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About the GSA Program

 

Imagine that you are a painter and that each morning for three weeks you will be going to the studio to work with 13 or 14 other students under the direction of an accomplished artist. Imagine that the class is going to last for three hours, giving you time to throw yourself into you work.

 

If you are a dancer, imagine that you'll have the opportunity to stretch and grow in both classical ballet and modern dance. The classes are small, the passion is intense and the growth is simply phenomenal.

 

It sounds like a dream, but for 100 current West Virginia high school sophomores, these dreams will become reality at the West Virginia Governor's School for the Arts (GSA).

 

The same growth opportunities exist for students in the other arts disciplines at GSA, a three-week residential program providing individual and in-depth group instruction in the arts for current high school sophomores living in and attending school in West Virginia.

 

Arts areas addressed include acting, creative writing, dance, digital media art, instrumental music, visual art and vocal music. Skilled artists/teachers will work with students who demonstrate potential in those areas. In addition, the Governor’s School for the Arts attempts to broaden the students’ understanding of the arts through interdisciplinary courses focusing on common elements in the arts disciplines.

Teachers for the 2010 GSA offer the following descriptions of their classes.

Creative Writing --Instructor Kate Long

I’m the creative writing teacher. As a native West Virginian, I wish I had had the chance to go to GSA after my sophomore year. I want every talented West Virginia student to at least know it’s there for them.

I teach my class on a college level, as most GSA teachers do. I keep it small, so I can give each student a lot of individual attention. I read everything they write.  I’ve been a professional writing coach for 25 years, so I give them feedback they can use.  They are in class with others who share their passion for writing. We have a lot of fun, and they bloom.GSA changes location to a different West Virginia college or university every three years. Next summer, it’s at West Liberty. The GSA students basically own this pretty little campus for three weeks, and the arts center is a terrific facility.

My Web site is www.katelong.com, if you’d like to know more about me as a writing teacher.

Dance--Instructors Donald Laney and Barb Yurick

Our aim is to give the students a conservatory atmosphere within the dance discipline.  The focus is on ballet and modern, helping to refine and stretch the dancer’s abilities and focuses


Dancers participate in both a ballet and modern technique class daily, focusing on the science of dance.  Breaking down the body and discussing anatomical concepts will help enrich and further the dancer’s knowledge of technique as well as their bodies. 


Throughout the three weeks we present the dancers with lectures in nutrition, dance history, careers, improvisations and videos of dance masterpieces, trying to help create a complete dancer.  With only three weeks in the program we push to give the dancers as much as possible, trying to let them see what dance would be like in a conservatory/liberal arts college dance program.

As part of the program the dancers will participate and learn two original pieces of choreography, one in ballet and one in modern.  The dancers will be a part of the creative process which in turn teaches them some basic ideas and concepts of choreography.  The dancers spend about six hours with us a day and then get to play and learn in the other disciplines, helping to open their minds to all the arts and the benefits of them in their lives.

Digital Media Art--Instructor Mary Elizabeth Meier

Digital media students explore a variety of methods and concepts related to graphic design and multimedia. Spending hours each day in the Mac lab, we work as a community of practice to investigate the many skills and ideas used in digital imagery.


Our work begins by expanding the foundations of digital photography and photo manipulation in Adobe Photoshop. Working together, we expand our daily work to explore unexpected ways of toying with the analog world through digital play.

As digital media designers in collaboration, students and teacher experiment with motion graphics including low-tech stop animation tests and extending to advanced motion graphics programs such as Adobe After Effects and Flash.  Collectively, students will utilize over 15 different advanced software programs as tools to convey their ideas through digital illustration, web design, audio, and video. However, more important than these digital tools are the ideas and meaning that we explore together.

The evening artistic performances, interdisciplinary arts classes, inspiring speakers, and various trips off campus, inspire us to reflect upon our experience through artistic work.

 

Instrumental Music--Instructor Dr. Matthew Inkster

I teach my class on a college level, as most GSA teachers do—this may sound intimidating for a rising junior in high school, but I assure you that it is not.  We keep the program small, so that each student receives a lot of individual attention not only from me but other adjunct staff members as well.  I have been teaching instrumental music now for about 17 years, and I have taught in the public schools in Wyoming, California, and Florida as well as 13 years at the collegiate level.

My idea of the Governor’s School concept is, in part, that we offer students experiences that they could not receive in their regular school environment.  To that end, on a regular day, we spend around six hours together in a variety of “learning modules” including: ensemble rehearsals, chamber music, music theory, class piano, individual applied lessons, and a variety of short-term topics like performance anxiety, how to practice, career planning, college selection, composition, conducting, etc.  We teach each other about our instrument—always a fascinating time where we gain an even deeper appreciation for what each other is able to accomplish!  During the rest of the day students “dabble” and experiment in the other art areas, recreate, and have individually directed time to put into practice what they have learned.

You can see that this is no ordinary “music camp.”  We stress the artist community concept and immerse the students in experiences that push them to the point that they are truly changed during their three weeks with us—only to return to you a more mature leader as well as musician and productive young adult.

I believe that the most valuable asset we give them is the opportunity to find that they are not as “unusual” as they might think—that their classmates share their passion for music making and the arts.  We have a lot of fun, and they bloom.

Theatre/Acting--Instructor John Henning

The fundamentals of acting are the fundamentals no matter when learned. They are always fundamental.  As a professional actor in New York, I used the same techniques I teach in GSA.

My goal is to give young actors a box of tools they can use to work on any part.  We work with Stanislavski's  teaching both directly and through improvisation.  We explore the monologues brought to class and we focus on scene work during the second part of the three weeks.

Particularly exciting is the closing performance. It is a chance to put into practice what we will learn together.  We will develop some of this show improvisationally and some of it will be scripted. Now that's what I call fun.

The "icing on the cake" for this experience is a chance to become involved in other artistic disciplines both through classes and through interaction with the other eighty-four students in the program.  It is truly an experience like none other.

 

Visual Art--Instructor Dr. Brian Fencl

Our time at the Governor’s School for the Arts will focus on two important parts of the art making process, improvement of basics skills and creativity. Young artists need to learn the fundamentals of art making and these skills are best attained and demonstrated by studying from life. Our time will be spent honing our perceptual skills, exploring mediums and materials and learning about the visual elements.

With the focus on creativity we will stress the importance of ideas. For an artist to be successful they have to be able to think deeply about themselves, this time and the type of work they want to create. I will ask them to consider the form and function of objects, the history and symbolism of their subject matter. Each student will be given tremendous latitude in what they want to make and how they want to explore their creativity. We will work on individual projects and group projects. The group projects will stress teamwork and demonstrate how ideas can grow when worked out with a group.

The student art we will see in the gallery at the end will be the result of inspiration, youthful energy, talent and three weeks of hard work.  Trips to the museums will open their eyes to the all of the possibilities a work of art might be. The performances in music, literature and dance will broaden their horizons and show how the arts connect. The Governor’s School for the Arts will be a great start to a lifetime of creativity and expression.



Vocal Music--Instructor Dr. Linda Cowan

 Each student receives a lot of individual attention.  I am looking for singers who are interested in realizing their vocal potential while learning all kinds of music.  I specifically tailor the GSA experience to the singers who are picked for 2010.

  I welcome and embrace classical and commercial pedagogies.  I will center the teaching around each voice individually and strive to help them develop their individual talents.  Students will also learn about their vocal instrument—how it functions, and how to stay healthy.  They will learn the foundations of vocal technique (breathing, tone production, etc.). 

They come home with CDs of their performances and a workbook of ideas about vocal technique. We offer students experiences that they could not receive in their regular school environment.  To that end, on a regular day, we spend around six hours together singing and learning everything we can about voice and vocal music.  We also give advice on topics like performance anxiety, music history, how to practice, career planning, college selection, etc. 

 

 

 

GSA 2009 Students

The following students have been selected by the judges to attend GSA in 2009.  Their names are followed by the name of the school they attend.

               Creative Writing

 

Britney         Gordon         Hedgesville

Nikul            Patel             Cabell Midland

Brittney        Walters        Moorefield

Elisabeth      White           Bridgeport

Kiersten       Woods         Fairmont

Samantha    Bennett        Pikeview

Kathryn        Baker           Morgantown

Khristian       Smith          PocahontasCounty

Kassondra   Lilly              Shady Spring

Sarah           Morgan        Grafton

Chelsi           Hewitt          Parkersburg

Loran           Davis          Philip Barbour

 

                   Dance

Chelsey       Bennett         Martinsburg

Kendall         Cox              Musselman

Brittany        Greenfield     Martinsburg

Amy             Klim              St. Joseph Central

Alexandra    Smith            St. Joseph Central

Natasja        Van Dijk        Huntington

Renata         DiGregorio   George Washington

Jovon           Minimah        Capital

Katelyn        Drake             Home School

Hannah        Crewdson     Teays Valley Christian

Kara             Daniel            Liberty

 

 

                Digital Imaging

Arynn           Cooper         Cabell Midland

Morgan        Jacobson      Huntington

Rachel         Steed            Meadow Bridge

Ellie              Coughlin       Greenbrier West

Kristie           Sparks         Trinity Christian

Erik              Abrahams     Morgantown

Jessica        Wilson          Woodrow Wilson

Dawnelle      Martin           Magnolia

 

            Instrumental Music

Emily           Watkins         Philip Barbour

Lauren         Trumble        Martinsburg

Kendra         Berkley         Notre Dame

Heather        McKibben     Bridgeport

Chapman     Sklar             Bridgeport

Hallie            Brotherton    Capital

Hilary            Keller            Capital

Johnna         O'Rourke      Logan Senior

Kristine         Price            Princeton

Jason           Snyder          Morgantown

Keith             Michael         Wheeling Park

Sarah           Dunaway      Preston

Leah             Drumheller   Woodrow Wilson

Cody            Hatcher         Shady Spring

Kristina         Lipscomb     Summers County

Henry            Wang            Parkersburg

 

 

             Theatre/Acting

Laurna         Grubb           Hedgesville

Meaghan     Macey           Musselman

Maura          Reiff              Martinsburg

Eileen           Waggoner    Hedgesville

Laura           Holliday         Greenbrier East

Tyler            Stovall           Oak Glen

John             Jackson II     Moorfield

Sadie           Crow             John Marshall

Megan         Jack               John Marshall

Seth             Skiles            Winfield

Holli              Perkins         Independence

Emily           Pritchard       Woodrow Wilson

Meghan       Martin             Roane County

Bradley        Luckton         Summers County

Ryan            McAtee          Buckhannon-Upshur

 

 

                 Visual Art

Aleece         Abell              Musselman

Sydney        Weiler           Brooke

Julia             Kirby             Huntington

Congqi         Zhang           Huntington

Kathryn        Neely            Oak Glen

Melanie        Judd              Washington

Meredith      Chapman      George Washington

Amber          Munn            North Marion

Benjamin     Rondy           Trinity Christian

Lillian            Warner         Trinity Christian

Laura           Stefanow       Wheeling Park

Merandia     Shinaberry     Pocahontas County

Julie             Sniadowski    Woodrow Wilson

Katherine     Sniadowski    Woodrow Wilson

Samantha    Truman          Woodrow Wilson

Tessa           Maynard        Tolsia

Tyler Ann     Jones              Wirt County

 

            Vocal Music

Elijah             Boyles           Huntington

Caleb            Donahoe       Covenant

Garrett          Gaunch         Covenant

Daniel           Harrison        Cabell Midland

Maggie         Saunders      Huntington

Jeffrey         Tice               Oak Glen

Audry           Wood            Ravenswood

Jessica        Starkey         Jefferson

Lindsay        Heywood       George Washington

Jared           Morgan          George Washington

Victoria        Neil                Chapmanville regional

Russell        King             Princeton

Elizabeth      Kolar            University

Julia             Paladino       University

Levi              Reynolds      Morgantown

Laura           Dailey           Parkersburg

Morgan        Schott           Parkersburg South

Kaydon       Hardman      Wheeling Park

 

 

The 2010 School for the Arts is being held at West Liberty State College.  Dr. Alfred deJaager is the dean. Mr. deJaager, West Liberty and the Governor’s Schools Advisory Council perceive the School for the Arts as a chance for the arts to awaken and flourish in the hearts  of100 rising juniors. A lively schedule of classes, special programming and field trips are among the activities scheduled.   To get a really good idea of what GSA is all about, go to the site created by West Liberty in 2009. It's an incredible site that chronicles three weeks in paradise.

History

The Governor's School for the Arts (GSA) was initiated through the efforts of former First Lady of West Virginia, Maestra Rachael Worby and sponsored initially by Governor Gaston Caperton.

1994-1998   Fairmont State College   Dr. Suzanne Snyder, dean;  63 students in areas of dance, instrumental music, theatre and visual art; number increased to 80 in 1995; vocal music added in 1998.

1999-2000   Marshall University   Dr. Larry Stickler, dean

2001-2002    West Liberty State College  Mark Williams, dean

2003-2004    West Virginia University   William J. Windsor, dean; creative writing added to curriculum in 2004

2005-2007    Marshall University   Dr. Larry Stickler, dean; number of students increased to 84

2008-2010   West Liberty State College   Dr. Alfred deJaager, dean; number of students increased to100; digital media added

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How much does it cost?

There is no cost to students or their families for tuition, room, meals, activities, books or instructional materials. The only expenses for which the students' families are responsible are health and accident insurance, personal expenses, and travel to and from auditions and the academy site.

If I am selected to attend GSA, will I have to stay weekends?

The GSA program requires that students be on campus and actively involved for the entire three weeks. You'll find, however, that you'll not feel that you "have to stay." Instead, you'll see they days go by so quickly that you won't believe that the final day occurs so quickly.

Will I be able to go to church on Sunday?

Unless the group is traveling, you will be able to attend church on Sunday morning. There is a chapel on campus that will appeal to many, but RAs will also be available accompany students whose faiths are not represented on campus. to specific churches.

How soon can I submit my application?

You are responsible for mailing the completed application, which is found in the Applications section of this site. It must be postmarked on or before December 10, 2009, and mailed to the following address:

Sherry Keffer
Director of Governor’s Schools
Capitol Building 5, Room 205
1900 Kanawha Boulevard East
Charleston, WV 25305

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To learn more about what's taught, jump to any or all of the following:

 All Artists

 Creative Writing

 Dance

 Digital Art

 Instrumental Music

 Theatre

 Visual Art

 Vocal Music

 

History of the program

Who attended in 2009?

How much does it cost?

When and where do I apply?