JANUARY 2015
N E W S L E T T E R
Mary
WELCOME, ACADEMY PRESIDENT MARY DEISSLER On February 17th, Mary Deissler will officially take her post as President of The Academy. As we look to continue setting new standards in arts education on a national and international scale, Ms. Deissler’s vision and leadership will be key. Ms. Deissler has lead major fundraising efforts and served as an innovative executive at several prominent arts institutions. Most recently, she has served as the Chief Advancement Officer at Artis-Naples, a cultural center encompassing a museum and an orchestra, in Naples, Florida. Prior to her tenure at Artis-Naples, where she made impactful decisions around marketing and revenue, Ms. Deissler held leadership positions at the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Save the Children UK in London. Prior to those roles, she served 15 years as CEO of Boston’s Handel and Haydn Society. There she was credited with transforming a venerable institution with a proud history into a vibrant, forward-looking organization with strong artistic, community, and educational programs. There is no doubt that right now is an exciting time at The Academy. We look forward to seeing the institution’s continued growth in artistic and
academic excellence under Ms. Deissler’s leadership. In order to best prepare to execute new goals and initiatives, Ms. Deissler will immediately begin immersing herself in life at The Academy. She is eager to begin getting to know the people who have built The Academy and who continue to make this community as remarkable as it is. “I very much look forward to getting to know not only our current students but their families as well, and to connecting with as many of our alums as possible,” Ms. Deissler commented. “They will be a great resource for me as I get to know the Academy family.” The Executive Search Committee (consisting of Academy faculty, alumni, current parents, and Trustees) is excited to have successfully recruited such a qualified candidate. It was clear throughout the process that Ms. Deissler was a frontrunner. Board Chair Richard Sanders notes of the nearly year-long search process and unparalleled efforts of the Executive Search Committee, “The excellent result speaks to the quality of that effort.” Principal Jason Patera, who sat on the Executive Search Committee, is eager to begin working with Ms. Deissler.
Ms. Deissler will officially start at The Academy on Tuesday, February 17th. Be on the look out for special invitations and opportunities to meet Ms. Deissler in the next couple months. We can’t wait to introduce you!
“Mary’s personality and insight created a ripple effect of excitement in the community from the first time she walked in the door,” he said. ”That, coupled with her extraordinary leadership in her previous positions, gives us much confidence that she is the right ‘fit’ for our community. Our program and culture are unique, and Mary is uniquely qualified to preserve the integrity of both while leading us into the future.” Ms. Deissler’s energy and enthusiasm for her role as President of The Academy is abundantly clear and we truly look forward to the successes that are in store under her leadership.
IN THIS ISSUE Randy Duncan is going to Yale as Artist in Residence (2)
Grammy Award Winner Neil Tesser visits The Academy (3)
Alumni Updates (3)
Upcoming Events (4)
N E W S L E T T E R
RANDY DUNCAN HEADED TO YALE TO SERVE AS AN ARTIST IN RESIDENCE The Academy’s Dance Chair will travel east this February to work with Yale University’s Repertory Theatre
GRAMMY AWARD WINNER NEIL TESSER VISITS THE ACADEMY Jazz writer stops by The Academy to hang out with music students
Chicago native Neil Tesser hosted a lecture for Academy music students this month. His experience as a jazz writer and saxophonist provided students with advice and encouragement about music journalism and a career in jazz.
For the second time in three years, Dance Department Chair Randy Duncan will be an artist in residence at Yale University. Next month, Randy will be choreographing the Yale Repertory Theatre’s production of A Caucasian Chalk Circle. The Yale Repertory Theatre is a world-renowned professional theatre company in residence at the Yale School of Drama.
Tesser’s career spans over 35 years, writing and broadcasting music across the country. Locally, he is a regular contributor to the Chicago Reader among many other publications. In 2014, Tesser was nominated and won a Grammy for Best Album Notes for Afro Blue Impressions (Remastered and Expanded), performed by John Coltrane. The award acknowledges excellence in liner notes.
Not only is Randy looking forward to being back on campus in New Haven, he’s excited to work with the professional artists and students of Yale Rep Theatre.
Students enjoyed his talk, finding it both informative and interesting.
In Yale Rep’s 2011-12 season, Randy choreographed The Winter’s Tale, working with the then-Yale student (and Academy Award winner) Lupita N’yongo.
This event was sponsored by The Academy’s Prodigy Institute—providing Academy students with transformative educational experiences.
Neil Tesser accepting his Grammy in 2014
A TASTE FOR THE ARTS ANNOUNCEMENT
Performance Tickets will be available for purchase online starting February 1st Preparations for A Taste for the Arts are in full swing! Our scholar-artists are preparing the best of their 2014-2015 season to showcase to you and the City of Chicago. The raffle and auction items are coming in with some exciting opportunities – stay tuned.
Tickets for both the performance and gala go on sale February 1st. Please contact Mary Albano at malbano@chicagoartsacademy.org with any questions.
We are delighted to have eight chefs confirmed thus far, including Curtis Duffy of Grace, Tony Priolo of Piccolo Sogno, and Carlos Gaytan of Mexique. Featuring artisan breads, unique cultural stylings, and delectable desserts, this year’s menu will be designed to satisfy every diner’s desire!
FACULTY UPDATES •
Music faculty Jesse Langen had the opportunity to record with American punk rock band Deerhoof. Click here to learn more about the popular band and tour.
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Music faculty and jazz voice instructor Rose Colella’s latest album, Cocktail, is now available for download! Click here to view.
Academy apparel is available for purchase at IdentityStores.com • Click here to see our products!
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION HOLIDAY PARTY: A SUCCESS! The Academy’s Alumni reconnected at the first annual Alumni Holiday Party
Over 70 people attended the first annual Alumni Association Holiday Party. Academy alumni from a variety of classes, spouses and Academy faculty were able to reconnect and celebrate 2014. If you are an alum looking to reconnect, please contact Stephen Gawrit (‘04) (Alumni Association President) at sgawrit@chicagoartsacademy.org. Special thanks Lindsey Meyers (‘94) for hosting the event at her Logan Square Gallery, Beauty & Brawn.
JANUARY 2015
#ICYMI: In Case You Missed It,
Here’s What’s Been Going on at The Academy V I S U A L A R T S: ANNUAL WINTER JURIED EXHIBITION Congratulations to the Visual Arts Department for an impressive Juried Show!
Best in Show Paul Hartner (‘17)
ALUMNI •
UPDATES
Jack Dunphy (‘11) will be at the Sundance Film Festival this weekend in Sundance, Utah. His piece, Serenity, was chosen to be shown as part of the Short Film Program at the fest. Visit the Sundance website for information about the film.
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Olivia Renteria (‘14) was cast in the Paramount Theater’s Tommy, showing now through February 15th. Visit the Paramount’s website for more information.
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Meagan Hickman (‘06) Chicago-based singer/songwriter’s newest album, Sightlines, will be released February 10th. Visit her website (meaganhickman. com) for information about upcoming performances in the area!
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Theatre Alumnus Ira S. Murfin (‘94) participated in Chicago’s Rhinoceros Theater Festival, Chicago’s longest-running fringe theatre festival. His piece, Our Theatrical Future: A Talk Between Hong Kong & Chicago (Re-Performed), examined the relationship between Murfin and his longtime friend and former classmate, Aaron Kahn (‘93). Murfin is currently a Theater and Drama PhD Candidate at Northwestern University. Take a look at the Chicago Reader’s Review of his piece by clicking here.
Have an alumni update? Email artsacademynews@gmail.com! Are you an Academy alum looking to get alumni specific emails? Contact Stephen Gawrit, sgawrit@chicagoartsacademy.org
To enjoy more breathtaking photos from photographer Tom Mohr of the Senior Choreographed Dance Concert, click here.
Exceptional Work by a New Student Alex Waldron (‘18) Juror Selected Outstanding Pieces Juror Angee Lennard Clara Grayson (‘17), Print
Juror Friedhard Kiekenben Sophia Zhang (‘15), Painting The Winter Juried Show will be available to see in person at The Academy until March.
Don’t miss any performance photos, community updates, and news by following us online!
facebook.com/chicagoacademyforthearts twitter: @ChiAcademy4Arts instagram: @chicagoacademyforthearts
The Senior Choreographed Show: Special Thanks Randy Duncan, Dance Department Chair, would like to again thank the following people for making their show such a success!
1010 West Chicago Ave. futureinthearts.org Chicago, IL 60642 p 312.421.0202 f 312.421.3816 The Academy monthly newsletters are published & distributedby the Office of Communication
First, thank you to all the parents, friends, teachers and Academy staff for their support of the Senior Choreographed Dance Concert. Also, a very special thanks to Thomas Mohr for photography and Ms. Barbara Parker for videography (soon to be made for purchase) of the performances.
Do you have news or updates for us at The Academy? Things you’d like shared with our entire community?
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! artsacademynews@gmail.com or mkolosky@chicagoartsacademy.org
U P C O M I N G
Congratulations, Ms. Woodward!
Please join us in welcoming a new addition to the Academy family! Math Department Chair Melanie Woodward and her husband Hyman Ng welcomed Emily Catherine Woodward Ng to the world at 2:29pm on Thursday, January 13th. Welcome Emily, and congratulations Melanie and Hyman!
E V E N T S
FEBRUARY 2015 MUSIC
THEATRE
Winter Jazz Concert at Jazz Showcase
The Learned Ladies February 26 - 28
February 10 8 PM
MIDWINTER BREAK: FEBRUARY 16-20 (NO SCHOOL)
MARCH 2015 MUSIC
THEATRE
MEDIA ARTS
VISUAL ARTS
MUSICAL THEATRE
MUSIC
Classical Recital
The Learned Ladies**
Winter Juried Show**
Senior Show Opening Reception
The Robber Bridegroom
Classical Recital
March 5-7
March 13
March 3 4:45 & 7 PM
March 20
March 30 4:45 & 7 PM
March 20-22 March 27-29
CASIMIR PULASKI DAY: MARCH 2 (NO SCHOOL)
APRIL 2015 MUSIC
THEATRE
VISUAL ARTS
MEDIA ARTS
Student Scored Opera
Student Directed One-Acts
Spring Show
Media Arts Production
April 19 & 26
April 23, 4:45 PM April 24 & 25, 7 PM
April 24 5-7 PM
April 30
GOOD FRIDAY: APRIL 3 (NO SCHOOL) SPRING BREAK: APRIL 6-10 (NO SCHOOL) ** Indicates an Academy Circle Series event Please note, dates and times are subject to change. Visit chicagoartsacademy.org for up-to-date information & ticketing.
SAVE THE DATE • May 12, 2015 Gala Performance Tickets on sale February 1, 2015