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Community Outreach

Volunteering Hits A High Note for Chloe Lewis

Tenth grader and piano student Chloe Lewis has been an official Volunteer with the Academy, lending a hand with several activities and events for Fall 2016, Spring 2017 and Summer 2017. After a full year of volunteering, Chloe shared some of her thoughts and experiences with us.

 

Academy: How/ when did you get involved with Mason’s Potomac Arts Academy?

CLewis: My family started taking lessons at Potomac Arts Academy in the spring of 2015. We had relocated back to Northern Virginia the year before and still had not found instrument teachers who were the right fit for us. My mom discovered PAA through their website, and then had musician friends highly recommend the instructors there. I started private piano lessons with Michelle Richardson along with my sister, and my brother started in the Violin Beginnings 1 class.

 

Academy: Why did you want to volunteer with the Academy?

CLewis: I wanted to volunteer in a place that had two things I love – kids and music.

 

Academy: What volunteer duties/ responsibilities with the Academy did you have during the last year?

CLewis: In the Fall, I helped at Acting for Young People‘s Winter Showcase. Over three days, I helped with many aspects of their program – such as supervising kids, assisting with costumes, selling tickets, and helping with set up.
In the Spring, I helped address postcards for a large promotional mailing, I assisted the instructor with a kids’ art class, and I helped with the Spotlight on the Arts Music Recital.
I have worked for three weeks this Summer assisting the Piano Adventures camps for young children. I assembled music folders for the students, played duets with the students, and worked one-on-one with them under the guidance of the instructor, Miss Michelle.

 

Volunteer Chloe Lewis helping a piano student

 

Academy: What was your favorite part about your volunteer experience at the Academy?

CLewis: My favorite part has been helping with the summer piano camps. I enjoy sharing my love for music and experiencing teaching piano firsthand. It has been fun getting to know the children and working with them.

 

Academy: How would you say that your volunteer work and experience at the Academy has helped you prepare for the future?

CLewis: I was really thankful to work with Michelle Richardson in the piano camps. She is an amazing role model, musician, and teacher. She has taught me a lot about making the lessons fun and accessible, while still keeping the students calm and focused. I hope to work with beginner students on my own later in high school.

 

Academy: What are your future plans?

CLewis: I have been studying piano for 11 years. I hope to study education in college, with a minor in music.

 

Thank you Chloe for all of your hard work and dedication this past year, and best of luck for the coming school year and beyond!

 

If you are a high school student who would like to find out more about volunteer opportunities at the Academy, please contact staffer Matt Geske at 703-993-9889 or email potomac@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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