Registration Begins For Fall Classes For Civic Arts Education

Today is the first day of registration for the fall season of the city's Civic Arts Education program.

The program serves about 7,000 people a year from toddlers through senior citizens, accommodating a variety of forms and expertise levels in music, dance, drama and visual arts. It is "Northern California's largest and premier quality community arts education program," said Kathy Nelson, arts education program manager for the city, in an email.

New this fall are a couple of video offerings that may just find the next Spielberg growing up in Walnut Creek, "MacBook/Windows Video" and "Video for Kids." These classes benefit from equipment provided by Walnut Creek TV, "everything needed to learn the skills and create mini movies," said Nelson.

"I always strive to emphasize the fundamentals of great storytelling while integrating the latest technologies and skills to move students into the changing media landscape," wrote instructor Noemi Zeigler, an experienced filmmaker, in a cover letter.

Kids classes include "Animation Nation," batik and glass fusing. Teens and adults can delve into art and music history. Beginner musicians can take a whack at "Drum Circle" or rosin up the bow for "Suzuki Violin."

Dancers can take a whirl with "Jazz/Hip Hop" or "Musical Theater Dance."

This is a small sample of the offerings. The big sample is at the Civic Arts Education website.

Programs are offered at various schools as well as Tice Gym and city campuses at Civic Park and the Shadelands Arts Center.