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The Virtual Academy

This area of the Tennessee Arts Academy website is reserved for those times when the TAA has classes or an entire session presented in a virtual setting.

Welcome to the Virtual Academy

The Tennessee Arts Academy is the nation’s premier professional development institute for arts education. A program of the Tennessee Department of Education, the Academy has been held annually since 1986 on the campus of Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee! This page will serve as the starting point whenever there is a need to conduct virtual TAA programming. Information will be provided here on when and how to access the virtual site. Please feel free to contact the TAA office by email (taa@belmont.edu) or by phone (615-460-5451) if you desire further information.

2023 TAA Virtual Winter Retreat

TAA Virtual Winter Retreat Participants: You will receive an email from the TAA office prior to the start of the Winter Retreat with instructions on how to log in to the virtual site.
Please see the information below on faculty, classes and schedules for the event. Check back frequently as information will be updated regularly.
All times listed are Central Standard Time.
Schedules
Morning Core Classes
All times listed are Central Standard Time.
 Arts Leadership and Administration
Please click on the name of the instructor to access his or her bio.
Please check back regularly for updates and information about the 2023 Tennessee Arts Academy.
Music Core Classes
Please click on the name of the instructor to access his or her bio.
Connect, Create, Commit: Foster a Community of Belonging
Instructor:
Sandra Babb
 Instrumental
Music
Upper Middle/Secondary
 Vocal
 Instrumental
9 AM–10:30 AM and 10:45 AM–12:15 PM
This session will explore topics such as strengthening recruitment and retention, diversifying repertoire, creating safe spaces for all students, using affirming language, and empowering students to be the voice of change. As they analyze, evaluate, and create vocal music representing diverse cultures across styles and genres, those present will discuss strategies to engage students in high levels of musical reflection and application. Participants will review the basics of vocal tone production, and there will be time for discussion and questions stemming from the morning session plus sessions from the past summer.
Invigorate and Inspire through Musical Stories
Instructor:
Matthew Stensrud
 Instrumental
Music
Elementary/Lower Middle
 Vocal
 Instrumental
9 AM–10:30 AM and 10:45 AM–12:15 PM
Push through the treacherous winter lull of the school year with stories that inspire students and invigorate teaching and learning. With a playful process at the forefront, these stories will encourage students to work together and strengthen their community, all while singing, saying, dancing, and playing. Participants will work with colleagues for a morning of activity that is sure to bring fresh ideas ready to explore on Monday.
A Refocus on Fundamentals and Assessment Preparation
Instructor:
Lois U. Wiggins
 Instrumental
Music
Upper Middle/Secondary
 Vocal
 Instrumental
9 AM–10:30 AM and 10:45 AM–12:15 PM
This session will focus on refreshing basic instrumental fundamentals at all skill levels with exercises and resources. Participants will also explore best practices in preparing students for upcoming assessments by focusing on literature selection, procedures, sight-reading, and performance etiquette.
Theatre and Dance Core Classes
Please click on the name of the instructor to access his or her bio.
Play on Words: Creative Drama Applications in English Language Arts
Instructor:
Kendra Kahl
Theatre and Dance
Elementary/Lower Middle
 :Arts Integration, Creative Drama and Movement.
9 AM–10:30 AM and 10:45 AM–12:15 PM

In drama-based learning, students and educators imagine new worlds, go on journeys together, and reflect on their adventures. This participatory workshop will offer practical lessons, activities, and techniques that harness this imaginative story-based quality, infusing creative drama with English language arts standards.

Directing and Designing with the Rasaboxes
Instructor:
Daniel Bird  Tobin
Theatre and Dance
Upper Middle/Secondary
 :Arts Integration, Creative Drama and Movement.
9:00 AM–10:30 AM

The first part of the session will begin with a quick review of Rasas and Rasaboxes, including a discussion of some of the ways people have implemented this work into classes and productions. From this baseline, those present will launch into a series of discussions and exercises that explore how Rasic thinking can expand beyond performance to also inform directing and designing. How can Rasaboxes be a tool that will allow students to think creatively, laterally, and kinesthetically? For this session, we will be using This Girl Laughs as a jumping-off point.

Quickly Building Characters through Movement
Instructor:
Daniel Bird  Tobin
Theatre and Dance
Upper Middle/Secondary
 :Arts Integration, Creative Drama and Movement.
10:45 AM–12:15 PM

When young performers are asked to play multiple characters over the course of a play or to make large, physical character choices, they can often become self-conscious or timid. This session will explore techniques developed by Glynn MacDonald, the master of movement at the Globe Theatre in London, that allow performers to quickly and efficiently build a physical life for a character. These approaches can be incredibly helpful for making ensemble roles feel real, human, and distinct from one another. They can also allow performers to create over-the-top characters well outside the normal physical comfort zone. Participants will continue to use This Girl Laughs and will want to provide some space around the computer to allow for movement.

Visual Art Core Classes
Please click on the name of the instructor to access his or her bio.
Poetry and Print
Instructor:
Julie Lapping  Rivera
Visual Art
Elementary/Lower Middle
9 AM–10:30 AM and 10:45 AM–12:15 PM

This session will include an exploration of monotype printmaking, using nature and haiku poetry as inspiration for mark making, color, and imagery. Please click here to access the list of supplies you will need to have with you for this session.

Line + Form Watercolor Journey
Instructor:
Jeanne  Oliver
Visual Art
Upper Middle/Secondary
9 AM–10:30 AM and 10:45 AM–12:15 PM

Using simple tools and limited time, participants will create contour sketch florals and add color through watercolors. Please click here to access the list of supplies you will need to have with you for this session.

Interludes
Please click on the name of the instructor to access his or her bio.
Arts Leadership and Administration
 (Arts Integration, Creative Drama and Movement)
 Related Interlude
The Benefits of State of the Arts Data for Students
Presenter
Brad Foust, Atticus Hensley, and Jeff Smith
2:15–3:00 PM

Participants will hear how data from the State of the Arts study is cultivating collaboration within and beyond the arts, shaping future goals, and impacting students’ experiences in art education in three different school districts. The presenters will articulate the value of arts education in ways that will inspire and equip participants to advocate for the arts in their schools and beyond.

Music
 (Arts Integration, Creative Drama and Movement)
 Related Interlude
Let’s Get ORGANIZED!
Presenter
Lanae Dickstein
2:15–3:00 PM

This session will provide a practical guide to optimize mental energy by making positive changes in work habits. Teachers can improve self-management skills by setting up simple, effective systems that will be shared in the session. By creating efficient planning and teaching spaces, educators can clear up their mental space and make the work day more manageable.

Music
 (Arts Integration, Creative Drama and Movement)
 Related Interlude
Special Education Laws: Rights and Responsibilities of Music Teachers
Presenter
Julia Heath Reynolds
2:15–3:00 PM

The session will include an overview of special education laws as they pertain to the music classroom. Many teachers are unsure about these laws and are sometimes apprehensive to reach out and ask tough questions. Topics that will be covered include the individual education plan (IEP), labels, language, adaptations, modifications, placement, and more.

Music
 (Arts Integration, Creative Drama and Movement)
 Related Interlude
Programming Is Everything
Presenter
Angela Tipps
2:15–3:00 PM

Thoughtful and artistic programming can significantly affect the success of a concert performance. This session will explore the idea of balance in concert programs in terms of keys, tempi, languages, difficulty, styles, and character. Participants are encouraged to bring potential pieces from their musical library to arrange in a meaningful order as they work in virtual groups to develop appealing programs.

Theatre and Dance
 (Arts Integration, Creative Drama and Movement)
 Related Interlude
Creative Wing-Making in Free Fall
Presenter
Jonathan Bernstein
2:15–3:00 PM

Kurt Vonnegut once said that “we have to continually be jumping off cliffs and developing our wings on the way down.” This workshop is devoted to the bravery one has to summon in order to (figuratively) cliff jump, and to how exhilarating and difficult wing-making can be under duress. There will be a discussion of techniques that jog play drive, which gently challenges inherited artistic protocols.

Theatre and Dance
 (Arts Integration, Creative Drama and Movement)
 Related Interlude
Bringing History to Life: Drama Pedagogy to Explore Historical Figures and Events in the Elementary Classroom
Presenter
Joshua Rashon Streeter
2:15–3:00 PM

In this session, workshop participants will actively explore drama strategies they can embed into history and biography units within elementary education. Focusing on the tools of voice, body, and imagination, participants will explore historical figures and events that will help students deepen comprehension, expand narratives, and connect to learning objectives.

Visual Art
 (Arts Integration, Creative Drama and Movement)
 Related Interlude
Palm Book of Inspirations
Presenter
Robyn McClendon
2:15-3:00 PM

In this session, participants will construct a miniature book designed to be held in the palm. This traditional form can be found inscribed with short prayers or inspirational thoughts. Materials used will be everyday papers and postconsumer materials such as kraft paper bags or packing material. The use of these materials was inspired by a recent project, #PostConsumerArt, in which waste materials are utilized in fine artwork. In keeping with palm book tradition, favorite quotes or inspirational passages will be added to the books. Participants should have the following materials on hand: brown paper bag, scissors, metal ruler, ink or paints, permanent marker or Posca pen, a length of ribbon or string, hole punch, and a quote or inspirational passage.

Visual Art
 (Arts Integration, Creative Drama and Movement)
 Related Interlude
Everyday Sound Art
Presenter
Mike Mitchell
2:15–3:00 PM

Using the free program Audacity, blank blocks, and chance, participants will learn how to create sound artwork with their students.

Participants may want to download Audacity prior to the session so that they can create their own sound artwork as well as participate in the group sound artwork.

Tennessee Talks
Please check back regularly for updates and information about the 2023 Tennessee Arts Academy.
Tennessee Talks
Flowerree W. McDonough
1:15 PM

The Tennessee Arts Academy presents a new feature during this year’s Virtual Winter Retreat. “Tennessee Talks” will present the thoughts and reflections of a notable Tennessean whose life’s work has had a major influence on the arts, arts education, and the lives of all citizens throughout our great state. Much like the Academy’s “Musings,” Tennessee Talks will be a time of meaningful inspiration and introspection.

This year’s Tennessee Talks guest of honor is Flowerree McDonough.

Performance
Collaborating with Emily Dickinson: A New Theatre Piece Emerges
Created by Emily Dickinson, Denice Hicks, and Stephanie Shine
3:15 PM

Collaboration is a leap of faith. Join Denice Hicks and Stephanie Shine, creators of I Dwell in Possibility: Emily Dickinson Emerges. Explore the collaborative process between three women: Hicks and Shine, working together for the first time, and Emily Dickinson, immortal in her writing and ever present in the collaborative room. Highlights from the show will be shared as Hicks transforms in the moment to bring Emily Dickinson into the twenty-first century.

Please check back regularly for updates and information about the 2023 Tennessee Arts Academy.
Networking & Collaboration


The purpose of the networking and collaboration session is to provide space for Academy participants in each content area to reflect and act on learning they have received from the TAA Winter Retreat classes, from past Academy experiences, and from their own school and classroom environment. Participants will work collaboratively to share teaching strategies, strengthen professional networks, and synthesize and connect learning with existing and newly created professional goals. A TAA facilitator will guide the session.
TAA Virtual Winter Retreat Sponsors
Special thanks to the Robert K. & Anne H. Zelle Fund for the Fine and Performing Arts of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee for their funding support for the 2023 TAA Winter Retreat.
Special thanks to the Tennessee Arts Academy Foundation for their generous support of the Tennessee Arts Academy Virtual Winter Retreat and their ongoing support for TAA throughout the year. Please click here to learn more about the Tennessee Arts Academy Foundation.
Tennessee Arts Academy • Tennessee Arts Academy Foundation
615-460-5451 • 1900 Belmont Blvd. • Nashville, TN 37212 • taa@belmont.edu
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