The Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel offers the following opportunities for educational experiences.
Spotlight shines on Midwest Academy uke players
Weeks of work and fun were on display last week when the afterschool Ukulele Club from Midwest Academy presented a recital for family and friends at the Studio Theater.
Midwest Academy, just down the road from the Center, is an intentional educational community serving students in grades 3-12 who have ADD/ADHD, language-based learning differences, high functioning autism and processing challenges. This spring, with funding from the Hamilton County Community Foundation, the Center purchased ukuleles and launched the afterschool club, led by Education Associate Kristen Bales and local singer-songwriter Meghan Cristeen Martin, who teaches ukulele classes at the Center.
In conjunction with the club, the Midwest Academy students and their families were invited to participate in one of the Center’s FrontRow preconcert artist Q&A sessions with members of George Hinchliffe’s Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. The families enjoyed dinner and complimentary tickets to the April 30 performance at the Palladium.
“Our students gained more than we could have imagined from this experience,” said Kaitlyn Pulos, a counselor and coordinator of Student Activities & Athletics at Midwest Academy. “The instructors were patient and encouraging of our students, who gained new musical skills and confidence in themselves. Partnering with the Center is something we hope to continue.”
Little ones can enjoy music by the book
Local musician and educator Michelle Marti, a.k.a. “Ms. Michelle,” has added a new twist to her popular Child & Adult Music Classes for young children and their grownups.
Song Stories is a family music class inspired by popular song-based children’s books and designed for children ages 18 months to 5 years, but open to all ages. Classes are filled with live music, stories, movement, singing, dancing, and playing instruments. For home enjoyment that continues long after the class ends, families will receive a link to a digital audio recording of each book and a CD of songs sung in class.
The first round of Song Stories runs June 2 to 30, with sessions at 9:30 or 10:45 a.m. each Friday and stories including “Down by the Bay,” “There Was a Tree” and “I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More!” A second round is scheduled July 21 through Aug. 18.
In each case, the cost is just $70 for all five sessions. Song Stories is presented in partnership with Westfield Veterinary Care. Click here for more information.
A new kind of arts camp gets underway
This week brings the start of the Center’s inaugural Prism Project performing arts camp for youth with physical, sensory and learning disabilities. Originally developed at Ball State University, the program enables these students to express themselves and engage with others while developing self-confidence, gaining creative arts experience, and building friendships.
With support from volunteer “Buddies” and guidance from professional arts instructors in dance, music, and theater, 22 students will spend three mornings each week developing and rehearsing a stage show highlighting their individual tastes and talents.
The culminating performance of this original production will take place at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 25 in the Center’s Studio Theater. Tickets are only $10. Click here for tickets.
Spots still available for youngster music camp
The Center’s annual Jungle Jams music day camp for ages 5 to 7 takes place July 24 to 28, and there’s still room for a few more campers.
Miss Lisa of Bongo Boy Music School introduces the kids to the joy of making music and promotes positive character qualities through songs, stories and music-based crafts and activities. Click here to learn more about Jungle Jams.