FEATURED CLASSES

Rompatom Ensemble I for 2nd-3rd grade AND
Rompatom Ensemble II for 4th-8th grade
Taught by Gina Samardge with Justin Keller
Tuesdays, February 12 to June 4 (no class 4/16)
Rompatom I - REGISTER HERE
Rompatom II -REGISTER HERE

A vocal, instrumental, and creative ensemble for students in 2nd-4th and 5th-8th grade, Rompatom ensemble includes singing, movement, theatrical elements, and instrumental play + improvisation on xylophones, recorders, and drums. Students who play another instrument may have an opportunity to incorporate it into some pieces in the ensemble as well. Over the course of the  semester, students will prepare an eclectic mix of material, including a wide range of traditional world music-influenced pieces, classical, rock/pop, and musical theater. Movement and dance will also be explored and possibly incorporated into some of the musical numbers. The end performance will weave together these various explorations and pieces into a magical journey of music, humor, theater, mystery, dance, and joy. There is nothing out there like this!

Imagination Design House Theater Design 3rd - 8th grade
Taught by Romina Robinson and Sophia Jackson
Mondays, 4:30pm-5:30pm, March 4 to May 13
Installation and Performances:  May 15-19
REGISTER HERE

Imagination Playhouse is putting on a show and we need some creative minds to help design and create the set, props, and costumes for the production! This is the perfect outlet for students who love art, design, and making things, and have a love of the theater as well. Because it's not just the actors who make a show! The visuals are their very own character!

Musical Stew for little ones 6 months-3 years and a caregiver
Taught by Gina Samardge
Thursdays, December 6 2018 to February 21, 2019 (no class December 27)
9am - 9:45am - REGISTER HERE
10am - 10:45am - REGISTER HERE
11am - 11:45am -REGISTER HERE

Musical Stew is a 45 minute music and movement class. Rooted in music education approaches such as Orff-Schulwerk, Kodaly and Dalcroze, the class provides adults songs, rhymes and activities to help nurture their child's musical development and allow the little ones to begin an integrative musical journey that lets music work its magic-helping children develop cognitively, physically and emotionally.

Elements: A Multi Sensory Exploration of Art & Music
Taught by Romina Robinson and Gina Samardge
Fridays, 10am-11:15am, January 4 to March 22, 2019
REGISTER HERE

After an amazing first trimester, Gina and Romina are super excited to continue a second trimester of their STEAM-based experience on Friday mornings for 3-5 year olds. And they are extending it by 2 weeks! Using a thematic approach, Romina and Gina create a magical journey for students to explore the elements of music and art through stories, music, movement, and art and natural materials. STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) concepts will be interwoven throughout the arts experiences, giving children a multifaceted understanding of the world around them that is developmentally on target for their age.

Imagination Playhouse II: Folk Theater Ensemble for 3rd-8th grade
Taught by Eric Saiet and Gina Samardge
Mondays, 4pm-5:30pm, January 7 to May 20, 2019 (no class 1/21 or 4/15)
Bonus writing session Monday, February 18, 1:30-5:30pm
Required Tech Rehearsals and Performances the week of May 13-18
REGISTER HERE

Imagination Playhouse II uses improvisation and theater games to nurture the creative minds of students while teaching theater terminology, character development, plot, and story creation. Over the winter and spring trimesters, students will be writing an original show that will include original music, dance, and even the possibility of stage combat. Students will be guided through the story writing process, and explore and create dialogue through improvisation and writing sessions. They will also have the opportunity to work with the student design team in the design and creation of sets, props, and costumes. The culminating performances will include the students in Imagination Playhouse I and will take place on the magical University Settlement Camp barn theater stage here in Beacon.

Beacon Rising Women's Choir
Directed by Gina Samardge
Mondays, 7:30pm-9pm, October 1 to February 25 (no class 12/24 or 12/31)
Once a month option meets 3rd Monday of each month: 10/15, 11/19, 12/17, 1/21, 2/18
JOIN US FOR OUR CONCERT FUNDRAISER FOR ARTICLE 20 NETWORK
SATURDAY, MARCH 2nd @ 1pm ON THE MAIN STAGE OF THE TOWNE CRIER
Beacon Rising Women's Choir was conceived out of a combination of a Women's Singing Circle led by Kim Chase and Gina Samardge, and an impromptu Resistance Choir inspired by what has become the anthem of the Women's March, MILCK's "I Can't Keep Quiet." This year-old Women's Choir will focus primarily on world music literature and songs of peace and protest, but will not be limited to these genres, as the opportunity for performing interesting, beautiful, and artistic literature while sharing our passion for excellent singing is at the core of the choir. No experience is necessary, as we will be working on vocal technique, breath support, blend, harmony, and artistry at each rehearsal. Join us for an incredible weekly celebration of women and let's make our voices heard!

Shake and Make for toddlers with a caregiver AND 3-5 year olds
Taught by Danielle Andretta and Romina Robinson
Mondays, 10:00am-11:00am, January 7 to March 4, 2019 (no class 1/21)
Make up classes March 11 and 18
REGISTER HERE

Shake and Make is back and will be sure to cure those wiggly winter blues! In this 8 week long, one-hour class, children begin each session in the large classroom with the amazing Danielle. Through gentle guidance, children move about the room in a fun and appropriately challenging obstacle course, working on their gross motor skills and developing physical confidence. Next, they head over to the small classroom to dive into hands-on, tactile arts explorations with Romina. In this environment, conversation and social connections begin to develop as children work side by side in the sensory bin, share paints at the easel, or play with play dough. Lots of easy, low maintenance take home ideas will be presented, but it's always nice to have messy play happen somewhere besides your kitchen floor, right?!

Group Ukulele Class for Homeschoolers 6 and up
Taught by Choi Fairbanks
Mondays, 10:00am-11:00am, January 7 to March 18, 2019 (no class 1/21)
REGISTER HERE

This starter ukulele class will include learning chords, strumming patterns, simple melodies, and improvisation basics. Some small percussion will also be used from time to time to create simple ensembles. Students are to provide their own ukuleles and it would be ideal if they had tuners or tuner apps on a phone so they can also begin to learn how to tune their own instrument (Guitar Tuna is good free app for uke tuning).

Main Street Music is offering a special discount for Compass Arts students for ukulele purchases AND can offer rental and rent to own options. Please contact Main Street Music, 393 Main Street in Beacon, 845-765-8548 or Questions@JakesMainStreetMusic.com

Studio Art: Drawing Into Painting for Adults
Taught by Kathy Moss
Wednesdays, 11:00am-1:00pm, January 9 to February 27, 2019
REGISTER HERE

This class is open to all students who want to draw and paint from observation, and is appropriate for all levels. Learn observational drawing techniques while exploring materials such as pencil, charcoal, ink and ink wash, watercolor, oil painting, concepts such as positive and negative space, additive and subtractive mark making, color theory, and the picture plane. Students will be introduced to the works of old and new master artists through reproductions, while acquiring skills of seeing and drawing gesture, proportion, scale, weight, volume, and considering subject and narrative. Students will learn, and hone their skills in color mixing, value, and composition related decision making...

Studio Art I: Foundational Skills for 2nd-5th grade
Taught by Kathy Moss
Class dates: Wednesdays, 4pm-5:15pm, January 9 to March 13, 2019
REGISTER HERE

This foundation class for students in grades 2-5 familiarizes young artists with the language and concepts of two dimensional art forms at an introductory level. This is accomplished through exploration of materials combined with exposure to master works (from reproductions in books) and experiences with different genres (still life, life drawing, collages). The students will learn observational drawing techniques while experimenting with materials such as pencil, charcoal, ink and ink wash...

Studio Art II: Drawing into Painting for 6th-12th grade
Taught by Kathy Moss
Class dates: Wednesdays, 5:30pm-7:30pm, January 9 to March 13, 2019
REGISTER HERE

This class is open to all students in grades 6-12 who want to draw and paint from observation and is appropriate for all levels of experience. Learn observational drawing techniques while exploring materials such as pencil, charcoal, ink and ink wash, watercolor and oil painting, concepts such as positive and negative space, additive and subtractive mark making, and the picture plane...

Cartooning for 3rd-6th grade
Taught by Ed Murr
Thursdays, 5pm-6:15pm, January 10 to March 28, 2019
REGISTER HERE

For both returning and new students! Explore the fundamental process of character creation using shape construction to develop the form of the character, while considering the personality of the character and how it informs the shape. Students will turn these characters into a cartoon drawing with a world created entirely by them. A full character has a world in which they live and students will explore perspective as a tool to build their character's individual world. From there they will introduce these characters into a story of their own creation as they explore the language of comics and sequential storytelling. Perfect for kids interested in comics, cartooning, animation and storytelling!! All supplies included.

Imagination Playhouse I: Folk Theater Ensemble for K-2nd grade
Taught by Gina Samardge with Jessica Jeliffe
Thursdays, 4:15pm-5:15pm, January 31 to May 23, 2019
Required Tech Rehearsals and Performances the week of May 13-18
REGISTER HERE

A wonderful introduction to the world of theater, Imagination Playhouse I nurtures the vast, creative minds of children. Through the use of improvisation and theater games, creative play, singing, instruments, art, design, and movement, students will help to bring an original story written by Imagination Playhouse II to life. In the spirit of the oral tradition of storytelling, each child has the opportunity to help make the story their own: creating their own character within the story; designing and making parts of their costumes, set pieces, and props; helping to write some of the music and lyrics; and creating dances. The final production is a unique theatrical experience, with students not only acting, singing and dancing, but playing percussion instruments as well. A truly one-of-a-kind production of which each child can be proud.