ZONEI N Summer Fine Arts Program Making Music In South Phoenix Church
14 WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2009
ARIZONA INFORMANT
By Floyd Alvin Galloway Music is the key of life and the key to life. It is amazing of what music can do for the soul and mental capacity. A new youth music program will give students the opportunity to develop their musical craft and performance skills at the Youth Fine Arts Conservatory in south Phoenix. The summer program is being held at Dobbins Christian Fellowship Church, 202 W. Dobbins in Phoenix. The idea of the conservatory was Rev. Deborah McFarland. Rev. McFarland a musician, vocalist, songwriter and teacher is a former member of the internationally renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers. Their musically talented mother influenced her and her siblings, Mrs. Brown a master pianist teacher that taught piano lessons and plays the pipe organ. She has taught children for forty years. Both McFarland and her husband Jasper are ordained ministers and want to give students the opportunity to develop their musical talents which can open up a whole new world to them. Music allowed McFarland to travel to Romania as a child to play in a youth orchestra and other areas of the country. “Music has been a part of my life all my life,” says Rev. McFarland. “I wish to share this knowledge with young people.
Former Miss Juneteenth Datia Gowdy (right) congratulates Amber Thomas on being ALVIN GALLOWAY/AZI PHOTOS selected as the new queen.
Chandler Student Assumes Miss Juneteenth Crown By Floyd Alvin Galloway Reverands Jasper and Deborah McFarland run the summer arts program at Dobbins Christian Fellowship Church.
In the summer program, geared for youth ages 8 to 18, they program will be able to take dance lessons, piano classes, vocal training, music theory, character development and performances in fun Christ centered environment. All the instructors are professionally trained performers with over 80 years of combined experience in performing arts. The McFarland’s are planning to open up a fine arts conservatory school called Kabod, which means glory of God; the later part of the year. This fall they will also add other classes to their fall schedule including drum and classical guitar lessons. As a fine arts conservatory, students are expected to perform on a regular basis. Students will begin performing regularly in worship services and later in various venues around
the Valley. After the students have mastered a certain level of proficiency, those who are exhibit good character, are respectful, obedient and on good behavior may be given the opportunity to perform nationally. “We have established wonderful international contacts and may allow students to audition for some international performances at a much later time.” The performance schedule will be distributed at the beginning of each semester. Students are asked to make these performances priorities. Classes resumed July 13. They also have a fundraising opportunity for students that will take care of their tuition and provide them with a $150 clothing voucher. For more information call 480-219-0334.
Amber Thomas, 17, a Chandler High School student was crowned Miss Juneteenth 2009 -2010, recently in a ceremony held at the South Chandler Self Help Foundation office, sponsors of the pageant. Thomas takes over for Datia Gowdy as queen. Gowdy, who was going to continue an extended reign as queen, because of cancellation of Juneteenth pageant and festival in Chandler due to mounting cost, stepped down to concentrate on school and other community interest. Thomas, who was to be a contestant in the pageant before its cancellation, was selected by the SCSHF
board of because of her personality, composure and intellect. “She will be an outstanding ambassador for the pageant, the cultural history of the Juneteenth tradition and a great role model for growing young girls,” noted
board members in a statement. Thomas will attend various city, state and organizational events as Miss Juneteenth and will also receive scholarship funds to further her educational objectives.
Miss Juneteenth Amber Thomas with parents Debra and Alvin Thomas.