Categories
Announcements

Meet Regina, our new Marketing & Communications Coordinator!

The Academy is thrilled to introduce to you our new Marketing Coordinator – Regina Schneider. We’ve enjoyed getting to know her and thought you might too!

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MCAA Staff: You came to MCAA from Louisiana–which is a big change geographically and professionally. How are you finding life in NOVA so far? 

Regina: “Virginia was very high on my list of places I wanted to live. I’ve really liked it so far. Louisiana is very flat and I love the hills and scenery.”

MCAA Staff: As you begin to get settled in at MCAA, getting through all the paperwork, orientation, and trainings, what are your first impressions or thoughts about your new role?  

Regina: “I have a very good impression so far. I was not completely satisfied in my previous position and feel very happy so far with this more informal atmosphere. Training has not been overwhelming and I feel like I’m getting settled in.”

MCAA Staff: You are still new to the marketing role at MCAA, but any immediate goals or directions for the marketing strategies for the Academy? 

Regina: “Sure – I’ve been familiarizing myself with the website and the Academy’s social media presence. I would like to find ways to enhance both for more engagement and visibility.”

MCAA Staff: Tell us a little about yourself. I believe you grew up in Hawaii?  

Regina: “Yes, I lived in Honolulu through middle school and then my family moved to Louisiana. I attended Louisiana State University for my undergrad and graduate degrees and I stayed there through the pandemic, but am very happy to be here now.”

MCAA Staff: Do you have any hobbies or special activities? 

Regina: “I love being active with walking, hiking, and working out. I also like to read, and I enjoy movies and music. I especially enjoy self-help and science fiction literature. The last good book I read was “Come fly the World”. I highly recommend it!”

MCAA Staff: Tell us a little more about the role the arts have played in your life and how it feels working with an arts organization?  

Regina: “I love music and especially playing instruments. I currently play ukulele and a little piano but violin, harp, and cello are on my bucket list. I also took a lot of visual art classes and love the graphic design side of marketing. I’m learning to sew and enjoy upcycling clothes. Being and staying creative is very important to me.”

MCAA Staff: As you have found out, we are big animal lovers at the Academy. Are you? And if so, are you a cat or dog person?  

Regina: “I definitely love animals and have two cats, Lucky and Lorelei, with me here in Virginia. Back home in Louisiana my Mom has 5 cats! I hope to have the space to have a dog someday and would love a Golden Retriever.”

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Please join us in welcoming Regina!

Categories
Announcements

ALL IN-PERSON ACTIVITIES CANCELED OR VIRTUAL ON SATURDAY, MARCH 12, DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER

Due to expected inclement weather, all in-person activities will be either canceled or will go virtual for Saturday, March 12th. All regular online activities will continue virtual as normal:

  • Saturday Visual Art Classes = CANCELEDexcept for the “Digital Illustration: Anime Character Studio ONLINE” class which will run VIRTUAL as normal.
  • Saturday Theater Classes = CANCELED
  • Saturday Private Music Lessons = ALL scheduled In-Person lessons will switch to VIRTUAL. ALL Online lessons will run VIRTUAL as normal.

We will schedule a make-up day for any canceled group classes at the end of the session. Please email the Academy at academy@gmu.edu with any questions.

Stay safe and warm!

Categories
Announcements

Pianos looking for new homes

Generous community members have let us know of four pianos that are looking for new homes. The pianos are free, but the recipients must pay for the moving expense. The offer is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Moving expenses are estimated at $500-$2000 when using a professional keyboard instrument moving company and depend on the moving distance and home type. If you are interested in accepting the piano, please email us at academy@gmu.edu with the best number to contact you.

 

 

Piano #1

Located in Potomac, MD, this upright piano is about 50 years old in fairly good condition. It was last tuned in 10 years ago with no missing components.

 


 

Piano #2

Located in Clifton, VA, this upright piano is in fairly good condition. All keys are functional. The piano has not been tuned regularly and is not stored in a temperature-controlled room.

 


 

Piano #3–This Piano has been claimed.

Located in Fairfax, VA, this upright piano was manufactured by Hardman decades ago. The piano is in fairly good condition. It was last tuned in 8 years ago with no missing components.

 


 

Piano #4

Located in Leesburg, VA, this upright piano was manufactured by Strauss & Sons about 17 years ago. The piano is in fairly good condition with no missing components. It was last tuned in 2018 and was used frequently until putting in a storage unit in 2019.

 

Categories
Announcements Community Outreach

MCAA receives two Play It Forward matching gifts

Mason Community Arts Academy secured two matching gifts, totaling $1,750, for the Play It Forward fundraising campaign that increased our total donation amount to $4,675.

In an effort to make the arts accessible to more students and families in need, the Academy hosted a crowdfunding campaign during the winter holiday season. Throughout the 31-day fundraising period, more than 50 generous donors supported the cause and helped to meet the two matching goals: a $750 donation from Academy Advisory Board members: J.P. Phaup and Paula Martino; Matt Morris; and Mary Lechter and Kevin Murray; and a $1,000 matching gift from an anonymous Academy family.

“We are so appreciative of everyone who donated to our Play it Forward campaign,” said Elizabeth Curtis, Executive Director of the Academy. “It was such a success and assisted so many families and students, enabling them to remain in their lessons and classes during these financially challenging times.”

Play It Forward, a tuition assistance campaign, aims to help those Academy students and families in need to continue their arts education throughout the pandemic. It has received positive responses since it was first created in May 2020.

As the pandemic continues to impact our community, the Play It Forward needs-based scholarship helps students continue with their arts education and offer a sense of normality. So far, the campaign has enabled ten students to continue to hone their skills and spread the joy and beauty of the arts for their audiences.

One Academy parent shared, “The scholarship has helped to keep our daughter in a world-class music education program despite the economic downturn. It’s truly been a blessing for us!”

“I have loved seeing my students continue to develop their musicianship and artistry,” shared Suzanne Dorman, Guitar Teaching Artist. “This is something the pandemic has not taken away from us! We can still create beauty and share the gift of music with those around us.”

We are grateful for the generous donations to the Play It Forward campaign and will continue to raise funds to help more Academy families. If you would like to make a contribution, please visit our Play It Forward Campaign Homepage.

 

 

Categories
Announcements

Piano Looking for a New Home

This piano has been claimed.

The Academy received a generous donation from a community member of Vienna, VA. The piano is free, but the recipient is required to pay for the moving expense.

The piano is a 20-year-old electric Yamaha Clavinova piano, Model CLP-880. The bench is included. The piano is placed in a temperature-controlled indoor space, and the owner had maintained it occasionally. Moving expenses are estimated at $500-$2000 when using a professional keyboard instrument moving company and depend on the moving distance and home type.

The piano is located on Riviera Drive in Vienna, VA. The owner is looking for a potential recipient by October 31, 2020. The offer is on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you are interested in accepting the piano, please email us at academy@gmu.edu.

 

The Academy will be closed for Spring Break beginning Monday, March 25 and will re-open on Monday, April 1. We will be operating with limited hours. For any urgent requests, please call 703-993-9889.

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