FAC Weekly Update

What a great week at the FAC! We started out with an amazing recital by Sarah Jane McMahon, the artist-in-residence for the FAC Voice Studio. Ms. McMahon worked with our students during their class periods on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of this week, and the experience was truly transformative for our students. We also inducted the 2023 class of the Tri-M Music Honor Society on Tuesday evening. Congrats to all of our new members! Finally, in all of our studios the students continue to grow as artists; challenging themselves through meeting deadlines, taking on difficult projects, and exploring new media.

Here's the latest from the halls of the FAC...

Quotes of the Week, from James Clear

"The odds increase, the more you try."​

"Arguably the most important skill is controlling your attention. This goes beyond merely avoiding distractions. The deeper skill is finding the highest and best use for your time, given what is important to you. More than anything else, controlling your attention is about being able to figure out what you should be working on and identifying what truly moves the needle."

"When you're doing something hard, focus on the fun part.

Many people make a subtle mistake, which is they emphasize how difficult it is to do something. They tell themselves writing is hard or running is hard or math is hard. And so on. The dominant thought in their mind is that this is hard to do.

And it is true these things (and many others in life) can be challenging.

Meanwhile, people who thrive in a given area are often emphasizing a completely different aspect of the experience. They are thinking about how it feels good to move their body rather than telling themselves exercise is hard. Or, perhaps, they aren't really thinking much at all. They may slip into a trance during their run, a meditative rhythm."

But what they are almost certainly not doing is repeating a mental story about how hard it is to do the thing. Their dominant thought is about some element of the experience they enjoy. They are working hard, but with the fun part in mind."

We have yet another artist-in-residence coming the week of September 25, courtesy of our partnership with the Peace Center! The FAC Dance Studio is excited to welcome internationally-renowned choreographer Alexandra Beller to the FAC to work with our students.

Alexandra choreographed “Sense and Sensibility” (Sheen Center, Judson Gym, Folger Shakespeare Library, American Repertory Theater, Portland Center Stage), (Helen Hayes Award, Lortel Nomination, IRNE Best Choreography), the Off Broadway musical, “The Mad Ones” (59E59), Bedlam’s “Peter Pan” (Duke Theater), “Two Gentlemen of Verona” (Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival), “As You Like It” (Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, Folger Shakespeare Library), “How to Transcend a Happy Marriage” by Sarah Ruhl (Lincoln Center Theater), and others. Upcoming: “Antonio’s Song” (CATF, Milwaukee Rep), “Fandango for Butterflies (and Coyotes)” (La MaMa/La Jolla/touring), and Directing/Choreographing “Make Thick My Blood,” a two-person adaptation of Macbeth opening Off-Broadway July 2022, and Midsummer Night’s Dream opening in July at Folger Shakespeare Library in DC.

Her international performance career includes 7 years with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, projects with Martha Clarke, John Turturro, and others. Alexandra Beller/Dances formed in 2001 and she has created over 40 original Dance Theater works, for her own and other companies. Her choreography has been presented at theaters throughout the US and in Korea, Hong Kong, Oslo, Cyprus, St. Petersburg, and Poland.

Alexandra holds a BFA/Dance, MFA/Dance and CMA (Certified Movement Analyst) in Laban Movement Analysis/Bartenieff Fundamentals. She is on faculty at Princeton University, Rutgers University, and The Laban/Bartenieff Institute for Movement Studies, and guest teaches nationally and internationally. She also has a private Somatic Therapy practice and provides multiple forms of private mentorship. She has consulted with numerous institutions about curriculum planning, syllabus development, and pedagogy including the 92nd St Y, LIMS, and Dancio.com.

On Friday, September 29, the Fine Arts Center will host our annual College Day event during the afternoon class session. This event is for our Juniors and Seniors - full details will be given out by your child's Instructor. As of this week, the following schools will be in attendance:

• The South Carolina School of the Arts - Anderson University

• Berklee College of Music

• The Blackbird Academy

• Bob Jones University

• Boston Conservatory at Berklee

• Brenau University

• California Institute of the Arts

• Case Western Reserve University

• Clemson University

• Coastal Carolina University

• Coker University

• College of Charleston

• College of Creative Studies

• Columbia College - Columbia

• Converse University

• Davidson College

• Eastman School of Music

• Emerson College

• Florida State University

• Francis Marion University

• Furman University

• Greensboro College

• Greenville Technical College

• Hollins University

• The Julliard School

• Kennesaw State University

• Manhattan School of Music

• Marshall University

• Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design

• North Carolina State University - Wilson College of Textiles

• North Greenville University

• Northwestern University - the Bienen School of Music

• Oberlin Conservatory

• Peabody Conservatory

• Rice University - the Shepherd School of Music

• Rider University and Westminster Choir College

• Savannah College of Art and Design

• University of Denver - Lamont School of Music

• University of Houston - Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts

• University of North Carolina School of the Arts

• University of Maryland School of Music

• University of Miami - Frost School of Music

• University of Michigan - School of Music, Theatre, and Dance

• University of North Carolina - Charlotte

• University of North Carolina - Greensboro

• University of North Texas

• University of South Carolina

• University of South Carolina - Upstate

• University of Tennessee - School of Architecture + Design

• Vanderbilt University - Blair School of Music

• VCU Arts

• Warren Wilson College

• Western Carolina University - School of Stage and Screen

• William Peace University

• Winthrop University

• Wofford College

We look forward to a great event!

Mark your calendar for an important evening presentation! On Tuesday, October 3 at 7:00 p.m. in the FAC Recital Hall, Mr. Popat will present a program for parents on the ways that they can support the FAC. Topics of discussion will include:

• The FAC Parent Guild - what they do and how you can participate
• The FAC Partners - how they support our students and how you can get involved
• The FAC Wish List - what our students need and what you can do to help us get it
• Where your donation goes - areas of impact, progress we are making
• How you can make an impact with or without a donation

The event is for parents only - not for students or small children due to limited seating in the Recital Hall. The program will be livestreamed and recorded for those who cannot attend in person. However, please note that Mr. Popat is significantly more entertaining when seen live in-person. :-)

The Peace Center is proud to present the Fine Arts Center Jazz All Stars concerts in Genevieve’s. Now in its sixth year, the Fine Arts Center concert series prepares student musicians for a career in the arts and entertainment industry by giving them a resume-building, professional opportunity to perform in paid settings.

The Fine Arts Center Jazz All Stars concerts return on October 5. The first performance of the series features an all new group and the vocal stylings of Brady Green. With works by Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie and more, audiences will delight in classic vocal and instrumental jazz.

For tickets - https://www.peacecenter.org/events/detail/23-jazz-all-stars-1?utm_source=wordfly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=8%2F30%2F23-MKTG-FACAnnounce-Master&utm_content=version_A

Also - the FAC Jazz All-Stars have a regular gig at Halls Chophouse! Upcoming performances are:

• September 23 - 6:30-10:30 p.m.
• September 29 - 6:30-10:30 p.m.

Congratulations to FAC Theatre student Cookie Miller (Grade 10) for being cast as Mrs. Wormwood in the Spartanburg Youth Theatre production of Matilda Jr..

Performances are:

October 13, 2023 at 4:30pm
October 14, 2023 at 2:00pm & 6:00pm

October 15, 2023 at 2:00pm

For full information on the show, please go to https://www.spartanburgyouththeatre.com/upcomingproduction.

Come out to the South Carolina's Children's Theatre to see some of our FAC students perform in the SCCT production of Charlotte's Web.

• Quincy Adair (FAC Voice) - playing the role of Templeton
• Alex Byrd (FAC Creative Writing) - playing the role of Fern Arable
• Tesia Hennessey (FAC Theatre) - playing the role of Mr. Zuckerman

• Vi Hix (FAC Theatre) - playing the role of Wilbur
• Claire Quackenbush (FAC Theatre) - playing the role of Mrs. Arabel

The shows runs Sept. 22nd - Oct. 8th at SCCT. For tickets, please go to https://scchildrenstheatre.org/charlottes-web/

The "College Corner" is a resource for FAC Seniors and their families that we include in our Weekly Updates. If you have any questions about these or additional college resources, please reach out to our School Counselor, Gloria Collins. mailto:gcollins@greenville.k12.sc.us

• GE-Reagan Foundation Scholars earn a $10,000 renewable scholarship - up to $40,000 total - for tuition, school fees, books, supplies, and on-campus room and board. They also attend an exclusive, all-expenses-paid Scholars Retreat in California. Candidates must - Demonstrate the attributes of leadership, integrity, drive, and citizenship within their communities, schools, and workplaces; Display strong academic performance (minimum 3.0 grade point average/4.0 scale or equivalent); Be citizens of the United States of America; Be current high school seniors attending high school within the United States, (including any U.S. territories or commonwealths), and graduating in winter 2022 or spring 2023. Applicants living on a U.S. Armed Forces base and attending high school outside the U.S. are eligible; Plan to enroll in a full‑time undergraduate course of study at an accredited four‑year college or university in the United States for the entire 2023-2024 academic school year https://www.reaganfoundation.org/education/scholarship-programs/ge-reagan-foundation-scholarship-program/. Opens October 2023

• Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation - Achievement based scholarship for graduating seniors. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve as well as their commitment to having an impact on their school and community. 150 Coca-Cola scholars are selected each year to receive this $20,000 scholarship. More information at www.coca-cola scholars.org. Deadline October 2, 2023

• National YoungArts Foundation - identifies the most accomplished young artists in the visual, literary and performing arts and provides them with creative and professional development opportunities throughout their careers. Disciplines include classical music, dance, design art,film, jazz, photography, theatre, visual art, voice and writing. Competition open to students 15 -18 years old. More information and application available at www.youngarts.org Deadline: October 23, 2023

• UNC's Thomas Wolfe Scholarship, which offers full four year financial support to one incoming freshman with exceptionally focused literary ability and promise. Please note that our application process involves two separate steps and two different dates, and all applicants must take both steps and meet both deadlines, to wit: Thomas Wolfe Scholarship applicants must apply to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill by the University’s October 15th, 2023 EARLY admission deadline and must meet all academic requirements for EARLY admission; and 2) Scholarship applicants must also apply to The Thomas Wolfe Scholarship, with the deadline for submissions to the Scholarship being November 15th, 2023 (submissions must be electronically submitted by that date). https://englishcomplit.unc.edu/creative-writing/scholarships-and-awards/the-thomas-wolfe-scholarship/

• SC Teaching Fellows Program - Fellowships for up to 200 high school seniors who have exhibited high academic achievement, a history of service to their school and community and a desire to teach in South Carolina. $6000 a year for four years to complete a degree leading to initial certification. A fellow agrees to teach one year for every year he or she receives the Fellowship. Details at www.cerra.org. Deadline: December 7, 2023

• Lyceum Scholars Program is currently accepting applications for students who will be entering Clemson University in Fall 2024. Those interested in becoming Lyceum Scholars should apply in their senior year of high school to the Lyceum Scholars Program and separately to Clemson University. All Lyceum Scholars receive a $10,000 scholarship, which is disbursed over their four years at Clemson University. https://www.clemson.edu/centers-institutes/capitalism/lyceum/scholars.html Deadline: December 10, 2023

The Fine Arts Center has been nominated for a KABOOM award in the category of BEST PUBLIC SCHOOL from the e-publication Kidding Around Greenville. The nomination window runs from Sept. 5-16, 2023. The results of the nomination process yield the final voting ballot, which is released in October.

You can help us by nominating the FAC at the following website - https://kiddingaroundgreenville.com/kaboom#/gallery?group=463828. Scroll down to the category for Best Public School.

Greenville County Schools provides us with a generous budget that allows us to meet the educational needs of our students and faculty. However, as a pre-professional training ground for aspiring artists, we will at times need to augment what we are given in order to meet professional industry standards. Unrestricted donations to the Fine Arts Center Partners are always welcome, though we know that some community members prefer to give towards specific needs. For that reason, we have created the FAC Wish List.

Please click on the following link to access the list: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Wr_aHAWv3NUTw1e3Oqzb8lUAs6u3zRNXdUPiU24c7Es/edit?usp=sharing. You can donate funds to the FAC Partners for the purchase of an item on the Wish List, thereby gaining the tax benefit of giving to a 501c3 Non-Profit.

This document will be updated regularly. Please reach out to Mr. Popat with any questions.

• Friday, September 29 - FAC College Day; for FAC Juniors, Seniors, and PM students
• Tuesday, October 3 - Parent Engagement Presentation by Mr. Popat; 7:00 p.m., Sutherlin Recital Hall
• Thursday, October 5 - FAC Jazz All-Stars at Genevieve's; Peace Center, 7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, October 18 - 2:25 p.m. Jazz Studio Concert; 7:00 p.m., Sutherlin Recital Hall; Tickets are $10 for adults, free to FAC/GCS students/children 12 and under
• Thursday, October 19 - 1:30 p.m. Jazz Studio Concert; 7:00 p.m., Sutherlin Recital Hall; Tickets are $10 for adults, free to FAC/GCS students/children 12 and under
• Friday, October 20 - Music Faculty Recital; performances for AM and PM students during regular class time
• Monday, October 24 - Aspen String Trio Residency and Concert

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