Want to learn the art of calligraphy or how to fly a drone? Interested in joining a theatre cast or improving your dance, art or music skills? Then check out Bluefield College’s spring 2018 Fine Arts Community School schedule of courses, which offers something to learn for students of all ages and interests.
Dedicated to providing quality fine arts instruction to the community since 1993, BC’s Fine Arts Community School (FACS) is a community service outreach program that enables local families and students of all ages and interests, including home-schoolers, to explore and study the arts with the guidance of mentors and professionals who have appropriate training and experience. Expanding beyond the arts in recent years, FACS also offers training in a variety of other trades and skill to reach an even broader audience of those who enjoy learning and experiencing new interests.
Nearly 20 classes, workshops and lessons are available on the Fine Arts Community School schedule this spring, including Youth Theatre: Howl’s Moving Castle; Wheel-Thrown Pottery; Youth Theatre: The Wizard of Oz: Stage Combat; Introduction to Playwriting; Introduction to Screenwriting; Beginning Calligraphy; Preschool Ballet/Jazz; Beginner Dance; Intermediate/Advanced Dance; Musical Theatre; Web Design Basics; Introduction to Grant Writing; Drone Piloting 101; and private lessons in music, dance and writing, all detailed below in chronological order.
Youth Theatre: Howl’s Moving Castle
• Dates: Auditions January 22 with rehearsals beginning soon after in preparation for a full production March 15-18
• Times: Mondays through Fridays 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Tuition : $150 plus a $25 registration fee
• Ages: 12 to 18
• Instructors: Charles Reese and Rebecca McCoy Reese
• Description: Join the cast of this beloved fantasy novel by Dianne Wynne Jones, adapted for the BC stage by theatre student Mary Jones. In the land of Ingary, Sophie Hatter catches the unwelcome attention of the Witch of the Waste and is put under a spell. Deciding she has nothing to lose, she flees to the moving castle that belongs to the dreaded Wizard Howl whose appetite, they say, is satisfied only by the souls of young girls. There, Sophie meets Michael, Howl’s apprentice, and Calcifer, the fire demon. But she isn’t the only one under a curse. Her entanglements with Howl, Michael and Calcifer and her quest to break her curse are both gripping and howlingly funny.
Wheel-Thrown Pottery
• Dates: February 5 through March 26
• Times: Mondays 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Tuition: $125 with a $25 registration fee
• Ages: 14 and up
• Instructor: Norma Acord
• Description: Learn the basic methods of centering clay, forming cylinders and bowls, adding handles, and finishing pots using decorating and glazing techniques. There will be a $15 materials fee which will be collected the first night of class.
Youth Theatre: The Wizard of Oz
• Dates: Auditions February 19-20 with rehearsals beginning soon after in preparation for a full production April 12-15
• Times: Mondays through Fridays 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Tuition : $150 plus a $25 registration fee
• Ages: 6 to 18
• Instructors: Charles Reese and Rebecca McCoy Reese
• Description: Join the cast of this beloved children’s classic where Dorothy Gayle is swept up in a cyclone and whisked away from Kansas to a mysterious magical land inhabited by Munchkins, Winkies and Witches. There she learns the only way to get back home is to pay a visit to the great and powerful Wizard of Oz. On her journey with her dog, Toto, she befriends the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion as they follow the Yellow Brick Road on their way to the beautiful Emerald City.
Stage Combat Workshop
• Date: Saturday, February 17
• Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Tuition: $50
• Ages: 14 and up
• Instructor: Jennifer Bohannan
• Description: A one-day workshop exploring the fighting styles of quarterstaff, falling and rolling, hand-to-hand combat, and swashbuckling sword play. Students learn not only the basic techniques of stage combat, but also the techniques used to choreograph a major fight for a main stage production. Students are asked to bring a lunch for a 30-minute lunch break.
The Play’s the Thing: An Introduction to Playwriting
• Dates: February 27 through April 24
• Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 3:50 p.m.
• Tuition: $80 with a $25 registration fee
• Ages: 18 and up
• Instructor: Mark Botts
• Description: Hamlet believed a play could, “catch the conscience of the king.” He was right. Plays provide audiences a tangible communal experience. While dramatic arts can be consumed via the screen, human beings still desire human interaction. Plays offer stories that are alive, stories that can entertain, enrich, and enlighten audiences. Participants of this course will learn the playwriting fundamentals of craft and format, culminating in a draft of a one act play and led by instructor Mark Botts, who studied playwriting at Regent University in Virginia and The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City, where his work has also been showcased.
Writing a Movie: An Introduction to Screenwriting
• Dates: February 27 through April 24
• Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4 p.m. to 4:50 p.m.
• Tuition: $80 with a $25 registration fee
• Ages: 18 and up
• Instructor: Mark Botts
• Description: Movies start with written words – a script. Before the director says, “action,” a screenwriter must write the story. This course will give participants the opportunity to learn storytelling, such as theme, character, narrative structure, imagery, action, dialogue, and diction – all the elements needed for any creative writer interested in drafting powerful narratives that reach the hearts and minds of people. But movie scripts employ a specific format that must be followed, and this workshop will also highlight the unique look necessary for screenplays. Instructor Mark Botts is an award-winning screenwriter and senior editor of the Endless Mountains Film Festival. He studied screenwriting at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City and Regent University in Virginia.
Beginning Calligraphy
• Dates: March 20 through April 17
• Times: Tuesdays 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Tuition : $100 plus $25 registration fee
• Ages : adults
• Instructor: Joan Moore
• Description: Are you ready to learn the basic calligraphy font of Chancery Cursive (a branch of the italic font)? This is the most taught of all calligraphy fonts. Under the instruction of Joan Moore, whose love for calligraphy prompted her to share the art form and teach this “beautiful writing” to others, students will learn the basic strokes and the upper and lower case alphabet using a pointed pen and ink. This class is designed for beginner level calligraphy. No prior experience required. There will be a $25 supplies fee, which will be collected the first night of class.
Dance: Pre-school Ballet/Jazz
• Dates: March 20 through May 22
• Times: Tuesdays 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Tuition: $125 plus a $25 registration fee
• Ages: Pre-school
• Instructor: Ashleigh Farmer
• Description: A chance for your child to explore the basics and foundations of beginning ballet and jazz. Instruction will focus on flexibility, coordination, conditioning, techniques and fundamentals of ballet, and overall having fun and putting it all together in jazz. Students will also learn a routine to be performed during a recital open to family and friends at the conclusion of the class.
Dance: Musical Theatre/Production
• Dates: March 20 through May 22
• Times: Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Tuition: $75 or free if you register for three other dance classes
• Ages: all ages
• Instructor: Ashleigh Farmer
• Description: Musical theatre is a form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance. The story and emotional content of a musical – humor, pathos, love, anger – are communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an integrated whole. In this class, students will learn the dance aspect of musical theatre and will put together a production number that combines each technique and emotion. No experience required. Students will also learn a routine to be performed during a recital open to family and friends at the conclusion of the class.
Beginner Dance
• Dates: March 20 through May 22
• Times: Tuesdays 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (for Beginner Ballet/Stretching and Conditioning), 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. (for Beginner Contemporary/Lyrical/Modern Dance), 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (for Beginner Hip-Hop/Workout Session)
• Tuition: $75 per class or $225 for four dance classes, including Musical Theatre, plus a $25 registration fee
• Ages: 5 and up
• Instructor: Ashleigh Farmer
• Description: This dance class is for anyone that wants to begin to build a love and passion for dance. No experience required. Students will also learn a routine to be performed during a recital open to family and friends at the conclusion of the class.
Intermediate/Advanced Dance
• Dates: March 20 through May 22
• Times: Tuesdays 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. (for Intermediate/Advanced Ballet/Stretching and Conditioning), 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (for Intermediate/Advanced Hip-Hop/Workout Session), and 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. (for Intermediate/Advanced Contemporary/Modern/Lyrical)
• Tuition: $75 per class or $225 for four dance classes, including Musical Theatre, plus a $25 registration fee
• Ages: 5 and up
• Instructor: Ashleigh Farmer
• Description: This dance class is for students who want to build on their basic dance knowledge. Previous dance experience from FACS or another dance studio required. Students will also learn a routine to be performed during a recital open to family and friends at the conclusion of the class. Dancers who are taking at least one class have the opportunity to perform solos and duets during the culmination recital. This includes separate private choreography sessions.
Web Design Basics
• Dates: March 26 through April 30
• Times: Mondays 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Tuition: $25 plus a $25 registration fee
• Ages: 18 and up
• Instructor: Billy Chandler
• Description: Having a web presence is crucial in today’s digital world. Anyone can create a web site for any reason, whether it be promoting their business, showcasing a portfolio, selling merchandise, building a community, or sharing information for research. Learn the basics of creating a web site in this web design class. A laptop (not a tablet) is recommended.
Introduction to Grant Writing
• Dates: April 4-25
• Times: Wednesdays 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Tuition : $150 plus $25 registration fee
• Ages: Adults
• Instructor: Dr. Roderick Neal
• Description: Developing effective grant writing skills are essential to acquiring funding from government agencies and private foundations. This experience will enable you to understand the fundamental and universal components of a grant proposal. Students will have the opportunity to prepare a complete proposal to a funding source that they have identified during the workshop. You will actually apply what you learn.
Jewelry Design Workshop
• Date: Saturday, April 21
• Time: 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Tuition: $70 tuition (plus $15 for tools, if needed)
• Ages: all
• Instructors: Bronwyn Owen and Myra Yates
• Description: In this jewelry design and handcrafted links workshop, students will make a unique chain, utilizing wire links you create and incorporating your choice beads. Learn how to use basic jewelry tools, form wire links and beaded links, connect links, and finish a one-of-a-kind jewelry piece. Basic jewelry tools required: side cutters, needle nose pliers, flat nose pliers, and round nose pliers. A basic tool pack will be available for $15. All other supplies will be provided, including 16g copper wire, 26g copper wire, focal beads, accent beads, and chain and jump rings.
Ladies Self Defense Workshop
• Date: Friday, May 4
• Time: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Tuition: $25
• Ages: 12 and up
• Instructor: Melissa Bishop, Third Degree Black Belt in Shinsei Hapkido
• Description: The only confrontation you are guaranteed to walk away from is the one you are never in. However, we all know that we do not live in a perfect world and that sometimes violence shows up on our doorstep uninvited. Violence can occur anywhere and at any time. In this course, ladies will be presented with a variety of information and self-defense strategies that could prove useful to them if they ever find themselves in a potentially violent encounter. Instruction to include how to avoid attacks, the vital targets of the human body, and our own personal arsenal of built in weapons, as well as a variety of self-defense techniques.
Drone Piloting 101
• Date: Saturday, June 2 (deadline for registration and payment is May 18)
• Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Tuition $90 per student (parent is welcome to attend with child)
• Ages: 8 and up
• Instructor: Josh Grubb
• Description: For aspiring pilots, learn to fly a quadcopter (commonly referred to as a drone) from the professionally licensed UAV pilots at Aerovision UAV. Have fun learning how to fly safely and responsibly. Practice with your very own Cheerwing CW4 (included in cost), and pilot a DJI Phantom 4 Professional. The tuition includes a new Cheerwing CW4 quadcopter with 2.4 ghz transmitter. Deadline for registration and payment is May 18 in order to have the drones ordered and received by the start of the class.
Private Music Lessons
• Dates and times: 30-minute lesson dates and times determined by student and instructor
• Tuition: $110 for five lessons or $190 for 10 lessons, plus a $25 registration fee
• Ages: all
• Description: Lessons available for banjo, cello, flute, guitar, ukulele, harp, mandolin, piano, trumpet, violin, woodwinds, and voice.
Private Dance Lessons
• Dates and times: 30-minute lesson dates and times determined by student and instructor
• Tuition: $250 plus a $25 registration fee
• Ages: all
• Description: Private dance lessons will be offered throughout the semester for students seeking one-on-one instruction. Students taking private lessons also have the option of performing a routine in the spring recital. Many dance styles offered. No experience required.
Private Writing Lessons
• Dates and times: 30-minute lesson dates and times determined by student and instructor
• Tuition: $65 for three lessons, $100 for five lessons or $175 for 10 lessons, plus a $25 registration fee
• Ages: all
• Instructor: Crystal Kieloch
• Description: Private writing lessons with an experienced writing coach and English instructor are available for all ages and levels of skill. From help with standard grammar or writing a research paper to a great letter to the editor or a short story or novel.
To register for a FACS class, visit bluefield.edu/facs or call 276-326-4215. A $25 non-refundable registration fee and is due per student per class when registering for most lessons and classes (but not workshops). If registering more than one person within a family, the registration fee is discounted to $15 per person. In some cases, an additional supplies fee (i.e. art supplies) may be charged in addition to tuition.
Tuition and fees are due by the start of instruction and may be mailed and made payable to Bluefield College, FACS, 3000 College Avenue, Bluefield, VA 24605. For more information, contact FACS coordinator Burma McChesney by email at [email protected] or by phone at 276-326-4248.