Dear Alums,
Thank you all for a great alumni party last week! From the “Originals” (alums from the early 80’s) to the Class of 2018, alums from nearly every era of The Academy’s history came to catch up, see the building, and groove to Meagan Hickman’s great band.
(Alums on the East and West Coasts: we haven’t forgotten about you! In recent months, alums from both sides of the country have contacted me with ideas for get-togethers, and we will continue to consider ideas once our school year launches next week.)
At the party we announced which alums will receive funding in the second-annual Academy Alumni Grants Program. This year, we are thrilled to help fund the following incredible projects:
Isabel Ball (Dance ’17) will receive partial funding to attend the Juntos Nicaragua program this upcoming winter. Juntos Nicaragua is a two-week long service trip for which Izzy will travel to four different cities within Nicaragua, focusing on teaching dance workshops to various communities. She will help teach modern dance workshops, take world dance classes conducted by other communities, and participate in public performances that feature student choreography. She will conduct workshops and performances in various locations such as orphanages, centers for children with HIV, hospitals, grade schools, retirement homes, and dance groups with lack of funding.
Nina-Rose Wardanian (Dance ’08) is the founder of the Nina Rose Dance Project: a dance company with the mission to connect people with shared experiences and emotions through a diverse group of dancers in intimate performance spaces with a repertoire dedicated to real human issues. Nina-Rose will receive partial funding to produce an evening-length performance in next year of the original work In My Hometown. In My Hometown is a full-length contemporary dance work that examines human relationships, struggles, and the walls we build and break.
Angela Lopez (Visual Arts ’00) is the author of Belly Rub, an animated experimental short video that explores the magic of health and birth paired with deep-rooted fears of loss and death. Says Angela, “Since becoming a mother, my artwork has become even more focuses in the mysteries of embodiment. Motherhood has heightened my awareness of the body’s ability to heal, grow, and self-destruct. During pregnancy I was ever fascinated by my body’s intelligence—beyond my will my body knew how to support and grow another person. At the same, our bodies are so vulnerable: cancer grows, viruses invade, and sometimes a baby is born with abnormalities. Through pregnancy, children, magic, and loss, Belly Rub explores the mysteries of embodiment, birth, and death. Angela will receive partial funding to complete the production of the work.
Thank to everyone who submitted proposals. We will continue to offer alumni grants each summer — watch your email and social media for information for the next round!
With much admiration,
Jason
Gallery
