HEARTS Announces 2016 Grant Recipients

With the announcement of the 2016 grant recipients, HEARTS will be awarding nearly $55,000 in funding for creative arts programming in the Port Washington schools. In only three years, HEARTS has awarded nearly $145,000 for arts programing in the Port Washington community. The foundation’s grants help enrich and support arts programming in the Port Washington schools and in the community. A generous $15,000 grant from the Peter and Jeri Dejana Family Foundation will contribute to the 2016 grant program, as well as to PortFest, the much-loved annual fundraiser for HEARTS.

Damon Gersh, Founder of HEARTS recently had the opportunity to thank Jim Avena, Dejana Grant Administrator. “HEARTS is extremely grateful for the generous support of the Peter & Jeri Dejana Family Foundation. Their continued support allows our organization to help enrich the arts for the children in Port Washington and further demonstrates their ongoing commitment to our wonderful community,” said Damon Gersh.

After careful scrutiny by the HEARTS Grants committee, the 2016 HEARTS grant winners have officially been notified and children all around our community have already started to enjoy these wonderful programs. For more information on HEARTS, our upcoming “Paint the Town Red” programs and The Red Party, which will take place on Wednesday, February 10th at the Hempstead House, or for a link for donations: www.facebook.com/heartspw, www.HEARTSPW.org , email heartspw@gmail.com, or Phone # 516-472-2699.

HEARTS 2016 Grant Recipients

District-wide

Dancing Classrooms

In partnership with the Creative Arts Department, The HSA/PTA & The Ed. Foundation

All 5th-grade students participated in a ten-week ballroom dance residency in which they learned essential life skills through the art of social dance.

Curtains Up: An Elementary Musical Theatre Experience!

Allison Friedman & Stacey Medford

4th and 5th grade students will take part in an after-school musical theater program/club. Students will put on two full musical productions (Spring and Fall 2016) containing singing, dancing, costumes, and scenery.

District Band Spectacular at Tilles Center for Performing Arts

Kevin Scully

Band students in 5th-12th grade will experience the thrill of performing in a world-class concert hall.

Schreiber High School

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math) in the 21st Century Art Class

Kevin Scully, Terri Hall, Kris Murphy, Miranda Best, Peter Koch

The purchase of extended range document cameras, a state-of-the-art Wacom Interactive Tablet Stylus and a Hi-Definition Television will allow art students to work with the newest of technology, exposing them to the future of art.

Main Stage Productions

Lauren Foster-Holzer & Christine Nelson

Funds will be used to offset the costs of Schreiber’s annual musical production.

Shakespeare in Performance

Evelina Zarkh

Over the course of a week, students will participate in workshops with classical stage actor and former English teacher, Blythe Coons, to lift Shakespeare’s plays off the page and bring them to life in the stage culminating in Schreiber’s annual Shakespeare Day.

Electronic Composition using 21st Century MIDI Technology

Anthony Pinelli, Jr.

The purchase of MIDI keyboards and interfaces will allow the Music Department to take

music production, composition, performance and recording to the next level. Students will be able to compose complete compositions and have the ability to create a Schreiber record label.

Solarplate Etching: Exploring Identity

Miranda Best, Kris Murphy

Master printmaker and inventor of solarplate etching, Dan Welden, will work with AP Art students to create original solarplate etchings that explore the theme of identity.

Creation and Animation with Light Painting

Nicole Thomas

The purchase of a revolutionary technology called a “Pixelstick” will allow photography students to experiment with light and time-lapse photography gaining a deeper understanding of photo-realistic art and the creation of abstract images.

The Memory Project

Miranda Best

The Art Honor Society will create portraits of teens and children around the world who have been orphaned, neglected, or disadvantaged to provide them with special memories that capture their childhood.

Weber Middle School

Pop Choir

Matthew Gawronski

Students will participate in a select choir where the best vocalists have an opportunity to perform fun, yet musically rigorous pop music at their full vocal potential.

Weber Woodwind & Brass Ensemble

Elizabeth Andrew

A woodwind and brass ensemble group will provide the opportunity for students to work in a small group setting to improve musicianship skills and to learn skills unique to the chamber music setting.

Audio/Theatre Tech Club

Allison Friedman & Matthew Gawronski

This brand new student club will focus on learning basic audio and video editing skills and theatre tech skills (sound, lighting, curtains). Students will be able to assist at school performances and learn how to create professional quality recordings of events.

Weber Music Composition Club

Elizabeth Andrew

A before-school program designed to provide instruction in music composition. Students will be taught to compose in various musical styles for their main instrument and will deepen their comprehension and knowledge of musical theory.

Role Playing WWII Literature

Stacey Portmore-Davies

8th graders will work with professional actress Barbara Tirrell to develop a deep understanding and appreciation for the history and people affected by WWII through the study and performance of characters in biographies and historical fiction novels.

Daly Elementary School

Story Time Dance Program

Giovanna Fitzpatrick

Guest artist Karen Guy will use music and movement to explore Pre-K students’ natural environment, space, directionality and body awareness in connection with content areas such as social studies, science and literature.

Daly Writers

Alex Eisen

5th grade students will learn to express themselves through the art of play writing and acting. They will be introduced to the basic fundamentals of writing a play and have the opportunity to craft and perform their own original plays.

Guggenheim Elementary School

Charlotte’s Web Arts-in-Education Program

Brooke Roberts

2nd grade students will be introduced to the magic of live theater while extending the classroom curriculum with this presentation of the musical version of Charlotte’s Web, performed by Plaza Theatrical Productions.

Manorhaven Elementary School

Broadway Workshop – School of Rock

Stacey Drucker, Lourdes Mergler, Kimberley Singh

Prior to seeing School of Rock on Broadway, 5th grade students will participate in a workshop that recreates a true Broadway rehearsal with students learning a choreographed dance piece, staging, and a musical composition directly from School of Rock taught by actual cast members and musical directors.

Sousa Elementary School

Terpischore from Shore to Shore

Allison Baumann

Guest artists Michael and Rachael Kosch will lead a dance residency/program for K-1st graders that integrates movement, music, and the new Social Studies/ELA curriculum.

Community Grants

HEARTS’ Bach to Rock Teen Jam Nights

In weekly two-hour jam sessions, teens learn to jam with other musicians, write songs, play covers, plan a stage show, and perform at local venues. Sessions include one hour of coaching from a pro band coach and one hour of open jamming.

Port Summer Show

Funds will be used to offset the costs of Port Show’s +SXlp