What’s New at St. Peter’s Community Arts Academy?

It’s not the same old Community Arts Academy any more. Faculty, facilities and programs are growing and changing to meet the community and individuals’ needs. What are your needs? Let us know.
Why is this happening? Skill development and learning progress are generating popularity. Enthusiasm runs high at St. Peter’s Community Arts Academy (SPCAA), where over 200 students study under the guidance and direction of eleven accomplished musicians and artists. Each student has a weekly private lesson, the opportunity for group study and the chance to perform at public recitals.

SPCAA students study piano, choir singing, Suzuki violin, viola, ‘cello and voice. They range in age from four to seventy. Many come from Geneva and as well as Waterloo, Penn Yan, Seneca Falls and beyond. Over half of the students are receiving scholarships for their studies and more scholarships are available. This is why we can subscribe to the motto, “Arts for All,” meaning that its doors are open to all people.

New Faculty
Sarah Mastrangelo is the newest artist on the faculty. She is a full time member of the Syracuse Symphony and travels to Geneva each week to teach Suzuki violin. A native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Sara was a member of the New World Symphony Orchestra in Miami and has worked with String Quartets. She has participated in the prestigious competitions around the world. Ms. Mastrangelo holds degrees in music performance from McGill University, the University of Michigan and Carnegie-Mellon University.

New Keyboard Lab
This January, a professional-level keyboard lab was purchased with generous gifts from community members. Volunteers built a special room for the lab, which consists of eight full sized keyboards that allow students to work together both as a group and individually. In the lab, students study music theory and piano skills. Senior citizens and beginning students of all ages are invited to take lessons in the keyboard lab.

Piano Adventures Class
Piano Adventures Class begins Monday, February 1st from 5:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. It is designed for children ages (5-8) to study the piano. This is a great beginning class that introduces students to the joys of piano in a fun and supportive environment. Students will learn how to read music and acquire the basic piano skills that will provide the foundation for private lessons. It is an exciting way to introduce children to the fun of music making.

Adult Piano Adventures Class
An Adult Piano Adventures Class begins on Thursday, February 4th from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. It is designed for adults who have always wanted to try the piano. This beginning piano class introduces students to the joys of piano in a relaxed, supportive environment. During the nine weeks of the class, students will learn how to read music and acquire the basic piano skills necessary to play the music they want to play! Students will to learn both as a group and individually. It is an exciting way to meet new people and to experience the fun of music making.

Registration
Registration for both Piano Adventures classes will be from January 18th to January 29th, 2010 at St. Peter’s Community Arts Academy located at 149 Genesee St. in Geneva, NY. For more information about the class please call the piano class instructor, Mr. Troy Slocum, at (315-789-0106). The cost of the Adult and Youth classes will be $150.00, which includes nine lessons and an introductory lesson book. Students need their own keyboard or piano at home. The Academy does have a limited number of keyboards available for rental for those students without an instrument.

New Recording Capability
Every student now has access to professional-quality recording in order to compare progress semester to semester, make gifts for relatives, and to provide a benchmark for personal goals and progress. We plan to make a studio-wide recording so everyone can hear the progress that is being made.

St. Peter’s Community Senior Choir Trip
The Senior (youth) Choir is busy preparing for their next trip to England and Scotland in February of 2011. “It’s a Grand Night for Singing” is a dinner theater fund raising event coming up on February 5th and 6th to help with the cost of the trip. If you have attended in the past or talked with anyone who has, you know what an enjoyable time this is. Tickets and reservations should be made by calling 798 4910.

New Art Class at the Geneva Community Center
Jeanette Nelson, a visual arts instructor with the Academy is collaborating with the Geneva Community Center to offer a Clay Class. Students will create works both by hand shaping and on a pottery wheel. The Community Center has recently added a kiln especially for the students’ use.

String Recital
The string faculty members are holding a student recital at St. Peter’s Church on February 7th. Students will perform works which they have been studying. The event is free of charge.

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