Arts Education in the Upper Valley
The list that follows represents an initial effort to provide a comprehensive census of opportunities for art education in the Upper Valley. These are the guidelines we’ve used:
• The list is restricted to organizations: some that specialize in art education, and others for which education is a component rather than a primary function.
• We have tried to indicate the age levels served, and have distinguished between direct instruction and public outreach progams.
• We have included some performing arts organizations that, as far as we can tell, encourage learners, while excluding others that have traditionally required a high level of accomplishment for admission.
We ask for your feedback. Is your organization listed? If not, should it be? Should the list include individual teachers? Can you let us know about organizations offering instruction in the literary arts? You can contact the Alliance directly (info@uvarts.org), or post your comments here on the website. Either way, your thoughts are most welcome!
Performing Arts Education
Artistree, South Pomfret VT – Music and theatre for all ages
Music classes: adult piano, adult ukulele, drum circle, family music, jug band, old-time fiddle workshops and open mike nights. Each of the classes is listed with age-appropriate information. http://www.artistreevt.org/music/
Theatre group: check their listing for auditions and theatre performances. http://www.artistreevt.org/theatre/
Hopkins Center for the Arts, Hanover NH
The Hopkins Center’s Outreach & Arts Education department embodies the Hop’s mission to “ignite and sustain a passion for the arts.” It provides Dartmouth, the community and beyond rare personal contact with artists and a broad context for the performing arts, including Visiting Artist Residencies, School Matinee Series, HopStop Family Series, Students Teaching in the Arts, Assembly Outreach, Curricular Connections Guide, and Community Venture Initiative. https://hop.dartmouth.edu/Online/outreach
Juneberry Music Choral Singing School, Thetford Center VT – Adult singers
Beginners are strongly encouraged: singing is a skill that can be acquired by just about everyone. http://www.juneberrymusic.com/
Lebanon Ballet School – Lebanon NH
Offers a wide selection of classes for children, men, and women of all levels of experience. http://www.lebanonballetschool.com
Lebanon Opera House, Lebanon NH – Outreach programs for children
Youth Education Series (YES@LOH) performances run from October through May. http://lebanonoperahouse.org/yesloh/
Middle Eastern & American Belly Dance with Gina, various communities – Dance instruction for all ages
North Country Community Theatre, Lebanon NH – All ages may audition
A community theatre group that performs one to two shows a year entirely cast with community members. NCCT Teens puts on one show per year using area high school students. www.ncct.org
North Country Chordsmen, Hanover, NH Chapter – Barbershop chorus for men
25-35 men participate in 4-part a cappella Barbershop style http://www.ncchordsmen.harmonize.com/wordpress/
Northern New England Repertory Theatre Company, New London NH – Outreach to schools
Formerly known as NorthEast Shakespeare Ensemble. Provides educational outreach to community schools. http://www.nnertc.org/mission/
Northern Stage, White River Jct. VT – Educational programs for youth; all ages may audition
The educational program seeks to engage local children of all ages building confidence, knowledge and love of theatre. Camps include: February & April for age 5-17; after school classes for elementary-aged students; and summer camps and theater intensive. www.northernstage.org/education/
Opera North, Lebanon NH – Outreach programs for children
Program includes lectures, discussions around summer productions, master class performances, and classical music theatre performances for all grades. http://www.operanorth.org/education—outreach.html
Parish Players, Thetford VT – All ages may audition
Each year the group presents one or two major productions; since 2007, Parish Players have called out for Ten-Minute Plays that have been performed to standing room only attendance. http://www.parishplayers.org/about.shtml
Piano Prodigies
www.PianoProdigies.com
603-727-9015
info@pianoprodigies.com / eborowsky@gmail.com
5 Kinne St, Lebanon NH 03766 (I prefer if the street address is not published – thanks!)
For ages 5+ (including adults)
Piano Prodigies offers outstanding musical instruction in a creative, encouraging, and dynamic setting. In addition to weekly private lessons focused on setting up a solid technical and musical foundation, students participate in frequent community performances and inter-disciplinary arts experiences including workshops in dance, theater, early keyboard instruments, world music, and improvisation. This active, comprehensive, and inter-disciplinary curriculum is a vital part of the Piano Prodigies experience, assisting students in becoming more expressive and communicative persons and performers.
The name of the program, “Piano Prodigies,” reflects the personal philosophies of director and pianist Elizabeth Borowsky:
- Everyone was born with musical potential and talent.
- Talent can be nurtured and developed through committed study and under the guidance of an experienced and highly qualified teacher.
- Students learn best when they genuinely enjoy what they are learning.
The primary objectives of Piano Prodigies instruction are:
- To inspire a life-long love of creating music.
- To develop an appreciation for the skills necessary to be successful in life including: perseverance, commitment, patience, critical thinking, teamwork, sensitivity, and confidence.
PuppeTree Workshops, Thetford Center VT – Youth workshops
Workshops include: Introduction to Puppetry, sock puppets, hand puppets, shadow puppets, papier mache marionettes and more. PuppeTree offers a workshop catalog of all of their opportunities. www.vtpuppetree.org
Shaker Bridge Theatre, Enfield NH – All ages may audition
Shaker Bridge brings contemporary, compelling theatre to all ages in an intimate setting. www.shakerbridgetheatre.org
Springfield Community Players, Springfield VT – All ages may audition
Production includes four events during the year. Calls for auditions may be found on their website: www.springfieldcommunityplayers.org
Sweet Adelines Chorus, Hanover NH – Barbershop chorus for women
Auditions occur often and ladies are encouraged to seek members who love to harmonize in tenor, baritone, and bass. letsharmonize@sbcglobal.net
The Arts Bus, Randolph VT – Outreach programs for children
A mobile art studio, pocket theatre, music space and library bringing free art activities to children and youth in preschools, home childcare, elementary schools, after-school and summer recreation programs, public libraries, and other community locations. http://artsbusvt.org/
Thetford Chamber Singers, Thetford Hill VT – Adult singers
Two series of concerts, one in December and the other in May. www.thetfordchambersingers.org
Tuck’s Rock Dojo, Hanover NH – Youth and adult musicians
Teaches multiple instruments, has kept students’ musical experience exciting and new. http://www.tucksrockdojo.com/
Upper Valley Community Band, Hanover NH – All ages
If you read and play music, they are looking for you to join the Band. Performances are year-round at various locations. http://www.uvcb.org/performing.html
Upper Valley Music Center, Lebanon NH – All ages
Comprehensive music school, featuring individual instruction, Suzuki strings, children & youth choruses, youth & adult orchestras, music ensembles, strings-in-schools, and early childhood music. www.uvmusic.org/
VT Independent School of Arts, Sharon VT – All ages
Music includes Caribbean steel drumming, bass guitar, drumset and snare drum hand percussion, woodwinds, fiddling, voice, and piano; movement and dance. http://www.vtisa.org/
White River Ballet Academy, White River Junction VT – All ages
Classes and individual lessons in ballet, modern dance, and yoga. http://wrbacademy.org
Visual Arts Education
Artistree Community Arts Center – South Pomfret, VT – Children, Teens and Adult classes
Purple Crayon Productions focuses on preschool children age 5 and under. Art Classes begin for youth 16+ to adults, and the Children’s Enrichment program includes afternoon programming for school-aged kids. www.artistreevt.org
AVA Gallery and Art Center (Alliance for the Visual Arts) – Lebanon, NH – Children, Teens and Adult Classes
Classes for all ages. Year-round study with some of the finest faculty in the area and around the country. http://avagallery.org/education/children-and-teens-2/ or http://avagallery.org/education/adults/
Center for Cartoon Study – White River Junction, VT – High School and above
The school runs year round and can assist with housing. A portfolio is required for admission. http://www.cartoonstudies.org/index.php/about/
Hood Museum of Art (Dartmouth College) – Hanover, NH – Children, Teens and Adult Classes
Programs include special teacher workshops and online teacher resources. http://hoodmuseum.dartmouth.edu/education/k12/schooltours.html or http://hoodmuseum.dartmouth.edu/education/
League of NH Craftsmen – Hanover, NH – Children, Teens, Adults and Special Classes for Patients, Families and Caregivers
Opportunities for all ages in the applied arts of clay (both wheel throwing and hand building), metals (jewelry and small sculpture), and other media. Classes run year-round; during the summer there are special programs designed for students. http://www.hanoverleague.org/craftstudies-classes/
Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site – Cornish, NH – Adults
June to October – classes in many aspects of sculpture for beginning to advanced students. Reservations are required. http://www.nps.gov/saga/planyourvisit/sculpture-workshops.htm
Two Rivers Printmaking Studio, White River Junction VT – Adults
Workshops and lectures on all aspects of printmaking. www.tworiversprintmaking.org
Vermont Independent School of Arts, Sharon VT – All ages
Specialized programs in visual arts; consult the website for current offerings. www.vtisa.org