Sunday CE-ing

Good morning from Michal's CE class! We are made up of Caleb, Esther, Rebecca, Brendan, Anelise, Kayla, Natalie, Luigi, Julia, Naomi, Tevani, Samantha, Drew, and Kahlo!

Each morning we start with writing a goal and a discovery in our journals.

Rebecca: It doesn't take a lifetime to become close to someone.

Naomi: Today I discovered that there's a counselor who has the same name as me. We're friends now.

Natalie: To eat three pieces of fruit tomorrow at breakfast.

Tevani: I discovered that I can actually take a three minute shower!

We also do some free writing about our day or if we had our magic moment.

Julia; Sleeping in the dorm rooms was actually super fun. I slept really well, but I wish my family were here to experience everything with me. I miss my family so much, but I miss my sister most of all.

Esther: Today my counselor woke us up to get ready for another day at AXP. We played a little game of "Do You Love Me" where a person in the middle of the circle tries to make us laugh. As breakfast approached, we stood in line for breakfast. After our breakfast, we are venturing off to CE.

Kahlo: Today was the first day at AXP. Waking up early, getting on a bus, leaving your family, meeting new people, trying new things, eating new things, and much more, and finding out that it was all because of a baby named Cole Carsan St. Clair.

Anelise: Yesterday was super busy and tiring, but I had a really great time. Watching Beauty and the Beast was absolutely phenomenal. The cast's ability to move the props so quickly was very impressive to me. By the time we got back to our dorms and had finished showering it was already midnight. I guess three minute showers are really not that hard considering I had a whole minute left.

We also respond to a quote about originality, processing our thoughts and debating ideas. Today's quote was "What is originality? It is simply undetected plagiarism." -Dean Inge

Sam: I agree with the quote because it's true: you are original and it isn't a copy or stolen idea. It's you.

Caleb: I agree with this quote because something that is original had to be made by someone else.

Yesterday's quote was "It is better to fail at originality than succeed at imitation." -Herman Melville

Brendan: I agree with this quote completely because it is always better to try and be original and fail than to imitate someone else's idea.

Kayla: I definitely agree with this quote. Changing yourself to be society's definition of "normal" is far worse than trying to be original and failing.

Then we do our daily activity- yesterday we wrote poems based off of pictures of different doors and today we visualized ourselves at different ages and started mapping out our lives. We're looking forward to seeing final products in a few days!

Drew and Luigi: What's behind the door?
Whats behind the door?
We do not know what is in store.
It could be a vampire it could be a zombie
It could be a sweater from Abercrombie
The door is eerie as anyone can see
It has ivy growing on it and burnt trees
I am going to open the door just so I can see
Oh, look at that, it is a green jelly bean.

Off to more adventures!

Excursions and Immersions: Week 2!

A big HUGE warm welcome to our Week 2 arts-X-pressers!


Everyone is getting acquainted, settled in, and ready for lunch here at Vanguard University after a super fun morning of party-bussing! The energy is all over the place, and we are SUPER excited to get going with all of our young artists!

 
Tonight, we are headed to the Carpenter Center for Musical Theater West's performance of Disney's Beauty and the Beast! We will get to see all the beloved characters brought to life by this beautiful production. This show is sure to inspire these young artists with it's timeless music and beautiful sets, costumes and dance numbers! We are completely thrilled to get to "Be their Guests"!  

Tomorrow evening, we will be attending Pacific Symphony's concert at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater called Gershwin Greats, conducted by the only and only Carl St.Clair. This will surely be a night full of fantastic jazzy melodies and Broadway favorites! George Gershwin brought a new era of music, and we will have such a great time getting to be immersed in the sounds of his timeless tunes!

The fun absolutely does NOT stop there...it merely begins! On Monday afternoon, we will be heading out to Laguna Beach to spend the afternoon at the Festival of the Arts. We will get to explore all of the different art exhibits, as well as have the opportunity to create some of our own!

We will then finish up our night with the ever-fabulous Pageant of the Masters. This performance includes real-live people being made up, dressed, and posed to replicate various forms of artwork. This year's theme is "The Art Detective," and will consist of works that will provide clues for various mysteries and riddles!




So off we go on our many artistic adventures! Stay tuned for updates on all of our happenings!  

Parent Presentation WEEK 1

We can't wait to see everyone at the Parent Presentation TONIGHT!!!!!


 It begins at 6:45 pm in Newport Mesa Church, in which is on the the northeast corner of Vanguard's campus. Parking is free, the whole family is welcome, and your young artists can't wait to show you what they've accomplished this week.



A professional videographer will record the presentation. You can pre-order a DVD for $15 and professional group photos for $10 on Tuesday night. ArtsMart merchandise will also be on sale.


See you all SUPER SUPER SOON!

Oh no! Our last full day together!

This is staff member Becky with a good morning, "Hello!" to you as well as a sad face that this week's campers will soon be leaving us for home. :( Yesterday was one of the longest days we have at arts-X-press with our Creative Expression classes and Arts Workshops in the morning (along with breakfast & lunch on campus) before heading out on our incredible excursion.


The campers got to head out to Laguna Beach for the Arts Walk Monday afternoon and stayed for the Pageant of the Masters performance that night. Starting with a fantastic backstage tour of some of the work that goes in to creating Pageant, we participated in art creation activities, the campers were able to cycle through three stations of relief printing - which we saw several examples of in our Arts Walk viewing, ceramic glazing of raku pots, and scratch art (kind of like those cool Crayola papers you may have seen on TV). There were so many different styles and methods being used in each individual's creations, it was wonderful to see how the campers expressed themselves through their work. Don't worry, your students will come home with their work to share their stories of creating them!


After a brisk walk to have pizza dinner in a park, we headed back for a little more art viewing before taking our seats for the incredible Pageant of the Masters performance. For those parents unfamiliar, the teams down there recreate paintings, sculptures, drawings, and more through mixed media methods using live volunteers as part of the works of art. I heard many gasps from the campers as they saw everything mix together that was alive and painted with make up or paints, costumed, and lit up perfectly. What an exciting day for all the campers! You'll be able to see a little bit about what they saw at our Parent Presentation tonight!


SEE YOU THERE!

What's up everyone! This is Bryan and Ernie, the dynamic duo counselors also known as Bernie. The spectacular day commenced as usual with an early start and a healthy breakfast to provide us the energy needed for all the activities that followed. After breakfast, our very first activity was CE where the kids were able to reflect and express how they felt about the major activities of the day before. For example, today the kids made advertisements for the "In the Heights". Next, the campers proceeded with their normal arts workshops, and headed off to lunch. Fortunately we were privileged to have special guests from the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, and ate with them. The kids were given the opportunity to ask the musicians questions about what it's like to be in a professional orchestra! After lunch, we boarded the bus and headed over to Laguna Beach to see the Pageant of Masters! We arrived a little early so the campers were able to interact with some art forms and made print making art, raku pots, and scratch art! After that we hiked up to Heisler Park in Laguna Beach and had dinner next to the ocean (so fresh ahhhh). Once we were all full and filled with pizza, we went back down to Pageant of the Masters to look at the artwork of local professional artists. Finally we seated ourselves for the grand finale and watched the show of Pageant of the Masters, where people posed in large-scale recreations of famous paintings(which was extremely cool). When the show ended we arrived back on Vanguard later than usual and everyone couldn't wait to hit the hay!!!

 And this is a picture of Becky with a burnt bagel!! Until next time!

-Counselors Bryan and Ernie (AKA Bernie)

James' CE Class - Week 1

Gooooood morning from James' Creative Expression class! First off, it has been a sincere pleasure and honor to work with such talented, creative, and bright students. Because of their thoughtful contributions, we are having a blast every morning learning about how art connects to our own lives and how we can express ourselves through creative writing.

We start every morning off by journaling our thoughts, what we've been doing, and our reactions to the performances we've seen. Some of us are having fun just writing about about all the new friends we're making. Today, I challenged everyone to write about the "risks" they are taking at Arts-x-press. Everyone wrote about how they are taking "risks" by trying a new art form, talking to new people, or even trying new foods at our meals!

Over the past three classes, our activities have ranged from exploring our creative sides with "Life Maps" of where we've been, where we are, and where we're going; to discovering our writing skills with "I Am Like..." poems and Admiration poems. As we're learning, anyone can be a poet or creative writer. All it takes is some brainstorming, self-reflection, and imagination.

Today, we got to have an awesome group discussion and writing activity on how different art forms use "artistic expression." It was a great time for us to collectively pull our brains together and investigate how we can connect to all different types of art. We also got to apply our expression skills on different pieces of street art from the artist Banksy, which allowed us to explore messages and meaning behind art.

Not only are we all learning about art, but we're learning about ourselves in the process. You should all be excited about all the creative expressions these artists will be exploring in the future!

DAY 2 ADVENTURES!!!

Hey y'all, Erica and Dominica here! Arts-x-press Week 1 has been a whirlwind so far! Yesterday our campers started their day with a hearty meal before making their way over to Creative Expression for some good reflection on the meaning of "Inner Beauty"! After that, we split up into arts workshops... vocal and theater teamed up to rehearse "Be Our Guest" from Beauty and the Beast with performance and gesturing galore, visual arts began their self portraits and collages, dance perfected their bollywood technique, and instrumental laid down some sick beats in the style of swing! In the afternoon, we piled on the bus with songs and chants to get in the artistic spirit and made our way to Chance Theater for an incredible performance of the musical "In the Heights". The students experienced the feel of the New York "Barrios" with graffiti visual art, latin and hip hop choreography, and vocal singing and rap. The spectacular performance proved to be funny, touching, and relatable, as well as inspiring to the young performers! Following the show, we enjoyed a meet and greet with the cast, where we learned all about their inspiration and experiences as performers. The day was not done there!! Back at Vanguard, we split up into groups for a chance to taste some new forms of art and take risks! Students tried out a crash course in vocal, theater, and dance with our incredible staff and counselors! We all let loose to explore something new and get a little outside our comfort zone! The night took a serious turn when we watched a video from Carl St. Clair, the conductor of the Pacific Symphony to welcome us to the program, and then sat down for a little bonding. Each camper took a turn to appreciate one person from home as well as one new face from arts-x-press to reflect on their time at camp so far! Tears were shed and hugs were shared to end another amazing day! Exhausted, the kids knocked out in no time to rest up for another exciting day of activities and exploration! Wooo!
Until next time,
"Domerica" signing off! <3 p="">

Sunday CE

Good morning from Michal's CE Class!

Each morning, we gather together for some Creative Expression-ing. Our group is made up of Spunky Sammy, Happy Hannah, Violinist Vincent, Intelligent Ileana, Hyper Hannah, Zany Zoe, Perky Patrick, Awesome Alex, Broadway Blake, Amazing Asaph, Kind Karen, Jazzy Jenna, and Running Rachel.

First we journal while we listen to music, writing about our day and then thinking about a Discovery about the previous day and a Goal we have for the upcoming day.Then we journal about our experiences, like meeting the bus, getting to know new friends, eating new food, stepping out of our comfort zone, and taking risks.

Then we do an activity. Yesterday, we thought about doors of opportunity and wrote poems and stories based off of a picture of a door. Today we took some time to close our eyes and visualize ourselves when we were five-years-old, and then nine-years-old and think about what we did, what we liked, our families, where we lived, how we acted, etc. Then we stepped out of our comfort zone and started thinking about what we might be like when we were eighteen and then reallllllly got crazy when we thought about ourselves as the ripe old age of thirty! Parents, you don't want to know the reactions of your kids when I said to think about yourself at age 30!!

Then we started to create life maps, looking at where we are, where we've been, and where we are going. It's been fun to think about our futures and how we are who we are because of our experiences!

Looking forward to what tomorrow might bring!

Excursions and Immersions: Week 1!

WELCOME TO arts-X-press Week 1!


Well, we've arrived at Vanguard University, and we couldn't be more excited to get things started with our Week 1 arts-X-pressers! There's a flurry of hustle and bustle right now as everyone is getting settled in, and we just KNOW it's going to be an awesome week!

 
Tonight, we are headed to the Carpenter Center for Musical Theater West's performance of Disney's Beauty and the Beast! We will get to see all the beloved characters brought to life by this beautiful production. This show is sure to inspire these young artists as they explore the arts-X-press theme of Inner Beauty this week.

Tomorrow afternoon, we will be attending the matinee showing of In the Heights up at the Chance Theater! This musical presents the importance of chasing your dreams as well as overcoming and growing from the struggles that life may bring. It's got awesome music and dancing, and will definitely pump everyone up for taking artistic risks!

If you think that's all we've got in store for excursions and immersions, think again! On Monday afternoon, we will be heading out to Laguna Beach to spend the afternoon at the Festival of the Arts. We will get to explore all of the different art exhibits, as well as have the opportunity to create some of our own!

We will then cap off the evening with the well-acclaimed, always fantastic Pageant of the Masters. This performance includes real-live people being made up, dressed, and posed to replicate various forms of artwork. This year's theme is "The Art Detective," and will consist of works that will provide clues for various mysteries and riddles!




As you can see we have ALOT to get going on, so stay tuned and wish us well on all of our awesome artistic adventures!

See you at the bus on SATURDAY, Week 1 friends!

That's seriously just a couple of short days away, which is CRAY-ZAY!

Just in case you've misplaced your bus schedule, here it is. Don't forget your Medicine Labeling Form! Here's the Packing List  in case you need an extra copy.

BUS A

Placentia Yorba Linda Unified Education Services Center

4999 Casa Loma Avenue

Yorba Linda, CA 92886 

Student arrival time: 8:05 am

Garden Grove Unified District Office

10331 Stanford Ave

Garden Grove, CA 92840

Student Arrival Time: 8:45 am

Santa Ana Unified District Office

1601 E Chestnut Ave.           

Santa Ana, CA 92701

Student Arrival Time: 9:15am

BUS B

Saddleback Valley Unified District Office

25631 Peter A Hartman Way

Mission Viejo, CA 92691

Student Arrival Time: 8:10am

Irvine Unified District Office

5050 Barranca Parkway

Irvine, CA 92604

Student Arrival Time: 9:00 am

California Elementary

3232 California Street
Costa Mesa, CA                                             

Student Arrival Time: 9:30 am   
                       

ATTENTION CLASS OF 2014!

We have our SUMMER ORIENTATION MEETINGS this week!

This is where students will get to meet some of their COUNSELORS, sign up for BUS PICK-UP/DROP-OFF, and get their PACKING LISTS!

Super duper exciting stuff, I tell ya!

Locations and times are as follows:


(NOTE: YOU ONLY NEED TO ATTEND ONE OF THESE MEETINGS)


TONIGHT, Tuesday, June 17th @7pm


Orange County Department of Ed.
200 Kalmus Drive
Costa Mesa, Ca


Building A
Board Room


SATURDAY, June 21st @ 10am


Vanguard University
55 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, Ca
Smith 101

SEE YA THERE!

Hey Hey there, everybody!

Just reminding those of you who have reserved tickets for our 2014 arts-X-press WELCOME CONCERT...it's THIS SUNDAY...say what?!

Pacific Symphony will be performing Carmina Burana, and it begins at 3pm. Don't forget to grab your tickets at Will-Call and then stop by the Welcome Table so we can say hello :)

Click HERE for directions to the concert hall, and be sure to either park at South Coast Plaza and walk across the fancy bridge...or the nearest parking is in the $10 parking structures!

Hi Friends!

Registration meetings

Applications are in, and Welcome Letters are going out next week! How CRAZY is that?! We're getting pretty excited :)

Students accepted to arts-X-press will need to attend ONE registration meeting in order to get their paperwork and session assignments. You are free to choose the meeting that is most convenient for your family, even if it is not in your district. Students are encouraged to attend with their parents to learn more about the program.

Monday, March 17, 7:00-8:30 pm

Irvine Unified School District Office

Board Room

5050 Barranca

Irvine, CA 92604

Tuesday, March 18, 7:00-8:30 pm

Santa Ana Unified School District Office

Training Room

1601 E. Chestnut Ave.

Santa Ana, CA 92701

Thursday, March 20, 7:00-8:30pm

Saddleback Valley Unified School District

25631 Peter A Hartman Way

Mission Viejo, CA 92691-3199 

Tuesday, March 25, 7:00-8:30pm

Garden Grove Unified School District Office

Annex Conference Room

10331 Stanford Avenue

Garden Grove, CA 92840

Wednesday, March 26, 7:00-8:30 pm

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District

Board Room

1301 Orangethorpe Avenue

Placentia, CA 92870

Wednesday, April 2, 7:00-8:30pm

Newport-Mesa Unified School District Office

Board Room

2985 A Bear Street

Costa Mesa, CA 92626




Here's a map if you need it!

View AXP orientations in a larger map

Apply to be a 2014 arts-X-press Counselor!

Hello hello!

The moment you've all been waiting for...

APPLY TO BE A 2014 ARTS-X-PRESS COUNSELOR!!!!!!!!!!

Fill this form out for the chance to have an awesome time leading and making memories with our 2014 arts-X-pressers in artistic adventures.

DEADLINE IS APRIL 1, 2014...NO EXCEPTIONS!

Applications due today!

Good Evening, friends of arts-X-press! Missin' you all like you wouldn't believe!

We are gearing up here for another spectacular summer with our favorite young artists, and can't believe it's already that time again...and by that time I mean...

Make sure all of your lovely nominees get their applications in the mail TODAY because it's the deadline!


Looking forward to another great summer of fun!


http://www.pacificsymphony.org/education/arts_x_press

Imagine That!

Calling all young artists!

Be inspired by Modest Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition”for an opportunity to have your work showcased in two exhibits!

In partnership with The Studio at Sage Hill and Sage Hill’s Visual Art program, Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings invites artists in grades 6 through 9 to listen, create and submit their art
for the chance to be featured at The Studio at Sage Hill and the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall this spring!

Art mediums may include painting, drawing, photography and sculpture. Submissions due February 28. For submission guidelines, more details and links to recordings of the music, visit www.PacificSymphony.org/ImagineThat

What a year!

And we thought that WE were busy at arts-X-press! Check out all the stuff that Pacific Symphony accomplished this year in addition to our summer fun.

Keep the Magic Alive

Another class of alumni has become part of our Pacific Symphony family. But just because the summer is over doesn't mean the magic is gone! Here are ways to stay involved:

Attend a concert (we have great student discounts!)
Volunteer! We always need lots of help with our Family Musical Mornings concerts and Symphony in the Cities.
Audition to be part of our award-winning youth ensembles.
Donate to support arts-X-press and other great programs. 
And, of course, keep in touch. We love to share alumni news!

Reunion!

Are you coming to the reunion?
It's THIS Saturday, August 17th, 8 p.m. at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. There's still time to buy tickets! Call the box office directly at (714) 755-5799, and be sure to remind them you're an AXP alumn for a great discount!  But hurry--after Friday at 4p.m., the box office closes, the discount disappears, and you will have to pay full price at the gate!
Bring a picnic and hang out with your buds in the center of the amphitheater grounds before the concert (look for the arts-X-press sign), or just come for the concert. Parking is $10. The concert will end at approximately 10:15.
Directions and more information about Verizon Wireless Amphitheater can be found at www.pacificsymphony.org.

2013 Wrap-up

Another fabulous summer is over and done...

We hope to see everyone again at the 2013 Reunion Concert on August 17th, 8 p.m. at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. Call the box office directly at (714) 755-5799 for tickets, and be sure to remind them you're an AXP alumn for a great discount! Bring a picnic and hang out with your buds before the concert, or just come for the show.

If you ordered a DVD or photos, we should have those to you by about mid-August. Thanks for your patience!


More pictures will be up soon!