Winter 2016 Courses

Greetings, You hold in your hands possibilities. These are possibilities for you and those who are close to you. It is the possibility of unlocking hidden talents or developing current talents more deeply. It is the possibility of being a catalyst for bringing beauty into your life and into the world. And it is the possibility of doing so in a great environment with excellent instructors and staff and it is located in your own back yard. It is the mission of the Church to bring beauty into the world and you are invited to be an essential part of that effort. Look to the Academy of Culture & Arts at St. Sebastian Parish to find your place and start making possibilities realities. God bless,

Rev. John A. Valencheck

Registration Information Registration begins on September 14th and ends on October 1st , 2015. Many classes have student limits, so register early to make sure you get a place in the class you want. Classes begin when confirmed with the teacher unless otherwise indicated. There will be no classes offered during the Christmas and Winter Recess. The location of your class will be sent to you by your instructor in the week prior to the beginning if the session. To register for The Ohio Conservatory, please contact Tricia Thompson directly at 330.865.0501, or via email at [email protected].

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How to Register for Classes Registration has never been easier! Please call the Academy at 330.867.5347 or 330.271.0698 or email the Academy at [email protected]. The administrator will put you in touch with the instructor of the class you are interested in. Prior to a students first day of class please fill out a registration form. Available from the school office or from the Headmasters office. Please note, for updated course information check the website or call to inquire. Courses may be offered as individual instruction or altered during the semester.

Music Courses PIANO INSTRUCTION

COURSE #: MPD 101 30 minute, 45 minute or 1 hour private lesson once a week Requirements: a piano or keyboard to practice on, a metronome, assigned sheet music. AGES: Open to ages 6 to adult WHEN: As scheduled with instructor WHERE: TBA COST: $25 per ½ Hour Lesson INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Daniel Barber

PIANO INDIVIDUAL LESSONS

COURSE #: MPJ 101 Half-hour individual lessons on the piano Requirements: Must have access to a piano/ keyboard on which to practice between lessons. Students must also purchase a writing notebook and piano lesson series books as needed. AGES: Open to ages 3 to adult WHEN: Time scheduled with instructor WHERE: Piano LAB COST: $20 per 30 minutes INSTRUCTOR: Mr. Jeff Beshore

GUITAR INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION

COURSE #: MGU 101 Half-hour or a full hour of personal instruction. Requirements: Students must have a guitar (consultation available), a metronome, and a spiral notebook. AGES: People of all ages and talent levels from beginners to long time players WHEN: Time scheduled with instructor WHERE: TBA COST: $25 for half-hour, $50 for hour INSTRUCTOR: Mr. Adam Keeler

GUITAR INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION

COURSE #: MGU 102 Half-hour or a full hour of personal instruction. Requirements: Students must have a guitar (consultation available), a metronome, and a spiral notebook. AGES: People of all ages and talent levels from beginners to long time players WHEN: Time scheduled with instructor WHERE: TBA COST: $25 for half-hour, $50 for hour INSTRUCTOR: Mr. George Bachmann 3

GUITAR ENSEMBLE P3

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1. St. Sebastian Church

McDonough Resource Library Meeting Rooms

2. Parish Rectory

North Hawkins Ave.

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3

7

8 Forest Lodge

2

Roslyn Ave.

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4. Zwisler Hall

Stage, Reception Hall Commercial Kitchen

Preschool and Kindergarten

5. Center for Early Learning

Gymnasium, Meeting Rooms 1-4 Good Samaritan Hunger Center

6. Byrider Hall

Orlando Ave.

1 Mull Ave.

P1

P4

ve. eA

dal

Elm

Parking Lot Parking Lot Parking Lot Parking Lot

Lodge Hall and Business Offices.

7. Greenhouse / Commons 8. Forest Lodge

P1. P2. P3. P4.

Greenwood Ave.

ST. SEBASTIAN PARISH MAP

ELM HILL PARK

Mull Ave.

P2

Elmdale Ave.

Parish Main Office, Parish Pastoral Offices Priest Residence

3. St. Sebastian School

COURSE #: MGU 201 This is classroom style instruction for in group playing one hour a week for four weeks at a time. Students will be introduced to the instrument and learn the basics of music. Requirements: Must be enrolled in private Lessons. AGES: Grade school - high school students CLASS MINIMUM: 5 students CLASS MAX: 10 WHEN: Wednesday 3pm-4pm. WHERE: TBA COST: $25/month INSTRUCTOR: Mr. George Bachman

Greenwood Ave.

ELECTRIC & UPRIGHT BASS INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION

COURSE #: MGU 101

Half-hour or a full hour of personal instruction. Requirements: Students must have a electric or upright bass (consultation available), a metronome, and a spiral notebook. AGES: People of all ages and talent levels from beginners to long time players WHEN: Time scheduled with instructor WHERE: TBA COST: $20 for half-hour, $35 for hour INSTRUCTOR: Mr. Charles Klein

DRUMS AND PERCUSSION INSTRUMENT PERSONAL INSTRUCTION Half-hour or a full hour of personal instruction. Requirements: practice pad or drum set/mallet intrument. (consultation available), a metronome, and a Music Staff notebook. AGES: People of all ages and talent levels from beginners to long time players WHEN: Time scheduled with instructor WHERE: TBA COST: $25 for half-hour, $50 for hour INSTRUCTOR: Mr. Kirk Georgia

TRUMPET INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION

COURSE #: MTR 101 PREREQUISITES: Students must have a trumpet AGES: People of all ages and talent levels from beginners to long time players WHEN AND WHERE: As scheduled with instructor, location TBA COST: $25 for half an hour, $50 for an hour INSTRUCTOR: Mr. Kevin Krumenauer

VIOLIN INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION Dance students may enter through Zwisler Hall from the parking lot. Other classes enter the school under the archway on the south (Elmdale) side of building 3. Children’s Choir meets in the church basement meeting room.

COURSE #: MVI 101 Classes will consist of either thirty or forty-five minutes of personal instruction. PREREQUISITES: Students must have a violin (please consult with the teacher), instructional books as advised by the teacher, and a spiral notebook. AGES: Anyone age 3 to adult (young children at the discretion of the teacher) WHEN AND WHERE: As scheduled with instructor, location TBA COST: $25 per 30 minute lesson, INSTRUCTOR: Mrs. Sarah Husak $37.50 per 45 minute lesson.

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VOICE INDIVIDUAL LESSONS

COURSE #: MVO 101

This is a half hour of individual instruction in vocal technique. AGES: Age 6 to adult WHEN: As scheduled with Instructor COST: $25

WHERE: Room 100B INSTRUCTOR: Merissa Coleman

THE OHIO CONSERVATORY In residence at the Academy of Culture and Arts at St. Sebastian Parish The Ohio Conservatory offers a unique and exceptional music program that starts students as early as age 4. Our musicianship classes begin this fall on September 20th. From day one children are playing, reading and making music. These classes cover all aspects of music - solfege, ear-training, note reading, keyboard skills, theory, composition, music history, conducting and performance. Private instruction is part of the program as are performances and festivals. It’s difficult to describe what we do, so students are welcome to try the musicianship class before committing to the program. Come to a class and you will see in a few minutes how the program works – how it integrates all aspects of music from the beginning, and how children respond with amazing comprehension to music almost immediately. Come join our program. It’s great fun! MUSICIANSHIP CLASSES: Ensemble, theory, solfege, ear-training, note reading, keyboard skills, theory, composition, music history and conducting: this is a full musicianship class for pianists, singers and instrumentalists from beginners as young as age 4 through high school. This class is required as part of private instrumental or voice instruction. Private lessons are available in Piano, Voice, Strings, Winds, Percussion, Composition and Conducting. WHEN: Saturdays, begins September 20th for one hour WHERE: Piano lab at St. Sebastian School COST: Tuition is $265 first semester (12 classes) and $280 second semester (17 classes). The total for the year is $545 which includes a materials fee of $40, a recital fee of $40 and a registration fee of $5. PRIVATE LESSON COST: $800 a year for 30 lessons. They are charged as tuition - meaning students are invoiced at $80 a month for 10 months - September through and including June. Lessons missed for any reason can be rescheduled as long as it is done before the end of each semester. INSTRUCTOR: Tricia Thompson Contact instructor directly at 330.865.0501, email: [email protected]

Culture Courses COMPUTER PROGRAMMING Proficiency in using computers and thinking programmatically are quickly becoming an essential to operate in the cultural climate today. Every industry is being profoundly impacted by programming and will be for the foreseeable future. This course will provide everything needed to get started in the computer programming field, and students will learn the skills for continued self learning and secrets of landing a job in the industry with or without a college degree. Provided class materials include audio lectures, self assessment tools, slides, source code, and links for future study. Instruction will be Mac-based, but using a Mac is not a prerequisite for enrollment. Students are expected to be familiar with standard computer operations (e.g., login, cut & paste, email attachments, etc.). Topics include language syntax, data types, control structures, problem-solving methods, and basic concepts of software development. WHEN: Thursdays, 7p.m. COST: $25/Class 8 week session

WHERE: Art Room INSTRUCTOR: Justice Conder

TIGER KIDS KUNG-FU In this month to month cumulative program, students will learn Kung Fu, increase their fitness and have fun doing it. Our goal is to develop youth into teens that have advance motor skills for their age, understand their responsibility to health and wellness, be able to positively stand against bullies and defend themselves against strangers. AGES: Grades 2 – 8 WHEN: Mondays, 2:45 - 3:45 p.m. COST: $65 a month ($16.25 a session)

CLASS SIZE: 5 - 20 Students WHERE: TBA INSTRUCTOR: Adam & Karen Boyer

MUSIC APPRECIATION

COURSE #: CMA 101 This six week survey course expores the world of classical music. We will begin with music of the late Medieval period and continue through contemporary classical music. Discussions will concentrate on Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Twentieth-century, and beyond. Significant figures who will be discussed include Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Berlioz, Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Glass, Adams, and Stravinsky. Students will also have the opportunity to enquire about significant figures not directly introduced in class. AGES: CLASS MINIMUM: 5 students WHEN: Tuesdays, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. WHERE: TBA COST: $90 per person INSTRUCTOR: Mr. Kevin Krumenauer, Composer

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INTRO TO FOLK MUSIC

COURSE #: CFM 101 An exploration of popular American and European folk tunes, patriotic songs, their origins and history. This course is geared toward family participation, but individuals are gladly welcomed. Prerequisites: Requires an Internet connection, audio playback system, spiral notebook AGES: Grade 3 through adult CLASS MINIMUM: 4 students WHEN: Wednesdays 7:30 – 8:15 p.m. WHERE: TBA COST: $135 for a 12 week course INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Daniel Barber Any additional family members are each 1/2 price.

Arts Courses INTRO SCULPTURE FOR YOUTH

COURSE #: ASC 101 This is an introductory class with emphasis on human/animal figures in clay and paper mache. AGES: 3rd grade through 8th grade students CLASS MINIMUM: 5 Students CLASS MAX: 18 students WHEN: Thursdays, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. WHERE: Art Room 100A COST: $75 for six 90- minute classes INSTRUCTOR: Mr. Stewart Langenbeck (includes materials)

DRAWING

COURSE #: ADI 101 A drawing class based on observation and drawing what is seen. This class is best for Junior High students through adults. Students in the 12 to 15 year old range really benefit as they transition into more mature visual responses. Students are responsible for their own supplies. Instructor will provide a list. AGES: Junior High School through Adult CLASS MAX: 3 students WHEN: Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m. WHERE: TBA COST: $180 for 15 weeks ($12 per session) INSTRUCTOR: Earl Iselin

PAINTING

COURSE #: ASI 101 A painting class based on observation and reaction. This class is best for adults and High School age students who have some drawing background. Students are responsible for their own supplies. Instructor will provide a list. AGES: High School through Adult CLASS MAX: 3 students WHEN: Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m. WHERE: TBA COST: $180 for 15 weeks ($12 per session) INSTRUCTOR: Earl Iselin

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AFTER SCHOOL DRAWING BASICS Students will have the opportunity in this 10 week introductory class to learn the basics of drawing, drawing techniques and be exposed to a variety of drawing materials. * Supply list provided upon registration. AGES: grades 3rd-6th WHEN: Mondays, 2:30-4:00 pm WHERE: Art room COST: $120/10 weeks ($12/class) $20/hour for private lessons CLASS MINIMUM: 5 students CLASS MAX.: 12 students INSTRUCTOR: Alice Incorvia

Language Courses SPANISH FOR YOUTH I

COURSE #: LSP 101 Participants will be exposed to the Spanish language and cultures through near-total immersion in the language (90%).Sessions will include different fun activities (music, art, story time, play time) so that the child will learn the language in the most natural of ways, thereby creating and environment mimicking the one used to acquire one’s first language through the use of repetition and true communication in a natural setting as the means of acquiring language proficiency. AGES: 6th Grade and up WHEN: TBA WHERE:TBA COST: $55/month INSTRUCTOR: Marion Neugebauer

INDIVIVDUAL AND SMALL GROUP LATIN INSTRUCTION

COURSE #: LLA 101-102

This is an introduction to the Latin language. Students will work through the Latina Christiana or Henle Latin text depending on skill level. There will be a balanced mix of speech, grammar, activities, vocabulary and derivative. AGES: All ages WHEN: Call for availability COST: $60 per month

WHERE: TBA INSTRUCTOR: Mr. Jason Nehez

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Dance Courses BALLET/MODERN This class is structured for beginners to intermediate dancers who want to learn the technique of ballet and modern dancing. Dancers will focus on full body integration, developing strength and dynamic quality for performance in a creative, energetic and positive environment. Various combinations, choreography will be taught. Students may wear leotards, capri pants, footless tights as well as ballet shoes. See instructor for help on purchasing ballet shoes. COST: $30 a month WHEN: 3:30-4:30 WHERE: TBA AGE: K-8 INSTRUCTOR: Kim Lucas

INTRODUCTION TO TAP DANCE The class is structured for beginners who want to learn the technique of tap dancing. Various combinations, choreography, and fundamental steps are introduced. Students may wear leotards, tights or “capri type” pants to take lessons. See instructor for help on purchasing tap shoes. COST: $20 per month (2 classes per month) WHEN: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month, 4-4:50 WHERE: Zwisler Hall AGES: K-8th grade INSTRUCTOR: Kim Lucas

DR. DANIEL BARBER (FOLK MUSIC, PIANO) is a native Clevelander, and a graduate of University School. He took piano lessons at the Cleveland Music School Settlement where he studied with Andrius Kuprevicius. He holds a bachelor of music degree from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, and master and doctor of music degrees from Indiana University. He has studied with Beryl Ladd, Joseph Schwartz, Jack Radunsky, Gyorgy Sebok, Enrica Cavallo Gulli and Jorge Bolet. For two years, 1975-77, he was assistant to Jorge Bolet at Indiana University. Dr. Barber has been on the piano faculty at Cleveland State University since 1991. He has played numerous Carnegie Hall recitals in New York, and made his major orchestra debut in 1990 performing Alberto Ginastera’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with Vladimir Ashkenazy conducting the Cleveland Orchestra in Severance Hall. He gave the Cleveland premier of Virko Baley’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in 1996 with the composer conducting the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, and was re-engaged in 2002. Dr. Barber is a pianist of wide-ranging repertory. He has been active in the Reconnaisance Chamber Ensemble and the Cleveland Composer’s Guild (all new music concerts). In 1998 he performed the complete WellTempered Clavier by J. S. Bach at Bethany United Church of Christ in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. He has made promotional recordings for the Steinway Piano Company, and has served on the piano faculty at Illinois State University, the Cleveland Music School Settlement, and Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music. Dr. Barber has had recent performances of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 and Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 (Emperor), an all-Liszt solo recital for the Music under the Spire series held at the Lindsay-Crossman Chapel, Baldwin-Wallace College, and Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 with Anthony Addison and the Heights Chamber Orchestra. In 1995 Dr. Barber began studying organ with Daniel Hathaway at Cleveland’s Trinity Cathedral. He plays keyboards for the Akron Symphony, and serves as organist at First Congregational Church of Twinsburg. Dr. Barber is the author of an article published in the Garland Encyclopedia of Keyboard Music entitled “World War II and the American Piano Builders.” He has also written Piano Playing: A Comprehensive Course for the Beginning to Intermediate Level Piano Student.

MR. JEFF BESHORE (PIANO) is one of the founding instructors of the Academy of Culture and

Instructor Biographies GEORGE BACHMANN (GUITAR) CLASSICAL GUITARIST, is a lifelong member of St. Sebastian parish and an alum of the school. He began his teaching career at St. Sebastian’s in the 1970’s, giving lessons as he completed his studies at the University of Akron. He became the first guitarist to earn a B.M. in performance at Akron. His college teaching career began in 1975 when he founded the guitar department at Cuyahoga Community College. He received a M.M. in performance from Kent State University and began teaching there retiring this past year after 31 years. He is currently on the faculty of Cleveland State University where he teaches classical guitar and directs a guitar ensemble. During his studies his teachers included Jerry Willard, Joseph Breznikar and Christof Harlan. He has appeared in concert with the Canton Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Chamber Symphony and the Kent State University Orchestra. He has also performed with the Miami String Quartet. Bachmann’s students have go on to notoriety from coast to coast including Rick Stone of New York City, a performer and recording artist, Michael LeFevre, a well know guitar performer in the Pacific Northwest and Lino Allesio, composer/producer living in Oregon. Mr. Bachmann resides in west Akron with his wife, Jannis. Together they are members of the St. Sebastian Parish Choir.

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Arts at St. Sebastian Parish. He graduated from Kent State University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. His major instrument area of concentration is in piano. He has been teaching for approximately 17 years in schools, eight of which have been at St. Sebastian Parish School. He has taught private piano lessons for over 20 years, He currently holds a Service Playing Certificate and CAGO certificate with the American Guild of Organists. He was the accompanist for the St. Sebastian Parish Choir on their Pilgrimage to Rome.

MERISSA COLEMAN (CHILDREN’S CHOIR) holds a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance and a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting. As a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Akron, she participated in and directed multiple ensembles. She was the pioneer director of the School of Music housed “Women’s Ensemble” and the Honor’s College sponsored female A Capella group “Kanga-Blue”. Merissa currently sings with “Singers Companye”, a professional choral ensemble in Akron under the direction of Dr. Samuel Gordon. As a soprano chorister and soloist in numerous ensembles, she has performed several times at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. and in multiple European tours and competitions, performing in Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and Austria. She has been featured as a soloist for the Akron Symphony Orchestra, and has recently sung in the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and Chamber Chorus. Merissa has also performed in many staged productions, such as the opera “Porgy and Bess” with the Akron Symphony Orchestra and the world premiere of the musical “Tuning In” at E.J. Thomas Hall. Most recently she was a member of the chamber choir for the Cleveland Orchestra production of Janacek’s “Cunning Little Vixen”.

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JUSTICE CONDER (COMPUTER PROGRAMMING) is a web developer and technology writer. His entrepreneurial spirit and passion for technology led him from freelance web developer to corporate programmer at Sherwin-Williams and then on to become the CIO at 33 Mile Radius, a digital agency specializing in software automation. Justice holds a degree in computer programming and database design, and has been involved with various startup and accelerator groups such as LeanDog and LaunchHouse. He lives with his wife and two dogs in Kent, Ohio and spends his free time blogging about technological trends.

DR. ROGER DURBIN (CHRISTIAN SYMBOLISM IN ART) retired as Associate Dean of Libraries, The University of Akron in 2008. Prior to his work in the library he taught at both Kent State University and Youngstown State University. His doctorate is in medieval, renaissance and 17th century literature. He also has an academic minor in art history, and has traveled to Europe frequently for conferences and on site experience. He has been an arts reviewer for the West Side Leader and other publications for the past 18 years.

SARAH HUSAK (VIOLIN) is a native of Annapolis Maryland and began her violin studies at a young age. She studied with both her mother and her father, who are string teachers and performers, until she went on to spend her high school years studying with Dr. Gerald Fischbach at the University of Maryland. During this time, she began teaching privately in the family music studio. Mrs. Husak came to Ohio to study with Professor Alan Bodman at the University of Akron, where she earned both a Bachelor of Music in violin performance and a Master of Music in violin performance. In graduate school, she performed at the Spoleto Festival in Italy, and was selected to be a member of the Marini String Quartet. She has performed electric violin with a rock band, as well as Celtic and American traditional music in a folk band. Aside from violin, Sarah also provides lessons in viola and mandolin. Currently, Mrs. Husak is a member of the Akron Symphony, Akron Baroque, and continues to teach privately and perform in the Akron area where she lives with her husband and daughter.

MR. ADAM KEELER (GUITAR) is one of the founding instructors at the Academy of Culture and Arts at St. Sebastian Parish. He has been playing guitar for 20 years and teaching for ten. In 1999, he traveled to France to study under virtuoso fingerstyle player, Pierre Bensusan, which was followed by the release of his debut CD, “The Rest of Angels” (available on iTunes). His CD has been favorably reviewed by such artists as Michael Manring and Pierre Bensusan. After switching to classical guitar in 2005, he became a finalist in the James Stroud classical Guitar competition for two consecutive years, 2009 and 2010. He was awarded the Outstanding Guitarist of the Year for two years in The University of Akron’s Bachelor of Music Program. Adam has been the Guitar Club President at the University of Akron for most of his college career and a board member with the Cleveland Classical Guitar Society. He currently is pursuing a Masters’ degree in Classical Guitar Performance and Music Composition at the University of Akron. His free time is spent composing for his next CD and spending time with his lovely wife, Julie, and his wonderful sons Samuel and Benjamin.


MR. KEVIN KRUMENAUER (MUSIC APPRECIATION) has been working as a professional composer for over a decade. He holds a Bachelor’s in Music Composition from Georgia State University and a Master’s in Music Composition from the Cleveland Institute of Music. His music has been performed by university wind ensembles and professional chamber groups across the country. In 2002 he was invited to study in Paris France in a joint program sponsored by the Juilliard School and the Paris Conservatory. He has studied with Dr. Susan Tepping, David Maslanksa, and Margaret Brower. In 2007 his work for wind ensemble, Blue on Red, was released on the Albany records label in a recording by the Illinois State University Wind Symphony. Mr. Krumenauer serves on the staff of the Cleveland Institute of Music and as a part-time lecturer in the Mather School of Dance at Case Western Reserve University.

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ALICE INCORVIA (AFTER SCHOOL ART) graduated from The University of Akron with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. Upon graduation, she worked as a merchandise display photographer, keyline artist, graphic designer and a print production manager in the advertising industry. She is the recipient of many awards for her packaging and print designs including a Citation of Excellence and “Addy’s” from the American Advertising Federation and a Gold Medal award from Neenah Paper Company. After spending over 15 years (4 of which were running her own graphic design and calligraphy business) in the fields of advertising, design and calligraphy, Alice began teaching art for the City of Akron Recreation Bureau at Forest Lodge Community Center. There she taught art and crafts after school to St. Sebastian children until classes were moved to the newly-built Northwest Family Recreation Center in 2002. She is currently the arts and craft specialist at Northwest Family Recreation Center where she has shared her love of art, art history and craft with children, adults and older adults from all over the city. For the past 10 years, Alice has also prepared students in the drawing and art audition process for acceptance into Miller South School for the visual and performing arts. She has taught art camp at St. Sebastian’s for the past 3 summers. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, biking, scrapbooking, photography and travel. Alice has been a St. Sebastian parishioner since 1985 and has sent her 3 daughters to St. Sebastian School.

EARL ISELIN (DRAWING, PAINTING) received both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Fine Arts, painting from Kent State University. During the time he was acquiring his Master’s degree, he was a Graduate teaching assistant for beginning drawing. He has taught at the Akron Art Museum, Akron Jewish Center, Canton Art Institute, Canton Art Consortium, and has been an adjunct faculty member at Kent State University, Tuscarawas and Canton Campuses. He has exhibited extensively as a professional artist, both in solo exhibitions and group exhibits. He has also shown competitively at The Cleveland Museum of Art May Show, All Ohio Show, and St. Francis College. His work is in the collections of Kent State University and The University of Akron.

MR. STEWART LANGENBECK (SCULPTURE) graduated from Ohio University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Art Education and has 38 years of teaching experience in Akron as well as Sydney, Australia. He has received teaching excellence awards from the Schumacher Academy P.T.A, East High School faculty, and the Ohio Youth Governor’s Art Show committee. Stewart has been invited to host a printmaking workshop at the Akron Art Museum and was one of six Summit County teachers asked to present student work for a family awareness exhibit. His students have received numerous regional, state, and national awards most notably in printmaking and figurative sculpture. He has exhibited his work locally including university galleries in Canton, Akron, Ashland, and the Art Institute of Pittsburg.

MR. KIRK GEORGIA ( PERCUSSION) has been teaching percussion and drumset for over ten years. His students have gone on to start their own bands, receive top honors at Solo and Ensemble contests, and have successful auditions into schools such as Indiana University. Kirk is a recent graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music where he studied with principal players of the Cleveland Orchestra. A well rounded musician, Kirk is just as comfortable behind the drumset as he is playing mallet percussion, timpani, orchestral percussion or marching snare drum. As a timpanist, he has appeared with the Columbus Symphony, and holds the principal position with the Firelands Symphony Orchestra in Sandusky, which performs classical and pops concerts throughout the year. He has played in over a dozen musical theater and opera productions, including the critically lauded production of Puccini’s Tosca with Cleveland Opera Theater. He can also be heard on the recently released recording with the Ohio Philharmonic Orchestra, Edvard Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor, available on the Centaur record label.

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MR. JASON NEHEZ (LATIN) graduated from Cleveland State University with a degree in Classical and Medieval Studies. His three areas of focus are Greek, Philosophy and History, but he also did work in Latin and Hebrew. He holds a certificate in Apologetics from Biola University. He has recently traveled to Rome, visiting all the major Classical and Christian sites. He works as Director of Video Production for Imagen photography. He also works closely with an orphanage in El Salvador, traveling there 9 times over the last 6 years. In his free time you may catch him playing Ultimate Frisbee, reading a book on natural theology, or salsa dancing with his friends and family. He has been teaching Latin with the Academy since April this year.

MRS. STELLA MUNOZ (SPANISH IMMERSION FOR YOUTH) earned her M.A. in 1999 in Educational Psychology from the Autonoma University in Madrid. In 2008 she attended The University of Akron where she obtained her license to teach Spanish in Ohio. She currently teaches Spanish II and IV at Jackson High School. During the last 4 summers she has conducted a Spanish Immersion Camp for students ages 4-7. The most recent camp ran in June of this year here at the Academy. A native Spanish speaker, Ms. Munoz was born in Madrid, Spain, where she lived and studied until she was 24 years old. Just before finishing her university studies she met her husband while living in New York studying English. After marrying, they settled in NYC for the next four years. In 2000 she began her teaching career at a school specializing in the instruction of children with special needs. In 2003, she moved to Ohio with her husband. She has been living in the United States for 14 years and loves Akron. She and her husband have a six year old daughter, Alba – who is a student at St. Sebastian School.

JOSEPH RITTENHOUSE (BALLROOM DANCE) started his Professional Ballroom & Latin Dance Career over 20 years ago at a Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Columbus, Ohio. He moved down to Orlando, Florida to work with two colleagues and continue his training with top competing professionals such as US American Latin Champions Tony Meredith & Melanie LaPatin from the t.v. show S.Y.T.Y.C.D. During that time he also competed in Professional Competitions as well as Pro / Amateur Competitions with his students. He also managed three dance studios.

CHARLES KLEIN (STAND UP AND ELECTRIC BASS) As a recent graduate from the U of A School of Music in Jazz Studies, Charles has studied with accomplished professors Tim Powell, Tracy Rowell and Sue Yelanjian. He has been an active performer in the UA Jazz Ensemble, UA Symphony Orchestra and various jazz combos. He currently is the bassist for the eclectic jazz group Copali as well as a member of the St. Bernards Choir. He can also be heard sitting in with the Matt Fafrak Band around the Cleveland area. Charles is a welcome new addition to our staff at St. Sebastians Academy of Culture and Art, teaching both Upright and Electric Bass.

TRICIA THOMSON (PIANO) is the Founder and Director, The Ohio Conservatory, and has studied with Brazilian pianist, Ney Salgado. She holds a master’s degree in piano performance from New York University and also holds degrees from The Hochshule fur Musik in Vienna, Austria, Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, Maryland, and The Catholic University in Washington, DC. She is director of The Ohio Conservatory where she teaches more than 100 students a week, using innovative and highly successful teaching methods honed over 20 years of teaching in Toronto and New York City. Tricia has also been a filmmaker since 1981. Working with children, both as a filmmaker and as a teacher she has discovered a remarkable fact – that children are capable of more than many people imagine. The average child can do, understand and appreciate quite extraordinary things. Although great art of any kind requires mastery, it is, nevertheless, accessible to anyone who is exposed to it – not because it is easy – but because it speaks to the heart and to the mind. It makes us feel human, and it provides experience that lifts us beyond ourselves. Tricia believes that the arts are necessary to a culture: they are its spiritual and intellectual nourishment. Both the ordinary and the gifted possess genius. Sometimes genius lies in the ability to create – but more often it lies in the ability to experience.

ADAM & KAREN BOYER (TIGER KIDS KUNG FU) The story of Victory Defense Systems begins when Karen and Adam met one another at The University of Akron, where they earned Bachelors Degrees in Health Education and Biology, respectively. They both began training in Kung Fu in 1998 and after a year of training, they concentrated their efforts in learning Wing Chun Kung Fu, a modern, close range type of Kung Fu (the style practiced by Bruce Lee). Like many of their students, training Wing Chun was a pivotal point in their lives; it lead to Karen getting her personal training certification and teaching Kung Fu full time by 2005 and it helped Adam stay focused on what matters through career changes and challenges. Benefiting so much from their training, Karen and Adam started Victory Defense Systems in 2005 with a focus on making Kung Fu more accessible and fitting the needs of today’s students. Combining their professional backgrounds of: education and biology degrees, personal and group instructor training, scientific quality systems certification, analytical research, rich martial arts experiences and participating in continuing education; they have created a new and exciting spin on Kung Fu training that is fun, relevant and challenging.The motto of Victory Defense Systems, “Timeless Traditions, Modern Methods” sums up their focus of teaching the discipline of Kung Fu while making it practical for today’s times. Since the founding of Victory Defense Systems in 2005, Karen and Adam have proven their concept through; hundreds of changed lives, running success yearly camps and having multiple locations where they teach. They invite you to join them in learning the life changing skills of Kung Fu.

KIM LUCAS (DANCE, BALLET AND MODERN) began her dance training at a young age, under the direction of Pointe West Studio, Dance Academy South, Studio West as well as The University of Akron Dance Institute. Kim previously held the position as the assistant Dance Coach with Archbishop Hoban for three years as well as the dance instructor with the JCC gymnastics/dance camp. Kim is currently the director of Pointe Star Academy, she brings energy, enthusiasm and fun to the students in her class. Kim has an Associate degree in Marketing and Sales as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in dance. Kim’s professional background has given her vast knowledge not only in dance, but in stage production, costuming and choreographing! She has enjoyed sharing and teaching this wealth of information with her students over the years. Kim wishes to show as many people as possible all the joy that dancing bring and strives to bring the highest quality of dance to her students and audience. A special thank you to her husband James; daughters, Kalen and Kaci and son Aj, for their love and support. 

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A special thank you to our graphic designer Erin Leslie, without whom this catalog would not be possible.

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This new academy, which will offer courses in arts, languages, and other cultural subjects, is for persons of all ages interested in learning about, experiencing, and/or influencing arts and culture in our society.

More than just a school enrichment program, the academy is designed to help young people as well as adults climb to the next level of cultural engagement so as not to merely be spectators or instruments of culture, but to be the instruments of influence; to use arts and culture to lift the human spirit, build up human dignity, give glory to God, and use truth and beauty to bring about the Good in the shaping of our world. ~ Father John Valencheck

St. Sebastian Parish 4 7 6 M U L L AV E N U E 3 3 0 . 8 3 6 . 2 2 3 3

AKRON, OHIO 44320-1299 w w w. s t s e b a s t i a n . o r g