FAC Weekly Update
September 24, 2021
Good afternoon, Fine Arts Center Family
We hope you had a wonderful week! Believe it or not, we've just completed our 6th week of the 21-22 school year. Only three more weeks remain until the end of the 1st Quarter. By now, we are seeing our new students begin to settle into the expectations of the pre-professional school format, and our returning students reestablish their groove in the classrooms. Once we get into the 2nd Quarter of the school year we will begin artist residencies and student performances. It is an exciting time to be a part of the FAC Family!
Before we move into the heart of the Weekly Update, we'd like to congratulate the new inductees and returning members of the Tri-M Music Honor Society! The students had a wonderful ceremony last night at the Wade Hampton HS Auditorium. We look forward to seeing the members of Tri-M serve the community through their passion for the musical arts.
Here is the latest from the halls of the Fine Arts Center...
This Week's Student Leadership Lesson
"I learned early on in SEAL training the value of teamwork, the need to rely on someone else to help you through the difficult tasks. For those of us who were 'tadpoles' hoping to become Navy frogmen, a ten-foot rubber raft was used to teach us this vital lesson.
During my time in the SEAL Teams, I had numerous setbacks and in each case, someone came forward to help me: someone who had faith in my abilities; someone who saw potential in me where others might not someone who risked their own reputation to advance my career. I have never forgotten those people and I know that anything achieved in my life was a result of others who have helped me along the way.
None of us are immune from life's tragic moments. Like the small rubber boat we had in SEAL training, it takes a team of good people to get you to your destination in life. You cannot paddle the boat alone...never forget that your success depends on others."
Admiral William H. McRaven - Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...and Maybe the World; page 13-21.
Mindfulness Program for Students
We are pleased to announce the start of what we hope will become a consistent component of the educational experience at the FAC - a mindfulness program designed to support resilient and compassionate artists. After receiving feedback from students via our Mindfulness Survey and working with community professionals who are trained in the implementation of programs, we have selected an 8-week course that is an option for students who are interested in increasing their ability to be present in the moment and focused with their intent. We will be exploring a curriculum from “Mindful Schools,” and have selected a series of lessons that are focused on understanding, supporting, and steadying attention, with special emphasis on applying mindfulness practices in the arts.
Here are the parameters of the program:
This program is optional and open to those who are interested in pursuing mindfulness training.
When you sign up for the program, you commit to attending all 8 classes. This is not a drop-in program.
We will offer two sessions - one at 8:40 a.m. and one at 12:45 p.m. Students will need to arrive 5 minutes before the start of the session.
Each session will have a maximum of 25 participants. Sign-up will occur via a Sign-Up Genius link below.
Should there be a high level of interest, we will schedule more sessions in the near future to open this opportunity to more students.
Here is the link to the Sign-Up Genius - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C4FAAAE2AA1F94-mindfulness. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me.
FACULTY NEWS
April Dauscha
Ryan Roth
Congratulations, Mr. Roth!
Zane Logan
The festival is an annual event held in Pingyao - a 2,700-year-old ancient walled city that is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The festival, now in its 20th year, is held in mid-September each year. The exhibition venues range from ancient warehouses and factories to temples and municipal buildings and the festival attracts about 100,000 visitors. Congratulations, Mr. Logan!
Faculty Presenters at National Conferences
- Ms. Gina Buntz, FAC Dance Department Chair, will be presenting at the 2021 Arts School Network National Conference in Chicago, IL. Her session is titled, "Art Moves," and is focused on cultivating a dance-centric education for dancers and non-dancers in arts and academics.
- Mrs. Teri Parker Lewis, FAC Theatre Department Chair, will also be presenting at the 2021 Arts School Network National Conference in Chicago, IL. Her session is titled, "Body + Breath + Sound = Calm," and is centered on mindfulness practices.
- Mrs. Adrienne Burris, ARMES Creative Writing Instructor, will be presenting at the 2021 National Council of Teachers of English Conference. Her session focuses on teaching writing workshops while students are engaged in virtual learning.
Ms. Gina Bunts
Mrs. Teri Parker Lewis
Mrs. Adrienne Burris
FAC Students Performing in the Community
Dance Arts Greenville and Carolina Ballet Theatre
South Carolina Children's Theatre
Don't miss the South Carolina Children's Theatre performances of Spookley the Square Pumpkin - The Musical, running from October 22-31! The cast features FAC 9th Graders Bella Majarais and Ashley Smith, members of the Theatre Program.
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Is Your Child Performing in the Community? The FAC is happy to publicize public performances and art exhibitions that feature our students. Please email Mr. Popat with any details of current or upcoming performances so that we can get the word out to our FAC Family!
Important Dates/Upcoming Events
- October 11-16 - Dance Guest Artist in Residence: Christopher L. Huggins
- October 25-29 - Chamber Strings Guest Artists in Residence: The Callisto Quartet
- October 25-29 - Jazz Guest Artists in Residence: The Regions
REMINDERS
Application and Audition Timeline
Mark your calendar! Please note our Application and Audition Timeline.
The audition process listed below is for new students and current students who wish to move to a different FAC program. However, all current FAC Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors must re-apply each year. For students who would like to stay in their program - your audition is your daily performance in the studio.
- Recruiting and Information Sessions at GCS Middle and High Schools – September through the end of November
- Application Opens in Backpack – December 1, 2021
- Application Closes in Backpack, Pre-Screening Material Due – January 20, 2022
- Notification of First Round Results, Invitations to In-Person Auditions – February 11, 2022
- In-Person Audition Window – February 26 - March 12, 2022
- Notification to students of results in Backpack – March 28, 2022
More information to follow!
ABC Advancement Grant
The FAC Parent Guild Wants YOU
The FAC Parent Guild is looking for volunteers who want to support the FAC in a variety of ways. Please click on the following link to view our informational handout.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FERVpudbg7VY2pYpUyhKeex_Jg2vSWqe/view?usp=sharing
If you have any questions, please email our Parent Engagement Committee Co-Chairs:
- Anita Pacylowski-Justo - anita@danceartsgreenville.com
- Steve Hairston - steve.hairston@furman.edu
GCS Financial Aid Workshops
Fine Arts Center - Greenville County Schools
Preparing dedicated students for 21st-century careers through rigorous, pre-professional arts training in a dynamic, inclusive, collaborative learning community.
Core Values
Creativity
Respect
Grit
Identity
Connection
Email: vpopat@greenville.k12.sc.us
Website: https://www.fineartscenter.net
Location: 102 Pine Knoll Drive, Greenville, SC, USA
Phone: (864) 355-2550
Twitter: @FACGreenville