FSPA Introduced in Asia This Month

Programs of the Franklin School for the Performing Arts were introduced recently in Asia when FSPA Director Raye Lynn Mercer, with Assistant Directors Kim Rezendes and Hallie Wetzell, traveled to Hong Kong December 28 – January 10.  The trio taught musical theater workshops to students ages 4 – 20 and adjudicated the "Hong Kong's Broadway Star" competition in which the winner of the senior division, Viveca Chow, was awarded an all-expense paid trip and scholarship to study this summer at FSPA.

Little Music School Director Kim Rezendes conducted the "Little Music School Experience" throughout the week, introducing FSPA's children's music curriculum to several groups of young children and music educators.  Little Music School, developed at FSPA, is a unique program that teaches children as young as 18 months to play the piano in a creative and colorful environment.

"I was excited to experience teaching in a culture so different from my own," notes Rezendes.  "As Director of the Little Music School, I was especially interested to see how this program would translate to children in Hong Kong.  The children responded immediately to the curriculum and teaching concepts introduced and with music as a universal language, it was not difficult to begin building relationships the moment we walked in to the classroom. "

FSPA's  week-long musical theater workshop in Hong Kong included classes for super-mini (ages 4-6), mini (ages 6-8), junior (ages 9-12) and senior (ages 13-18) groups as well as private coachings and an introductory seminar for students, parents and educators.

"The opportunity to teach musical theater to interested, talented and enthusiastic students halfway around the world is only matched by the  level of excitement and fulfillment presented with the opportunity to return on a regular basis!" says Hallie Wetzell, FSPA Vocal Director.   Plans are underway for the FSPA team to return to Hong Kong for a week-long summer workshop in August.   "We look forward to reuniting with our students from January's seminar as well as meeting many new dancers, singers and actors from Hong Kong performing arts schools."

"We were thrilled to have our curricula and teaching style enthusiastically received," added  Mercer.  "It was an extraordinary cultural and educational experience for us and I hope to have created some new possibilities and opened some new doors for our school's faculty, students and alumni."

FSPA has enjoyed  international reach to Europe since 1998.  The touring ensemble Electric Youth, trained at FSPA, will tour Europe for the 9^th time June 15 – July 8, 2012. Mercer and the FSPA team have taught musical theater workshops and master classes throughout Austria.   Further information about all programs at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts is available by visiting www.fspaonline.com.