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Mason Artist-in-Residence Music From The Sole Shares the Joy of Tap with 911�� Community—and Beyond

Laura Mertens — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 16:04:45 +0000

Mason Artist-in-Residence Music From The Sole Shares the Joy of Tap with 911�� Community—and Beyond Laura Mertens Fri, 10/02/2026 - 12:04

Mason Artist-in-Residence Music From The Sole arrived at 911�� last month for a week packed with workshops, classes, discussions, and community events. Working with staff, faculty, students, and local educators, members of the acclaimed live music and dance company shared their knowledge of tap, percussion, and Afro-diasporic music, along with their real-world expertise as performing artists.

As part of Mason Artist-in-Residence Music From The Sole's engagement activities, cofounder Leonardo Sandoval and company members Gerson Lanza and Ana Tomioshi worked with students in 911�� School of Dance Professor Christopher D'Amboise's beginner tap class.

The residency kicked off on September 21, 2026, before Music From The Sole had even arrived on campus, when members joined graduate students in the Arts Management Program for a virtual conversation moderated by Professor Eric Oberstein. Two days later, faculty and staff welcomed the company to campus with a welcome lunch and then beginner tap students had the opportunity to work closely with members of the ensemble during a masterclass at the School of Dance. The energetic session drew praise from Professor Christopher d’Amboise.

“I cannot say enough about the generosity and joyful spirit of everyone from Music for the Sole. They are such talented dancers and musicians and were so generous with their time and spirit,” he said. “They are a very special and unique ‘family’ of artists.”

Sandoval teaches a tap class at Metropolitan School of the Arts.

After the morning class, Music From The Sole headed over to Metropolitan School of the Arts, an Alexandria nonprofit, to lead two free open-to-the-public masterclasses with intermediate and advanced tap students.

On September 24, the group visited Hunters Woods Elementary for Arts and Sciences in Reston to lead an assembly on body percussion, where they received an enthusiastic reception.

“We were beyond thrilled to welcome Music From The Sole to Hunters Woods Elementary,” said Julie Ohrnberger, who serves as the school’s K–6 dance educator. “Bringing their vibrant fusion of tap dance and percussive movement to our second and third graders offered our students an incredible opportunity to experience storytelling through rhythm and sound. Watching our young learners discover new ways to express themselves and connect with art in such an interactive, high-energy environment was truly unforgettable.”

Following the field trip performance, Music From the Sole members led a body percussion workshop onstage at the Center for the Arts.

More area kids got in on the fun on September 25 during a field trip matinee performance at the Center for the Arts, which was followed by an afternoon body percussion workshop for students. The day wrapped up with a lecture/demonstration and dinner hosted by the Brazilian Student Association at 911�� that provided opportunities for questions and socializing.

Cofounder Leonardo Sandoval participates in the discussion with company members and students from the Brazilian Student Association at Mason (BRASA).

The residency culminated in a Center for the Arts performance on Saturday evening. After participating in a pre-performance discussion with Professor D’Amboise, Music From The Sole took to the stage to deliver I Didn’t Come to Stay, a rousing, Carnival-inspired work led by choreographer Leonardo Sandoval and composer Gregory Richardson that showcased the company’s distinctive blend of samba, passinho (Brazilian funk), Afro Cuban, jazz, and house. The night was a celebration—and the perfect way to finish off the first residency of the 2026–27 season.

Music From The Sole's "I Didn't Come to Stay" at the Center for the Arts

The Mason Artist-in-Residence program is supported in part by the Wendy Frieman and David Johnson Fund.

Launched during the 2019–20 season through 911��’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, the Mason Artist-in-Residence program connects artists appearing at the Center for the Arts and its sister-venue the Hylton Performing Arts Center with on- and off-campus communities. Artists engaged at the Center for the Arts have included Maria Schneider, A.I.M by Kyle Abraham, Indigenous Enterprise, Sphinx Virtuosi, Nrityagram Dance Ensemble, Third Coast Percussion, Camille A. Brown and Dancers, Small Island Big Song, Ballet Hispánico, the Silkroad Ensemble, Versa-Style Street Dance Company, Papermoon Puppet Theatre, and Limón Dance Company. Mason Artists-in-Residence coming up in the 2026–27 season at the Center for the Arts include the Grammy Award-winning Third Coast Percussion in February 2027 and S ilkroad Ensemble, returning in March for its fifth consecutive year in residence.

Learn more about the Mason Artist-in-Residence program

Learn more about CFPA

In This Story

Christopher d'Amboise

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School of Dance Alumnus Performs with Doug Varone and Dancers

Laura Mertens — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 19:27:00 +0000

School of Dance Alumnus Performs with Doug Varone and Dancers Laura Mertens Thu, 04/02/2026 - 15:27

When Doug Varone and Dancers takes the stage at the Center for the Arts on April 25, it will mark a full circle moment for company member and 911�� alumnus Dareon Blowe, who graduated with a BFA from the School of Dance in 2023.

Doug Varone and Dancers company members Ryan Yamauchi, Kanon Sugino, Dareon Blowe, and Madison Elliott. Photo by Kevin Colton.

While a student, Blowe had been selected from 70 911�� dance majors through auditions in October 2022 as one of eight students to perform the work Double Octet with Doug Varone and Dancers as part of the Great Performances at Mason series at the Center for the Arts. After rehearsing extensively to share the stage with company members for the February 2023 show, he also performed the work at the spring Mason Dance Company Gala with fellow students.

“Double Octet came to me at a time when I was needing a change of pace,” Blowe said. “During my senior year, I was craving something liberating, and Doug's work became that outlet because it revealed some of the core principles that I love and care about in dance. I learned a lot about weight, suspension, and the freedom of release. Specifically, how to move quickly with ease and find the pleasure in pedestrian movement. I enjoyed getting to understand Doug’s movement vocabulary both as an artist and an aspiring choreographer.”

Blowe ultimately received the School of Dance’s Excellence in Performance award, and 911�� School of Dance Director Professor Susan Shields said of his adaptability, “From his freshmen year until his senior year, Dareon danced on our stages in works by major international artists, faculty, students, and even created his own works.”

During his time at 911��, Blowe had the opportunity to participate in 10 residencies with different companies and choreographers.

“Each residency taught me a little bit more about what it takes to be a professional in the sphere of concert dance," he said. "I was able to see many different ways to approach movement, choreography, and rehearsal direction. Being able to choose what worked for me and what didn’t gave me more confidence in my identity as an artist, while also connecting me with my future colleagues and friends.”

Dareon Blowe. Photo by Jim Lafferty

A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Blowe is also an alumnus of The School at Jacob’s Pillow, SpringBoard Danse Montreal, MOTUS, and RUBBERBAND, where he worked from 2023 to 2025 under the artistic direction of Victor Quijada. He has performed repertoire by Kyle Abraham, Sidra Bell, Micaela Taylor, Camille A. Brown, Doug Varone, Wayne McGregor, Rafael Bonachela, Rena Butler, and more.

As an educator, he has created and taught at a multitude of programs around the country like BigKids Summer, Boston Arts Academy, Governors School of the Arts, and Colgan High School Center for Fine and Performing Arts.

Blowe began rehearsing with Doug Varone and Dancers in December 2025, and then joined the company at their residency in upstate New York. He will perform with the company throughout the rest of this season. The April 25 program at the Center for the Arts includes the premiere of a new work titled No Matter What the End.

Blowe said that one of the things he loves most about the new work is a section scored to "Jigsaw Falling into Place" by Radiohead. “It’s one of those moments where you can’t help but feel an intense dopamine rush. It approaches the end of the work, serving as a final push before a clear shift where the space opens up and we finally get to breathe.”

As Blowe’s career continues to open up and unfurl into new amazing experiences, Shields said, “The School of Dance knew that we sent out a dancer prepared for the professional world, and Dareon continues to make us proud. Welcome home, Dareon!”

Limited tickets are available for the April 25 performance, and continue to check cfa.gmu.edu periodically as additional tickets are returned or released. A pre-performance discussion with Artistic Director Doug Varone, moderated by Shields, will take place one hour before the performance.

The company’s upcoming visit will continue its tradition of engagement with the College of Visual and Performing Arts through learning opportunities for School of Dance students in conjunction with the performance, including four master classes and a Q&A with Varone and company members.

In This Story

Susan Shields

Learn more about the Special Event: Doug Varone and Dancers

Learn more about the 911�� School of Dance

Topics

Center for the Arts

Great Performances at Mason

College of Visual and Performing Arts School of Dance

College of Visual and Performing Arts

Field Trip: Ballet Hispánico

Mason Artist-in-Residence Ballet Hispánico Returns to Center for the Arts, Leads Hispanic Heritage Month Events

Laura Mertens — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 19:35:55 +0000

Mason Artist-in-Residence Ballet Hispánico Returns to Center for the Arts, Leads Hispanic Heritage Month Events Laura Mertens Fri, 09/27/2024 - 15:35

911��’s Center for the Arts presents a full residency, culminating in a Great Performances at Mason program, featuring Mason Artist-in-Residence Ballet Hispánico this October. During Hispanic Heritage Month, the company will visit Northern Virginia for four days to offer a range of educational and interactive dance programs, leading up to its mainstage performance at the Center for the Arts on October 5.

“We’re excited to have Ballet Hispánico back in our community to help us celebrate Latino culture through dance and cultural enrichment activities. We will certainly feel the presence of this dynamic and fun group across campus, and I’m delighted to have them engage with so many different community stakeholders,” said Victor Adebusola, programming and engagement manager at the Center for the Arts at 911��.

Recognized as one of America’s cultural treasures, Ballet Hispánico celebrates the ever-growing and multifaceted Hispanic diasporas through vibrant contemporary dance. The company was founded in New York City by dance luminary Tina Ramirez in 1970, on the principle that everyone deserves dance, quality dance training, and innovative performances. Since becoming its artistic director and CEO in 2009, Eduardo Vilaro has further built Ballet Hispánico to uplift the intersection of Hispanic cultures, pioneeringly breaking down boundaries and stereotypes.

The October 5 program at the Center for the Arts features: Sombrerísimo by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, inspired by the surrealist world of Belgian painter René Magritte; Buscando a Juan by Eduardo Vilaro, inspired by the life of Juan de Pareja, the Afro-Hispanic painter who was enslaved in Spanish painter Diego Velázquez’s studio for over two decades before becoming an artist in his own right; and Club Havana by Pedro Ruiz, which transports audiences through classic Cuban culture with the intoxicating rhythms of conga, rumba, mambo, and cha-cha-chá.

As a Mason Artist-in-Residence, Ballet Hispánico will engage 911�� students and the local community through a variety of classes, talks, and interactive workshops in the days ahead of the company’s performance. Details about these events are listed in the schedule below.

Launched during the 2019–20 season through 911��’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, the Mason Artist-in-Residence Program connects artists appearing at the Center for the Arts and its sister-venue the Hylton Performing Arts Center with on- and off-campus communities.

Open-to-the-Public Residency Events:

Friday, October 4, at 11 a.m.
Center for the Arts at 911�� (4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030)
FREE, registration required

In conjunction with the Great Performances at Mason series, the Center makes it easy for your class or group to attend field trips, which are all offered in person. From their seats, students will be introduced to dance, theater, and music from around the world.

Artists in Conversation: Latin Social Dance Workshop with Ballet Hispánico

Friday, October 4, at 7 p.m.
Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center (3740 Blenheim Boulevard, Fairfax, VA 22030)
FREE, registration required

This Hispanic Heritage Month event celebrates the ever growing and multifaceted Hispanic diasporas, featuring an interactive social dance workshop led by the “smashingly theatrical” dance company (Chicago Sun-Times) Ballet Hispánico. Move to the rhythms of salsa, merengue, cha chá, and more!

Co-presented by the City of Fairfax and the Center for the Arts at 911��

Residency Activities for 911�� and Local Communities:

The events listed below are not open to the general public.

Tuesday, October 1, at 9 a.m.

Ballet Hispánico and Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro will virtually visit the class “Survey of Latin American History,” taught by Associate Professor Joan Bristol from 911��’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Vilaro will present to the students on topics that include the history of Ballet Hispánico and how the need for visibility for a community spurned rich innovation based on the intersection of Latin diasporas; colonization, the cross-Atlantic slave trade, and the legacy of movement throughout our history; and the history of Latin dance in modern dance and culture in the United States. There will also be a Q&A for the students.

Wednesday, October 2 at 10:30 a.m.

Ballet Hispánico will offer a masterclass on modern repertoire to students in 911��’s School of Dance.

Wednesday, October 2 at 1 p.m.

Ballet Hispánico will offer a masterclass on modern repertoire to local high school students in the Fairfax Academy.

Thursday, October 3 at 1:30 p.m.

Ballet Hispánico Artistic Director and CEO Eduardo Vilaro will join the virtual class “Introduction to Arts Management,” taught by Professor Sam Sinagra from 911��’s Arts Management Program. Vilaro will present the history of Ballet Hispánico and how the company centers its mission when creating programs and initiatives. There will also be a Q&A for the students.

Thursday, October 3 at 6:30 p.m.

Ballet Hispánico will lead a Latin Social Dance Workshop and Community Party, hosted by the Latin Student Association and Mason Dining at Southside Dining Hall. This event is open to 911�� students, faculty, and staff.

Friday, October 4 at 1 p.m.

Ballet Hispánico will offer a dance workshop to a limited number of participants from the school time matinee.

Center for the Arts Public Performance Information:

Mason Artist-in-Residence
Ballet Hispánico
Saturday, October 5 at 8 p.m.
$55, $47, $33; half-price for youth through Grade 12

Tickets for Center for the Arts performances are on sale to the general public and available for purchase in person at the Center for the Arts Ticket Office (open Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and two hours prior to ticketed events in the Center for the Arts Concert Hall), by calling 703-993-2787, or through the Center for the Arts website (cfa.gmu.edu).

A pre-performance discussion with Ballet Hispánico’s Artistic Director and CEO Eduardo Vilaro, moderated by 911�� School of Dance Professor Lawrence Jackson, will take place in Monson Grand Tier, which is located on the third level of the Center for the Arts Lobby, 45 minutes prior to curtain.

The Mason Artist-in-Residence program is supported in part by the Wendy Frieman and David Johnson Fund.

About Ballet Hispánico
Ballet Hispánico was born from a bold vision to transform the world through the power of dance and reimagine how Latinx culture is celebrated on the global stage. Since its founding in 1970 by the trailblazing Tina Ramirez, Ballet Hispánico has been breaking barriers and reshaping expectations, using dance as a dynamic force for cultural expression, empowerment, and meaningful change.

Today, Ballet Hispánico proudly stands as the largest Latino cultural organization in the United States and an acclaimed "America’s Cultural Treasure." Through our three core pillars—the professional Company, School of Dance, and Community Arts Partnerships—we lead with purpose, uplifting the vibrant, diverse voices of the Hispanic diaspora. Our Company brings the work of visionary Latinx choreographers to life, delivering groundbreaking performances that ignite cultural dialogue and challenge artistic boundaries.

Under the visionary leadership of Artistic Director and CEO Eduardo Vilaro, who began his journey with Ballet Hispánico as a dancer in 1985, the company continues to chart new paths forward. Building on Tina Ramirez’s legacy, Vilaro has expanded the company’s impact, amplifying the intersectional stories of Latinx identities. Programs like Instituto Coreográfico, the Latinx Leaders Summit, and Diálogos foster innovation and leadership, nurturing the next generation of Hispanic artists and cultural leaders.

A true trailblazer in the world of dance, Ballet Hispánico has performed for more than 2.5 million people across three continents. As we look to the future, our unwavering commitment is to empower communities, inspire through the beauty of dance, and continue elevating Latinx voices on the world stage.www.ballethispanico.org.

About Eduardo Vilaro
Eduardo Vilaro, Artistic Director & CEO of Ballet Hispánico since 2009, has revitalized the company with his vision of dance as a reflection of America’s diverse cultural tapestry. Born in Cuba and raised in New York, Vilaro’s choreography explores the Latin American experience and its intersections with other cultures. He previously founded Luna Negra Dance Theater in Chicago, promoting Latinx artistry. Vilaro’s work has earned him numerous awards, including an honorary Doctorate from Adelphi University, recognizing his leadership in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the arts.

About the Center for the Arts
A Mason Arts venue, the Center for the Arts is the centerpiece of performing arts on 911��’s Fairfax campus. Each year, the Center welcomes hundreds of thousands of community members into its nearly 2,000-seat Concert Hall. The Center presents an annual season of national and international professional artists through its Great Performances at Mason and Family Series—offering the best of classical music, opera, jazz, global music, dance, theater, and more. Managed by 911��’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, the Center hosts many student and faculty performances presented by the Schools of Music, Theater, and Dance and supports the events of the School of Art, Film and Video Studies, Computer Game Design, and Arts Management programs. The Center brings distinguished visiting artists as Mason Artists-in-Residence for extended engagements designed to engage and inspire diverse audiences both on and off campus. The Center for the Arts serves as a performance home for many community arts organizations in the greater Washington, D.C. area. cfa.gmu.edu.

About 911��
911��, Virginia’s largest public research university, is located near Washington, D.C., and enrolls more than 40,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. 911�� has grown rapidly over the last half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity, and commitment to accessibility. In 2023, the university launched Mason Now: Power the Possible, a one-billion-dollar comprehensive campaign to support student success, research, innovation, community, and stewardship. www.gmu.edu.

For more information, please visit:
911��’s Center for the Arts

In This Story

Victor Adebusola

Get tickets for the October 5 Ballet Hispánico performance

Learn more about the Mason Artist-in-Residence program

Topics

College of Visual and Performing Arts

College of Visual and Performing Arts School of Dance

ARTS by George! 2024 Celebrates Mason Arts, Culminating in Concert by Tony Award Winner Lea Salonga

Laura Mertens — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 18:26:26 +0000

ARTS by George! 2024 Celebrates Mason Arts, Culminating in Concert by Tony Award Winner Lea Salonga Laura Mertens Wed, 08/28/2024 - 14:26

911��'s College of Visual and Performing Arts Presents ARTS by George!, an Evening Celebrating Mason Arts

ARTS by George! makes its return to 911��’s Fairfax Campus on September 28, 2024. Headlined by Tony and Olivier Award-winning singer and actress Lea Salonga, the annual benefit event raises funds for student scholarships at the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA), as well as for the Mason Community Arts Academy, Green Machine Ensembles, and the Great Performances at Mason season at the Center for the Arts. Since its launch in 2006, ARTS by George! has raised more than $4.1 million for Mason Arts.

“‘Something for everyone’ might be an overworked phrase, but it fits ARTS by George! perfectly,” notes Rick Davis, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. “From art and music to dance and theater, virtual reality to documentary film, the student showcases offer an unparalleled opportunity to experience the breadth and depth of what we do every day in Mason Arts. I learn something new every year and become an even prouder Dean.”

ARTS by George! begins at 5 p.m. by bringing hundreds of CVPA students and faculty together to showcase performances and exhibits, as well as to offer a behind-the-scenes look at their collaborative process. The seven CVPA academic units will be featured in showcases, which are a highlight of the annual event.

The School of Art will host an antique photobooth and give demonstrations of 3D art and letterpress printing, while Arts Management will host a display of the Free Little Art Gallery created by a graduate from the program. School of Dance will offer two presentations by faculty members—Christopher d’Amboise on dancing to the music of Stravinsky and Karen Reedy on Robert Battle’s “The Hunt”—which also include live dancing by students. Film and Video Studies will screen a selection of films by students, and Computer Game Design will offer a presentation titled “Unlocking the Future: Game Design with A.I. and Mixed Reality.” Students in the areas of jazz, opera, classical piano, and percussion will perform, representing the Dewberry School of Music; and students from the School of Theater will stage selections from 110 in the Shade, this fall’s musical, and student-written plays to be premiered in The Originals! 2024. In addition, two Mason Arts programs—the Green Machine Ensembles and Mason Community Arts Academy—will also offer performances throughout the event. These showcases will be held in the Harris Theatre, de Laski Performing Arts Building, and Horizon Hall. Guests will enjoy a buffet dinner and drinks over the course of the evening.

At 8 p.m., attendees will move into the Center for the Arts’ Concert Hall for a live Fund-a-Student appeal. The event culminates with a performance from Lea Salonga, starting at 8:30 p.m. Salonga will treat audience members to famous songs from her roles on Broadway and in animated films, and join them onstage for a champagne toast following the show. Beforehand, she will welcome 911�� students for an open soundcheck and Q&A.

ARTS by George! Chair and Mason Arts Board member Annie Bolger shared, “I’m thrilled to return as chair of this awe-inspiring event, which features 911��’s impactful arts programs and highlights the talents of its amazing students. I invite our community to join us for what promises to be a very special evening, and to support us in raising critical funds for student scholarships and community arts programs so that the exploration and creativity continues for years to come.”

For high-resolution images, press tickets, and interview requests, please email kfranko@gmu.edu and pr@camillecdevlin.com.

2024 ARTS by George! Schedule:

5 p.m., Harris Theatre, de Laski Performing Arts Building, and Horizon Hall

Showcases by the talented students from 911��’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, complemented by a buffet dinner and drink stations throughout the event.

8 p.m., Center for the Arts

Alumni performance and Fund-a-Student appeal.

8:30 p.m., Center for the Arts

An Evening with Lea Salonga, followed by an onstage champagne toast

Ticket and Sponsorship Information for 2024 ARTS by George!:

Individual benefit tickets are $350 per person and include entry to the student showcases, dinner, An Evening with Lea Salonga, champagne reception, and free garage parking. Each ticket includes a charitable donation portion directly supporting student scholarships and community arts programs.

Sponsorship packages begin at $2,000. To reserve tickets, become a sponsor, or for more information, please contact Susan Graziano at cvpagive@gmu.edu, 703-993-4188, or visit the ARTS by George! website.

Standalone tickets to only the 8:30 p.m. performance of An Evening with Lea Salonga are $50–$100 and are available for purchase through the Center for the Arts website.

The Premier Sponsor for ARTS by George! is Dominion Energy.

The Presenting Sponsor for ARTS by George! is Sandy Spring Bank.

Learn more about ARTS by George!

Purchase tickets for culminating concert, An Evening with Lea Salonga

“‘Something for everyone’ might be an overworked phrase, but it fits ARTS by George! perfectly.”

~ Rick Davis

Topics

Mason Artist-in-Residence Small Island Big Song Leads Events Across Campus and Community

Zoe Harr — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 20:41:10 +0000

Mason Artist-in-Residence Small Island Big Song Leads Events Across Campus and Community Zoe Harr Fri, 03/29/2024 - 16:41

In This Story

Buy Tickets

Learn About Mason's Artist-in-Residence Program

Mason Artist-in-Residence Small Island Big Song will perform at the Center on April 20. Photo taken by Gelée Lai, Tony Tsai, Samra Teague, and Kimmi Cranes.

Right before Earth Day, Small Island Big Song presents a "jaw-dropping" (Billboard) concert experience at the Center for the Arts on April 20, combining music, spoken word, and stunning projections to showcase unique oceanic grooves and soulful island ballads, while shining a light on the devastating effects of climate crisis on our world’s oceans. Indigenous artists from Pacific and Indian Ocean island nations mix their diverse styles to establish a contemporary musical dialogue between cultures as far afield as Madagascar, Taiwan, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, Tahiti, and Indonesia.

Co-Founder BaoBao Chen joins Small Island Big Song at the Center on April 20.

“For us, the goal of Small Island Big Song is to bring the audiences to some places that we might not have the courage of going alone, to celebrate, to confront, to inspire, to mourn, to feel hopeful. Our performance goes to all these emotions and shares the stories of ‘Our Island’, but ultimately, ‘Our Island’ is the one we all share,” notes BaoBao Chen, co-founder of Small Island Big Song.

Want to learn more about Small Island Big Song? Read more on the official website.

As a Mason Artist-in-Residence, Small Island Big Song will also deeply engage with the community through a series of education and engagement programs, detailed below:

Open-to-the-Public Residency Events

Climate Change: Our Response as Artivists on April 18 will explore ways in which artists can use their voices to expand global conversation on political, economic, social, and cultural questions at the root of the climate crisis. This event is co-presented with the Inclusive Collaborative Arts at Mason (ICAM) project with panelists BaoBao Chen, Co-Founder and Producer of Small Island Big Song; Mark Cooley, Associate Professor and Director of New Media Arts, Mason School of Art; founder of Green Studio; Moderated by Edward Maibach, distinguished professor at 911�� and director of Mason’s Center for Climate Change Communication; and is a part of the Artist-Activist Speaker Series, an initiative of the Inclusive Collaborative Arts at Mason (ICAM) project. This event is free, but registration is required.
Small Island Big Song artist Sammy from Madagascar hosts "Trash to Music" on April 20.

On April 19, Small Island Big Song invites local students to experience a schooltime performance that includes participatory dance and rhythmic activities, as well as an open Q&A with students. This performance is free, but registration is required.
Also on April 19 and in collaboration with Mason Dining, Small Island Big Song artists will introduce Mason community members to a traditional island dish, fish curry. Led by Emlyn from Mauritius, the Cooking a Traditional Meal with Local Twists workshop will include food samples and musical accompaniment. The event is free to Mason students, faculty, and staff, but registration is required.
Led by Small Island Big Song artist Sammy and hosted by UpCycle Creative Reuse Center, Trash to Music on April 20 is an inspiring hands-on workshop demonstrating how to make musical instruments from trash, commonly recycled, and/or reused materials. Participants will be making a Malagasy-style berimbau and shaker. Recommended for ages 10 and up, minors must be accompanied by an adult. Limit of 20 participants with waitlist to notify if spots become available.

Additional Residency Activities for Mason and Local Community

Co-presented by the City of Fairfax and Center for the Arts, Small Island Big Song hosted a Friends of the Center for the Arts Artists in Conversation event, Our Shared Seafaring Heritage, Alive in Rhythm and Song, on April 2 at the Stacey C. Sherwood Community Center in Fairfax, VA. This lecture-demonstration provided geographical and historical background about the great oceanic migrations that affected the featured island nations of Small Island Big Song, and included musical demonstrations and an interactive Q&A.
Small Island Big Song artists Sammy, Yuma, Mathieu, and Small Island Big Song Co-Founder Tim Cole will visit Mason’s Dewberry School of Music program’s “Music History in Society III” course taught by Professor Greg Robinson.
In this Dancing Mauritian Sega workshop, approximately 100 second grade students from Hunters Woods Elementary School are invited to learn the Sega dance from Mauritius, led by Mathieu Joseph (Mauritius) with support from Sam Roem (West Papua).
Small Island Big Song artists and co-founders BaoBao Chen and Tim Cole will lead a discussion on the topic of “Artivism in Action - Managing Cultural Initiatives” with students of Mason’s Arts Management and Folklore programs’ “Folklore and Festival Management” course.

In addition to these special residency events, a pre-performance discussion with Small Island Big Song Co-Founders BaoBao Chen and Tim Cole will take place in Monson Grand Tier prior to the performance on April 20. The discussion will be moderated by Center for the Arts Programming and Engagement Manager Vic Adebusola.

Buy tickets to Small Island Big Song on April 20 and be transported to the musical islands that are just around the corner.

This engagement of Small Island Big Song is made possible through the ArtsCONNECT program of Mid Atlantic Arts with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Mason Artist-in-Residence program is supported in part by the Wendy Frieman and David Johnson Fund.

The Small Island Big Song residency is supported in part by Eloise Stinger.

Thank you to the City of Fairfax Parks and Recreation Everybody Plays Grant program for making free tickets possible for the schooltime matinee program. This grant was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Topics

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) Arts Management Program

folklore

Center for the Arts

Friends of the Center for the Arts

Mason Dining

Small Island Big Song Residency Showcases Indigenous Artists with Earth Day Message

Zoe Harr — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 17:17:52 +0000

Small Island Big Song Residency Showcases Indigenous Artists with Earth Day Message Zoe Harr Mon, 02/26/2024 - 12:17

Buy Tickets

Honor Earth Day weekend with Small Island Big Song on April 20 at 911��'s Center for the Arts for a moving musical experience that combines music, spoken word, and stunning projections to showcase the sounds of various island nations of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, while shining a light on the devastating effects of climate crisis on our world’s ocean.

Small Island Big Song is the brainchild of Australian filmmaker and music producer Tim Cole and Taiwanese theater producer BaoBao Chen (pictured left), who traveled to 16 island nations to capture unique sounds and cinematic sights while working with over a hundred indigenous local artists, elders, community groups, and grassroots musicians. The result of this inspiring research and storytelling yielded two award-winning albums, a feature film, and a world-touring concert. For Small Island Big Song’s April performance, panoramic visuals will work alongside live musicians to highlight a shared seafaring ancestry with interconnected musical traditions.

Small Island Big Song establishes a contemporary musical dialogue between cultures as far afield as Madagascar, Aotearoa, Taiwan, Mauritius, Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Tahiti, and Rapa Nui.

(Photo Credit: Small Island Big Song)

To learn more about Small Island Big Song’s creation and its many artists involved, please visit the project’s website.

As a Mason Artist-in-Residence, Small Island Big Song will also work with the community through classes and workshops during the week surrounding the performance, including an Artists in Conversation event and schooltime matinee, both of which are free offerings and detailed below.

Small Island Big Song performs at the Center on April 20. (Photo Credit: Tony Tsai)

Co-presented by the City of Fairfax and Center for the Arts, Small Island Big Song will host an Artists in Conversation titled “Our Shared Seafaring Heritage, Alive in Rhythm and Song” on April 2 at the Stacey C. Sherwood Community Center in Fairfax, Virginia. This free, open-to-the-public lecture-demonstration will provide context prior to the April 20 performance with geographical and historical background about the great oceanic migrations that affected the featured island nations. Additionally, the evening will consist of conversation and musical demonstrations from Small Island Big Song artists, followed by an interactive Q&A session with audience members. This event is free, but registration is required; additional information can be found on the event webpage.

On April 19, Small Island Big Song invites local students to experience a schooltime performance that includes participatory dance and rhythmic activities, as well as an open Q&A with students. In addition to this special truncated performance with participatory activities, Small Island Big Song offers a free Study Guide that includes an introduction to the project, useful links, and relevant historical information. This performance is free, but registration is required; additional information can be found on the field trips webpage.

Get tickets today and join “one very big, very happy family doing what they do best while helping get the word out on a most serious issue” (RootsWorld [US]), Small Island Big Song on April 20.

This engagement of Small Island Big Song is made possible through the ArtsCONNECT program of Mid Atlantic Arts with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Mason Artist-in-Residence program is supported in part by the Wendy Frieman and David Johnson Fund. The Artist-in-Residence program for this performance is sponsored by Eloise Stinger.

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Artist in Residence

Mason Artist-in-Residence A.I.M by Kyle Abraham Leads Events Across Campus and Community

Zoe Harr — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 20:40:32 +0000

Mason Artist-in-Residence A.I.M by Kyle Abraham Leads Events Across Campus and Community Zoe Harr Mon, 01/08/2024 - 15:40

A.I.M by Kyle Abraham performs at the Center on February 17. (Photo credit: Steven Pisano; Dancer: Donovan Reed).

On February 17, A.I.M by Kyle Abraham presents works by acclaimed choreographers, as well as its artistic director and MacArthur Genius Award-winning choreographer Kyle Abraham, in an evening of visionary works using various dance and music styles that uncover the relationships between identity, history, and geography.

In a 2023 New York Times article, the company’s goals are emphasized, stating, “Kyle Abraham has a mission—and it’s bigger than himself. He likes to spread the love with his company, A.I.M., and, in doing so, broaden the viewer’s experience of what a dance concert by a choreographer-led company can be."

This Black-led contemporary dance company aims to create a body of dance-based work that is galvanized by Black culture and history while promoting the power of dance and diverse perspectives.

“As an artist born in the late 1970s, I’ve experienced a change in society that brings me hope. My choreography is a reflection of that hope, but also lives in the reality of my experiences and the cultural work that still needs to be done,” says Kyle Abraham, artistic director.

Want to learn more about A.I.M by Kyle Abraham’s mission and core values? Read more on the company’s official website.

As a Mason Artist-in-Residence, A.I.M by Kyle Abraham company members will also work with the community through classes and workshops surrounding the performance, which are detailed below.

In a classroom visit to Mason School of Dance’s “Senior Synthesis” course taught by instructor Susan Shields, senior dance students will be joined by A.I.M company members and discuss career opportunities, professional development, and advice, through the lens of A.I.M company members lived experiences.
The company will engage with the students of Mason’s African and African American Studies (AAAS) program.
City of Fairfax Theatre Company members and A.I.M artists collaborate in a workshop titled “Unifying Uniqueness.” Part conversation and part movement workshop, “Unifying Uniqueness” investigates the ideologies surrounding uniqueness and likenesses in each participant. Led by A.I.M company members, students of all levels will learn phrases of material from A.I.M repertory; engage in a dialogue centered around early memories; and integrate movement with ideas of perception, family, and freedom.
A.I.M. company members will lead an A.I.M Movement Workshop with local high school students at Fairfax Academy and Colgan High School, as well as Mason School of Dance students and Washington, D.C.’s Dance Place adult students of both intermediate and advanced skill level.

In addition to these special residency events, a pre-performance discussion with A.I.M by Kyle Abraham Rehearsal Director Jessica Tong will take place on Monson Grand Tier prior to the performance on February 17. The discussion will be moderated by School of Dance faculty member, Lawrence M. Jackson.

Get tickets today and experience “one of the most consistently excellent troupes working today” (New York Times), A.I.M by Kyle Abraham on February 17.

In This Story

Susan Shields

Lawrence M. Jackson

Learn About Mason's Artist in Residence Program

Black History Month at the Center for the Arts

The A.I.M by Kyle Abraham residency is part of February Black History Month events at the Center for the Arts. Read more about the offerings.

Topics

College of Visual and Performing Arts School of Dance

Artist in Residence

Black History Month

Mason Artist-in-Residence Silkroad Ensemble Leads Events Across Campus and Community

Zoe Harr — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 15:52:41 +0000

Mason Artist-in-Residence Silkroad Ensemble Leads Events Across Campus and Community Zoe Harr Fri, 10/27/2023 - 11:52

Buy Tickets

Learn About Mason Artist-in-Residence Program

Returning for their second of three years as a Mason Artist-in-Residence, Silkroad Ensemble and Artistic Director Rhiannon Giddens present the world premiere of American Railroad, an initiative that maps American music through the various communities involved in building the late-1800s Transcontinental Railroad and its connecting railways. In its description of the project, Silkroad explains that though corporations and the American government financed the railroad, the people who built it are the focus of this program—Indigenous and African Americans as well Irish, Chinese, Japanese, and other immigrant laborers whose contributions have been largely erased from history. American Railroad highlights untold stories and amplifies unheard voices from these communities.

“The American Railroad project has been years in the making, and the program we've created for our first tour is only the beginning. In it, we shed light on those who have been erased or overlooked throughout American history and merge with it Silkroad's unique ability to amplify voices from a multitude of backgrounds and cultures. The result is a tapestry of stories, traditions, and musics that have shaped our multifaceted cultural identity, and that must be heard and recognized,” stated Giddens.

Want to learn more about the American Railroad project? Read Silkroad Ensemble’s description.

As a Mason Artist-in-Residence, Silkroad artists will also work with the community through classes and workshops surrounding the performance, which are detailed below.

In a session with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), three Silkroad artists—Karen Ouzounian (cello/vocals), Shawn Conley (bass), and Kaoru Watanabe (Japanese flutes/percussion)—will lead a musical morning that includes individual demonstrations and a participatory Q&A with OLLI participants.
Silkroad Artistic Director Rhiannon Giddens joins Silkroad artist Mazz Swift in a “Beyond the Note” Roundtable event, cohosted by the Dewberry School of Music, that includes conversation with BIPOC College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) students Darren Badley, Telah Harper, and Alyssa Cabassa, as they discuss the successes and challenges experienced by BIPOC musicians and artists.
As part of Mason’s Folklore Program, the course “Global Folklore” taught by Professor Debra Lattanzi Shutika will be joined by Silkroad artist Kaoru Watanabe (Japanese flutes/percussion) and guest artists on the American Railroad program Pura Fé Crescioni (lap-steel guitar/vocals) and Francesco Turrisi (frame drums/accordion) for a special class session that will include musical demonstrations and a participatory Q&A with more than 70 students in attendance.

Silkroad Artistic Director Rhiannon Giddens joins Silkroad Ensemble at the Center on Nov. 5.

In addition to the activities above, multiple Silkroad artists have taken part in a semester-long Mason Honors College course for fall 2023, “The Silk Road and the Railroad: An artistic exploration of the Transcontinental Railroad in American history and culture.” Taught by College of Visual and Performing Arts Dean Rick Davis, this academic course explores the many cultures, histories, music, and narratives of the Transcontinental Railroad, providing context to Silkroad’s newest initiative. Earlier this semester, Silkroad artists visited the class for discussions and will offer an opportunity for students to watch a Silkroad Ensemble rehearsal prior to the November 5 performance.

To learn more about this fall 2023 Honors College course, check out a recent article with Professor Rick Davis.

Get your tickets today and join Silkroad Ensemble with Rhiannon Giddens on November 5 for the powerful world-premiere performance of American Railroad.

Topics

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) School of Music

Rick Davis

folklore

Dewberry School of Music

OLLI

Honors College

See more images from the event by visiting a gallery of images.

ARTS by George! 2023 Raises More than $275,000 to Support Mason Arts

Zoe Harr — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 14:25:00 +0000

ARTS by George! 2023 Raises More than $275,000 to Support Mason Arts Zoe Harr Tue, 10/10/2023 - 10:25

CVPA Dean Rick Davis holds Fund-A-Student auction prior to the evening's concert. Credit: Risdon Photography.

ARTS by George! returned on Saturday, September 30, 2023, hosted by the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) at 911��. The benefit event, which was headlined by GRAMMY and Tony Award winner Renée Elise Goldsberry, raised more than $275,000 for student scholarships in visual arts, dance, music, theater, game design, film, arts management, as well as for the Mason Community Arts Academy, Green Machine Ensembles, and the Great Performances at Mason season at the Center for the Arts. With donations still coming in, ARTS by George! has raised more than $4.1 million for the arts at Mason since the event began in 2006.

The event gave students and faculty from each discipline an opportunity to present behind-the-scenes showcases, film screenings, performances, and interactive experiences. Programming was held in eight open studios, venues, and rehearsal halls across Mason’s Fairfax campus, with beverage and cuisine stations offered throughout.

“ARTS by George! 2023 is in the books, and one for the books,” remarks CVPA Dean Rick Davis. “Thanks to a considerable village, this edition was quite possibly the most uplifting, free-flowing, artistically engaging version of this storied tradition. A hearty thanks to all the students, faculty, staff, and volunteers who made it work better than ever, and to Renée Elise Goldsberry for a generous, inspiring concert and toast, and to our patrons, donors, sponsors, and supporters of all kinds for whom we do the work.”

During the evening’s showcases, guests flowed in and out of three buildings on the Fairfax Campus: deLaski Performing Arts Building, Harris Theatre, and Horizon Hall. Inside deLaski, students from the Dewberry School of Music dazzled the crowd with the powerful voices of Mason Opera students or the impressive instrumental skills ranging from piano to wind symphony. The Dewberry School of Music didn’t stop the beat all night, with talented instrumental and vocal musicians presenting piano, jazz, and opera selections during the nearly two hours of student showcases.

Mason Community Arts Academy perform selections from Newsies. Credit: Risdon Photography.

Just down the hall, students from the Mason Community Arts Academy presented previews of their work and in a separate room, Film at Mason played selections on an array of television screens, inviting patrons to see what students had created in the program. In another wing of deLaski, emerging professionals of the Mason School of Dance performed to packed houses. With both intimate dance performances, as well as the Mason School of Dance’s collaboration with the Dewberry School of Music in their revival of “Come Sunday,” rooms were frequently filled shoulder to shoulder with enthusiastic audience members.

As guests made their way out of deLaski across the Johnson Center Plaza, they were enticed into Harris Theater by the sounds of Mason School of Theater students. Alternating their time on the Harris stage, students astonished the crowd with songs from their upcoming production of 9 to 5 The Musical as well as a student-written one-act play by Dyllan Hutchinson entitled “So, Two Spies Walk Into a Restaurant,” which premiered earlier in The Originals! this September. More music flowed from the amphitheater space between Harris and Horizon Hall, where Green Machine’sFife and Drum ensemble as well as Green & Gold Soul, joined by dance group Emerald Desire, kept energies high as guests ambled along the walkway into Horizon Hall.

Mason School of Theater students (left to right) Kamy Satterfield, Sarah Stewart, Emma Harris, Lexi Carter, Aiden Breneman-Pennas, and Brett Womack join Renée Elise Goldsberry on stage during the evening's concert. Credit: Risdon Photography.

Inside Horizon Hall, Mason’s Computer Game Design program and Virginia Serious Game Institute created mini studios inside the Mason Innovation Exchange (MIX), where guests explored a change of scenery with actual reality and virtual reality headsets. Also in the MIX, the School of Art and Mason Exhibitions gave guests a chance to play with printing, personalizing a postcard they could take with them as a memento of their experience, while elsewhere in the space, Mason Computer Game Design and Mason Exhibitions invited visitors to play selections from the 2023 Progress@Play Competition and Master of Art in Teaching students demonstrated 3D printing. In addition to the buffet within Horizon, Mason Exhibition’s Metamorphosis, an exhibition created by Mason faculty, decorated the space and a Dewberry School of Music student played guitar in the seating area to round out the spectacular mood in the space.

Dewberry School of Music alumni flutist Eduardo Fajardo. Credit: Risdon Photography.

After the showcases, guests transitioned to the Center for the Arts for a live Fund-A-Student Raise the Paddle event, which brought in more than $36,000 towards the total raised, prior to the performance by Renée Elise Goldsberry. Guests and concert-goers were also treated to Dewberry School of Music piano student Kai Shi and School of Music alumni flutist Eduardo Fajardo in a performance paired with personal anecdotes about the importance of student scholarships.

Capping off the evening, Renée Elise Goldsberry performed a concert culminating in multiple standing ovations, an explosive encore, and multiple sing-along moments from Hamilton fans in the exhilarated audience. Interspersed with personal anecdotes, Goldsberry emphasized the importance of student scholarships and love for young artists, noting that she started as one herself. For her final number of the evening, Goldsberry invited Mason School of Theater students Kamy Satterfield, Sarah Stewart, Emma Harris, Lexi Carter, Aiden Breneman-Pennas, and Brett Womack to join her on stage in a medley from the musical Rent. With tears and shining smiles, the students bowed with Goldsberry stepping back to gesture to the students with a proud expression on her face.

Renée Elise Goldsberry and Rick Davis lead a champagne toast on stage. Credit: Risdon Photography.

After the show, Goldsberry and Davis ended the night with a champagne toast on stage for donors, students, and 911�� faculty. Goldsberry reimagined Hamilton’s “Satisfied,” singing, “A toast to ARTS by George! and 911��. To the donors and the teachers who are always by your side. To the students and the hope that you provide, may you always be satisfied!"

ARTS by George! has raised more than $4.1 million since it began in 2006, with net proceeds going toward student scholarships and community arts programs.

It’s not too late to contribute! Make a difference in the lives of Mason Arts students, staff, faculty, community arts partners, as well as arts lovers of all ages in the region. For more information, please visit the CVPA website.

View Images from ARTS by George! 2023

Donate to the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)

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