So, you live around Fernandina Beach and you may have children in need of afternoon programs, or maybe you are a retired person wanting to pursue your lifetime dream of painting or playing the piano, or maybe you have played an instrument and would like to join an ensemble. In any case, you have a great resource right here on Amelia Island -Amelia Arts Academy!
Amelia Arts Academy is one of four certified Community Schools of the Arts in Florida. Each year, more than 5,000 children and adults attend classes, participate in programs and enjoy performances at the Academy. Without discrimination, private instruction is offered by 20 teachers to more than 150 private students; in addition, ensembles and groups add another 150 to the enrollment. In 2006, “Academy West” opened to offer programs and lessons to the communities in western Nassau County. “Academy West” studios are located in the 1st United Methodist Church in Callahan. They provide art education for all experience levels and ages, including individual instruction, group lessons and ensembles, and after school art and dance workshops. They also have programs for the disabled or disadvantaged, senior creative art programs and provide community entertainment. Here’s just a sampling of what they offer:
Music and Dance: Amelia Arts Academy features the most credentialed music faculty in the area. They teach all ages and anything from piano and voice to Lute and Mandolin and have group sessions for drum circles and guitar basics and basic music theory and composition. Dance classes include ballroom dancing, the fox trot, waltz, tango, rumba, cha/cha, swing and salsa.
Art: Their art classes are great and appeal to all ages. After school art includes patty cake playtime, mixed media art, printmaking, and photography and adult classes range from mixed media, printmaking and photography.
Bands and Ensembles: They have Academy Ambassadors who will perform at your next event for a small honorarium with about a 6 week notice and have auditions for their Chamber Music Workshop. Whatever age or musical instrument you play, make sure to check out their band schedules that gather for rehearsals weekly.
Amelia Arts Academy is a 501C3 non-profit organization. You can contact them at 277-1225 or visit their Web page here on SearchAmelia, or for more information or email them at information@ameliaartsacademy.org
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Suzanne Batchelor is a writer, designer and artist on Amelia Island. She can be reached at www.ameliaislandartist.com.
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