In addition to weekly, private instruction, the Westland Academy also offers limited-time group classes, camps, seminars, and workshops.  These are the available listings for the summer sessions in 2011.  Call 724-850-WAFA or email to register.

Is there anything you would like to see offered in a future workshop or class?  Please email us with your suggestions.

Early Music Education Curriculum

Our progressive curriculum introduces young students to the world of music and engenders a love of and appreciation for music.  Our program also endows pupils with a learning readiness for private lessons and prepares them for successful study on the instrument(s) of their choice.  Two 10-week sessions proffer a broad syllabus of musical experiences designed specifically for early learners with little or no previous musical training. 
In addition to an overview of instrument families, students in Session I will create their own instruments.  Session I offers an introduction to elemental music theories as well as fundamentals of the keyboard.  This session also examines how our emotional and physical expression is articulated in and related to our music.

Session II continues basic music theory by discussing notation and time signatures.  Sound is also examined through the study of the voice and pitch.  Prominent composers in music history are introduced, and students experience our rich multi-cultural musical diversity by sampling a variety of American and World music and creating their own dance and artwork based on one of the songs. 

$180.00 per 10-week session. 
Call to schedule 30-minute private weekly lesson.
 

Progressive Art Curriculum

Interested in art? 

Learn the elements of art, how to use color in your work, and how to work in a wide variety of both 2– and 3-dimensional media in this creative, hands-on experience.  Specific, progressive curriculum offers students the chance to learn art theory, production, art history, and art criticism and then to apply them through a variety of projects.

The curriculum is tailored to each individual student for a completely personalized education.  Journal entries add an element of criticism and aesthetics to students’ study through self-evaluation, analysis of media, and philosophic examination.

Students learn about art history through written analyses of masterworks as well as artists’ examples.  Periodic exhibition and critique adds closure and review.  This program is an enjoyable and educational opportunity designed to meet the needs of a variety of age levels. 

All art materials included with tuition fee. 

$22.00/30 minute weekly lesson. 
Call to schedule 30-minute private weekly lesson.

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Exploring Printmaking

Art teacher Mary DePalma teaches various styles of printmaking, from creating stamps with clay to printing your original collograph.

$50.00 tuition + $5.00 materials fee
Wednesday through Friday
August 17th through 19th
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Elementary school

Registration fees and administrative costs in the amount of $10.00 will not be refunded after payment.  Registration deadline: August 13th

Cartooning 101

This class, led by artist and illustrator Jeffrey Donato, will focus on all aspects of creating one's own narrative cartoon. It begins with character development and leads to plot lines, sight gags etc. The class will build on aspects of visual storytelling.

For all ages
$72.00 tuition includes all materials
Wednesday evenings,
June 15th ,22nd , 29th , & July 6th
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm


Registration fees and administrative costs in the amount of $10.00 will not be refunded after payment.  Registration deadline: June 10th

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Art for the Very Young Series:

Make Your Own Art Supplies!

Make your own art supplies from materials around the house. Students will create and use air-dry clay, soft modeling dough, soap crayons, and a variety of paints, all made from safe, household ingredients.

$36.00 tuition includes all materials
Wednesday & Friday
July 13th & 15th
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Pre K - 2nd grade

Registration fees and administrative costs in the amount of $10.00 will not be refunded after payment.  Registration deadline: July 17th  **Please note corrected date and time**

Drawing I

Spend some time improving your basic drawing skills.  Discover how to measure your subject to represent proportion and shape accurately and how to illustrate realistic form in your work.

$55.00 tuition / students should bring a 9" x 12" sketchbook
Wednesday through Friday
July 20th through 22nd
12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Middle- and high school

Registration fees and administrative costs in the amount of $10.00 will not be refunded after payment.  Registration deadline: July 17th

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Waste Not, Want Not: Recyclable Art

Create “treasures from trash!” Students will learn how to create art from recyclable materials at hand. They will create magazine mosaics, animal sculptures, homemade paper, a found object sculpture, and a fabric assemblage piece.

$60.00 tuition includes materials
Monday through Friday
July 25th through 29th
10:00 am - 11:30 am
ages 8-14 years

Registration fees and administrative costs in the amount of $10.00 will not be refunded after payment.  Registration deadline: July 20th

3-D Exploration
 
Artist and educator Mary DePalma guides students through experimentation with clay, wood, wire, paper, and found objects as they create original 3-dimensional works of art.

$70.00 tuition includes all materials
Monday through Friday
July 18th through 22nd
10:00 am - 11:30 am
Late elementary through middle school

Registration fees and administrative costs in the amount of $10.00 will not be refunded after payment.  Registration deadline: July 16th

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Experimenting with Fabric Arts

Students will experiment with tie-dye, tie-and-bleach, batik and fabric assemblage as they explore principals of design and art making processes.

$70.00 tuition includes all materials
Monday through Friday
August 8thth through 12th
10:00 am - 11:30 am
Late elementary through middle school

Registration fees and administrative costs in the amount of $10.00 will not be refunded after payment.  Registration deadline: August 5th

Oil Painting for Beginners

Oil paints have been the principle artists' choice for hundreds of years. Let painter and art educator Mary DePalma help you to discover the path to success with this elemental media by building on just a few basic concepts.

$70.00 tuition + $5.00 materials fee
Monday through Friday
August 15thth through 19th
10:00 am - 11:30 am
Middle- and high school

Registration fees and administrative costs in the amount of $10.00 will not be refunded after payment.  Registration deadline: August 11th

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Figure Drawing

Improve your figure drawing skills with this fun workshop.  Artist and educator Mary DePalma explains how to discover relative proportions of the body, how to measure your model, and how to judge and represent angles in the body. 

$55.00 tuition / students should bring a 9" x 12" sketchbook
Wednesday through Friday
July 27thth through 29th
12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Middle- and high school

Registration fees and administrative costs in the amount of $10.00 will not be refunded after payment.  Registration deadline: July 24th

Art for the Very Young Series: Art History - Calder, Klimt, & Van Gogh

Learn about balance while designing your own Calder mobile. Discover pattern and design as you create your own Klimt-style piece of art. Then, after learning about Van Gogh, use oil pastels to create your own “Starry Night”!

$36.00 tuition includes all materials
Wednesday to Friday
August 3rd, 4th, & 5th
10:00 am - 11:00 am;
Pre K - 2nd grade

Registration fees and administrative costs in the amount of $10.00 will not be refunded after payment.  Registration deadline: July 30th

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Baroque Era: History & Technique

Interested in the Baroque Era?  Join the fun at this intensive workshop that examines the history, timeline, and principle figures that shaped this era in history.  Learn musical characteristics of the era as well as how to play the ornamentation and style of the time.  End the program by participating in a small ensemble performance of some favorites from that period.  Workshop booklet full of exercises, games, history and music included.  For all instruments, including voice.

$36.00 tuition includes all materials
Wednesday through Friday
June 29th, 30th, July 1st
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Middle- and High school

Registration fees and administrative costs in the amount of $10.00 will not be refunded after payment.  Registration deadline: June 25th

Classical Era: History & Technique

Would you like to be an expert about the Classical Era? Challenge yourself with this fun and focused workshop.  Discover the history, timeline, and principle figures that shaped this musical era.  Learn musical characteristics of the era as well as how to play the ornamentation and style of the time.  End the program by participating in a small ensemble performance of some favorites from that period.  Workshop booklet full of exercises, games, history and music included.  For all instruments, including voice.

$36.00 tuition includes all materials
Wednesday through Friday
June 29th, 30th, July 1st
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Middle- and High school

Registration fees and administrative costs in the amount of $10.00 will not be refunded after payment.  Registration deadline: June 25th

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Moving to Music

This three-day mini camp is a great way to introduce your young child to music.  Designed for the student who has had little or no musical training, children will learn about the elements of music through a variety of fun games, songs, and dances.

$33.00 tuition includes all materials
Wednesday through Friday
June 22nd, 23rd, 24th
10:00 am - 11:00 pm
Preschool - 1st grade students

Registration fees and administrative costs in the amount of $10.00 will not be refunded after payment.  Registration deadline: June 18th

Creative Composition

Musical creativity is equally important to any study of music as is musical literacy and performance.  Students will explore music composition by creating a "Rhythm Rondo," building a song as a group, and creating their own "soundscape" composition, based on musical textures rather than traditional harmonies.

$33.00 tuition includes all materials
Wednesday through Friday
July 20th, 21st, 22nd
10:00 am - 11:00 pm
Late elementary through middle school students

Registration fees and administrative costs in the amount of $10.00 will not be refunded after payment.  Registration deadline: July 16th

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Jazz Improv Workshop

Always wanted to play jazz? Join jazz musician and educator Jesse Bush as he explains the history, theory, and technique used in jazz improvisation in this fun and intensive workshop. Open to all instruments. Students should bring a bagged lunch.

$48.00 tuition includes materials
Monday, June 20th; Grades 6-8
Tuesday, June 21st; Grades 9-12
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
or
Tuesday, July 26th; Grades 6-8
Wednesday, July 27th; Grades 9-12
10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Registration fees and administrative costs in the amount of $10.00 will not be refunded after payment.  Registration deadline: June 17th and July 23rd, respectively

Youth Chamber Ensemble

Led by Jesse Bush, this first ensemble experience is appropriate for children playing any instrument with a minimum of one year of instrumental study. Repertoire is drawn from beginner-level pieces from a variety of eras. A great introduction to small group playing. Open to all instruments.

$55.00 tuition
Monday through Friday
July 11th through July 15th
10:00 am - 11:00 am

Registration fees and administrative costs in the amount of $10.00 will not be refunded after payment.  Registration deadline: July 7th

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Junior Chamber Ensemble

Come enjoy a “musical conversation” between instruments. This camp, led by musician and educator Jesse Bush, emphasizes techniques of small ensemble playing and sight reading. Repertoire is drawn from elementary-level pieces from a variety of eras. A minimum of two years of instrumental study is recommended. Open to all instruments.

$55.00 tuition
Monday through Friday
July 11th through July 15th
11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Registration fees and administrative costs in the amount of $10.00 will not be refunded after payment.  Registration deadline: July 7th

Advanced Chamber Ensemble

This chamber group, led by Jesse Bush, is designed for advancing students and provides an opportunity to broaden musical horizons as well as prepare for future orchestral playing. Repertoire is drawn from intermediate-level pieces from a variety of eras. A minimum of three or more years of instrumental study is recommended. Open to all instruments.

$55.00 tuition
Monday through Friday
July 11th through July 15th
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Registration fees and administrative costs in the amount of $10.00 will not be refunded after payment.  Registration deadline: July 7th

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Cultural Encounter

Engage your children in this diverse arts and cultural camp that is sure to expand their creativity and imagination. This exciting program allows children to experience the sights, sounds, and smells of different cultures through rich hands-on arts activities. Children will leave with a greater knowledge and appreciation of themselves and the world around them. Campers will embark on a cultural journey that includes the exploration of folk art, music, traditions, fine art, history, and literature. This year's cultures of emphasis include China, Ireland, and our Native American tribes.

Exploring China
Students will take a “trip” through China, exploring this ancient civilization’s culture. After learning some historical background about China, the children will listen to traditional music. Students will begin their survey of traditional Chinese arts by creating a clay vessel, painting a Chinese watercolor painting, and trying their hands at paper cutting. Participants will learn a few origami folds (often thought to have originated in Japan) and will enjoy Chinese tea in an origami cup that they will make. During our break, the children will sample food native to the country while listening to a Chinese folktale. After the break, we’ll end the day celebrating the Lantern Festival by creating traditional paper lanterns.

Native American Exploration
Students will take an excursion through Native American culture by visiting several tribes and learning about their different histories, beliefs, and cultures. While listening to traditional Native American flute music, students will experiment with weaving and will create their own dream catcher. Participants will learn about the idea behind Native hieroglyphic writing, and using cut paper and paint, will design their own totems that incorporate this writing. After learning about the various Native American instruments, students will make their own instrument and take part in a drumming circle. During the break, the children will enjoy listening to Native American folktales while sampling traditional foods. After the break, students will design and create their own beautiful turquoise bracelet or necklace.

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Exploring Ireland
Children will visit Ireland in spirit this summer as they sample this culture’s traditional arts, music, and food. We will begin with a brief overview of Irish history. After listening to some Irish legends, students will write their own folktale using characters from traditional Irish folklore. Listening to Celtic music, children will try out a few basic dance steps. They can cool off after that while learning to tie a special Celtic knot which will be turned into a piece of keepsake jewelry. Participants will experiment with pen and ink to draw a traditional knotwork design. During the break, students will enjoy Celtic music while nibbling on traditional foods. Students will examine Irish instruments and make their own traditional drum, the bodhran. We’ll complete our study of Ireland by using the new drums in combination with other instruments to play in their own Celtic ensemble!


Ages 9 through 14 ~ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM each day

Ages 6 through 8 ~ 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM each day

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday; July 6th, July 7th, July 8th
Tuition Fees $125.00 includes tuition, all materials, and snacks.

Registration fees and administrative costs in the amount of $10.00 will not be refunded after payment.  Registration deadline: June 30th

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Which is Best? Beginning, Middle, or End?

Join English professor Julie Jones as she asks students to work together to generate a creative story. The catch: they will be responsible for the beginning, middle, or end of the story. Every student will have a chance to write one of those parts of the story, and as a group, we will work together to polish the work and illustrate it. The final products will be made into a book which will be mailed to the students after completion.

$45.00 tuition; $10.00 materials fee
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
June 13th, 15th, and 17th
10:00 am – 11:00 am
For Grades 5 - 8

What Do I See? What Do I Feel?

Analyzing Artwork

This 2-part seminar teaches students how to approach a work of art and uncover its meaning. After creating a piece to study, students will develop critical thinking skills by analyzing its form and meaning, the artist’s intention, and its cultural and historical significance.

$20.00 tuition fee includes all materials
Wednesday & Thursday
June 22nd & 23rd 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Ages 12 and up

Registration fees and administrative costs in the amount of $10.00 will not be refunded after payment.  Registration deadline: June 19th

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Make 'Em Laugh: Writing Humorous Poetry

From clarihews to limericks with many laughs in between, English professor Julie Jones can help you showcase your wit and comedy with an array of amusing poetic styles.

$36.00 tuition includes materials
Tuesday and Thursday
June 14th and 16th
10:00 am – 11:30 am
For late elementary to middle school students
 

Myth-tifying Writing

Students will read and analyze myths from around the world and then generate ideas of their own for an original myth. Designed as a writing workshop, students will create their own myth based on something in their world and venture on the writing process to make it come to life. Student work will then be compiled into a book which will then be mailed to them once class is finished.

$45.00 tuition; $10.00 materials fee
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
June 13th, 15th, and 17th
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
For Grades 5 - 8

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