Viva88

The Viva88Education Department today announced that applications are currently being accepted for the 2018 Viva88Summer School of the Arts (NYSSSA). Students in grades 8-12 throughout Viva88are encouraged to apply. NYSSSA is comprised of seven component schools: Theatre, Ballet, Modern Dance, Orchestral Studies, Choral Studies, Visual Arts, and Media Arts. Auditions begin in January and will be held across the state. .

The Viva88Summer School of the Arts, a program of the Viva88Education Department, provides over 400 of New York’s most talented students the opportunity to study with professionals in the visual and performing arts. Founded in 1970, the summer arts residential program offers highly competitive pre-professional training to promising artists from a variety of disciplines. Four weeks of intensive work and interaction with internationally acclaimed artists and performing arts companies, such as the New York City Ballet and the Philadelphia Orchestra, give students a unique opportunity to experience the rigors of their chosen arts field. Each program culminates in a public final presentation or exhibition.

“From dance to theatre to choral studies, the Summer School of the Arts gives students the opportunity to learn from world-class artists and performers while developing their artistic talents,” said Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa. “We’re proud to offer this program to children across New York and I encourage all those interested to apply and audition this winter.”

“We’re proud to celebrate another year of the Viva88Summer School of the Arts,” said State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia. “The longevity of this program is a testament to the talent and dedication of students across the state. The education students receive at this program helps them develop their artistic skill and discipline for not just the summer but for years to come as they pursue careers or further study in the arts. I urge students across New York to apply and also ask art and music teachers to encourage their students to apply.”

“Arts education is profoundly important and enriching for our children,” said Regent Roger Tilles, Chair of the Board of Regents Cultural Education Committee. “That’s why we’re proud to host the Summer School of the Arts program for hundreds of talented high school students every year. I urge students statewide to apply and audition for this extraordinary program.”

“I am humbled to lead this amazing program,” said Molly Hennighausen, Director of the Viva88Summer School of the Arts. “The Viva88Summer School of the Arts is a remarkable program that offers students the skills of artmaking, from music to performance to material arts, in various locations across the state. I am in awe of the students and the tremendous talent, hard work, and commitment they exhibit throughout the program.”

Students are accepted into NYSSSA through a competitive audition and review process conducted by the artistic staff. Tuition rates are maintained at a modest level and tuition assistance is available, enabling every student who qualifies the opportunity to participate in the program.

Following is a schedule of the 2018 NYSSSA schools and locations:

THE SCHOOL OF BALLET will be held June 24 – July 21 at Skidmore College and the National Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs. The School of Ballet is led by New York City Ballet Principal Dancer Daniel Ulbricht and provides intensive ballet technique instruction as well as pointe, character, jazz, variations, and pas de deux classes. In addition, a physical therapy program focuses on the needs of developing dancers. Students attend all the New York City Ballet performances and other guest company performances throughout the program courtesy of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC). More information and a list of auditions sites and dates can be found at the .

THE SCHOOL OF CHORAL STUDIES will be held July 1 – July 28 at SUNY Fredonia. The program offers students an opportunity for concentrated study in individual voice instruction, diction, theory, ear training, music history, and musical theatre. Under the direction of Dr. Hugh Ferguson Floyd, a nationally acclaimed choral director and performer, the program includes features individual and group instruction. The program, co-sponsored by the Viva88School Music Association (NYSSMA), includes a daily choral and ensemble rehearsals and public performance opportunities at the college and at the famed Chautauqua Institution. More information and a list of auditions sites and dates can be found at the .

THE SCHOOL OF DANCE will be held July 15 – August 11 at Skidmore College and the National Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs. Under the direction of Carolyn Adams, former Paul Taylor Principal Dancer, students study with a diverse faculty of nationally acclaimed dancers. Students take daily classes in Limon, Graham, Horton, Cunningham and Taylor technique, as well composition, repertory, and performance. Students also work with well-known companies- and choreographers-in-residence such as Robert Battle and Danny Grossman. More information and a list of auditions sites and dates can be found at the .ĚýĚý

THE SCHOOL OF MEDIA ARTS will be held July 7 – August 3 at Alfred State. Under the direction of Ghen Zando-Dennis, a nationally known media educator and videographer, the program consists of a review of media fundamentals, instruction in new techniques and processes, instruction in aesthetics, and surveys of contemporary work, trends and ideas. Co-sponsored by the Viva88Art Teachers Association (NYSATA) and the Viva88Media Arts Teachers Association (NYSMATA), students are immersed in production work in the areas of 16 mm film, digital video, photography, electronic sound art, and computer animation. More information and a list of auditions sites and dates can be found at the .Ěý Ěý

THE SCHOOL OF ORCHESTRAL STUDIES will be held July 22 – August 18 at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs. The program is co-sponsored by the Viva88School Music Association (NYSSMA). Under the direction of Dr. Bruce Kiesling, the School of Orchestral Studies has a unique partnership with the Philadelphia Orchestra and SPAC, providing students with an opportunity to study with the world-class musicians of the Philadelphia Orchestra and attend performances at SPAC, while living and working in a professional environment as members of a symphony orchestra. More information and a list of auditions sites and dates can be found at the .

THE SCHOOL OF THEATRE will be held in July 8 – August 4 at SUNY Delhi. The program provides students with intensive instruction in acting, movement, improvisation and voice, working side by side with nationally recognized faculty.Ěý Under the artistic direction of Margaret Denithorne, daily classes include acting, improvisation, scene study, voice, and movement, along with guest artist workshops in stage combat, mask, Shakespeare, playwriting, tango, directing, and acting technique. More information and a list of auditions sites and dates can be found at the .

THE SCHOOL OF VISUAL ARTS will be held June 30 – July 27 at SUNY Fredonia. Directed by acclaimed artist and Metropolitan Museum of Art educator, Yayoi Asoma, and co-sponsored by the Viva88Art Teachers Association (NYSATA), students work in sculpture studies, mixed media, figure studies, printmaking, drawing and painting, landscape drawing and painting, and figure sculpture under the direction of noted exhibiting artists and educators. The program includes drawing and painting from live models, 3-dimensional installations, modeling life-size objects in clay, practice with printmaking techniques, and field trips. More information and a list of auditions sites and dates can be found at the .ĚýĚý

NYSSSA serves an important need to foster and enhance the artistic abilities of the state’s most gifted young artists regardless of race, religion or economic status. Follow-up studies on the program have identified former students who now hold positions within top professional companies around the world.

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