2009 PARTNER IN EDUCATION
Floyd County Chamber of Commerce Honors the Mountain Arts Center with “2009 Partner in Education” Award
Keith Caudill, MAC Executive Director(Far right) and Khrys Varney, MAC Arts Education Director (Center) accepted “2009 Partner in Education” Award from Floyd County Schools Superintendent, Henry Webb
The Floyd County Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards and installation banquet on Thursday, May 7th, 2009 at the Wilkinson-Stumbo Convention Center. A crowd of 350 applauded as the Mountain Arts Center was honored as the “2009 Partner in Education” for recognition of outstanding leadership and service in education.
Floyd County Schools Superintendent, Henry Webb, presented the award to Keith Caudill (MAC Executive Director) and Khrys Varney (MAC Arts Education Director). Superintendent Webb congratulated Mr. Caudill and Ms. Varney thanking them for their hard work, dedication and efforts in bringing quality arts education and educational opportunities to the region and its youths.
The Mountain Arts Center’s Arts Education Department offers classroom instruction in voice, visual arts, drama, dance, music, and digital photography for ages preschool to adult. Classes include Ballroom Dance, Introduction to Digital Photography, Early Childhood Music and Drama, Portrait Drawing and Introduction to Musical Theatre among others. In addition, scholarships to the arts education classes are available to students with disabilities or those who otherwise could not afford to attend.
The Private Instruction Program allows students to enhance their natural abilities and receive professional training in voice, piano, guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle/violin and visual arts. MAC private instruction students routinely win state, regional and national competitions. Furthermore, several students were accepted into the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts with two of those students receiving top honors in the program.
The Kentucky Opry Fiddlers and Junior Pro program is a feeder program to Billie Jean Osborne’s Kentucky Opry which consists of almost 16 adult members performing a variety of musical genre such as country, gospel, oldies and pop as well as traditional Appalachian music. This group of talented youth performs as the opening act for Billie Jean Osborne’s Kentucky Opry during the summer and Christmas season and function as ambassadors for the region as they have performed for various audiences including 2 Presidents and several Governors. The main focus of the group is to promote the heritage, music, culture, traditions and understanding of the region as well as showcasing its talent and future – the children.
In March of 2006, auditions were held for an additional performing group known as the Jr. Jamboree. This group of young people, ages 6-16, captivates audiences with their tribute to Country Music Highway artists such as Loretta Lynn, Patty Loveless, Dwight Yoakam, and the Judds. These audiences also receive music and history lessons as information about the heritage, culture, traditions and musical instruments of the Eastern Kentucky region is shared from the stage by the young people involved in the group.
The Kentucky Opry Fiddlers, Junior Pros and Jr. Jamboree programs allow talented young artists to receive private and group lessons from highly skilled musical educators. These lessons range from vocal to instrumental and include banjo, voice, guitar, mandolin, percussion and piano. In addition, students learn stage and sound techniques from professionals; are mentored concerning professional and personal responsibilities in regards to rehearsals and performances; gain real-life experience and skills in music fundamentals and stage performance; and enhance their appreciation and knowledge of Eastern Kentucky culture, traditions and heritage.
The MAC’s School Matinee Series allows schools from across the region to come to the Mountain Arts Center to experience live theatrical plays and performances as well as enjoy fun and educational field trip opportunities. Several of the school shows are created and presented by the MAC including the Kentucky Highland Folk Festival and the Arts 101 Lecture/Demonstration Series.
The Annual Kentucky Highland Folk Festival held the 3rd weekend in September in the MAC’s parking lot honors the Scots-Irish influence on the culture and music of the region and includes a “School Day” where students and educators observe Master Artisans, participate in workshops and hands-on activities and learn about the heritage, history and traditions of the area. Demonstrations include wood-carving, furniture-making, painting, dulcimer, fiddle, banjo, guitar, clogging, Appalachian Folk Songs, Basket weaving and quilting. Students also enjoy themselves by participating in traditional regional games and activities such as jacks, a cake walk, and sack races; eating traditional foods; and purchasing homemade arts and crafts.
The Arts 101 Series assists schools in addressing the schools core content in the arts and humanities and provides teachers with resources and educational opportunities. These lectures/demonstrations include schools shows in dance, music, visual arts, drama, storytelling, and Ky Civics facilitated by Kentucky’s Secretary of State Mr. Trey Grayson. Almost 70 percent of the schools which have participated have increased their CATS test scores in the arts and humanities and civics.
The MAC’s Arts Education Department also offers arts and humanities workshops and seminars for educators and schools in the region by teaching them how to integrate the arts and humanities into their classroom and provides students with additional training in the arts.
To date, the Mountain Arts Center Arts Education Department had provided instruction and performance opportunities in the arts to over 200,000 youth and adults.
