Arts Academy Newsletter

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Cover August 2024 Arts Academy Newsletter
Back to School

In this Issue…

• Celebrations and Reflections
• New Faculty Spotlights
• Exciting Investments

Save the Date

Arts Academy  Parents Meeting
August 26, 2024 6:00 pm

• Review of Arts Course Sequences
• Review of Program Curricula and Expectations
• Academy-Exclusive Enrichment Experiences

 

Page 2 August 2024 Celebrations and Reflections

Did you Know? This past school year SSM…

• Had 19 student art works selected for ArtFields
• Had 9 students selected for Region Honor Band
• Earned 11 Superiors at SC Solo & Ensemble Festival
• Beginning Band earned an “Excellent” rating at SC Concert Performance Assessment (CPA)
• 7/8 Grade Band earned an “Excellent” rating at SC CPA
• Chorus earned an “Excellent” rating at SC CPA
• 1 student selected for SC All-State Alternate Band
• Student photographers earned 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards in the SC Education Association’s Photography Contest as well as 3 honorable mention awards
• Was recognized by the SC Arts Commission as an ABC school and the SC Department of Education as a Distinguished Arts Program

 

SSM Art Students Design Sculpture with Celebrated Artist

Bob Doster is an award-winning, nationally acclaimed artist who has been creating and teaching for more than fifty years. He is the recipient of many prestigious awards including SC Governor’s highest recognition in the arts: the Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Award. SSMS art students worked with Doster in class and at his studio in Lancaster, SC. Each student was taught how to sketch and model their original sculpture designs. Ultimately the design by art student Aubrey Fowler was selected. The sculpture was installed on May 3, 2024.

 

Page 3 August 2024 New Faculty Spotlights

Orchestra
Ms. Ruth Gray

Originally from Racine, Wisconsin, Ms. Ruth Gray earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from Carthage College and a master’s degree in music education, with a focus in string music education, from Florida State University. She has taught studio viola, violin, and piano lessons, co-taught orchestra during her time at Florida State, and has worked in the Kenosha Unified School District, WI. She is very passionate about music and is excited to join the Southside family this year.

Chorus
Mr. Kevin McCormick

Mr. Kevin McCormick is a native of Rock Hill, SC. He attended Coker College where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance. He was eventually hired as the director of the Coker Men’s Vocal Ensemble. Interested in advanced training, Mr. McCormick attended Messiah University in Pennsylvania where he received a Master of Music degree in choral conducting. He is in his second year as the assistant director of the Florence Masterworks Choir. He is excited for his first year at Southside.

 

Theater Arts
Ms. Jayla Fierson

Ms. Jayla Frieson graduated from Francis Marion University with a major in theater design and a minor in African and African American Studies. During her time in college, she was actively involved in various organizations, serving as the executive chair of the Campus Activities Board, a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, FMU Diplomats, and the NAACP. Ms. Frieson has a deep passion for theater and the arts. Her favorite role was Armelia McQueen in Ain’t Misbehavin’. Be sure to catch her onstage in the musical Cats this season at the Florence Little Theatre.

 

Page 4 August 2024 New Faculty Spotlights

Dance
Ms. Morgan Muench

A native of Austin, TX, Ms. Muench danced competitively throughout high school and eventually earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance from Sam Houston State University. Her training includes contemporary, tap, clogging, jazz, modern, lyrical, & ballet. She directed multiple award-winning dances at “Dance Xplosion” a studio in Austin & has nearly a decade of experience directing high school dance & drill teams. She enjoys sharing her passions for dance & is excited to be a part of the Southside community.

Facility Improvements

• New Digital Piano Lab
• Chorus Room Risers
• Orchestra Instruments