School of Art https://music.sitemasonry.gmu.edu/ en Honoring the Legacy of Bill Reeder https://music.sitemasonry.gmu.edu/news/2025-04/honoring-legacy-bill-reeder <span>Honoring the Legacy of Bill Reeder</span> <span><span>Emily Schneider</span></span> <span>Wed, 04/16/2025 - 10:33</span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_associated_people" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-associated-people"> <h2>In This Story</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-associated-people field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">People Mentioned in This Story</div> <div class='field__items'> <div class="field__item"><a href="/profiles/wreeder" hreflang="und">William Reeder</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span class="intro-text">I am so very sorry to share the sad news of Bill Reeder's death, surrounded by his family in hospice care after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Bill was the Founding Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA), joining us in 2001 to lead the newly formed college after a distinguished career as an operatic tenor and arts administrator.</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-left"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq481/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2025-04/reeder_0.jpg?itok=BaaIo8My" width="350" height="350" loading="lazy" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Bill Reeder at a university event with his customary smile and style.</figcaption></figure><p class="MsoNormal"><span>He served as Dean until May 2015, and continued to work, as a faculty member (and a term as Director), of the Arts Management program, one of three new academic programs (including Film and Video Studies and Computer Game Design) that were launched under his leadership. These programs have helped shape CVPA into the comprehensive arts college that it is today. He had a transformative physical impact on the arts landscape at Mason as well, securing for CVPA the planned "Academic V" facility, now known as the award-winning Art &amp; Design Building, coordinating philanthropic, state, and university support for the DeLaski Performing Arts Building addition, and the renovation of what became the Music Theater Building. </span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq481/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2025-04/untitled-5_0.png?itok=CbE9aF84" width="350" height="263" loading="lazy" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Carol Merchant Kirby, Bill Reeder (center), and Provost David Wu at the Hylton Performing Arts Center Education and Rehearsal Wing ribbon cutting ceremony in 2019. Photo by Evan Cantwell.</figcaption></figure><p class="MsoNormal"><span>His crowning achievement was the successful realization of a long-held community vision for an arts center serving Manassas and Prince William County. Bill's tenacious, loquacious, always-optimistic advocacy, expressed in countless breakfast meetings in diners, neighborhood gatherings, political forums, and rounds of golf with prospective supporters, led to the creation of the Hylton Performing Arts Center on what is now the Science &amp; Technology Campus. At times it seemed as if Bill was almost single-handedly willing the center into existence — but it was really his tireless behind-the-scenes coordination of university, civic, and volunteer energy that carried the day. He was honored for his accomplishment at the Hylton Center's 5th Anniversary Gala in 2015. At this year's Gala, we will take a moment — or three — to remember Bill's foundational contributions. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Bill will be remembered for his energetic and passionate advocacy for artists of all kinds and at every stage of their journeys. I will always be grateful for his friendship and mentorship over 25 years of personal and professional collaboration. </span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-left"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq481/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2025-04/untitled-4.png?itok=WH8RTFrH" width="350" height="263" loading="lazy" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Bill Reeder and Dean Davis celebrating together at an Arts Management program event before Reeder's retirement from George Mason. Photo by Setarra Kennedy.</figcaption></figure><p class="MsoNormal"><span>Details regarding memorial arrangements will be forthcoming. </span><a href="https://www.wrike.com/form/eyJhY2NvdW50SWQiOjY2MTE0OTgsInRhc2tGb3JtSWQiOjIzMTc5MzN9CTQ4OTg0MTcyMTQ4NDIJZTRlZjgyMTk4NmRhYTVhMjNmMjlmNTE1ZGM3NDM4MTEyNTdmODU4YzM5ZTJjZDZlNmE3N2IwZWYxNGI3ZGZlNA==" title="Celebrating Bill Reeder's Legacy"><span>If you would like to share memories and photographs of your experiences with Bill, please submit them through this form.</span></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://cvpa.gmu.edu/news/2025-04/william-f-reeder-december-14-1944-april-12-2025" title="William F. Reeder: December 14, 1944 – April 12, 2025">Bill's full obituary, provided by his family, can be accessed here.</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class='field__items'> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/381" hreflang="en">College of Visual and Performing Arts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1286" hreflang="en">College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) Arts Management Program</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1291" hreflang="en">Arts Management News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/206" hreflang="en">Dewberry School of Music</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/831" hreflang="en">Hylton Center</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/631" hreflang="en">School of Art</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Wed, 16 Apr 2025 14:33:25 +0000 Emily Schneider 4746 at https://music.sitemasonry.gmu.edu Two CVPA students use their creative skills as interns on Capitol Hill https://music.sitemasonry.gmu.edu/news/2022-08/two-cvpa-students-use-their-creative-skills-interns-capitol-hill <span>Two CVPA students use their creative skills as interns on Capitol Hill</span> <span><span>Colleen Rich</span></span> <span>Tue, 08/16/2022 - 15:13</span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><figure role="group" class="align-right"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq481/files/2022-08/220720502.jpg" width="400" height="297" alt="woman by a large marble column" loading="lazy" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Mirella Guzman-Escobar. Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services</figcaption></figure><p><span><span><span><span>For George Mason University </span></span><span><span>senior </span></span><span><span>Mirella Guzman-Escobar, the summer internship <a>in the office of the House Creative Services, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) </a>at the U.S. House of Representatives is more than great professional experience, it’s a foot in the door to a job she has dreamed of her entire life.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>“I’ve always been interested in working in the government, mainly because my step-mom and my grandpa both work in the government, and I want to use my voice through my design,” said Guzman-Escobar, who is majoring in </span></span><a href="https://art.gmu.edu/graphic-design/"><span>graphic design</span></a><span><span>.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>For Jacques Lykes, who graduates in August 2022 from Mason with a bachelor’s degree in </span></span><a href="https://film.gmu.edu/"><span>film and video studies</span></a><span><span>, it’s a step closer to achieving his dream of starting his own production company in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>Guzman-Escobar and Lykes are currently collaborating on a project called “A Day in the Life of an Intern.” Through captivating video and Instagram spotlights, this project highlights interns and their roles at the CAO, with the goal of promoting the internship positions and encouraging more engagement.</span></span></span></span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-left"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq481/files/2022-08/220720601.jpg" width="400" height="267" alt="man sitting on the steps of the us capitol" loading="lazy" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Jacques Lykes. Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services</figcaption></figure><p><span><span><span><span>“They’re really letting us be creative and making me feel like part of the team because I’m working on things that they’re working on, too,” Guzman-Escobar said of her colleagues at the CAO.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>The students apply skills that they have learned from Mason’s </span></span><a href="https://cvpa.gmu.edu/"><span>College of Visual and Performing Arts</span></a><span> (CVPA) <span>as they prepare for their respective futures.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>Lykes, who is originally from South Carolina, works as a multimedia intern for the CAO. He transferred to Mason from Northern Virginia Community College in his junior year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>He said FAVS 366 Video Production for Social Change, taught by GMU-TV Executive Director  </span></span><a href="https://www.gmu.edu/profiles/rwood"><span>Richard Wood</span></a><span><span>, “really prepared me to take on an internship like this.” </span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>“Jacques takes pride in his work. He’ll put in the effort and the time, because it matters to him personally,” Wood said of Lykes. “I’m not saying Jacques got that from my class, I think that is who he was before, but it’s certainly something I harp on.”</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Lykes’ academic adviser </span>Lori Yi<span> shared internship opportunities with him. “They were very adamant about making sure that film program students had opportunities outside of Mason,” Lykes said.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>“Jacques’ ability to learn quickly, ask questions, and be adaptable has made him invaluable on student films sets,” Yi said. “He’s been an engaged part of our community from the very beginning, and I’m excited to see his future contributions.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>While searching for professional opportunities for the summer and throughout the application process, Guzman-Escobar said her typography professor and mentor </span></span><a href="https://www.gmu.edu/profiles/jrosas"><span>Juana Medina</span></a><span><span> offered her guidance. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>“[She] impacted me a lot,” Guzman-Escobar said. “I used a lot of assignments that she gave us in class for my portfolio pieces, and it really helped me.”</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>As a graphic design intern, Guzman-Escobar helps her team with many of their projects, she said.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>Working on hands-on projects, and with fellow Mason students, has been exciting, the interns agreed.</span></span> </span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>“Working with Mirella has been really great. She’s a fantastic person and one of our strong suits is how well we meld together,” Lykes said.</span></span></span></span></p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class='field__items'> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/171" hreflang="en">Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/176" hreflang="en">College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/816" hreflang="en">internships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/631" hreflang="en">School of Art</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/771" hreflang="en">College of Visual and Performing Arts Film and Video Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1186" hreflang="en">Tech Talent Investment Pipeline (TTIP)</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 16 Aug 2022 19:13:33 +0000 Colleen Rich 2851 at https://music.sitemasonry.gmu.edu Connecting Students with Today’s Top Artists Despite the Pandemic https://music.sitemasonry.gmu.edu/news/2021-03/connecting-students-todays-top-artists-despite-pandemic <span>Connecting Students with Today’s Top Artists Despite the Pandemic</span> <span><span>Pam Muirheid</span></span> <span>Mon, 03/29/2021 - 14:25</span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="afb4c06a-b9dc-4117-ac6a-f188445f3932"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="https://cvpa.gmu.edu/academics/live-center"> <h4 class="cta__title">Learn More About the Window Wall Technology <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </h4> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span><span><span><span><span>For more than a year, the pandemic has impacted many aspects of the day-to-day at the </span><span><a href="https://cvpa.gmu.edu/">College of Visual and Performing Arts</a></span><span> (CVPA). One thing that hasn’t changed is our faculty and staff’s commitment to providing outstanding educational experiences. This moment has enhanced our resilience and creativity in order to satisfy the needs of the student community. </span><span>The most recent examples took place in March 2021, during which four masterclasses were held over the span of a single week. These ranged from virtual classes via Zoom webinar, to a hybrid session (half in-person, half virtual) utilizing <a href="https://cvpa.gmu.edu/academics/live-center">the Moving Story Window Wall technology</a>. </span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span>An important element of the College’s instructional offerings is <a href="https://cvpa.gmu.edu/why-cvpa/guest-artists">our intrinsic link with the Center for the Arts at George Mason University</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span> and the Hylton Performing Arts Center</span></span>, which enables Mason students to learn directly from today’s top artists. When performers and touring ensembles appear in the professional season of music, dance, and theater offerings, CVPA ensures that masterclasses or similar educational opportunities are part of what they bring to the table. This learning exchange is in line with the College’s longstanding mission to “educate the artists of tomorrow.” In spite of the current restrictions, CVPA and its two performing arts centers have continued to provide these exceptional experiences to Mason students.</span></span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"> <div alt="Lawrence Brownlee" data-embed-button="media_browser" data-entity-embed-display="media_image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;large&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;svg_render_as_image&quot;:1,&quot;svg_attributes&quot;:{&quot;width&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;height&quot;:&quot;&quot;}}" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="4aafc890-89ab-4ffd-8b97-99633d82dcb8" title="Lawrence Brownlee" data-langcode="en" class="embedded-entity"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq481/files/styles/large/public/2021-03/Brownlee_600.jpg?itok=quxTA76g" alt="Lawrence Brownlee" title="Lawrence Brownlee" /></div> <figcaption>Lawrence Brownlee giving a Zoom masterclass to students from the Dewberry School of Music.</figcaption> </figure> <p><span><span><span><span><span>Beginning on March 2, <strong>Lawrence Brownlee</strong>—who is recognized as one of America’s foremost modern opera singers—led a Zoom masterclass for a group of Vocal Studies and Opera majors from <a href="https://music.gmu.edu/">the Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music</a>. The class was held the day after he participated in The Artist-Activist: Centering Black Voices series as part of <em>Mason Arts at Home</em>. </span></span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span><span><span><span><span>Of her experience, Rosie Wright (Vocal Performance ‘22) commented, “</span><span>Singing for Mr. Brownlee was an infinitely valuable experience for me. He was an absolute joy to work with. I had the privilege of singing a Rossini aria for him and, since that’s one of his specialties, I was very nervous. I had so much fun learning from him and i<span>t was so inspiring to get a coaching from him</span> on the piece. This masterclass was one of the highlights of my college career.”</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span><span>The following day, School of Theater students were welcomed to participate in a masterclass with Broadway singer and actress <strong>Laura Osnes</strong>—who appeared in Broadway Princess Party on March 21. For this session, students gathered in person (physically distanced) on the Center for the Arts’ stage while Osnes was projected live onto the Moving Story Window Wall. Sophia Inserra (Theater ‘21) explained, “<span><span>the innovativeness of the set up and how we connected with Ms. Osnes was excitingly effective and, of course, getting the opportunity to meet and work with her virtually was amazing. This experience made my entire year; I am so grateful.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p> <figure role="group" class="align-left"> <div alt="Laura Osnes and Tom Lessels" data-embed-button="media_browser" data-entity-embed-display="media_image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;svg_render_as_image&quot;:1,&quot;svg_attributes&quot;:{&quot;width&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;height&quot;:&quot;&quot;}}" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="9cb840b4-be95-4a1f-b4e7-9a7159f7a197" title="Laura Osnes and Tom Lessels" data-langcode="en" class="embedded-entity"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq481/files/2021-03/Osnes_Lessels.jpg" alt="Laura Osnes and Tom Lessels" title="Laura Osnes and Tom Lessels" /></div> <figcaption>Left: School of Theater students participate in a masterclass with Broadway singer and actress <strong>Laura Osnes</strong>. Photo: Even Cantwell. Right: Clarinetist Thomas Lessels from Academy of St. Martin in the Fields giving a Zoom masterclass to students from the Dewberry School of Music.</figcaption> </figure> </p> <p><span><span><span><span><span>Similarly, on March 8, instrumentalists from the Dewberry School of Music had the opportunity to study with clarinetist <strong>Thomas Lessels</strong> and cellist <strong>Will Schofield</strong> of the world-class Academy of St. Martin in the Fields. These two, separate masterclasses were held via Zoom webinar and they preceded the ensemble’s </span><span><em>Mason Arts at Home</em> virtual performance on March 13</span><span>. </span><span>Teresa Jenkins (Clarinet Performance ’22) summarized her involvement as follows, “the <span>masterclass was fantastic and enlightening. I really enjoyed the musical ideas that Mr. Lessels recommended and shared with me regarding my playing. The Zoom masterclass experience is one full of silver linings, and I am so appreciative to have been chosen to participate!”</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p> <figure role="group" class="align-left"> <div alt="Tom Lessels Masterclass with Dewberry School of Music students" data-embed-button="media_browser" data-entity-embed-display="media_image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;svg_render_as_image&quot;:1,&quot;svg_attributes&quot;:{&quot;width&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;height&quot;:&quot;&quot;}}" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="660efac6-80e4-43f1-888d-cb8c41c61d95" title="Tom Lessels Masterclass with Dewberry School of Music students" data-langcode="en" class="embedded-entity"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq481/files/2021-03/ACSF-Tom-Lessels-MC-3.8.2021-H.jpg" alt="Tom Lessels Masterclass with Dewberry School of Music students" title="Tom Lessels Masterclass with Dewberry School of Music students" /></div> <figcaption>Students from the Dewberry School of Music participate in a masterclass with clarinetist Thomas Lessels (top left) from Academy of St. Martin in the Fields.</figcaption> </figure> </p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>These testimonials both confirm and reinforce the importance of making masterclasses, workshops, lectures, and artist conversations available to our student community.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span><span>In addition to the abovementioned masterclasses, the School of Art’s <a href="https://art.gmu.edu/visual-voices/"><em>Visual Voices</em></a> lecture series continues to feature nationally-recognized visiting artists and designers each month in an online format. Recent guests included Wendy Red Star, Rozeal, and Mia Rollow. Film and Video Studies’ <a href="https://vfs.gmu.edu/about-the-series/overview"><em>Visiting Filmmaker Series</em></a> is also thriving in the digital space, highlighting films and artists who are committed to innovation, social justice, and diverse and inclusive filmmaking. Most recently, the series featured film director Stefon Bristol and TV writer Hank Jones.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>CVPA is proud to offer these opportunities to students, and we look forward to increasing their reach throughout the academic year. </span></span><span><a href="https://cvpa.gmu.edu/give"><span>Support our educational initiatives beyond the classroom.</span></a></span> </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class='field__items'> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/176" hreflang="en">College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/191" hreflang="en">Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/631" hreflang="en">School of Art</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/231" hreflang="en">Mason Arts at Home</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/181" hreflang="en">College of Visual and Performing Arts School of Theater</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Mon, 29 Mar 2021 18:25:08 +0000 Pam Muirheid 1151 at https://music.sitemasonry.gmu.edu