Smoke Rise Academy of the Arts Returns to in-Person Classes with Expanded Programs and Updated Facilities

Smoke Rise Academy of the Arts Returns to In-Person Classes

Our Town DeKalb Staff

After eighteen months of virtual classes and performances, Smoke Rise Academy of the Arts (SRAA) returns to class and stage. Fall classes resume in person in August for all ages in music, dance, drama and art, with expanded offerings and updated facilities.

The School has installed a professionally-equipped practice room, complete with dance barres, mirrors and new flooring for ballet, jazz, tap and liturgical dance classes. Sydney Cash began at SRAA a few years ago with only one preschool tap and ballet class, and now teaches two pre-school classes; jazz, tap and ballet classes for school ages; liturgical dance class; and the popular adult tap dance class. Greyson Chadwick, who co-directs drama classes, teaches two highly energetic Theater Dance Fusion classes for middle and high school students.

SRAA summer drama enrollment exceeded former summer enrollments with eighty school-aged actors auditioning for parts in Meredith Wilson’s “The Music Man;” the teen class is scheduled to perform August 20-22, and the elementary class is scheduled September 17-19. SRAA Drama has planned for three spring productions and a return trip to The Junior Theater Festival in January.

The music department has added two new piano instructors to offer individual piano lessons. Debbie Heimberger is returning to SRAA after some time teaching in South Carolina, and will instruct both children and adults. Tsai-Wei (Michelle) Li, a doctorate student at University of Georgia, has degrees in piano performance and pedagogy with studies in teaching the pre-school child.

SRAA fall semester will begin August 9. In addition to dance and drama classes, offerings include the popular MUSIKGARTEN family music class for pre-school children and parent, keyboard classes, art for children and adults, and music lessons in voice, violin, piano, drums, guitar and ukulele. Details and registration are available at smokerisebaptist.org/arts.