emulate those teachers and foster a wel-
coming environment, particularly for
those students who may have a negative
attitude toward school.
Why do you think teachers are important?
Teachers are important for the lower
grades because our students see us as
the “keeper of knowledge”. For some
students, we are the adult they see the
most in their lives during the school
year. We do not just educate but rather
we inspire, advise, and simply listen to
our students as individuals and respond
to each one diff erently.
What is the single best piece of
advice you can give parents?
Let your child be a child! They just
learned to walk and talk, let them do it!
What’s your funniest teaching moment?
I received what I thought was a rolled-up
note from a student. Upon unrolling, I
quickly discovered it was a used baby wipe
from her baby sister. Apparently, she had
no other paper to write on at the time but
thought her message needed to be shared
that day. Immediately regretting her deci-
sion, through tears told me “I just wanted
to tell you I want to be a fi re girl!” She is
now 15 and uses regular paper.
How can parents and teachers work
together to empower and engage children?
Communicate and collaborate. It is
important to understand that we both
want your child to succeed and reach
their full potential!
Heading into this new school year,
what are you most excited for?
The new personalities of my students and
how they dynamic will work, as well as a
brand new team of fi rst-grade teachers!
If I weren’t teaching, I’d be …
A carpenter. ■
What are three things you use
in your classroom every day and
could never live without?
Books – Students read every day and my
library is a constant hot spot. It is awe-
some in fi rst grade where many kids are
learning to read and by the end of the
year, many are reading to learn.
“Teachers are
important for the
lower grades because
our students see us
as the ‘keeper of
knowledge.’ ”
Colleagues (they come in my room!) – I
am constantly asking my colleagues for
advice or using tricks they use to be suc-
cessful. Even though I am usually the
only adult in my classroom, I could not
do this job alone.
Sense of humor – while it is not a noun,
I could not get through the day without
trying to be funny. Kids really respond to
someone who doesn’t take themselves
too seriously.
JAMES BRENT
DELIGHT EVERY MEMBER OF THE FAMILY
WITH TICKETS TO THESE EXCITING SHOWS
LARD DOG
AND THE BAND
OF SHY
MARIO THE MAKER
MAGICIAN “BROADWAY
PRINCESS PARTY”
THE POP UPS
HIPLET BALLERINAS
“JEDI ACADEMY”
“EMIL AND THE
DETECTIVES” “FROSTY”
2019-2020 SEASON
THE ALDEN
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!
Ticket and Information available at: www.aldentheatre.org
or by calling 703-790-9223.
Free Parking, Aff ordable Prices, Close to Home
WWW.ALDENTHEATRE.ORG | 703-790-9223 | 1234 INGLESIDE AVE. McLEAN, VA 22101
26 Washington FAMILY
SEPTEMBER 2019
THE ARTS GUIDE
ACTING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
afyp.org; mary@afyp.org
703-554-4931; Fairfax, Va.
Celebrating over 20 years of
fun, challenging classes for
ages 5 - adult taught by theater
professionals. Our after-school
programs, weekend & school
holiday classes, summer acting
camps, and more, teach skills that
can be used on stage and off!
THE CENTER FOR BALLET ARTS
centerforballetarts.com ctrbalarts@aol.com
703-273-5344 3955 Pender Drive, Ste. 105, Fairfax, Va.
The Center, now in it’s 27th year,
provides quality dance training for
ages 3 thru Adults. Classes are
offered in Ballet, Pointe, Modern,
Jazz, Tap, Pilates and Body
Conditioning. Home of The Ballet
Arts Ensemble of Fairfax providing
performing opportunities and a
fully Intensive program for Teens.
CHANSON MUSIC STUDIOS
chansonmusic.com inquiry@chansonmusic.com
Chanson Music Studios offers
quality in-home privates lessons
in piano and violin. By sending our
teachers to student homes, we
hope to build a bridge between
music lovers and professional
musicians. Lessons are offered in
English, Russian and Mandarin.
COMMOTION DANCE STUDIO
13097 Wisteria Drive, L1
Germantown, Md.
Commotiondance.com info@commotiondance.com
301-515-8908 Open House: August 17th, 9:30-12:00
Be encouraged, engaged,
excellent! CoMMotion is more
than a dance studio, it’s a place
where you learn life-long lessons,
of integrity, patience, leadership
and achievement. Intro classes,
Free Uniform, Jazz, Ballet, Tap,
Contemporary, Hip Hop, Poms.
DISNEY ON ICE
disneyonice.com ticketmaster.com (for tickets)
EagleBank Arena, formerly Patriot Center
at George Mason University
Show Dates: Oct. 2-Oct. 6
ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS/CHALUK
ENCORE STAGE & STUDIO
encorestage.org; info@encorestage.org
703-548-1154 4000 Lorcom Ln., Arlington, Va.
Ages: 0-5
Hours: 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Activities: Drama Classes
Join us for a morning of fun!
Discover theatre at our Fall Open
House for ages 0-5. See our
classroom, meet our teaching
artists and make new friends!
HARMONIA SCHOOL
OF MUSIC & ART
harmoniaschool.org harmonia@harmoniaschool.org
703-938-7301; 204 F Mill St., N.E.
Vienna, Va.
Harmonia School offers
outstanding performing arts
programs. It includes instrumental
and Voice lessons and early
childhood classes. Our Theater
department offers one of the
finest Musical Theater and
Acting programs that culminate
in productions. The classes are
offered to all ages & all levels.
Taught by highly educated and
experienced teachers.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MUSIC
ismw.org; info@ismw.org
301-365-5888 11325 Seven Locks Road, Ste. 255
Potomac, Md.
Ages: 4+; Hours of Operation: Monday -
Friday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday
9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Music lessons in all instruments
and voice offered to students of
all ages and abilities. Optional
performances and recitals
available. LEVINE MUSIC
levinemusic.org • Ages: All
Love music? Learn to play! Our
diverse and comprehensive
instruction offerings are tailored
to create the richest and most
fulfilling experience for both
students and families. All ages,
levels of experience and interests!
Offering early childhood music
classes, individual lessons, group
classes and music therapy.
PERFECT POINTE DANCE STUDIO
perfectpointe.com staff@perfectpointe.com
703-533-8830 2499 N. Harrison St., Ste. 1-LL, Arlington, Va.
Offering classes in ballet, tap,
jazz, hip hop, modern, musical
theater, dance and acrobatics
for ages 18 months through
adult! Qualified and caring staff,
family-friendly atmosphere, fun
performance opportunities.
PERFECT POINTE (FORMERLY
HEARTBEATS) MUSIC
& DANCE STUDIO
hbeats.com; staff@hbeats.com
703-440-9000 8060 Rolling Rd., Springfield, Va.
Offering classes in ballet, tap,
jazz, hiphop, modern, acrobatics,
contemporary & musical theater
dance styles. Private music lessons
include guitar, ukulele, violin/viola,
drums, voice and more! Highly
qualified staff, family-friendly
atmosphere and fun performance
opportunities. POTOMAC ARTS ACADEMY
potomacacademy.org potomac@gmu.edu
703-993-9889 4260 Chain Bridge Road,, Fairfax, Va.
Ages: 3 - Adult
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Tuesday &
Wednesday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fridays, 9 a.m.-
7 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Offering enrichment in the arts
to community members ages
3-10! Classes, private lessons,
showcases and summer programs.
SCHOOL OF ROCK
schoolofrock.com Vienna: vienna@schoolofrock.com
703-242-2184 LITTLE HANDS
111 Center St., South, Vienna, Va.
littlehands.com; info@littlehands.com
Silver Spring:
703-631-2046 silverspring@schoolofrock.com
P.O. Box 3, Centreville, Va.
301-589-7625 Little Hands has been making
8634 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring, Md.
music with children and their
Ashburn: ashburn@schoolofrock.com
families in the Washington, D.C.
703-858-0820 area since 1993. We have served
20660 Ashburn Rd., Ashburn, Va.
thousands of families with music
School of Rock is Music School
and movement classes in private
studio settings, preschools and day reimagined. Our music programs
care centers. From 2000-2010 Little are designed to encourage
learning in a supportive
Hands was awarded “Maestro”
status by Kindermusik International environment where students of
all skill levels are comfortable
as one of the top studio programs
in the country. Check out our blog and engaged. We take the music
school concept to the next level for
called Music Notes for the latest
information on our programs, child kids, teens and adults. There’s no
place like School of Rock.
development, and more.
LIVE NATION
livenation.com As the world’s leading live
entertainment company, we are
privileged to work with artists
to bring their creativity to life on
stages around
the world.
2019 GUIDE
TO THE
ARTS STUDIO OF BALLET ARTS
studioofballetarts.com studio@studioofballetarts.com
301-260-2626 The Studio of Ballet Arts Ltd.,
established in 2003, is dedicated
to creating the love of dance for
all ages in a caring atmosphere.
Our staff encourages the
development of self-confidence,
poise, and a sense of purpose in
each student. ■
WashingtonFAMILY.com 27