

College of Visual and Performing Arts

Mason Artist-in-Residence Indigenous Enterprise Leads Events Across Campus and Community

Laura Mertens — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 19:42:01 +0000

Mason Artist-in-Residence Indigenous Enterprise Leads Events Across Campus and Community Laura Mertens Thu, 04/20/2023 - 15:42

In This Story

Adrienne Bryant Godwin

Dr. Gregory Robinson

Mason Artist-in-Residence Program

Register for April 25 Artists-in-Conversation Event

Purchase tickets for April 29 performance of "Indigenous Liberation"

Culminating the 2022/2023 season at the Center for the Arts at George Mason University, Indigenous Enterprise, which The New York Times notes is “updating what a Native American dance troupe can be,” will engage deeply with the campus and community as a Mason Artist-in-Residence over the course of a week. Starting with a welcome event with Center for the Arts Staff, the ensemble will then lead the following events:

Tuesday, April 25 at 7 p.m.

Artists in Conversation: Indigenous Enterprise

Co-presented by the City of Fairfax and the Center for the Arts at George Mason University

Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center
3740 Blenheim Blvd. (formerly Old Lee Highway)
Fairfax, VA 22030

Join us for a moderated lecture/demonstration with Mason Artist-in-Residence Indigenous Enterprise, comprised of champion dancers from Native American and Canadian tribes and Nations. Sharing their heritage and culture through explosively joyous authentic dance and song in traditional regalia, this group first stunned crowds at the Sydney Opera House in 2018, and has since appeared on NBC’S World of Dance, at President Biden’s virtual inauguration parade, and at opening night of the 2023 Super Bowl LVII festivities. “Indigenous Enterprise is rooted in tradition but also has hip-hop influences, discernible in footwork, bounce, and especially attitude,” writes The New York Times. Followed by a Q&A with the audience, this free event is also an open-to-the-public presentation of the Friends of the Center for the Arts Artists in Conversation Series, and is offered in conjunction with the April 29 Indigenous Enterprise performance at the Center for the Arts.

FREE, Registration required.

Wednesday, April 26

A classroom visit with the George Mason University Dewberry Family School of Music “Music History in Society” course taught by Prof. Gregory Robinson
A lecture/demonstration for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at George Mason University, (for registered OLLI members)

Thursday, April 27

A lecture/demonstration with Fairfax County Public Schools system kindergarten, first-, and second-grade classes at Laurel Ridge Elementary School

Saturday, April 29 at 8 p.m.

Indigenous Enterprise: Indigenous Liberation

Center for the Arts at George Mason University
4373 Mason Pond Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030

Indigenous Enterprise is on a mission to proudly share their heritage and culture through explosively joyous authentic dance and song. Comprised of champion dancers from Native American and Canadian tribes and Nations, this group first stunned crowds at the Sydney Opera House in 2018, and has been on the rise since. “Indigenous Enterprise is rooted in tradition but also has hip-hop influences, discernible in footwork, bounce, and especially attitude,” writes The New York Times. They have appeared in music videos, NBC’S World of Dance, and President Biden’s virtual inauguration parade. The group’s newest work, Indigenous Liberation, recently debuted at the Joyce Theater to glowing praise. “In their traditional regalia, these dancers freestyle as the young people they are,” says The New Yorker. Indigenous Liberation invites its audience to revel in the pageantry, history, and kaleidoscope of colors in a celebration of what lies at the heart of these powerful traditions. As a Mason Artist-in-Residence, members of the company will work with the community through classes and workshops during the week surrounding the performance.

This performance is appropriate for all ages.

Tickets: $48, $41, $29; half-price for youth through Grade 12. Free tickets are available for Mason students, and faculty, staff, and alumni receive a 10% discount. Read more about Mason discounts.

Get tickets.

Before the Performance
A pre-performance discussion with Indigenous Enterprise troupe members, moderated by local Indigenous Elder Michael Nephew, will take place in Monson Grand Tier, which is located on the third level of the Center for the Arts Lobby, 45 minutes prior to curtain.

After the Performance
The artists will participate in a post-performance discussion, moderated by Center for the Arts Director of Programming Adrienne Bryant Godwin from the stage.

Topics

Mason Artists-in-Residence

GRAMMY Award-winning Silkroad Ensemble Launched Three-year Residency at Mason with Events Across Campus and Beyond

Zoe Harr — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 18:39:00 +0000

GRAMMY Award-winning Silkroad Ensemble Launched Three-year Residency at Mason with Events Across Campus and Beyond Zoe Harr Wed, 03/01/2023 - 13:39

In This Story

Prof. June Huang

Mason Artist-in-Residence Program

Silkroad Ensemble performing Uplifted Voices at the Center for the Arts on January 29. Photo by Noir Prism Studios.

The GRAMMY Award-winning Silkroad Ensemble debuted their newest program, Uplifted Voices, at the Center for the Arts on January 29, launching their multi-year participation as a Mason Artist-in-Residence. Championing women and non-binary members of the Silkroad Ensemble, alongside special guest Tuscarora/Taíno musician Pura Fé, Uplifted Voices featured a musical tapestry connecting the sounds and rhythms of indigenous North America to the World. Silkroad’s radical cultural collaboration seeks to build bridges of understanding to combat fear and build a more hopeful and inclusive world.

Cellist Karen Ouzounian works with School of Music student Megan Shin. Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services/George Mason University.

Engagement began the moment concertgoers started arriving for the Uplifted Voices performance with an interactive video installation in the lobby of the Center for the Arts, introducing the individual Silkroad Ensemble members and their creative processes, and prompting interested audience members to reflect and write out on Post-It notes how they might use their own voices to inspire others, and stick the responses up on a community display wall.

Over the arc of their three-year residency, Silkroad artists will engage the community through a variety of events, classes, and discussions, and they led three such activities on Monday, January 30 with George Mason students, as well as Fairfax Academy Music and Technology high school students.

Students from the Dewberry Family School of Music, who study under Director of Strings June Huang, had the opportunity to participate in a masterclass with Silkroad cellist Karen Ouzounian and violinist Mazz Swift at the Center for the Arts. The class featured student cellist Megan Shin and violinists Annette Lee, Khoa Nguyen, and Ethan Walter. Dewberry School of Music alumna, pianist GaYoung Lee, accompanied the students. Each student received meaningful notes and advice from Silkroad’s Ouzounian and Swift, while simultaneously being able to perform in front of peers and observers.

Dewberry School of Music students with Silkroad artists cellist Karen Ouzounian and violinist Mazz Swift. Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services.

Mason junior double majoring in Music (BA) and Math (BS) Ethan Walter said, “It was a privilege to take part in the masterclass… Receiving direct feedback from established professionals offered me new perspectives. They encouraged me to be more dramatic with my musical decisions and to emphasize the character changes within the music. Their insights on how to interpret the music provided strategies for addressing challenges… to expand my own perspective and problem-solving capabilities as I move through practicing my current violin repertoire.”

Following the masterclass, Silkroad’s special guest Pura Fé then joined Ouzounian and Swift for a class discussion in George Mason University’s Women and Gender Studies 100: “Global Representations of Women” course, taught by Prof. Holly Mason Badra, Associate Director of Mason’s Women and Gender Studies Program. Joined by around 30 Mason undergraduate students, each artist discussed their individual artistic journeys and experiences in the international music industry. In addition to a rousing discussion, the three musicians performed for the students, followed by a question-and-answer session.

Lap-steel slide guitarist, Pure Fé, works with Mason Women and Gender Studies students. Photo by Gabriel Celeste.

Badra shared, “I'm so grateful that my students had the chance to spend time with the Silkroad artists. The performers talked about their varied experiences and trajectories in the arts related to gender and other aspects of their identities and backgrounds. The conversation was very fitting for what we are discussing in class. My students and I found the conversation and music incredibly moving and engaging. It felt intimate and special. Almost sacred.”

Concurrently that afternoon, three other Silkroad artists traveled to the Fairfax Academy of Communication and Performing Arts, part of the Fairfax County Public School system, where they worked with teacher Matthew Carlin’s Music and Technology high school students. Celtic harpist Maeve Gilchrist, pipa player Wu Man, and percussionist Haruka Fujii led a class discussion on music composition, and performed a few of their own original works, as well as an improvised composition from an idea one of the upperclassmen students created. Carlin noted that the artists “spread the passion, joy and musical interaction with our Fairfax Academy students… We are thrilled they could spend some time with us!”

Celtic harpist, Maeve Gilchrist performs for Fairfax Academy high school students.

Programming and Engagement Manager for Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts Victor Adebusola says Silkroad’s visit highlighted the value of extended programming, and what it can accomplish versus a one-off performance. “It’s impressive what a few days of engagement can do, and how transformative it is for the artists, students, faculty, and audience involved. It can sometimes even be most eye-opening for the artists themselves, realizing ‘here are the many ways that I didn’t even realize my art could impact different parts of the community.’”

He also points out that “Silkroad is a perfect example of how the diversity of our programming can tap into different communities.” Not only were there musical connections made, but “we were able to involve the Women and Gender Studies Program, and have Mazz Swift, who is non-binary, talk through their gender journey and neurodiversity. There’s power in these programming choices; we can pull in and collaborate with so many different communities.”

Silkroad Ensemble will return for the Center for the Arts’ 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 seasons. Learn more about the Mason Artist-in-Residence program.

Topics

CFA

Center for the Arts

Artist in Residence

Dewberry School of Music

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) School of Music

Department of Women and Gender Studies

Women and Gender Studies

Silkroad Ensemble Comes to the Center With Artist-in-Residence Activities and DC-area Premiere

Zoe Harr — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 16:16:31 +0000

Silkroad Ensemble Comes to the Center With Artist-in-Residence Activities and DC-area Premiere Zoe Harr Wed, 01/25/2023 - 11:16

Buy Tickets

Mason Artist-in-Residence Program

The GRAMMY Award-winning Silkroad Ensemble debuts their newest program Uplifted Voices at the Center for the Arts, launching their multi-year participation as a Mason Artist-in-Residence. Championing women and non-binary members of the Silkroad Ensemble alongside special guest Tuscarora/Taíno musician Pura Fé, Uplifted Voices weaves a musical tapestry connecting the sounds and rhythms of indigenous North America to the World. Silkroad Ensemble’s radical cultural collaboration seeks to build bridges of understanding to combat fear and build a more hopeful and inclusive world.

Lap-steel slide guitarist Pura Fé joins Silkroad Ensemble at the Center on January 29.

Silkroad Ensemble's performance on January 29 is the first part of a three-year residency with the Center for the Arts, during which they will engage the community through a variety of events, classes, and discussions. Silkroad Ensemble will participate in three residency activities on Monday, January 30, including the following:

1) Strings Master Class with Karen Ouzounian (cello) and Mazz Swift (violin)

A master class with George Mason University’s Dewberry School of Music students, featuring stringed instruments such as cello and violin.

2) Class Visit with Mazz Swift, Karen Ouzounian, and Pure Fé

A class discussion with George Mason University students in Women and Gender Studies 100: Global Representations of Women course.

3) Class Visit with Maeve Gilchrist, Wu Man, and Haruka Fujii

A class discussion with Fairfax Academy’s Music and Technology Students.

Grab your tickets and don’t miss your chance to see the inspiring Silkroad Ensemble!

Topics

CFA

Center for the Arts

Artist in Residence

Learn More About Artist-in-Residence, Composer and Conductor Maria Schneider

Zoe Harr — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 14:37:39 +0000

Learn More About Artist-in-Residence, Composer and Conductor Maria Schneider Zoe Harr Mon, 04/04/2022 - 10:37

In This Story

Dr. Darden Purcell

Beyond the Notes with Maria Schneider

Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra

GRAMMY Award-winning composer, conductor, and Mason Artist-in-Residence Maria Schneider conducts Northern Virginia’s own Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra for a jazz performance including some of her own original music on Saturday, April 16 at 8 p.m. at the Center for the Arts at George Mason University. The performance follows Schneider’s long-awaited in-person visit to the Center for the Arts and includes a special event open to the public as part of her residency: A Conversation about Respecting Artist Rights on April 14 at 4 p.m. on Mason’s Arlington campus. While in residence, Schneider will also host an open rehearsal and Q&A session for Mason Jazz students on April 15 at 3 p.m.

Maria Schneider joins Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra on April 16 at the Center for the Arts.

Schneider was originally scheduled to perform and be in residence in the spring of 2020. Although most of this engagement was rescheduled, she did participate in a virtual event as part of Mason Arts at Home. Two years after this digital involvement in the Mason Artist-in-Residence program and as a strong voice for music advocacy, Schneider returns in person with a stimulating conversation regarding artist rights, arts activism, and her boundary-pushing musical career. The April 14 conversation will be moderated by George Mason University’s Sandra Aistars, Antonin Scalia Law School Professor and Arts & Entertainment Advocacy Clinic Director, and is co-hosted by Mason’s Center for Intellectual Property x Innovation Policy (C-IP²) and Arts Management Program.

Aistars expands on the importance of artist rights, stating, “Artists are developing a greater understanding that the digital world’s demands from artists can be heavy, and that they must appropriately protect themselves and their work including through law and public policy advocacy in order to find success. What an incredible honor to host Maria, who is such a powerful voice in this field. I hope that our attendees gain new insights that will give them a deeper appreciation for Maria’s music, as well as a more passionate respect for the arts and for artists.”

Taking place on Mason’s Arlington campus in Van Metre Hall, the event will begin with a brief networking reception, followed by the featured conversation as well as a Q&A. The conversation provides a unique opportunity to hear from Schneider on topics including the complexity of her composition process, the blending of her art and activism, and insights for both musicians and music lovers to understand the significance of copyright protection to an artist’s work.

Jim Carroll, Artistic Director of Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra.

The April 16 performance at the Center for the Arts features Schneider guest conducting the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, founded by Artistic Director and saxophone virtuoso Jim Carroll. The performance will open with "We Love Being Here with You" featuring songstress Darden Purcell (Mason Director of Jazz Studies and Jazz Voice), followed by Schneider's original music including an instrumental excerpt from Winter Morning Walks. Opening the second half of the concert, Mason Jazz Ensemble has been invited to perform “Dance You Monster to My Soft Song,” an original composition by Schneider that she will also conduct.

“It is our great honor to have the opportunity to have Maria with us this spring,” adds Carroll. “Maria helps us all understand that through music we are all connected and a part of something bigger. Her music and activism teaches us all that the best form of protest is excellence. When the system has beaten me down, Maria’s music has picked me up and brought me back with her melody’s, unique harmonies, orchestrations, and amazing crescendos. I would suggest to everyone to let her music come into your heart and lift you up.”

For more information about the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra’s upcoming performance featuring Maria Schneider on April 16, visit the the Center for the Arts website.

Topics

CFA

Center for the Arts

At Arts Emerging, the Arts Return In-Person to George Mason

Pam Muirheid — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 15:31:57 +0000

At Arts Emerging, the Arts Return In-Person to George Mason Pam Muirheid Thu, 09/30/2021 - 11:31

In This Story

Shaun Boyle D'Arcy

Gregory Washington

Dr. Michael Nickens

Arts Emerging raised more than $155,000 to support the arts at Mason.

A welcome return to live, in-person arts performances and exhibitions was celebrated September 25 at the George Mason University Center for the Arts.

Arts Emerging: A Celebration of Renewal brought more than 300 people to the Fairfax Campus on a Saturday evening for a festive event that pulsed with artistic energy and the spirit of community.

Combining outdoor and indoor performances by students, faculty, and alumni, art exhibits, film screenings, hands-on activities, and more, Arts Emerging launched the 2021-22 Center for the Arts season, while also marking the 20^th anniversary of the university’s College of Visual and Performing Arts.

“The arts have become one of Mason’s signature tools for the university to engage with its community,” said Rick Davis, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. “Arts Emerging is a powerful example of that in action.”

A highlight of the outdoor performances presented on Holton Plaza was a performance of Pause: Reset, delivered by School of Dance students and choreographed by faculty member Shaun Boyle D’Arcy. One performer, senior dance major Hadiya Matthews, reflected afterward on the challenges of the past year and how students have rallied. “During Covid and everything that was happening in the world, it was pretty heavy and kind of sad,” Matthews said. “I think that when we had discussions and ‘collabbed’ and really talked about how we felt, a big thing that kept us strong was community, and how—no matter what we’re going through—we’re all related to one another. That’s something that we can come back to, so building this piece of community was really special.”

Meanwhile, in the adjacent Buchanan Hall Atrium Gallery, viewers enjoyed a major exhibition, Women of the Same Blood, combining photography and family history by Zia Palmer, BFA Photography ’19, with the opportunity to meet and talk with the artist. Buchanan Hall also hosted screenings by Film and Video Studies alumni, and an interactive virtual reality experience by the Computer Game Design program.

Later, inside the Center for the Arts, Mason President Gregory Washington welcomed a mix of students, supporters, and Mason faculty and staff. “The arts are the front door to the university,” Washington said. “Many of you found that great big front door and you came through it to become involved with our College of Visual and Performing Arts. And then that introduced you to the larger university.”

Guest appearances on the Concert Hall stage included a duet by Green Machine alumni Chelsea Mohindroo, BS Mathematics ’16, MS Operations Research ’20, and Brandon Showell, BA Music and English ’14, both of whom have been contestants on NBC’s The Voice. They were followed by School of Theater alumni Garvey Dobbins, BFA Theater ’20, and Lauren Fraites, BA Theater ’20, and a finale performance by current Dewberry School of Music opera students. Members of the Green Machine, led by associate professor of music and director of the Green Machine Ensembles Michael W. Nickens (Doc Nix), also played throughout the event.

Finally, School of Dance alumna Sasha (Hollinger) Henninger, BFA Dance ’09, who made her Broadway debut in Hamilton as #thebullet, spoke about her career and her time at Mason. “I was blessed to spend 11 years in New York making a living doing what I love. I toured the country, I toured the world, and I spent my last few years there performing in two incredible shows on Broadway—easily one of my biggest dreams come true,” Henninger said. “My time, my teachers, my peers here at George Mason prepared me for that. My time at George Mason prepared me well.”

Henninger presented a special merit scholarship to current Film and Video Studies senior Taj Kokayi, whose film Woken From a Dream won the Best Student Film Award at the London Web Fest. Kokayi was a producer on the short film The Vine, which premiered during Saturday’s event. The Vine featured current Masters in Arts Management student Bobby Lacy, BA Music ’16, in a stirring spoken word performance inspired by the question of what it means to be an arts manager.

Sandy Spring Bank returned as the event’s presenting sponsor for the fourth consecutive year. “By sponsoring events like this we’re literally helping the students you saw tonight on stage realize their hopes and dreams, or give them an opportunity to,” said Jay O’Brien, executive vice president for commercial and retail banking at Sandy Spring. O’Brien has three daughters currently attending Mason—two graduate students and one undergraduate.

Arts Emerging raised more than $155,000, with proceeds supporting CVPA student scholarships, the Mason Community Arts Academy, Green Machine Ensembles, and the Great Performances at Mason season at the Center for the Arts. The event was co-chaired by Arts at Mason Board members Steven Golsch, a vice president at NowSecure, and Annie Bolger, a bank officer at Sandy Spring Bank.