published by LosAlamitos on September 25, 2014 - 4:18pm
EDUCATION Many schools are cutting back or eliminating their art programs due to budget constraints. However, countless studies have demonstrated the immeasurable benefits of art education.
published by LosAlamitos on September 10, 2014 - 4:05pm
Sandy Hines is the music director at both Rossmoor Elementary and Weaver Elementary Schools. At both schools, she mounts an annual musical production, such as Patriotic America or Winter Holidays, for each grade level. She directs the schools’ 4th & 5th grade choirs, which perform at various school events and the annual All District Choir Night. She teaches her students to play the soprano recorder, and devised “Recorder Karate” as a way to keep students excited about learning music. For each song or skill the student masters, s/he is awarded a colored belt that attaches to the recorder. The belt colors start with white and end with black, as in the levels of achievement of martial arts. Beads are awarded for exceptional merit and effort. She has found Recorder Karate to be a highly motivating tool to encourage all students to make progress.
She is proud to have over 15 years of teaching in LAUSD, loves working here, and particularly appreciates the support she gets from parents. She likes learning about new technology. She hopes to learn how to integrate
published by LosAlamitos on August 20, 2014 - 5:48pm
Melissa Palmer is the new Director of Instrumental Music for McAuliffe Middle School. She will lead Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Bands, String Orchestra, and also teach general music classes.
Ms. Palmer comes to Los Al with a strong background in music education. She earned her music degree and teaching credential from CSU Fullerton. She taught for three years at Yorba Linda Middle School. For the past 7 years, she was at Canyon High School in Santa Clarita, where she directed several performing groups: marching band, wind ensemble, symphonic band, jazz ensemble, competitive drum line, competitive color guard, and PE color guard. Her students participated in competitions such as the Band & Orchestra Festival and the Solo & Ensemble Festival. She was named Canyon HS Teacher of the Year for 2010-11.
She is also dedicated to excellence in music education beyond the classroom. For three years, she was the
published by LosAlamitos on August 19, 2014 - 2:57pm
by Donna Chinn, organizer
Los Alamitos Alliance
for Arts Education
Mr. Chuck Wackerman is the Director of Jazz Band at McAuliffe Middle School. He has been teaching here since 1957, and he is the Founding Father of jazz education in LAUSD.
He earned his degrees in Music and Education from USC, specializing in trumpet and drums. He began his teaching career at McGaugh in 1957. The details of his long and storied career have been documented by several sources in the last few years:
published by LosAlamitos on June 19, 2014 - 5:44pm
Marcy Sudock is a multi-faceted professional musician, conductor, and private music instructor in the Los Alamitos area.
She is the founding artistic director and conductor of the Musique Sur La Mer Orchestras since 2001, and leads the various performing groups that are under the MSLM umbrella. They serve every level of musical performance starting at ages 7 - 14 for La Petite Musique Children’s Orchestra, progressing to the MSLM Youth Symphony Orchestra, MSLM Chamber and Jazz Orchestra, MSLM Wind and String Ensembles, MSLM Chamber Ensembles, and the professional Musique Sur La Mer Orchestra.
The MSLM Youth Symphony Orchestra is comprised of
published by SantaCruz on June 5, 2014 - 3:28pm
Meet my friend Art, by Stacy Monowitz, artist and member of the Santa Cruz County Alliance for Arts 
Education
How it began
Art is my invisible friend. When I am happy, when I am sad, when I want to explore new ideas, I go to Art.
published by LosAlamitos on June 2, 2014 - 11:43am
-by Donna Chinn, Los Alamitos Alliance for Arts Education
Mrs. Rikki Jones is the founding artistic director of Los Al Dance, where she oversees 5 levels of dance ranging from beginners to advanced. Mrs. Jones has led the dance program for all of its 15 years. She specializes in jazz technique, but includes ballet, hip hop, character and lyrical styles.
She conceives two full-length themed dance shows annually, for which she is in charge of the narrative, original choreography, choice of music, costumes, and lighting, Some of her past shows have been “America’s Favorite Dancer”, a reality show in the style of American Idol; “Happily Ever After” a fairy tale mash-up; and “The Piano”, which followed the “life” of a grand piano in its various homes over the years. The shows are so popular that they usually sell out.
She arranges additional performance opportunities for her most advanced students, such as Back to School Night, Homecoming, Open House, the CSULB Pyramid and a local invitational. The school Dance Team takes part in two convention - competition events each year, where the students participate in master classes. Mrs. Jones recently added a Student Choreography Showcase at end of the year.
published by LosAlamitos on May 21, 2014 - 2:57pm
2014 OCMAA AWARDS FOR SUZANNE MC ELDERRY, JUSTIN PADILLA, CORALIE PRINCE, AND LOS AL ARTS
- by Donna Chinn, Los Al Arts; Sally Neiser & Amber Lee, LAUSD
The Los Al school district has a long and rich history of excellence in the arts. Our strong programs in music, theatre, dance, and visual art are a result of leadership by our many dedicated arts educators. Earlier this month, the Orange County Music and Arts Educators of the Orange County Department of Education presented their 2014 awards to “honor the accomplishments of teachers who make a difference in the lives of students through arts education”. LAUSD is especially proud to have multiple OCMAA winners this year.
Suzanne McElderry – Mrs. Suzanne McElderry received the award for Vocal Music - Elementary because she makes a difference in the lives of students and staff through arts education. In her role as music specialist at McGaugh, Mrs. McElderry makes music come alive in her classroom in part by connecting it to other disciplines and content students are learning. As a result, students receive a highly rich arts experience in her classroom, but also in their core content classrooms.
When upper grade students were studying the westward movement, Suzanne wrote and directed a westward movement themed musical. The knowledge she gained from collaborating
published by LosAlamitos on April 22, 2014 - 5:29pm
-by Barbara LeMaster, 2013-14 LAHS PTSA Reflections Chair; photo courtesy Donna Chinn
The PTSA Reflections Program has honored four students at Los Alamitos High School for their achievement in the arts. Donnovan Hill won the category of “Literature” with his piece titled “Life Changes”. Delaney LeMaster-Dwyer won the category of “Dance Choreography” with her artwork titled “Believe, Dream, Inspire”. Serena O’Sullivan won the category of “Visual Arts” with her artwork titled “Believe, Dream, Inspire”. Noah Patterson won the category of “Photography” with his work titled “Sanoset”. Colin Brown-Greaves won second place in the “Visual Arts” category. Hailey Morales won third place. Zachary Harwood, Noel Limfueco, Shannon Ortiz tied for Honorable Mention 1, Riko Martin IV, Taryn Lee, Christen Drake were tied for Honorable Mention 2, Lindsey d’Arnaud , Taryn Lee (another submission), Lauren Hopkins Holly Fosmire, Kelly Peterson were tied for Honorable Mention 3 in the Visual Arts category. Kevin Christensen won second place in the Literature category, and Elizabeth Guldimann won third place. Matthew Eclevia and Elizabeth Guldimann tied for second place in the Photography category, Elizabeth entered other pieces that earned third place and honorable mention. All four winners were advanced to the PTA fourth district competition. Delaney LeMaster-Dwyer was first runner up in her category, and Donnovan Hill won an honorable mention.
published by SantaCruz on April 9, 2014 - 10:57am
Why not hear from the supporters and committee members that make Santa Cruz County's Alliance for Arts Education so great? Here's the first guest blog post from Magdalena Montagne, poet, teacher, and Santa Cruz Alliance for Arts Education member:
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