Creative Zone Magazine
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Summer Issue 2018
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Founders’ Note Programs in the arts are an essential part of a young person’s life. It’s important to nurture their creative capabilities, not just during the school year but over the Summer months as well. I am thankful that my parents believed this and made sure that I was involved in a program each summer that focused on the arts. As I got older I looked for ways to nurture my love for writing and public speaking. I found what I needed when I joined our church’s newsletter staff. As a member of the staff I was able to sharpen my writing skills and get a taste of what it was like to be a journalist researching stories. My stories were about the current events of the church, but it was still a great learning experience. To help me become a better speaker I competed in oratorical contests. For the competitions I was given a topic and had to write a 3 minute speech. I was then expected to deliver the speech with only note cards to help me. I loved competing in these contests and winning a few of them was an extra bonus! Because of these contests I was able to enhance my skills in writing and public speaking while feeding my competitive nature. I would encourage all youth to find a program that feeds their desire in the arts and participate as often as they can. Never stop improving in your craft!
Ayanna
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Founders’ Note Growing up in a major city there was always tons of things to do for Summer. My all-time favorite summer activity was camp. It was something I looked forward to when school ended. I know my friends and other kids were looking forward to waking up late and being lazy all day. But not me. I was happy to wake up and get ready for camp. I looked forward to my summer camp bus pulling up to pick me up and whisk me off for a day of adventure. Summer camp was a place I could continue learning and experience things I normally wouldn't in school. We would go on field trips and create crafts. Take nature walks and play games. Trust me there was more than just going to the pool and catching bugs happening. Summer camp was one of the greatest programs I ever participated in. It was a place where strangers soon became friends and where I learned I wasn't really an outdoorsy person. Even though I didn't like the outdoors...I was still happy to go every year. Programs like this are a great extension of continued learning and great experiences to be had. Everyone should go to summer camp!
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Contents
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CREATIVE SPOTLIGHT
“A Day in the Life of a Dancer”
EDUCATIONAL FOCUS “Learning Made Different”
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ARTISTIC CORNER “Sign Me Up!”
GET INVOLVED!!
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Creative Spotlight
A Day in the Life of A Dancer Growing up we are put on the beaten path of go to school, get good grades, get into college and get a good job. Everything we are told is connected to the next level we are supposed to take in our life. But that is not the path for everyone. CZ was pleased and honored to meet with a young lady who has carved out her own path to success. Meet Jazmyn Nathaniel, an Alvin Ailey student with big dreams and great determination!
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CZ: Have you always wanted to be a dancer? JN: No, I actually majored in music and played in an orchestra throughout middle school. I played first chair clarinet and I wanted to join the New York Philharmonic someday. During seventh grade, Ms. Kasbar, the dance major teacher, offered dance classes instead of gym classes. Since I hated gym classes I took dance classes when they were offered and in eighth grade, I decided to audition for high school dance majors and music majors. I figured I would continue with whatever I got into high school for. I got accepted for dance, so I kept with it.
JN: Since my parents put me there, it would definitely be them. Even when I wasn’t taking dance classes we would go see the Alvin Ailey Company perform twice a year every year. We still do. It’s a tradition. The Alvin Ailey Company has been a big part of my life and influence throughout the years. CZ: What's the average day like for an Alvin Ailey dancer?
JN: I typically wake up at 5am to shower and get my hair in a bun and makeup together for class. Breakfast is usually a smoothie with banana, almond milk, some peanut butCZ: How did you start dancing? ter and honey. I leave home at 6:30 and I drink that on my ride to school on the A JN:I started at Alvin Ailey in the first steps program as a train or whatever is actoddler. My parents put me in dance classes as soon as tually running properly possible. I always enjoyed dancing and being physically that day. I get to the active so this was a good way to channel all that extra en- building around 7:45 ergy I had. and grab coffee and then go warm up until ballet class begins at CZ: Have you always wanted to be apart of the Alvin 8:30. I have a break Ailey company? after that where I usually grab a light lunch of JN: I have always wanted to be apart of the Alvin Ailey company because the company originated because of one maybe some sushi and miso soup, or a croisBlack man’s vision of the black experience in America. I sant and some fruit, think it’s important to always be connected to one’s heritthen start warming up for my next class. age. Knowing where you come from, and who you are keeps you grounded. I’m proud to say that I go to an insti- Sometimes I just take a nap because I’m just exhausted. tution that celebrates diversity, and the beauty in everyNo shame there, sleep is important. I have Lester Horton one’s different struggles. Technique after that and I don’t really know how to describe it. It’s very dynamic and helps create very strong dancers because of the musculature and thoughtCN: What or who introduced you to Alvin Ailey? provoking patterns we have to learn. It’s important to stay very sharp. 7
At 1pm since my break is only 30 minutes on some days, I go to physical therapy and if I have an appointment then I get checked out for any aches and pains I may have, just to make sure I don’t do anything to injure myself. If I don’t then I typically do some self care and a few workouts to stay warm until my last class which is Martha Graham technique. It’s a very expressive technique and physically and emotionally engaging. Live music in every class really helps you to learn musicality and how to move properly to different types of music. Sometimes we have a pianist. One time we had a really amazing bass player that brought his entire soundboard for beats. Sometimes we have a percussionist, sometimes we have a percussionist that also plays the piano, it’s like they have a million arms and legs. CZ: What are your career goals for dancing? JN: At the moment my goals include getting into the Ailey company as it has been a goal my whole life. I am also working on building a network in order to restore the Charles Moore Dance Company to its former glory. I want to open a school and train up a new generation to carry out the repertoire. I think his legacy is one that should continue to be celebrated. If I’m granted their blessing to do so, it would be something I put my all into. I also would like to be a part of the Martha Graham Company. The Graham Technique is one that has been very pivotal in helping me learn to channel my emotions into my art, while keeping my technique clean and not getting too into myself. It can be hard to balance life and school. It’s always been hard to allow myself time to check in with myself and make sure I’m emotionally in order. I think as with such a packed day, and so much going on, it’s important to know where you stand with yourself before you do something so mentally taxing. I fell in love with Graham after the summer intensive I did when I was 15 years old. I learned and grew a lot as a dancer that summer. It pushed me to my limits, and it still does. Ever since then I’ve been somewhat attached to it.
CZ: If an aspiring dancer comes to you for advice what would you tell him/her? JN: I would tell them that if you are lazy and unwilling to put in consistent work then you aren’t cut out for this. This is an unforgiving business, and you need to have some serious perseverance to make something of yourself. No dancer of prestige is where they are because they had an easy way up there. You will struggle and you will cry. You will also have moments where everything finally clicks and your progress skyrockets out of nowhere. But with no risk there’s no reward. You will do things that are scary, and that skin up your knees and elbows, and you will be sore most of the time, but you have to be open and willing to accept all of the wisdom given to you. Take every correction, even if it isn’t for you because you never know what you aren’t doing and where you can improve until you actually do it. Don’t rely on connections because nobody can see your connections on stage. You need to be sharp and smart. You need to have the skill and the will to do anything required of you because connections can only get you in the door. Lastly I would say to mind your business. Staying in your own lane is the best way to focus on yourself. Don’t compare yourself to others. Don’t worry about what the next person is doing. That’s not for you to worry about. You are in class to worry about yourself and your personal growth. Jaclyn Buglisi, my Graham teacher starts off every class by making us look in the mirror and tell ourselves “You are important. I am important.” Because YOU ARE. You are your own worst enemy and the only obstacle you have to overcome. Your only objective is to be better than the dancer you were yesterday.
CZ: What is the most important thing you've learned so far while pursuing dancing? JN: The most important thing I’ve learned so far is that even though we do extraordinary things, even though we are dedicated, we need to learn when to stop. There have been times where I felt guilty for resting or sitting out of class when I had an injury or a flare up because I should be working all the time. It wasn’t until I got seriously injured and had to take a medical leave that I realized, maybe it’s time to rest for a bit. If you don’t take care of your body and your mind you’re setting yourself up to get seriously hurt in the long run. Sometimes if you take care of something early on enough it can be fixed easier than if you keep making it worse. Sometimes it’s worth it to not try and push through when you aren’t well. You should never do anything that causes you pain and if it does then you need to stop and find out why you have pain. Pain doesn’t always mean you’re doing it right. Sometimes it just means you’re hurting yourself. 8
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Learning Made Different
To quote Beyoncé, Who run the world...GIRLS! Imagine an environment where young ladies will engage in healthy competition while developing the communication skills to reduce conflict, build bridges and encourage each other through words and actions. How about a place where young ladies feel a deep, personal sense of accomplishment and harness that empowerment to take care of themselves, their community and pursue their goals with confidence. BELA is a public charter high school for girls located in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY. BELA stands for Brooklyn Emerging Leaders Academy. Their mission is to empower each young lady to be the best version of herself. Due to the powerful and limitless possibilities of young ladies, BELA decided to be an all girl school. The students are equipped with a curriculum that preps them to achieve success in college and beyond.
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BELA students primary focus when in school is achievement, both academically and personally. BELA students model themselves after their Core Values: Sisterhood, Scholarship, Strength and Service. Although it is a public school, the girls have a school uniform. Wearing the uniform allows them to be free of distractions and focus on learning and excelling in their studies. A BELA school day begins with a Sisterhood circle, where staff, students and administrators gather for 10 minutes to reflect on the school values, goals and to prepare for the day ahead. During BELA’s first academic school year, students learned science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM). An education in STEAM for young ladies has been highly focused on due to the need of more women in these fields. The students participate in several projects through out the yearwhich included building a roller coaster and the use of a 3-D printer. BELA understands the importance of technology therefore each student is given their own laptop so they can take notes, complete classwork and homework assignments and communicate with their teachers and peers.
ment, they also spoke about the highs and lows of striving for their goals and reaching them. Q&A sessions gave the BELA students the opportunity to network with the women on a more personal level and talk about their goals and dreams.
As BELA looks to the future they have plans to expand by adding 10th through the 12th grade and offering an international baccalaureate advanced studies program enabling students in the 11th grade to earn college credits while studying at BELA.
“The BELA journey is a journey that's rooted in inquiry, self discovery, creativity, developing your intellectual confidence, and finding your voice...your authentic voice. A voice that will impact policies, cure diseases, challenge the status quo, and mentor future BELA students” -Head of School Ms. Nicia Fullwood
To learn more or to invest in BELA visit www.belahs.org
In March, BELA hosted their first Women’s Symposium where women entrepreneurs in different industries were invited to the school to speak with the students about their achievements and what it took to get there. Not only did the women speak to the students about their achievements and offer encourage-
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Artistic Corner
Area and Los Angeles regions. Get Involved: Is your budding young writer looking to enhance their craft or explore their writing skills this summer? Registration for WriCampia 2018 is open now! Your young writer will enjoy 12 days at a sleepaway camp in the Poconos August 13th – 24th.
Do you have youth interested in expressing themselves through creative writing? The Writopia Lab may be the place for them.
For more information visit: www.writopialab.org
Their Mission: Writopia Lab fosters joy, literacy, and critical thinking in children and teens from all backgrounds through creative writing. Where Are They: This organization has 8 regions they serve: 3 in New York: Manhattan, Brooklyn and NY Metro North. New Jersey, DC Metro, Los Angeles Metro, SF Bay Area and Chicago Metro. Programs: The Writopia Lab is national community of young writers and thinkers offering age-based workshops in the following programs: creative writing, language play, playwriting, filmmaking, essay writing, photojournalism, graphic novels and more. Writopia offers Holiday & Summer Full-Day Camps in their New York, DC Metro and Los Angeles Metro regions. Outreach: The Writopia Lab believes in going where there is a need. They serve students grades K-12 and run inschool and afterschool programs. They are currently running weekly or one-day in-school workshops in their New York, DC Metro, Chicago, SF Bay Area and Los Angeles regions. The Writopia Lab works with community-based organizations. They serve students ages 6-18 at CBO after school programs and summer programs. They offer several modules: one-day and week-long sessions, semester-long, year and multi-year residencies across the New York, DC Metro, Chicago, SF Bay 13
Check out a few other options that are sure to have your young artist creating and sharing all summer. The Boys and Girls Club Many celebrities have participated in The Boys and Girls club as youth. They have gone on to fulfill many artistic roles in society. Maybe you have the next budding artist or actor looking for a great program to nurture their craft. The Arts program: starts at ages 6 and up, it covers a lot of creative outlets from drama to photography www.bgca.org/programs/the-arts
Creative Bug Sometimes you need something to do while at home. Creative Bug is an online platform that offers courses from painting to making yummy creative treats. www.creativebug.com
Young Rembrandts The power of drawing and more is the moto for this program. They are a nationwide program offering classes for children as young as 5. You will need to check locally to see what kind of offerings are happening near you. www.youngrembrandts.com
Paper Source Paper source is a craft store that oozes with tons of creativity. They are offering a week long kids art camp for several dates this summer. Please be sure to check your local Paper Source for dates and sign up as dates are spots are filling quickly. www.papersource.com/craft/workshops
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Get Involved! Writopia Lab Boys & Girls Clubs Music Unities
Announcements! Calling ALL Artists! CZ is looking to feature artists in our upcoming issues. Please contact us for further information. Are you a writer or interested in becoming one? CZ is looking for volunteer writers to do interviews and stories for the magazine. Please contact us for further information. Send all inquiries to: Creativezonefoundation@gmail.com S
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A Special Thank you To All Our Contributors
The Creative Zone “To cultivate an atmosphere where creativity lives and flourishes through the artistic abilities of young people” In Loving Memory of Dwight D. Stevenson
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Summer Issue 2018
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