Fairfax Academy News 2/13: Program Highlights, Scholarships, Career Expo, & More!
Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 02/13/2023 06:49 PM ESTIn this email...
- From Your Academy Admin
- Program Highlight: Pro Photo
- Staff Highlight: Kevin Smith, Pro Photo
- Spotlight on the Arts and ARTSFairfax Scholarships
- Instruction2Industry Virtual Career Expo
- Upcoming Events
A Reminder about Lanyards
A reminder that students traveling to Fairfax Academy from other schools are required to wear their lanyards when arriving to and leaving from Fairfax Academy. See Ms. Tarvid in E119 for a temporary pass or to obtain a replacement lanyard (cost: $5).
From Your Academy Admin
Fairfax Academy Community,
Congratulations to our amazing cast of Legally Blonde for seven fantastic performances! I know we are all still “bending and snapping” to some “OMG” tunes! Next up is the Dance Benefit Concert this Thursday. Don’t miss this wonderful community event featuring organizations from around the DMV and benefiting an amazing charity, NEDA. NEDA supports individuals and families affected by eating disorders and serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures, and access to quality care.
It was exhilarating to have so many new families attend our Open House this past week. A reminder that auditions and placement assessments are Saturday, February 25. Our on-time registration deadline is March 7. If you have any questions, please contact us at 703-219-2226 or email me at amcook@fcps.edu.
A friendly reminder to make sure all attendance is called in to Fairfax Academy in addition to your students’ base school. Our attendance line is open 24/7 (703-219-4030) or feel free to use our online form.
Music and Dance Seniors: Please make sure you check out a special scholarship opportunity for students majoring in music or dance next year. ArtsFairfax and Spotlight on the Arts want to support you! The deadline to apply is April 18!
A special note to all our Class of 2023 Seniors. As you find out your college acceptances, please stop by the office or email us. We want to celebrate you!
In partnership,
Mrs. Cook
Academy Registration, Auditions, Portfolio Review
Current 8th through 11th graders - don’t forget to sign up for your Academy course for next year by March 7. Check in with your base school counselor to do so.
A reminder that details for auditions and portfolio reviews for Dance, MCT, Fashion Careers and Musical Theatre and Actor’s Studio can be found here: https://fairfaxacademy.fcps.edu/registration-auditions
Program Highlight: Pro Photo
The Professional Photography Studio program is taught in a state-of-the-art digital lab and studio focused on photographing a variety of subjects and preparing these images with the intent of professional publication using Adobe Creative Suite. Students are able to see dynamic results in real time and cover topics such as image composition, digital editing, studio and location lighting, and print production. Students also dive into current business and art practices of the modern commercial photographic industry. Students have the opportunity to earn an industry certification. Our alumni have gone on to become advertising, event and fashion photographers in addition to image graphics specialists and studio managers.
Staff Highlight: Kevin Smith (Pro Photo)
Mr. Smith graduated from VCU with a degree in Commercial Photography. He didn’t start out as a photo student but always loved photography. He worried about the ability to make a living in photography, so he found himself studying business like everyone else, who didn’t know what they wanted to do.
After a terrible motorcycle accident, he had time to reevaluate his life and decided to chase his dream of becoming a professional photographer. He took advantage of every photo opportunity he could find and even started shooting weddings, which led to working with Hillary Clinton when she was First Lady of the United States. After working with Hillary Clinton, he found many more lucrative jobs in the photo world.
Many years later he decided to enter the world of education, inspired by his amazing wife who is a teacher. He saw the connections she made with her students and how much she impacted their lives and decided that he wanted to share his knowledge with his students. Mr. Smith is now in his 12th year of teaching at Fairfax Academy as the professional photography instructor. He has three sons that are in High School and an amazing wife, who has taught for FCPS for almost 30 years. She is an ESOL teacher in elementary schools. They both understand and love working with all ages of students. He has coached youth soccer as well as being a Jiu Jitsu and MMA instructor.
Other than the pride he has for his own family, he is most proud of his students and their growth in Photography, but equally as proud of their growth as good people. He has many students who have gone on to amazing careers in photography and other industries. The students who have gone other directions have come back to visit and often say how the class helped them in whatever career they decided to go into because of work readiness skills and professionalism they acquired at the Academy. One of Mr. Smith’s Photo alumni works as an advertising photographer. Another is making big waves in the music world; she is found at most major shows doing photography and is now going on tour with top 10 acts. Other students are finding success in New York, Chicago and LA photographing celebrities and other VIPs. He could go on about their success but what makes him the happiest is when they come back to say thanks. He has had some amazing jobs but nothing gives Mr. Smith the feeling of accomplishment like his job as the professional photography instructor at Fairfax Academy. He also could not work with a better group of people!
Spotlight on the Arts and ARTSFairfax Scholarships
Fairfax Academy is pleased to announce that Spotlight on the Arts in partnership with ARTSFairfax is offering two $1000 scholarships for two graduating seniors: one for a student majoring in music and one for a student majoring in dance who will attend any university or college for the 2023-2024 school year. All applications are due by April 18, 2023. If you have any questions, please contact Andrea Cook at amcook@fcps.edu.
Students interested in the music scholarship are required to submit:
- A video link of a 3 minute solo music performance or a 3 minute recording of an original composition.
- A 400 to 500 word essay from the applicant stating why they are pursuing a music degree in college and why they are applying for this scholarship.
- A completed application form (which includes a link to the student essay and video).
- Students will need to request two recommendation letters be emailed to amcook@fcps.edu by the deadline:
- One from a music teacher with an emphasis on musical abilities.
- One from any teacher, counselor or community member who can speak to the applicant’s character.
Students interested in the dance scholarship are required to submit:
- A video link of a 3 minute solo or group performance in which the individual is identified and featured.
- A 400 to 500 word essay from the applicant stating why they are pursuing a dance degree in college and why they are applying for this scholarship.
- A completed application form (which includes a link to the student essay and video).
- Students will need to request two recommendation letters be emailed to amcook@fcps.edu by the deadline:
- One from a dance teacher with an emphasis on technical abilities.
- One from any teacher, counselor or community member who can speak to the applicant’s character.
Rotary Club of Fairfax Youth Music Contest
Object: To help promising musicians gain notice in their communities and beyond, and to introduce young people to the mission of Rotary and its youth-based equivalents, Interact and Rotaract.
Applicants: High school musicians who either attend Fairfax High School as their primary school, OR live in the City of Fairfax. If a student does not fall under these categories, please contact our POC below.
Categories: Composition and Solo performances of vocal, keyboard and instrumental, are invited.
District Level Contest Awards: (Note: Winners announced no later than April 15, 2023)
First place ($1000)
Second place ($500)
Third place ($250)
See the entire announcement here.
For questions, please contact Matt Edgar at 703-213-4168 or matthew.edgar@edwardjones.com
Academy News Feature: Master Class with Silk Road Ensemble
Mr. Matthew Carlin’s Music Computer Technology (MCT) II classes had a real treat this past Monday, January 30th, with a visit from ‘The Silk Road Ensemble’ - the artists in residence at George Mason University Center for the Arts. Three members of 'The Silk Road Ensemble' - came to Fairfax Academy of Communication and Performing Arts, and performed a few of their own original compositions, as well as an improvised composition from an idea a MCT 2 upperclassmen created.
Read more about the Masterclass and see pictures here.
Instruction 2 Industry Virtual Career Expo
Save the Date! February 13th - 16th, 2023 from 4pm-7pm
Come to a virtual career expo event for high school students with Industry Panel Discussions and Career Fair Exhibitors.
This regional event offers a connection to more than 100 local industry professionals from in-demand career fields across the region. Employers and industry experts are represented from highly sought-after career clusters and are eager to connect with you!
Check out the promotional video and review the event schedule for this virtual event.
Learn more on the student site here: WBL Student Site - I2I Page.
Prepare yourself for the future workforce!
See the flyer here.
Fairfax Academy Dance Presents: True Reflections, a Benefit Concert supporting NEDA
Thursday, 2/16 | 8 p.m. | FHS Auditorium
Scan the QR code above for more information.
For questions, please contact Dance Instructor, Meredith Barnes (mbarnes@fcps.edu).
Upcoming Events
- February 16 | 8 p.m. | Dance Benefit Concert
- February 20 | School Holiday - Presidents' Day
- February 25 | Academy In-Person Auditions
- March 2 | 2-Hour Early Release
- March 3 | Student Holiday - Professional Workday
- March 7 | On-Time Registration Deadline: all new and current students must register through their base school counselor.
Check out our events page for more information.
FCPS Cares
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