Dynamics Winter 2013

CONVERSE COLLEGE LAWSON ACADEMY OF THE ARTS

WINTER 2013

VOLUME 18

Making a Difference in 2012-2013

By Paula Morgan, Director, Lawson Academy

the endowment. Many Lawson Academy faculty members also generously gave of their time to “man the table” and sell the magnets throughout our Fall Registration weeks.

Comedy Idol performers J.S. Bach, Paula Joye and Lady Gaga, Erica Pauly.

What a wonderful beginning to the new year for the Lawson Academy! Generosity was on display in a big way as we renewed our commitment to continue building our Student Assistance Endowment to reach our initial $25,000 goal.

First of all, Julia Eldred, piano faculty, kindly agreed to take charge of our registration initiative, providing informative endowment materials to Lawson Academy families and individuals and facilitating the sale of brand new Lawson Academy magnets. She did an incredible job!

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Backing up a bit, the idea for creating and selling the magnets was the brainchild of Suzanne Brown, voice faculty member and longtime Lawson Academy parent. Like Julia, she was willing to “make this happen.” She worked closely with Donna Gardner and Cindy Smith in the Converse Communications Office on the design, and coordinated with Quality Stitch for the production and delivery segment. “Special Thanks!” to the owners, the Tajanas—the Lawson Academy family who did such a great job for us. My heartfelt ADEMY OF T thanks go to Suzanne AC and her husband, Reed, for completely underwriting the project, enabling all of the proceeds CO E NV from magnet sales L L ERSE CO to go directly into

Not long thereafter, on October 13 we opened our Lawson Series 2012–2013 with our Comedy Idol Concert, an evening that was so much fun! Imagine The Blonde, The Brunette and The Redhead—Leigha Pace, Cathy Siarris and Lisa Odom—as mistresses of ceremonies; Erica Pauly as Lady Gaga; Patricia Crisan in a red wig and Baroque costume; Anne Denbow, trumpet in hand, singing and playing…at the same time! You get the picture. The evening sparkled as Lawson Academy faculty, friends and students shared their talents for a great cause. Cathy Siarris, voice faculty, made all of this possible by volunteering to gather her colleagues and produce such a delightful show. All ticket sales benefitted our Student Assistance Endowment.

Finally, a big “Thank You” goes to all of you who bought magnets and attended the Comedy Idol Concert. You have already made a difference by helping us to raise the first $1,000 of the year. At this point, the Lawson Academy Student Assistance Endowment has just passed the $5,000 mark. This is indeed exciting, but we have a long way to go. As I’ve mentioned throughout, there are so many of you who are sharing your time, talents and gifts. Lawson Academy families, faculty and students are a generous group!

But, in order to truly be able to “make a significant difference” every year in the lives of students who otherwise might lose the valuable enrichment of their arts experience, we need to build a significant endowment.

Your generosity could make all the difference to a Lawson Academy student’s ability to have a life changing experience through the arts.

As we all move forward and share our year together, here are ways you can show your generosity in “making a difference.” Join us!

• Buy a magnet for $5.00 • Participate in Performathon 2013 • Make a Donation

Bronze: Silver: Gold: Platinum: Title Sponsor:

$1–$99 $100–$249 $250–$499 $500–$4,999 $5,000 & up

NEW THIS YEAR! ONLINE DONATIONS: Go to the Converse College Giving Website Select Lawson Academy Student Assistance Endowment Mail donations to the following address: Lawson Academy of the Arts Converse College 580 East Main Street Spartanburg, SC 29302 We’re all part of the Lawson Academy family, looking forward to another fabulous year together!

For further information please contact Paula Morgan at 596.9159 or at paula.morgan@ converse.edu

Lisa Odom, Cathy Siarris and Leigha Pace as mistresses of ceremonies

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Lawson Series Highlights Pedals, Pipes and Pizza

By Brennan Szafron

Pedals, Pipes and Pizza! Did you know that the pipe organ is called the “King of Instruments?” Did you know that the pipe organ is capable of making sounds that are lower or higher than any other instrument ever created? The Alia Lawson Academy of the Arts at Converse College, with the Spartanburg Chapter of the American Guild of Organists invites all teenagers (ages 13–18) to the Lawson Academy of the Arts

on Saturday January 26, 2013 between 9:30 am–3:00 pm for “Pedals, Pipes and Pizza,” a day-long workshop on how the pipe organ works. Four clinicians, including Dr. Jared Johnson, Mathew Brown, Robert Coulter and Pamela Smithey will coach you on how to play using your hands and feet, show you the insides of pipe organs on the Converse Campus, and describe the many career options available for organists! Of

course, there will be a pizza lunch for all registrants – hence the name “Pedals, Pipes and Pizza!”

The cost to attend is $15 and the deadline to register is January 10, 2013.

For more information, please contact Dr. Brennan Szafron at 864.978.4851 or at bszafron@churchofadvent.org.

Performathon 2013

By Suzy Smith

The Lawson Academy of the Arts will once again sponsor a “Performathon” fundraiser on February 23, 2013 at Westgate Mall. The proceeds will benefit the Lawson Academy Student Assistance Endowment.

All Lawson Academy singers, instrumentalists, dancers, and faculty are encouraged to participate. Students are sponsored for each piece they prepare and perform. Any style of music is acceptable. We are also interested in ensembles and any other creative performances.

Students who raise the most money will be awarded prizes donated from local

businesses. To donate prizes or sponsor us, please contact Paula Morgan at 596.9159 or paula.morgan@converse.edu.

Please note the following dates: • February 8, 2013—Deadline Money due for t-shirts, book bag orders and sponsorships • February 23, 2013—Performathon

For more information, contact Suzy Smith at 864.427.7999 or at suzy.smith@converse.edu.

Suzy Smith and students at Performathon, 2006.

Don’t Miss These Upcoming Events!

PEDALS, PIPES AND PIZZA! Experience the pipe organ Brennan Szafron, coordinator Saturday, January 26, 2013 9:30 am – 3:00 pm, Twichell Auditorium Registration fee: $15 due January 18

LOVE ALWAYS … THE BLONDE, THE BRUNETTE AND THE REDHEAD ARE BACK! Leigha Pace, Cathy Siarris and Lisa Sain Odom, radiant and reunited, return for an evening of love songs.

Master of Ceremonies, Tom Crabtree

Sponsored by the Lawson Academy and the Spartanburg Chapter of the American Guild of Organists

Saturday, February 9, 2013 7:00 pm, Daniel Recital hall Admission: Adults $5, children 12 & under free

SONGS MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME Gypsy music with a twist!

Jennifer Peters, violin; Brenda Leonard, cello; Julia Eldred, piano

SHINING STARS CONCERT Lawson Academy’s glittering Student Showcase

Saturday, January 26, 2013 7:00 pm, Daniel Recital Hall Admission: Adults $5, children 12 & under free MY TWO FAVORITE CELLO SONATAS BY DEBUSSY AND RACHMANINOFF Kathleen Foster, cello and Allison Moore, piano Sunday, January 27, 2013 3:00 pm, Daniel Recital Hall Admission: Adults $5, children 12 & under free 2

Saturday, February 16, 2013 7:00 pm, Daniel Recital Hall Admission: Adults $10, children 12 and under $5 LAWSON ACADEMY PERFORMATHON Student Assistance Endowment benefit event Saturday, February 23, 2013 All day, Westgate Mall

VIOLINIST ON VIOLINSTS Music by Eugene Ysage, J. S. Bach, Fritz Kreisler and George Enescu Linda Stephenson Sickles, violin Saturday, March 23, 2013 7:00 pm, Daniel Recital Hall Admission: Adults $5, children 12 & under free ALL IN THE FAMILY A special recital featuring brothers, sisters, moms and dads … performing together.

Carol Starnes, coordinator Sunday, March 24, 2013 3:00 pm, Daniel Recital Hall LAWSON BAND SPRING CONCERT George Wenger, conductor Monday, May 6, 2013 7:00 pm, Daniel Recital Hall LAWSON ACADEMY DANCE CONCERT Sagen Blackwell and Melanie Gladstone, coordinators Saturday, May 11, 2013 11:00 am, Twichell Auditorium

Satellite Program Highlights Welcome Upstate Family Resource Center Satellite Program!

By Brenda Leonard

This fall, the Lawson Academy began a partnership with the Upstate Family Resource Center (UFRC) in Boiling Springs. UFRC specializes in partnering with various organizations that impact lives in Spartanburg County District Two to help families from all walks of life grow strong and thrive. The collaboration between the Lawson Academy and UFRC allows them to reach families in a whole new way. Paula Morgan, Lawson Academy Director and Kelley Ezell, UFRC Director have worked together to initiate this program, with the goal of making music lessons more easily accessible to families in District Two. Studies show that learning music promotes selfdiscipline, creates organizational skills, builds teamwork, bolsters self-esteem and teaches responsibility. Shirley Brice Heath, a Stanford University Professor, conducted a study in 1998 that linked arts education to academic success. She found that children who participated in after-school arts programs were four times more likely to win academic awards, eight times more likely to receive community service awards, three times more likely to win school attendance awards and four times more likely to participate in math or science fairs (Heath, Soep and Roach).

Five Lawson Academy teachers—Erin Galloway, Michael Miller, Laura Denney, Miranda Burdette and Erin Byrnes—offer lessons in piano, guitar, voice, winds and strings at the UFRC. They teach students ranging in age from pre-school to adult and hope that many more families will take advantage of the program.

Help us make it a success by spreading the word to your friends who live in the Boiling Springs area! Some scholarship funds are available to families who need financial aid at this location; see the related article in this issue of Dynamics. Winter registration is January 10th and 17th at the UFRC on Old Furnace Road in Boiling Springs. Go to upstatefrc.org for details. You can also “like” their page on Facebook.

Heath, Shirley Brice, Elisabeth Soep and Adelma Roach. “Living the Arts through Language + Learning: A Report on Communitybased Youth Organizations,” Stanford University and Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Americans for the Arts Monograph, 2.7, November 1998.

Erin Galloway working with a new piano student at UFRC.

Scholarships for Lawson Academy Students at the Upstate Family Resource Center

By Alan Leonard, Brenda Leonard and Kelley Ezell

St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Boiling Springs has partnered with the Lawson Academy satellite site at the Upstate Family Resource Center to award scholarships for lessons. The Reverend Alan Leonard of St. Margaret’s Church applied to The Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina for grant money and was delighted that the grant request was approved. As a piano student of Paula Morgan, he has firsthand understanding of the joys of learning to play an instrument, as well as the cost of study. UFRC Director Kelley Ezell talked with the first recipient family, who said, “We are very happy and grateful for the scholarship our son received to study piano. It will help him continue the development of his musical talent that will help him grow as an individual.” The scholarships are awarded for a full academic year; however, additional scholarships may be awarded in January.

This scholarship program is truly a community effort. Additional funding is provided by Boiling Springs community-based businesses, organizations and private donors. St. Margaret’s Church administers the funds and determines the scholarship recipients, directing 99% of all collected funds to scholarship tuition. The church hopes to expand the number of scholarships available in future years. If you would like to support the UFRC scholarship fund, donations may be made to St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 160024, Boiling Springs, SC, 29316.

Michael Miller brings the Childbloom Guitar Program to UFRC.

For further information, please contact Kelley Ezell (Upstate Family Resource Center) at 864.578.1379.

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Dance Highlights New Beginnings for the Lawson Academy Dance Program

By Luke Browder

The Lawson Academy Dance Program has been a staple of the Spartanburg dance community for years. Every year, hundreds of young students have benefitted from the professional training they receive at the hands of our talented teachers. Last summer, after a loss of dance personnel, Executive Director Paula Morgan made finding engaging new dance teachers an immediate priority, and after searching and interviewing a number of candidates, she brought in two teachers who have the passion and energy to share their talent and knowledge with their students.

Blackwell, a senior at Converse this year, has been dancing since she was fifteen months old, in a community dance program much like the one offered at the Lawson Academy. She says, “My mother was a dancer and she thought that I would enjoy it so she placed me in a class as soon as they would accept me. For a few years I danced competitively and that was exciting. I can honestly say most of my spare time growing up was spent in dance studios.” And that has proved to be time well spent for Blackwell. As one of the newest Lawson faculty members, she teaches Pre-Dance, Jazz, Lyrical and Ballet classes, and all to students of varying backgrounds and levels of experience.

Gladstone grew up in New York and began dancing at eight years old at a studio on Long Island. “Prior to that,” she says, “I was always dancing around the house, as I grew up in a musical and theatrical family.” She has been dancing for over 20 years and welcomes the opportunity to explore various styles of dance. “Being able to still want to learn from my own dance mentors is a feeling I hope will last. Each time I learn more, I feel there is even more to learn!” She also loves performing, saying, “Some of my most memorable performance experiences have been on stage in shows where I’ve been able to really show my skills as a performer with other fantastically skilled people around me.” Gladstone uses that passion

for skilled performance in her teaching as well. “As a teacher, I am always excited every class when a student accomplishes a new skill.” And there are many skills to be learned from Gladstone. She offers four different levels of Tap, as well as the Musical Theatre class.

Both can agree that one of the best things about their Lawson experience has been the students. “The students and parents have all been lovely, and very easy to be in contact with,” says Gladstone. Blackwell adds, “I think teaching is made easier by the students and the enjoyment they get out of taking the classes.” Gladstone believes the format of the Lawson Dance program offers a great variety of options for both student and teacher. “Having the freedom at Lawson to decide which classes to provide is so amazing, and not always an opportunity dance teachers are offered. This also allows for variation of classes during the year, which in turn gives the students more opportunities during the year, as well.” When deciding which class is right for the student, both teachers have some advice. Blackwell says, “When looking for a dance class, I feel that the children should enjoy what they are doing.” And Gladstone goes further, adding, “Students and parents, when deciding which class is appropriate for them, should look at the requirements for entry in the class, first and foremost. It is very frustrating for a student to feel a class is too easy or too difficult, which could cause a rift in the teacher-student relationship.

Make sure you are choosing the right level so that your skills advance appropriately.” No matter which class you decide is best for you, our skilled teachers will take good care of you.

In addition to their passion for dance, both Gladstone and Blackwell do great work in the community. Gladstone works with the deaf and hard of hearing, and teaches music and dance at the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind. “My background is in the arts and Deaf Education. I am very passionate about the students at the school being perceived as skilled performers… I have had the wonderful opportunity to travel overseas to work with other students with special needs, and I always try to instill in them a feeling of confidence.” Gladstone chooses to maintain a positive outlook, always encouraging her students to achieve more. And when it comes to performing, Gladstone chooses to lead by example. She will be taking on the very difficult role of Velma Kelly in Spartanburg Little Theatre’s production of Chicago from January 11–20 at the Chapman Cultural Center.

Blackwell, for her part, does great work with our nation’s veterans through the Wounded Warrior Project. “I am a strong supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit organization that seeks to help soldiers and their families that have been traumatically injured in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I did an internship in NYC working at WWP this past summer.

I love the biking and adaptive water sports.” Her work with WWP has even been included in an article in Bicycling Magazine, which highlighted her incredible ability to multitask- a full course load as a high-schooler, college courses, 20 hours a week of dance, and she still managed to help raise $100,000 over two years! And one of her friends from WWP has given her words of inspiration that influences her teaching. “Heath Calhoun, a double amputee, says, ‘Life’s greatest journeys are not measured by the number of miles traveled, but the number of friends you meet along the way.’ I can honestly say I have made so many new friends with the Wounded Warrior Project and I have learned a great deal about the ability to overcome any challenge. If they can do it, you and I can do it.”

Observation Day for Sagen Blackwell and her pre-dance class.

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As you can see, both of our dance teachers offer the community a wonderful opportunity to learn not just about dance, but great lessons about overcoming challenges and accomplishing goals. These ideals guide their teaching, and they welcome all students to come and give dance a try!

Parents Corner Reclaiming the Joy of Music: Home Practice Tips for Parents

By Erica Pauly

“Help! I can’t get my child to practice!” How many times have our music teachers heard this? If your child loves to practice every day and never complains, you are a very lucky parent with a very rare child! There has been a great deal of research about all the wonderful developmental benefits that come from music study, and you are hoping that this gift of music will last a lifetime. You want the best for your child, but too often the joy of musicmaking gets lost in the frustration of home practice. The most important part of music study takes place in the six days between music lessons, and what happens at home. If practice becomes too much of a chore – like cleaning your room –your child will want to avoid practice even to the point of tantrums and tears. Just know that you are not alone in your frustration, and you and your child CAN reclaim the joy of music! Here are a few tips: Establish a good practice environment. Help your child set up a comfortable practice spot at home that is free from clutter and distractions.

Turn off the TV and the Wii, and provide siblings with a separate activity. Make sure your child’s instrument is in good working order. An instrument that is out of tune, damaged, or the wrong size will only frustrate your child. Your teacher is your best resource for information about your home instrument.

Establish a daily routine. Yes, daily practice is recommended. Children respond well to a routine. Help your children find a regular time every day when they are at their best. The initial excitement of learning a new instrument will eventually wear off. Enthusiasm will come and go. This is where the routine of the daily practice habit keeps the musical progress going consistently until the next wave of enthusiasm hits. The most important time to practice is within 24 hours of the weekly lesson. This is the best way to reinforce the instruction and maximize retention.

Encourage your child. The goal is progress, not perfection! Practice makes permanent; it does NOT make perfect! When your child is learning a new piece or skill, it may sound horrible. Avoid negative criticism at all cost! Part of the music-making process is learning what works, and what doesn’t. Keep a sense of humor, and remember to praise effort as well as accomplishment. Children want to please their parents. Allow your children to feel that you are proud of their achievements, even small ones. This helps build self-esteem and confidence.

Communicate with your teacher! It takes three legs for the stool to stand: Student, Parent, and Teacher. Your teacher will have all the necessary information and insights to help with your home practice. Your teacher needs to know how the music practice is going, and you need to know what the teacher expects.

Listen to Music. Take your child to concerts. Listen to music in the home.

Choose music that features the instrument your child is learning. Listen to all styles of music, and talk about them. Sing with your child. Nurture your child’s love for music, and inspire your child with recordings, books, movies about music, and cultural events.

Make it FUN again! Repetition is a necessary part of the practice routine.

Make it a fun activity! Here are some ideas. The “Lego” game: After each repetition, your child may add one Lego to the creation. The iSpud (or Mr. Tuber) APP game: After each repetition, add one item to your potato-head.

Be creative and discover what will motivate your child! There are many fun APPS available to reinforce note reading, rhythm, theory, and ear training.

Allow your child to explore the instrument, improvise, or make-up songs.

It is okay to reward your child or use positive incentives and motivators.

The best reward for your child is the gift of your undivided attention during practice. As children grow older, they will begin to practice more independently, and they will let you know when they no longer need this attention. Ask them to play their favorite piece for you. Home practice can be a wonderful bonding time for parent and child, and your child will have fond memories. No parent ever looks back and thinks, “I wish I had spent less time with my child,” and no one ever regrets learning an instrument.

Happy Practicing!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED RESOURCES • Your teacher!

• Not Until You’ve Done Your Practice: The classic survival guide for kids who are learning a musical instrument, but hate practicing by Philip Johnston and David Sutton • The Practice Revolution: Getting great results from the six days between music lessons by Philip Johnston • www.practicespot.com/home.php • Raising Musical Kids: A Guide for Parents by Robert A. Cutietta • The Parent’s Guide to Effective Practicing by Nancy O’Neill Breth • Sound Choices: Guiding Your Child’s Musical Experiences by Wilma Machover and Marienne Uszler • The Talent Code: Greatness isn’t born. It’s grown. Here’s how. by Daniel Coyle • The Little Book of Talent by Daniel Coyle

FACULTY RECOMMENDED APPS

Ask questions. Show interest in what your child is learning and experiencing. What did you learn in your lesson today? What does forte mean? What is this note? Does your teacher want you to practice this piece slowly with a metronome? What is your favorite part of this piece? Find out what is bothering your child about the practice. Do you dislike the piece you are playing? Are you having trouble with a new skill? Is this piece too easy or too hard? Are you feeling overwhelmed with too many activities?

Should the practice occur at a different time of day?

Cleartune

My Note Games

Dust Buster

Note squish

Ear Trainer Lite

Pluto Piano

Flash Note Derby

Read Rhythm

Funk Box

Recorder Master

Guitar Tuner

Spotify

iReal b

Steinway Metronome

Take baby steps. “Every great journey begins with one small step.”

For younger children, aim for shorter daily sessions rather than longer, less frequent ones. For longer pieces, break it down, and aim for smaller practice sections. Practice is not always fun, but it is always necessary for musical progress. Tell your children that you understand, and encourage them not to give up. Remind them that the daily goal is “one small step.”

The ultimate goal will take many days (and years) of these small steps.

iStroboSoft

Tenuto

Musebook Metronome

Theory Lessons

Music Flash Class

Virtuoso Piano

Music for Little Mozarts

Wild Chords

Music Theory Pro

YouTube 5

Lawson Band Highlights Introductions for the Lawson Academy Band!

By Gena Hammett

Greetings! I am Gena Hammett the new Executive Director of the Lawson Academy Band. My two children, ages 14 and 12, joined the band three years ago while Julie Ridenour was the Executive Director.

Quite suddenly, however, in the summer of 2012, Julie’s husband received a job promotion and the family moved to Texas. I wish to thank Julie and recognize her for all of her hard work and dedication in making the band such a success. I was honored when Julie and Paula Morgan approached me about assuming responsibility for the position. Since my children first joined the band, I had fallen in love with the program, the excellent teachers, the Lawson Academy, the students and their parents. There was no way I could refuse to take this position!

Over the summer, we underwent another big change when our program moved back to the campus of Converse College in the Lawson Academy of the Arts building. I want to thank the Charter School for opening its doors last school year to the band program and their interested students.

As we move forward, it is my desire to make this opportunity known and available to all students who would like to grow and excel in brass, woodwind and percussion instruments. For my family, the Lawson Academy Band has been a rare and priceless gem, delivering expert instruction beyond our dreams, with opportunities to inspire my children to new musical heights I did not even realize were possible. While many of the students who participate in the band are homeschooled, the Lawson Academy band is also open to private and public school students in grades three through twelve who might not otherwise have access to a band experience. The Lawson Band has been in existence for over seven years and offers students the opportunity to try out for the South Carolina Band Director’s Association All-State and Region Band Competition and the Solo and Ensemble Master Recital Competition. In addition, students participate in Honor Bands in Charleston and Gaffney, SC. We are delighted to participate in the Spartanburg “Dickens of a Christmas” and also perform two concerts a year in Daniel Recital Hall at Converse College. We rehearse on Thursdays from 3:45–5:45 pm in the Lawson Academy of the Arts building. No experience is required for students to join with their instrument of choice.

I am thrilled to share the credentials of our four exceptional band teachers who possess over 140 years of combined teaching experience in forming, training and guiding skilled musicians. Our band director, George Wenger, taught in the public schools for 44 years in Pennsylvania, Tennessee and South Carolina, before his retirement in June 2010. Locally, he was band director at Dorman High School for 18 years and Dawkins Middle School for six years. On several occasions, Mr. Wenger received the Citation of Excellence Award from the National Band Association. He was chosen as the Dorman Teacher of the Year and the Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year. In 1997, he was chosen as an Honored Teacher by the Huntington Learning Center in recognition of dedication to the teaching profession and contributions that went beyond the call of duty. On March 12, 2011, Mr. Wenger was inducted into the International School Bandmaster Fraternity Hall of Fame!

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Frank Watson, who conducts the beginner band, retired in 2006 after 34 years as a Middle School Band Director, primarily in Spartanburg School District Six. He has enjoyed a varied musical career as both educator and performer.

This year, Mr. Watson is entering his 47th season as a member of the Greenville Symphony. He continues to play Bassoon in the Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra as well.

Working with our percussion section, Scott Keever has worked in Spartanburg School District Six for 24 of his 31 years of teaching experience. He is currently teaching at Fairforest Middle School. He has been named school teacher of the year on two occasions.

Our newest band teacher, Francis Norris has taught band for 35 years at schools including Blue Ridge High School, Union High School, Sims Jr. High School and Gaffney Middle School. He taught at Gaffney High School for 19 years.

Karen Hill serves with the Lawson Band as our Converse liaison. She was instrumental in the creation of the Lawson Band. Mrs. Hill, an active performer, is currently the Principal Clarinetist of the Spartanburg Philharmonic, Principal Second Clarinetist of the Asheville Symphony and a member of the Arbor Wind Trio. She is sought after as a soloist and freelance musician, having performed with countless orchestras, symphonies, and opera companies. Prior to her work on the faculty at Converse College in 2000, she taught at Brevard College; Mars Hill College; Clemson University; the University of South Carolina, Union; and the School for Gifted Students in the Arts.

Karen Hill, Frank Watson and George Wenger also teach privately through the Lawson Academy.

The Lawson Band is blessed to have such a vast storehouse of excellent teachers who are willing to pour their wealth of knowledge into the lives of our students. It is an honor for me to serve with them. I am looking forward to a wonderful year of observing the great strides our students will make. It is my hope that more students and parents will join us as we seek to inspire with the wonder of expression through music.

Summer Highlights Wedding Workshop

Fine Arts Day Camp Summer, 2013… Save the Dates!

This past summer the Lawson Academy presented the second annual Young Musician’s Wedding Workshop. This workshop, created by Lawson Academy teachers Julia Eldred and Jennifer Peters, was designed to help young pianists and string players learn the skills necessary to successfully perform in weddings. The ten students who attended built their wedding repertoire with solo and ensemble pieces, and covered topics such as professionalism, disaster recovery, and bride consultations. At the end of the week, the students put on a mock wedding recital where they performed twenty pieces that they had learned over the course of the week.

Session 1: June 3–14—“Fine Arts in Wonderland”

By Jennifer Peters

Session 2: June 17–28—“Bright Lights, Big City” Session 3: July 8–19—“Adventures off the Page” Session 4: July 22–August 2—“Come Fly with Me”

Sawyer McCarley, a ninth-grade cellist at Dorman High School, said he found the workshop helpful because he learned “how to keep my composure during odd but likely events in a wedding and at the same time improve my playing.” Cellist Summer Queen, an eighth-grader at Dawkins Middle School, said, “I loved the ‘all day’ aspect of the workshop. It didn’t feel rushed at all. And I loved the challenge of the new music (even if I was VERY nervous to begin). I will surely do it the next time it is offered!”

For fur ther information please contact Jennifer Peters at peters61805@hotmail.com.

2012 Camp Staff (L-R) Jess Conneely, Susan Ledford, Gracie Johnson, Virginia D’Alessandro, Kaylee Boalt, Janae O’Shields, Brittany Allison, Jamie Dukett, Madeline Faulk, Tori Hand, Jess Parrott.

Wedding workshop participants prepare for their final concert.

Summer Registration, 2013

Campers Cammie Myers and Morgan Fisher

2012 Director Janae O’Shields and Assistant Director Jamie Dukett

May 6–17, 2013 8:30 am–4:00 pm Lawson Academy Lobby Private instrumental and vocal lessons are available throughout the summer.

Scheduling is flexible.

Join us!

For further information call 596.9022 or visit our website at converse.edu/lawsonacademy.

Junior Counselors Austin Farmer and Tom Bradley 7

Student Highlights A True Shining Star: Zoe Kushubar

By Lyn Acosta

It’s not often that a teacher remembers a student’s first lesson – especially not nine years later. Zoe’s first day of violin class, however, will always remain in my mind – only five years old, volunteering to sing the Rest Position Song in front of an audience of approximately ten people. So young, so new to the violin, and already so much confidence…here was a natural performer! A couple of years later, I recall the parent of another Suzuki child smiling up at the chart in our studio where we marked polished pieces. With amazement she said, “Look at all of those stickers next to Zoe’s name! How many new pieces can you learn in one week?!” This rapid progress became the norm for this amazing student. Today – nine years later – full of excitement and pride at the latest achievement of one of the Lawson Academy’s true shining stars, we recognize Zoe Kushubar.

supportive home environment, immersion in music from a young age, an inner drive, a love of music …all are ingredients for success as a musician. Through this pursuit we simultaneously arrive at Dr. Suzuki’s definition of success – a beautiful heart and mind and the development of a noble character.

Auditions for the SC Region Orchestras were held in early October.

Choosing to audition for senior rather than junior region orchestra solely for the challenge the more mature orchestra would provide, Zoe received the highest honor possible – 1st chair, 1st violin for the entire region. Though thrilled at the news, no one at the Lawson Academy was surprised.

The following is a recent interview with this talented young musician.

Zoe Kushubar, Julia Rossi, Delaney Dalton and Katie Konopka How often do you practice?

I try to practice thirty minutes a day during the week. I would practice longer but because of my school work, I am limited. I also use practice as a therapeutic break from schoolwork sometimes. On the weekends, I usually practice Congratulations to our Lawson Academy one to three hours.

What is your favorite piece you’ve played so far? …So many pieces to choose from. I usually love the piece I am currently working on. My most recent favorite piece is the Bruch violin Concerto in G Minor. I do love Vittorio Monti’s Csardas and Fritz Kreisler’s Praeludium and Allegro, too.

After almost nine years and probably 50 or more concerts, what has been your favorite Lawson Academy performance?

I have to say it was Shining Stars for both my seventh and eighth grade years. I had so much fun performing and meeting other talented musicians.

It was a great experience.

Though many years away, what are your career plans? Do they include music?

I plan to become a music teacher and performer.

I would like to play in a symphony orchestra and tour the world. I would like to teach violin to students at the high school or college level. I want to play music.

Congratulations on this top honor, Zoe! Congratulations and thanks to David Kushubar and Beth McLeod, Zoe’s supportive parents, without whom none of this would have been possible! Zoe has played the violin for almost nine years now and has “loved every minute of it.” A nurturing, 8

Region Orchestra Winners!

2012 Region 1 Junior Orchestra Violin I Simon Patel Maggie Hance Breanne Beeler Emily Hodge Shub Mehta Julia Rossi

Lyn Acosta Lyn Acosta Jennifer Peters Lyn Acosta Linda Sickles Lyn Acosta

Violin II Samantha Go Hannah Evatt

Lyn Acosta Lyn Acosta

Viola Michael Wilt Nathan Brown

Jennifer Peters Linda Sickles

Cello Amelia Miles Louisa Hucks Christian Robertson Samantha Manke

Kathy Foster Brenda Leonard Brenda Leonard Brenda Leonard

Bass Connor Smith

Brenda Leonard

2012 Region 1 Senior Orchestra Violin I Zoe Kushubar Emeline Nguyenduy Tricia Bacon Tyree McDowell

Sarah Johnson Linda Sickles Jennifer Peters Linda Sickles

Violin II Olivia Whitworth Morgan Gilmore

Jennifer Peters Jennifer Peters

Viola Carson Dixon Ariel McShane Delaney Dalton Christopher Durham Kelley Kilgore

Linda Sickles Linda Sickles Jennifer Peters Linda Sickles Linda Sickles

Cello Steven Chen Sayaka Reed Joe Ringle

Kathy Foster Brenda Leonard Kathy Foster

Jasmine Hines

By Suzy Smith

I was thrilled when Angela Hines came to fall registration here at the Lawson Academy and enrolled her daughter Jasmine Hines in my piano studio. I had taught Jasmine previously during the 2008– 2009 and 2009–2010 school years when she was living at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind. She is a joy to teach. We enjoy learning together, she a student, and I as a teacher, for Jasmine has been blind since birth.

I visited Jasmine twice a week for piano lessons when she lived at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind.

It was evident from the beginning that, in her own words, it is her “Destiny to play piano.” She has extraordinary talent in playing by ear.

She also has a beautiful voice and loves to sing while accompanying herself on piano.

Jasmine had her first piano recital in December 2009 when she played “Little Drummer Boy” in the School Christmas program. The experience was wonderful for her. She loved the applause and seemed to have no performance anxiety at all.

The Lawson Academy is the perfect environment for Jasmine to have opportunities to perform. She will be in a fall recital, a winter recital and Junior Festival Auditions in March. In Junior Festival she will be participating in the same category as sighted students. Apart from receiving assistance approaching the piano, she will not be any different from the other students when her fingers begin to play. We are currently working on the skill of finding the starting position for her pieces with no assistance. She likes the independence of being able to find her playing position on her own.

Jasmine is learning to read braille at school. In her lessons, we have a “silent piano”—a thin plastic reproduction of the topography of piano keys, with braille lettering on the keys. She is learning a letter/pitch association with the pieces she plays.

Jasmine loves playing the piano and singing. I believe she will inspire all who meet her with her musical gifts, her exuberant smile and her stage presence.

Students of Holly Barnes Participants in the 2012 National Guild Piano Playing Auditions with National programs: Emeline Nguyenduy Elizabeth Sexton Martin Groke Kathryn A. Groke Christopher Riley Alexandria Ellsworth Ruth Ann Evans Grace Groke Anna Evans Carla Jackson Tyler Charlton Sydney Braswell Seth Evans Peter Rosset

11 years 10 years 9 years 7 years 6 years 5 years 4 years 4 years 3 years 3 years 3 years 3 years 2 years 2 years

11-year National pin Paderewski Medal 9-year National pin 7-year National pin 6-year National pin 5-year National pin

Aidan O’Donnell Ashley Braswell Camila Alvarez Jerome Falcon Bryce Daniels

1 year 1 year 1 year 1 year 1 year

Twenty-one piano students participated in the 16th Annual Halloween Recital for the residents of the Windsor House West Retirement Home.

The event was well-received. Congratulations to all of those students who participated again this year and for their continual effort over the years in bringing music to those in need.

Emeline Nguyenduy performed in the 2011 National Guild Piano Playing Auditions and she received a Superior for her 10th consecutive year. She will be receiving the Paderewski Medal. Emeline also performed on piano the Concerto Grosso by Ernest Bloch with the Dorman High School Orchestra for their Fall Orchestra Concert.

Sukuki Students of Lyn Accosta

Students perform a Halloween Concert at Eden Terrace.

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Faculty Highlights Joy Finch and Karen Hampton co-directed the music for Spartanburg Little Theatre’s musical production of “Chicago.” Performance dates

were January 11, 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20 in the David Reid Theatre of the Chapman Cultural Center.

Alumna Highlight Remembrances of John Erickson

By Leah Harrison

When I was twelve, I enrolled in piano lessons with John Erickson at the Alia Lawson Pre-College. For four years, my mother took me from Campobello to Mr. Erickson’s house on Mills Avenue for the three-hour lesson that highlighted our week. Holding camellias cut from his garden, Mr. Erickson greeted us on the front stoop with stories of growing up in Nebraska and trips to Norway. With all the gumption and personality of a 1940’s movie star, Mr. Erickson made every piece I played memorable and exciting to my twelve-year-old mind.

kitchen where I heard him pick up his telephone. After a few seconds of silence, he asked to speak to Franz, exchanged pleasantries about the weather in Austria, and then got to the point: “Say, Franz, in the first movement of your Opus 32, did you want a second or third finger on that D in measure 11? Second? That’s what I thought. Okay, thanks!”

When he returned to the living room, he nonchalantly said, “He wants a 2. Let’s hear it again.”

Leah Harrison

My biggest weakness as a pianist, then and now, is fingering. Mr. Erickson would listen to my run-through with closed eyes from across the room, and then tell me that he heard my fourth finger on the E-flat in measure 46, and it should have been my third. During a lesson on a Haydn sonata, he corrected my fingering several times, but I didn’t get it. He asked me to excuse him for just a minute and walked into the

In addition to correct fingering, slow practice, and counting three against four, Mr. Erickson taught me that music communication required inventive, patient work. I attended Converse College for my undergraduate degree, switching from piano performance to music history in my sophomore year. Fascinated by the cultural meaning of music, I earned a master’s degree in musicology from The Florida State University, and then a second master’s in arts journalism from Syracuse University. As a music journalist, I constantly struggle to make classical music feel relevant to a twenty-first-century audience— it’s the biggest obstacle people in the arts face. But when readers seem unreceptive, I think of my wide eyes as I listened to Mr. Erickson talk to Haydn on the telephone, and am rejuvenated with creativity and fervor for my message.

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580 East Main Street Spartanburg, SC 29302-1931 www.converse/LawsonAcademy.edu

LAWSON ACADEMY OF THE ARTS 10