DEARBORN, Mich. – Visual art, vocal performances and instrumental music will stir the senses when hundreds of talented Dearborn students from kindergarten through high school (K-12) perform, display and demonstrate their arts at the 2011 Youth in Arts Festival at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11.
The public is invited to attend this free program, sponsored by the Dearborn Community Fund (DCF), at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave., in Dearborn.
“We called this the Youth in Arts Festival—not just a concert—because of the variety and high spirited energy of the program,” explained EmmaJean Woodyard, executive director of the Dearborn Community Fund.
“It’s really exciting for everyone involved because it’s the first time that all of the schools in Dearborn have pooled all of their arts initiatives together at one time, in one place, to demonstrate how many of our young people are involved in the arts.”
Visual Arts
The Youth in Arts Festival includes the all school exhibit in the Padzieski Art Gallery featuring the artwork of K-12 students.
Fifth grade students will demonstrate the ancient art of kumihimo, a decorative form of Japanese braiding. Their work will be for sale with all proceeds donated to the Red Cross to aid Japanese earthquake victims.
In addition, high school students from the Pockets of Perception (POP) design team will be on hand with designs of their project which culminates later this year with the installation of two outdoor sculptures, one in west Dearborn and one in east Dearborn.
Choral
Choral performances will highlight the voices of students in the Elementary Honors Choir directed by Jim Walters, the Secondary Honors Choir directed by Jennifer Pegouske, and the Edsel Ford Choir, directed by Robert Doyle.
Dramatic Arts
Edsel Ford High School Musical Theater students will add a dramatic element to the program under the direction of Robert Doyle.
Instrumental Arts
Representing the power and passion of instrumental arts, performances include the Fordson Jazz Band conducted by Scott Guthre, Dearborn High School 10th Grade Concert Band conducted by Jeff Oshnock, and the Maples Music Ensemble conducted by Catherine Prowse. The Dearborn Youth Symphony Flute Choir directed by Donna Olkowski will perform in the theater lobby as guests arrive.
Special guests for the evening will highlight Dearborn schools graduates, all of whom have gone on to pursue careers in the arts. The guest list includes: pianist John Boonenberg; comments from Mike Mosallam, director of the Film Initiative for Wayne County; and, conducting the program’s closing number, G. Kevin Dewey, director of choirs, Henry Ford community College.
The Youth in Arts Festival is sponsored by the Dearborn Community Fund (DCF), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with the mission to support cultural and recreational programs in Dearborn.
Honorary chairs for the event are Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr.; Karen Nigosian, chair, DCF; and Brian Whiston, superintendent, Dearborn Public Schools.
The Youth in Arts Festival Honorary Organization Committee includes: AAUW Dearborn Branch, Artist Society of Dearborn, the Dearborn Public Schools, and the Dearborn Symphony Orchestra.
For more information about the Youth in Arts Festival, other projects sponsored by the DCF, or how to contribute to the Fund, call 313-943-5478.