February 2012

Change is in the air! The new “Guide to Arts + Rec” will land in homes in mid-February and registration begins February 21! All Civic Arts Ed’s classes, workshops and programs will be arranged by arts discipline. For adults, there are the ever popular jewelry, glass, ceramics and painting classes. For Kids, there is no “Youth” section so check out each arts area for kids classes. The brochure includes Rec classes as well and there will be a summer camps insert. Registration for CAE’s ever popular “Arts, Adventures & Academics” for K-9 begins March 5! Unique classes like Stage Combat and Fused Glass will be offered, as well as an amazing science class with a new teacher that will reveal creatures living in your eyebrows! Enjoy! Kathy Nelson, Arts Education Program Manager CAE Students to Perform at Carnegie Hall. Dr. Stephan Betz. Junior Theatre presents Flat Stanley. Japanese Woodblocks with Tomoko Murakami. Christine Scimia Joins Friends Foundation.

CAE Students to Perform at Carnegie Hall. "I was completely shocked when I found out I made it into the Honors Performance Band," says14-year-old Amy Yuen. "I must have read my acceptance email at least 10 times." Amy certainly has reason to be proud. Thousands of high school music students from across the United States and Canada enter the national competition to perform at Carnegie Hall. A very small percentage of students actually make the cut for either the Honors Orchestra, Honors Band, or Honors Choir. See the video . . . Read more . . .

Dr. Stephan Betz. While the exact number of autistic children is not known, a report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that autism and related disorders, such as Asperger's Syndrome, are more common than previously thought. This could be due to an increased ability to diagnose these conditions rather than an increasing rate. But, regardless, the fact remains that many children and their parents right here in Contra Costa County cope with these conditions every day. One person making a significant difference in the lives of children affected by autism and Asperger's Syndrome is Civic Arts Education's Dr. Stephan Betz. For 36 years, Stephan has used musical therapy to help these young people and their parents cope with everyday life. He is now offering a new class at CAE beginning in the Spring Quarter that will combine music, art and games to help students develop more socialization skills. Read more . . .

Junior Theatre presents Flat Stanley. "One of the hardest things about my role is the costume," says 12-year-old Isaac Edejer, who portrays Stanley in Junior Theatre's upcoming production of The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley, Jr. "I have to be careful not to turn the wrong way, and it can be difficult to move around and do my lines and sing." But Isaac is happy to work hard to bring the adventures of his unique character to life. Read more . . .

Japanese Woodblocks with Tomoko Murakami. A beautiful, low-tech way to make your own Japanese woodblocks will be introduced by artist, educator and art conservator Tomoko Murakami at a two-day workshop on March 4 and March 11 from 10 am until 5 pm. "I was born and raised on the southern tip of the main island of Japan," says Tomoko. "On mornings when it had snowed during the night, I'd wake up and see color and light coming through the translucent white paper of the shoji screen across my window, and it thrilled me to open the screen and see the beauty and joy that awaited. It was this anticipation of the unseen world that drew me to art." Read more . . .

Christine Scimia Joins Friends Foundation. Christine Scimia, the Friends of Civic Arts Education Foundation’s newest board member, brings an extensive background in banking and working with nonprofits to the volunteer group as well as a love of the arts. A childhood full of piano lessons, singing in choirs, and performing in high school makes Christine a perfect fit for the Friends board. “From those experiences,” she says, “I gained an appreciation and love of music that I have enjoyed throughout my adulthood. I am now taking piano lessons once again!” Christine strongly believes that all children should be given the opportunity to participate in the arts via programs or individual lessons. “It is very discouraging that public schools are eliminating these programs from their curriculum, and I feel it is important to help provide these opportunities to children whose families cannot afford to do it.” Read more . . .