MVAA expanding music program, offering online instruction
Mon Valley Academy for the Arts (MVAA) is continuing to serve the community by offering online programs, fine-tuning plans to add Kindermusik to its program and adjusting its free summer concert season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The MVAA main office in Charleroi will remain closed in accordance with state directives. 鈥淎ll of our programs, including some new ones, will be ready to roll out as soon as the stay-at-home order is lifted,鈥� says Mark A. Smith, president of the non-profit organization.
MVAA will be launching a Kindermusik program under the direction of veteran instructor Denice Bradley Hopper.
鈥淲e are looking at creative ways to launch Kindermusik online as we鈥檝e done with some programs,鈥� Smith says. 鈥淲e believe the arts are essential for all ages.鈥�
MVAA also is planning to add visual and fine arts to its programming in the future. It will be under the direction of Deni Laskey, formerly of Pittsburgh Pottery, who recently joined MVAA鈥檚 advisory board.
Because of COVID-19 constraints, MVAA鈥檚 new show choir, VoiceZ on Fire, is on hold until gatherings of more than 10 people are permitted. Annette Buffer, an MVAA board member, executive director of Power of Music and founder of the Bentworth Ministerium Community Choir, along with Kristen Spahn, the organization鈥檚 treasurer, are spearheading the initiative.
MVAA鈥檚 open house, slated for this month, has been postponed. The new date is pending.
The MVAA-sponsored high school art show at Charleroi High School is canceled for this year. The showcasing of local talent will resume in 2021.
鈥淎t this time, we鈥檙e still making plans to hold our regular summer musical events, the Power of Music Concert Series in Brownsville and our EQT Summer Concert Series at Monongahela鈥檚 Chess Park,鈥� Smith says. 鈥淎nd, our Twin Coaches Junior Band has several performances waiting in the wings.鈥�
Smith and MVAA music instructors are using Zoom to provide private music lessons via the cloud. More information is available by contacting Smith at 724-565-1687 or info@monvalleyacademyforthearts.org.