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Piano Available

Piano Available to Good Home

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A generous family from Alexandria, VA recently contacted the Academy about gifting their Wurlitzer upright piano to a good home. If anyone is interested in accepting this gift, please contact us ASAP. The family is moving in mid-March, so they are hoping to find a recipient as soon as possible.

The piano is approximately 65 years old and is free of charge; however, the family requests the recipient to pay for the moving expense, which averages around $250-300 (when using a professional piano moving company) depending on the distance traveled, number of stairs involved, etc. Also, acoustic pianos usually require a tuning from a professional piano tuner after a move as well. 

If you think you have a need (and a space) for this piano, it’s a great opportunity to look into. We will handle this on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please email us at academy@gmu.edu  (no phone calls please) and put “Piano Available to Good Home” in the subject (or simply Reply to the Newsletter email). A recipient will be matched as soon as possible.

Please note that these opportunities typically come up several times throughout the year, so keep checking the Academy Newsletter!

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Community Outreach Instruments in the Attic

MCAA Congratulates GRAMMY Award winner and Instruments in the Attic Recipient Annie Ray

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Throughout its existence, Mason Community Arts Academy’s Instruments in the Attic (IiA) Program has had the pleasure of providing recycled instruments to teachers and students in Northern Virginia, the DMV, as well as throughout the United States and abroad, in addition to serving our local community here. Our goal is always to get our inventory into the hands of those that need it, and thanks to the generosity of donors, we are able to continuously fulfill our mission and provide teachers with the instruments and supplies they need to create a lasting impact through music education. As a result, we have been fortunate to connect and develop lasting relationships with incredible and inspiring teachers in our local community and beyond.

Two of IiA’s main supporters are Jenna and Jason Day, of Day Violins. Their immense generosity, tireless dedication to our program and its mission, and unending willingness to volunteer their time makes all of IiA’s string instrument loans possible. They are a critical piece of IiA’s impact and existence, and their connection to the community both locally and afar has allowed our program to broaden its reach and strengthen its influence.

In 2022, Jenna Day connected Annie Ray (Annandale High School Orchestra Director and Performing Arts Chair) with IiA after learning that her program’s need of instruments was hindering the aspirations and goals she had for her students. Ray had goals of starting the Crescendo Orchestra for students with severe developmental and intellectual disabilities. Her goal was to teach these students how to play an instrument with one-on-one instruction tailored to their needs, and she was seeking the inventory to be able to make it happen.

There are people that come into your life that touch your heart instantly and so deeply that you are a better person forever. Annie Ray’s positive attitude and ability to always see the potential in others has motivated me to reach deeper and further into the community to bless lives with IIA instruments. Through my involvement with the Crescendo Orchestra, I have been reminded that music is the universal language, one we can all speak.

Jenna Day, describing Annie Ray

The Crescendo Orchestra is among Annie Ray’s many accomplishments and endeavors through which she changes her students’ lives for the better. On February 3, 2024, Ray was presented with the 2024 GRAMMY Music Educator Award. Annie Ray was selected as the GRAMMY winner out of more than 2,000 initial nominees and was honored in Los Angeles as a part of GRAMMY Week.

I am honored to have received this award on behalf of the students of Annandale, Crescendo, and Parent Orchestras who every day teach me so much more than I will ever teach them. This award belongs not to me, but the community of musicians, teachers, and supporting organizations that make our program what it is. Thank you especially to Instruments in the Attic for supplying the instruments to Crescendo Orchestra that give our students access to music making. I encourage directors to look into the resources of United Sound, Giving Bach, String Rise, and other organizations so every student can have the opportunity to be a part of our ensembles.

Annie Ray

Mason Community Arts Academy and Instruments in the Attic extend our sincerest congratulations to Annie Ray and her students on this incredible accomplishment. We are fortunate to have educators like Ms. Ray in our community and look forward to continued collaboration. 

Written by Dr. Samantha Clarke
Edited by Regina Schneider

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Faculty News

Area Coordinator: Brian Slaymaker

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Introducing our Academy Guitar Area Coordinator, Brian Slaymaker! The Area Coordinators provide a central connection for Academy faculty and staff with all private lesson studios at the Academy. They are experienced teachers and music professionals who serve as a resource, colleague, and leader within their instrumental area. We asked Brian his thoughts on becoming a Guitar Area Coordinator.

I have begun my eighth-year teaching here at Mason Community Arts Academy. It has been an honor to accept the Guitar Area Coordinator Position. My goal is to bridge a connection between our guitar teachers to evolve our program. Sharing our philosophies can help to stimulate creativity in our own studios.

Brian Slaymaker

1) What is your earliest music memory?

I remember my Mom playing the Star Wars theme for me on the piano. I would ask to play it over and over.

2) What do you like most about playing your instrument?

I like the versatility of the guitar. It’s like having a one man band, or an orchestra within my guitar because it’s a polyphonic instrument. I can play the melody, or two melodies, or three, while playing a bass line, and some harmony too, all at the same time. 

3) What is one of your hobbies or interests outside of music?

I have many hobbies. Too many hobbies. Cycling, swimming, flying drones, cooking, DJing. 

4) What has been a highlight of teaching at the Academy?

Student recitals are always a highlight. When you see your students performing at the end of the semester that is when you receive the fruits of all your labor. 

5) How do you prepare yourself to have a productive practice session?

I have 5 different practice modes. 1. Technique scales, arpeggios, exercises. 2. Learning new repertoire. 3. Reviewing old repertoire. 4. Sight reading. 5. Improvisation, or just playing, total freedom. 

I choose which practice mode to use depending on my priority. It usually has to do with the next couple of performances. 

Most of my practice is working on what is the weakest. 

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Faculty News

Area Coordinator: Dr. Nayoon Choi

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Introducing our Academy Woodwinds Area Coordinator, Dr. Nayoon Choi! The Area Coordinators provide a central connection for Academy faculty and staff with all private lesson studios at the Academy. They are experienced teachers and music professionals who serve as a resource, colleague, and leader within their instrumental area. We asked Dr. Nayoon Choi her thoughts on becoming a woodwinds area coordinator.

I am honored to serve as woodwind Area Coordinator. It is extremely rewarding to me to bring together and share bright ideas from our talented woodwind faculty and to help them to be the best teachers that they can be!

Dr. Choi

1) What is your earliest music memory?

My earliest music memory is my mom playing the piano. My mom loves music but she could not afford the musical lessons when she was young. She took the piano lessons with me and loves to play the piano. 

2) What do you like most about playing your instrument?

I love to play my flute because it reproduces my emotion and voice. The flute is the instrument that represents human voice. When I play the musical pieces, I love to communicate with the piece and composer, and speak out with my flute voice. 

3) What is one of your hobbies or interests outside of music?

I love cooking! I have traveled to many countries and enjoyed their traditional dishes. I purchase different spices and sauces and enjoy trying new recipes at home. 

4) What has been a highlight of teaching at the Academy?

The staff and musical environment! I have been teaching at the Academy for 10 years and the staff has always been amazing in making a supportive and creative environment. 

5) How do you prepare yourself to have a productive practice session?

Make a practice plan and set a goal. Before beginning each practice session, I think about what I need to work on to improve my playing such as learning a passage or part of a piece, improving my expression of the piece, or making better finger movement. 

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Faculty News

Area Coordinator: Dr. Seon Gyu Park

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Introducing our Academy Voice Area Coordinator, Dr. Seon Gyu Park! The Area Coordinators provide a central connection for Academy faculty and staff with all private lesson studios at the Academy. They are experienced teachers and music professionals who serve as a resource, colleague, and leader within their instrumental area. We asked Dr. Park her thoughts on becoming a voice area coordinator.

“Since 2015, I have worked as a voice teaching artist at the Mason Community Arts Academy. Recognizing the need for strong bonds between teachers in the same area, I am honored to have been offered the position of Voice Area Coordinator. I will serve as a bridge between voice area teachers and the Academy, working diligently to facilitate effective communication and collaboration.”

Dr. Seon Gyu Park

1) What is your earliest music memory?

Since I was little, around 4-5 years old, I have loved to sing. As I entered school, my passion for singing grew, and I started participating in voice competitions, winning many of them. In third grade, I had the amazing opportunity to join the MBC broadcast children’s choir, where I made countless precious memories and gained valuable experiences.

2) What do you like most about playing your instrument?

What I love most about singing is that it is a journey of self-discovery. The human body serves as the instrument, and in order to sing effectively, one must closely observe both their physical and mental state and understand how they harmonize. Through the process of learning to sing, you gain a deeper understanding of yourself.

3) What is one of your hobbies or interests outside of music?

Playing with my two cute chihuahua puppies. I love traveling, too.

4) What has been a highlight of teaching at the Academy?

Every moment I spend with my students is a cherished highlight of my teaching at the academy. I fully recognize that each moment shared with them is unique and can never be replicated. It brings me immense joy to witness the growth of my students. Being able to play a part in their lives and musical journey is something I deeply appreciate.

5) How do you prepare yourself to have a productive practice session?

Before each practice session, I meticulously plan what to practice and determine the duration of each practice segment. This structured approach helps me practice more efficiently and effectively. Additionally, I prioritize warming up my body and voice before singing. By doing so, I not only prevent strain and stress on my vocal cords but also minimize the risk of experiencing discomfort or pain.