FSPA Announces New Fall Programs

The Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) is pleased to announce several new music, dance, and drama programs for its 2010-2011 school year. FSPA brings all performing arts disciplines together under one roof, offering professional training to both students interested in serious study and those who enjoy the arts as recreation. Beginners are welcome!

The FSPA Music Department is pleased to introduce the FSPA Youth Choir this fall for students ages 11-19. The choir will focus on classical repertoire with occasionally including music from other genres. FSPA Vocal Director Hallie Wetzell will lead this ensemble, preparing the students for at least three performances during the year. Members of the FSPA Youth Choir will be selected by audition. Students must be enrolled in a voice class or private lesson at FSPA.

The School debuts its Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of FSPA Music Faculty member Kenny Hadley. This Ensemble, by invitation, will meet on a weekly basis and expose students to rudiments of Latin drumming techniques, ensemble and orchestral playing, with solo and ensemble work.

The School will offer pop/jazz piano lessons in which students will be introduced to pop, ragtime, blues, jazz, funk and soul music. Instructor Bryan Eyberg has been a member of the FSPA Music Faculty since 2004. Instruction includes how to read a lead sheet, chord symbols and music theory associated with learning and performing these types of music.

The Music Department offers a comprehensive sequential curriculum in voice beginning with Let's Sing for ages 8 and 9. Private lessons are available in all instruments and voice and FSPA's Little Music School begins rudiments of music and piano study with children as young as eighteen months.

FSPA is also pleased to introduce a new ballet programming for the upcoming school year. In an effort to make outstanding Ballet training available to all students, FSPA has created a two-track ballet curriculum, effective Fall 2010.

The conservatory track provides a rigorous curriculum combining classical ballet technique and artistry with pointe work, including American Ballet Theater curriculum. The second ballet track at FSPA delivers thorough and challenging training without pointe for beginner through advanced levels. "Ballet is fundamental. It is essential for all performers, not only dancers, improving skills for singers and actors as well," notes FSPA Director Raye Lynn Mercer. "Ballet imparts poise, presence, grace and presence in everyone and it is never too late to begin."

In the Drama Department FSPA has added "Building Characters" by audition for grades 5-8, to the list of acting classes which includes Act I, Creative Dramatics, Principles of Acting and Scenes and Monologues. The school's popular musical theater curriculum now offers Children's Musical Theater for young students in Kindergarten and Grade One. Musical Theater Levels I - IV are available for Grades 3 - 12 and performing ensembles are offered by audition for Grades 5 - 12.

FSPA's new Friend In Me Theater Company provides musical theater experiences for students with special needs. Typical teens from FSPA, including members of the touring ensemble Electric Youth, are paired weekly with students with special needs from the community for music, dance, drama and friendship. Students range in age from 10 - 23 years old. Activities include theater games, stretch to music, choreographed dance routines and favorite sing-a-longs.

Registration is ongoing for fall classes at FSPA and can be done in person at the School, 38 Main Street, Franklin, or over the phone. For more information or to request a course catalogue, call (508) 528-8668 or visit www.fspaonline.com