Dewberry School of Music

Young Alumni Commissioning Project Announces Recipients of Fourth Round of Funding

Emily Schneider — Tue, 31 May 2022 20:27:39 +0000

Young Alumni Commissioning Project Announces Recipients of Fourth Round of Funding Emily Schneider Tue, 05/31/2022 - 16:27

In This Story

George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the fourth round of its Young Alumni Commissioning Project Awards. Three alumni were chosen based on the artistic excellence, career impact, and feasibility of their proposals and will receive financial, marketing, and production support to have their projects presented by the College at a Mason venue during the 2022-2023 season. Two additional alumni were awarded an inaugural grant of financial support, designed to assist in the completion of their proposed projects, which were selected because of their timeliness and significance to the Mason community.

“In this fourth round of the Project’s commissions, we received proposals with uniquely personal and emotional perspectives,” said Rick Davis, Dean of Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts.

“Knowing the vital role of the arts in strengthening community in challenging times, we are elated that this program continues to support the visions of these young artists.” Davis continued, “In response to the great range of proposals, and in order to ensure that we are providing as much support as possible to our incredible alumni, we established an additional award this year, which provides a grant to help these artists take their project to the next level while removing the time frame for production or exhibition that is otherwise required. As usual, I can't wait to see what these great project ideas turn into once they’re fully developed.”

For consideration, applicants must have graduated from CVPA from the class of 2011 and after. Proposals could include original new work in any art form suitable for performance, exhibition, or screening in a Mason venue. The size, length, duration, magnitude, and content are at the artist’s discretion. Potential venues include Mason’s traditional theater spaces, galleries, and cinemas, but proposals for non-traditional venues, including digital spaces, were also considered.

2023 Recipient of the Young Alumni Commissioning Project Award Including $5,000 in Commissioning Support
Juan Megna

Juan Megna

Juan Megna (Doctor of Musical Arts, 2021) received the Young Alumni Commissioning Award and $5,000 in commissioning support. In 2015, Juan started a master’s degree at the College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati. In this city, he played with Phil deGreg group, Rusty Burge, Steve Alee, among others, and got the degree in 2017.

In 2017, Juan moved to Fairfax, Virginia to pursue his doctoral degree at George Mason University. Juan played with Wade Beach, Wayne Wilentz, and Steve Kirby in the Washington DC musical scene, among others. Also, he formed The Juan Megna Quintet. The repertoire is centered on a mix of Juan’s compositions, blended jazz, Argentinian and Afro-Brazilian rhythms.

At George Mason University he leads the Latin-American Ensemble. The DownBeat Magazine has awarded this group with the 42nd (2019), 43rd (2020), and 44th (2021) students awards as an “Outstanding Performance”.

As an active researcher, Juan performed a clinic at the Jazz Education Network, New Orleans 2020, entitled "The Brazilian 16th-note phrasing through Cabula rhythm, Samba, and Bossa Nova", focusing on developing Afro-Brazilian popular genres.

Megna's new project, which this award will fund, is titled Trailblazer, an album of original compositions that will build a dialogue between jazz and Afro-Brazilian genres. The concept for the project is inspired by traditional melodies and rhythmic patterns of Candomblé (a diasporic religion syncretized from traditional religions of West Africa and Roman Catholic Christianity). “It is a real honor to receive this generous award coming from my alma mater institution,” said Megna. “It will help me crystallize a project that I dreamed of for so many years.”

2023 Young Alumni Creative Development Award Winners Including $3,000 in Commissioning Support

Carlehr Swanson

Carlehr Swanson (vocalist, pianist, speaker) is a 1st year Ph.D. student at the University of Virginia. She is a graduate of George Mason University and the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami with degrees in Jazz Vocal Performance. Before college, Carlehr accompanied and directed multiple church choirs. She credits this experience as significantly influencing her musicality. Upon entering college, she realized the absence of gospel music in higher education. Consequently, she co-founded and directed the Frost Gospel Ensemble. Her research interests include gospel music, Black studies, women's studies, and civic engagement. Giving back to her community and connecting with others has been an important theme in Carlehr's life, as she brings people together to serve a greater good. She is the founder and director of the organization, "Music is Unity," where she takes music performances to people who may not experience them otherwise. Throughout this year, she has planned and performed more than a dozen virtual events for the community.

Swanson receives the Creative Development Award for Growing Pains, an extended play record of original music, combining the styles of jazz, R&B, and gospel, exploring love, loss, faith, and hope along the transition to adulthood.

Kyle Finnegan

Born in the same place as American cinema (the great state of New Jersey), Kyle Finnegan is a filmmaker living in Alexandria, VA. He graduated in 2017 with a BA in Film and Video Studies. After shooting and editing for several years, he currently works at 522 Productions with a focus on directing branded documentaries. His work won him a DC TIVA Peer award in 2021 and he’s interviewed all four of Time Magazine’s heroes of 2021. He has created short documentaries exploring subjects ranging from car hackers in Seattle to an artsy coal mining town in Utah. Whether it’s a film, a website, or a delicious meal, he aims to create something every day.

Finnegan’s award will support his new documentary film, exploring the complicated role of MSG (monosodium glutamate) in the United States, as influenced by pervasive misinformation and the uniting love of food across cultures. "I'm excited to have received a grant from the institution that has supported so much of my development as an artist," said Finegan. "I'm looking forward to making a mouthwatering film about the complex world of MSG."

2023 Young Alumni Artistic Support Grant Winners Including $2,000 in Unrestricted Support

Mohammed Saffouri

Mohammed Saffouri is an award-winning Palestinian-American filmmaker based in Fairfax, Virginia. Saffouri distinguished himself early on in his film career by earning a Capital Emmy for his debut documentary film, The First. His next film, Touchline, was recently selected to participate in Tribeca Film Festival. Touchline will be the first Jordanian film to be screened at Tribeca, and Saffouri will be the first alumni from George Mason University to have a film screened at Tribeca in the festival’s history. Saffouri graduated from George Mason University in 2020 with a degree in Film and Video Studies and a concentration in Film Directing. Throughout his eight years in the film and media industry, he has directed three films, produced four films, written three films, and created more than ten promotional videos for companies and non-profits. His work has been screened at such festivals as the Washington DC International Film Festival, the Virginia Film Festival, the Malmo Arab Film Festival, and others. Saffouri is currently developing his first narrative feature film.

Saffouri’s award will support the development of his first narrative feature film, a deeply personal story about the experience and perseverance of a Muslim-American immigrant woman in the United States. "I'm always happy and thankful to see how George Mason University is the first to support its alumni and students," said Saffouri. "This is the first grant I get into this project, and I'll make sure to make them proud when this project is done."

Left to Right: Meagan Arnold, Hannah Looney, and Mike Rose

Meagan Arnold (Film, 2018), Mike Rose (Film, 2016), and Hannah Looney (Film, 2018) began collaborating on creative projects together as students in the Film and Video Studies program at Mason. Over the past 6 years and alongside Film at Mason alumnus Jason Cortez (BA, 2015), the group has produced numerous fashion, narrative, and music video projects. Often working under the alias ‘negativs,’ their recent project FLORENCE toured internationally at the Sarajevo and Croatia Fashion Film Festivals.

Arnold, Rose, and Looney receive the award to assist in the creation of Momentum/Memoriam, an experimental music video that explores and contextualizes the group’s grief over the loss of their late collaborator and Mason alum, Jason Cortez (Film, 2015).

"Jason Cortez was an award-winning filmmaker and a 2015 graduate of the Film and Video Studies program at Mason. He lost his life on September 10, 2021, at the age of 29. Momentum//Memoriam is an experimental, fashion music video honoring Jason’s legacy as an artist, as well as the impact he left on his closest artistic collaborators," said Arnold.

"We are at the beginning of a long process in creating art for, and posthumously with, our dear friend. Jason left behind many projects unfinished, and we bear a responsibility to complete his life’s work. We have several projects planned in the coming years to celebrate Jason and to continue his artistic vision. Momentum//Memoriam will be our first venture into creating art as a collective since he passed."

Information about the next round of applications will be announced at a later date. Details on previous year's recipients and criteria for consideration can be viewed on the Young Alumni Commissioning Project website.

Topics

Young Alumni Commissioning Project. alumni support

alumni

College of Visual and Performing Arts

College of Visual and Performing Arts Film and Video Studies

Dewberry School of Music

Student film productions

Film

Film at Mason

latin-american ensemble

Mason Jazz

Recipients announced for third round of the Young Alumni Commissioning Project Awards

Pam Muirheid — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 18:25:25 +0000

Recipients announced for third round of the Young Alumni Commissioning Project Awards Pam Muirheid Wed, 04/21/2021 - 14:25

George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the third round of its Young Alumni Commissioning Project Awards. Five alumni were chosen based on the artistic excellence, career impact, and feasibility of their proposals and will receive financial, marketing, and production support to have their projects presented by the College at a Mason venue during the 2021-2022 season.

“In this third round of the Project’s commissions, we received a record number of proposals, which tells us several things,” said Rick Davis, Dean of Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts. “First, that the good word is out about this initiative; second, that Mason arts alumni are some of the most imaginative and fertile creatives anywhere; and third, that the program is necessary, because young artists need support to bring their visions to life, especially in these challenging times.”

For consideration, applicants must have graduated from CVPA from the class of 2010 and after. Proposals could include original new work in any art form suitable for performance, exhibition, or screening in a Mason venue.

The Young Alumni Commissioning Project is made possible by a generous bequest from the estate of Linda E. Gramlich for the support of young artists and by donors to Mason’s Giving Day, including Shugoll Research. Award recipients may receive up to $5,000 in commissioning funds, as well as venue, production, and marketing support for a public showing of their work.

2022 Recipient of the Young Alumni Commissioning Project Award Including $5,000 in Commissioning Support

Jada Salter

Jada Salter (Film and Video Studies ’20) received the Young Alumni Commissioning Award and $5,000 in commissioning support for Just the Two of Us a documentary about multi-Grammy award winning musician William “Bill” Salter. Bill is the songwriter behind timeless songs such as, “Just the Two of Us”, “Where Is the Love,” and “Mister Magic.” He is also Jada’s Grandfather, and she is determined to tell his story as a hidden figure who has created music millions of people relate to everyday.

2022 Young Alumni Creative Development Award Winners
Including $2,500 in Commissioning Support

Katherine Thompson

Katherine Thompson is a photographer and Graphic Designer living and working in the Northern Virginia, D.C. and Maryland area. She is an alumnus of the George Mason University School of Art, BFA Photography 2015. In the beginning of 2020, Thompson had the opportunity to obtain a solo exhibition, Katherine Thompson: Raw Material, at George Mason University. This exhibition featured the artist’s studio-based photographs that embrace the pop visual language of product and fashion advertisements while posing questions about the troublesome connections between consumerism, visual culture, and race in America. In Fall of 2021, Thompson will continue her photography practices at Virginia Commonwealth University in their MFA Photography & Film program.

Thompson’s award will support her photography project Reflections: The Black Male; which takes a hard look at the narrative surrounding different representations of the Black body, both historical and contemporary, that circulate through American popular culture in print and audio-visual media.

Nicholas Horner

Nicholas Horner is a professional singer, voice-over artist, theater actor, and director based in Washington D.C. He has directed, taught, and performed in numerous professional and educational venues in D.C., New York, and around the country. Horner has received Voice and Theater training from renowned institutions such as Stella Adler Conservatory, The Juilliard School, Studio A.C.T. (San Fransisco), The Roy Hart Institute (Paris, France), Shakespeare and Company (Lenox), Catholic University and University of Cambridge (England). Horner earned a BA in Theater from George Mason University where he is currently pursuing an M.F.A. in Visual and Performing Arts and teaching as a Graduate Lecturer. He also serves as Co-director of 1,001 Plays, an international play exchange connecting theater students from around the world through staged readings of their own original plays. At Mason, Horner also serves on the Arts in Context Advisory Committee. Horner owns and operates Awaken the Voice: Studio–offering classical and musical theater voice and speech.

Horner’s award will support his laboratory theater piece Free, a new play that “re-visions” Norman Rockwell’s Americana series, Four Freedoms.

Nicole Daniell

Nicole Daniell is a dancer currently based in New York City. She graduated summa cum laude from George Mason University with a BFA in Dance, where she was a member of the Honors College and conducted research on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Embodied Cognition. Through her Honors College experience, Nicole fostered an appreciation for interdisciplinary studies, which inspires her approach to choreography and performance today. While at Mason, Nicole performed in works by Mark Morris, Karen Reedy, Susan Shields, and Jim Lepore, and performed on the John F. Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage. She choreographed two works, both of which premiered at Mason's Harris Theater. In 2019, she toured to South Africa with D.C.-based Dakshina Dance Company for performance and community outreach. She also performed as a member of the Merce Cunningham Centennial Celebration in DC and served as an Administrative Assistant to Diane Coburn Bruning, Artistic Director of Chamber Dance Project. Nicole currently performs with Ballaro Dance and is a 200-hour, internationally certified yoga instructor.

Daniell receives the Creative Development Award for Isolation Stories, a dance film with a deliberate focus on exploring the synergy between dance and filmmaking technology, inspired by the pandemic.

Cristian Perez

Cristian Perez was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and graduated from Mason in 2012 with a Masters in Music. He studied Classical Guitar and Jazz Studies at Mason. He is a leader/composer and was a former Artist-in-Residence at The Strathmore (MD). His debut album Anima Mundi, reached #13 in the CMJ World Music charts. He was featured in Vintage Guitar Magazine and has performed at the Kennedy Center, Blues Alley, Bohemian Caverns, Strathmore music hall, Strathmore mansion, among others. Perez continues to study music privately with some of his favorite living musicians.

Perez receives the award to assist in developing a new chamber music album focused on the symbolism of water as a way to unite through music and create cultural awareness, as the foundational essence of humanity.

Topics

College of Visual and Performing Arts School of Dance

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)

Dewberry School of Music

Performing Arts Classes for Arts Core or Global Understanding Credit

Pam Muirheid — Sat, 16 Jan 2021 16:35:37 +0000

Performing Arts Classes for Arts Core or Global Understanding Credit Pam Muirheid Sat, 01/16/2021 - 11:35

Topics

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)

College of Visual and Performing Arts School of Dance

Dewberry School of Music

College of Visual and Performing Arts School of Theater

Explore 2021 Arts Classes

Welcome 2021 with a resolution to discover a new artistic pursuit! And, satisfy a Core Arts and/or Global Understanding requirement at the same time! Have you ever wanted to learn the story behind a piece of music? Do you dream of trying out different dance forms, including Ballet, Modern, Bollywood, or African? Are you ready to explore the action behind or on the stage? Now is your opportunity!

Mason’s Schools of Dance, Music, and Theater invites all Mason students to check out open courses that fulfill Mason Core Arts and Global Understanding requirements. No previous experience is necessary. Spring 2021 courses are offered both in-person on Mason’s Fairfax campus and through distance learning.

FILM

FAVS 225 - DL3: The History of World Cinema*
3 credits, CRN 21545, distance learning
This course is a survey of the history of cinema. It explores the development of world cinema from its beginnings in the late nineteenth century to the 1990s. The course will enable students to comprehend the evolution of the history and language of cinema in order to connect the art of filmmaking with the "outside forces" (i.e., the economic institutions, key figures, historical events and social issues) that profoundly shape and influence it.

* satisfies Mason’s Core Arts requirement

DANCE

Learn more about how Mason School of Dance is offering safe in-person and exceptional distance classes.

DANC 101: Dance Appreciation*, 3 credits, CRN 15009 & 16209, distance learning
Introduces dance as universal human activity, expression of cultural identity, and art form. Survey of global dance includes folk, ceremonial and ritual, trance, court, classical, and theatrical.

DANC 118: World Dance: Middle Eastern* **
3 credits, CRN 16972 & 22869, in-person learning
Performance of a world dance form through presentation of fundamental techniques, music and culture. Area of concentration is Middle Eastern dance.

DANC 118: World Dance: World Dance: Bollywood * **
3 credits, CRN 19374 & 22895, in person learning
Performance of a world dance form through presentation of fundamental techniques, music and culture. Area of concentration is Bollywood dance.

DANC 118: World Dance: African* **
3 credits, CRN 16971, in-person learning
Performance of a world dance form through presentation of fundamental techniques, music and culture. Area of concentration is African dance.

DANC 125: Modern/Contemporary Dance I*
3 credits, CRN 22896, 22872, 22897, & 22873, in-person learning
Introduces fundamentals of modern dance technique. Emphasizes improving anatomical awareness and alignment, increasing strength and flexibility, and developing rhythmic sensitivity.

DANC 131: Beginning Jazz Technique- Hip Hop*
3 credits, CRN 22898 & 22874, in-person learning
Introduces fundamentals of technique, explores the musical and cultural influences of hip-hop, and its historical context. Emphasizes improving anatomical awareness and alignment, increasing strength and flexibility, and developing rhythmic sensitivity.

DANC 145: Ballet I*
3 credits, CRN 22875 & 22899, distance learning
Introduces fundamental elements of ballet technique and vocabulary. Stresses learning vocabulary and movement characteristics of this highly stylized art form. Emphasizes improving anatomical awareness and alignment, increasing strength and flexibility, and developing musicality.

DANCE 225: Modern/Contemporary Dance II*
3 credits, CRN 10383, distance learning
Further develops knowledge, skills, and appreciation of modern dance through continued exploration of techniques, aesthetics, and creativity. Continuing the development of anatomical awareness and alignment, technical clarity, and rhythmic sensitivity.

* satisfies Mason’s Core Arts requirement
** meets Mason’s Global Understanding requirements

MUSIC

MUSI 100: Fundamentals of Music*
3 credits, CRN 10006 & 10007, distance learning
Study of musical notation, interval, and triad construction, reading of treble and bass clefs, scale construction, rhythm, elementary sight singing and ear training, and application at keyboard.

MUSI 101: Introduction to Classical Music*
3 credits, CRN 11024, distance learning
Introduces art-music tradition of West. Techniques for expanding listening skills developed through study of musical elements, styles, and selected masterworks of musical literature.

MUSI 102: Popular Music in America*
3 credits, CRN 10008, distance learning
Investigates popular music styles and development in the United States with particular emphasis on the past 50 years. Lectures, recordings, and video enhance critical listening skills and examine stylistic and social contexts of popular music.

MUSI 103: Music of the World* **
3 credits, CRN 10009, distance learning
Study and comparison of musical structure and expression in several world cultures, with special attention to social context and function. Studies selected Asian, Middle Eastern, African, and American (Latin, Native, African) cultures.

MUSI 107: Jazz and Blues in America*
3 credits, CRN 24854, distance education
Historical, analytical, and aural survey of jazz from inception to present day. Looks at trends resulting from synthesis of jazz with other musical idioms.

* satisfies Mason’s Core Arts requirement
** meets Mason’s Global Understanding requirements

THEATER

THR 101: Theatrical Medium*
3 credits, CRN 12146 & 23857, distance learning
Theater from the inside workings of production to informed and lively engagement with the art. Enhances an understanding of the nature of theater in society.

THR 210: Acting I*
3 credits, CRN 23755, 23756, 23757, & 23888, distance learning
Students practice contemporary acting techniques individually and in a group. Promotes and develops performance and practical communication skills. Attend theatrical productions, and respond to those experiences.

* satisfies Mason’s Core Arts requirement

Dewberry School of Music

Young Alumni Commissioning Project Announces Recipients of Fourth Round of Funding

In This Story

2023 Recipient of the Young Alumni Commissioning Project Award Including $5,000 in Commissioning Support Juan Megna

2023 Young Alumni Creative Development Award Winners Including $3,000 in Commissioning Support

2023 Young Alumni Artistic Support Grant Winners Including $2,000 in Unrestricted Support

Topics

Recipients announced for third round of the Young Alumni Commissioning Project Awards

2022 Recipient of the Young Alumni Commissioning Project Award Including $5,000 in Commissioning Support

Jada Salter

2022 Young Alumni Creative Development Award Winners Including $2,500 in Commissioning Support

Katherine Thompson

Nicholas Horner

Nicole Daniell

Cristian Perez

Topics

Performing Arts Classes for Arts Core or Global Understanding Credit

Topics

Explore 2021 Arts Classes

2023 Recipient of the Young Alumni Commissioning Project Award Including $5,000 in Commissioning Support
Juan Megna

2022 Young Alumni Creative Development Award Winners
Including $2,500 in Commissioning Support