PARENT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Aileen Fuchs
Building a New Life
INTERVIEW BY PJ FEINSTEIN
National Building Museum in Washington,
D.C. She describes the move as a reset for
the family. “We are saying yes to opportunity,
and we are practicing gratitude to be excited
about what we’re going to do,” she says.

In her professional life, Fuchs is looking
forward to welcoming back families to the
National Building Museum, which reopened
in May after being closed for 16 months for
renovations and then the pandemic.

“It’s that interior sense of scale that is
just unrivaled anywhere and brings out the
kid in everybody,” says Fuchs. She’s also
eager to restart the museum’s educational
programs — and to burst the misconception
that the museum’s exhibits mostly appeal to
architects. “We’re a museum about the built environment
— where you live, where you work and where you
play,” says Fuchs. “It couldn’t have more impact
in people’s daily lives.”
What are some things your
family loves to do together?
Hike, camp, walk. I would call them city kids,
but we do love getting into nature. We love to
travel and we love to eat. My husband and I are
super foodies. We met working in restaurants,
and I kind of fancy myself a mixologist, too.

The kids make mocktails, and they’re really
good eaters. It makes me really happy.

A ileen Fuchs has joined our Zoom
call from a sparse corner of her
home. She’s seated low to the
ground next to an open window
for natural light.

“We’re moving from New York to D.C., so
I’m in, like, boxes,” she says with a laugh.

Fuchs and her family — husband John and
twins Faith and Fletcher, who are almost 6
— are relocating to Bethesda for her new job
as president and executive director of the
3 Quicks Qs
Paper or digital calendar?
Paper. I’m also a slave to my Outlook, but I
love to actually write things down.

Last movie your family watched together?
“The Sandlot.” Everyone loved it, and I
hadn’t seen it in so long.

Coffee or tea?
Coffee. Always half and half, no sugar.

And always hot, even on a 97-degree day.

infinitely easier because I’m never in a position
where they’re like, “Mommy, mommy!” They
have their best friend with them all the time.

It’s really been lovely, especially during the
pandemic, too. I felt really fortunate they
were in it together.

How do you juggle motherhood
and your career?
I really try to be present in what I’m doing,
no matter what I’m doing, all the time. Even
if I’m not spending as many hours or getting
the quantity of time, I try to make all my
time with them be really quality. I try to
put the phone down and do something with
them — read or do a craft.

When it comes to work, I’ll set a timer on
What was the secret to getting
a meeting and put my phone down so I can
them to be good eaters?
Lack of options! You don’t want to try it? That’s be really present with whom I’m speaking.

what dinner is. I guess you’re going to be hungry! I think that’s how you get the most value out of
anything you do.

What has surprised you the
most about raising twins?
One of my friends said to me that my
parenting the twins was like I had my
second kid first.

I remember holding one and the one over
there was crying. And then the one who was
crying, whom I couldn’t get to, stopped crying.

I was like, “Oh, I don’t need to go to you every
second!” They self-soothed earlier, and I
understood that earlier.

It was infinitely harder, but now it’s almost
18 Washington FAMILY SEPTEMBER 2021
What do you like to do in
your free time?
I meditate every day. I try to either run or do
yoga, or I’ll do a 20-minute workout. I try to
stop, cook dinner and use a new recipe that I
like. I’ll have a glass of wine and read my Bon
Appetit. I try to have my own time, and when
I don’t do that, I feel like I’m not being good
to anybody. You have to invest in your own
mental health and your own spiritual self to
be a great leader or to be a great mother. n



THE ARTS DIRECTORY
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!
BALLET THEATRE OF MARYLAND
Balletmaryland.org btmmgr@balletmaryland.org
410-224-5644 801 Chase Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Founded in 1978, Ballet Theatre of Maryland
is Maryland’s premier professional ballet
company. Housed at Maryland Hall for the
Creative Arts in Annapolis, the professional
company offers a four-season series of
performances in its home theatre and
tours throughout the state performing
approximately 40-60 performances annually
for approximately 25,000 people. The Ballet
Theatre of Maryland’s Conservatory of
Dance is the only school in Maryland that
offers a fully comprehensive ballet training
program for the beginner student up to the
professional dancer.

THE CENTER FOR BALLET ARTS
ENCORE STAGE & STUDIO
encorestage.org; info@encorestage.org
703-548-1154 2666 N. Military Rd., Arlington, Va. 22207
Encore Stage & Studio is a national leader in
theater by and for young people. We engage
kids on both sides of the curtain, meeting
them at their level to help them learn, grow
and succeed. Encore provides inclusive
opportunities for a diverse community of
future thinkers, creators, and leaders.

HARMONIA SCHOOL
OF MUSIC & ART
CityDance at Strathmore
5301 Tuckerman Lane,
North Bethesda, Maryland 20852
Ages - 18 months-Adult
Come and develop in and through dance
with CityDance School & Conservatory.

Classes for introductory to pre-professional
students. Offering a curriculum of ballet
training and contemporary dance
techniques for all ages in DC and MD.

littlehands.com; info@littlehands.com
703-631-2046 P.O. Box 3, Centreville, Va. 20120
Little Hands has been making music
with children and their families in the
Washington, D.C. area since 1993. We
have served thousands of families with
music and movement classes in private
studio settings, preschools and day care
centers. From 2000-2010 Little Hands was
awarded “Maestro” status by Kindermusik
International as one of the top studio
programs in the country.

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.

MARYLAND YOUTH BALLET
IMAGINATION STAGE
academy@gmu.edu masonacademy.gmu.edu
imaginationstage.org centerforballetarts.com
Email info@imaginationstage.org
ctrbalarts@aol.com Phone 301-380-1636
703-273-5344 Location(s) 4908 Auburn Avenue
3955 Pender Drive, Ste. 105, Fairfax, Va.

Bethesda, MD 20814
The Center, now in its 29th year, provides
Ages 1-18
quality dance training for ages 3 thru Adults. Imagination Stage is a holistic theatre arts
Classes are offered in Ballet, Pointe, Modern, organization for all children and youth, trusted
Jazz, Tap, Pilates and Body Conditioning.

by parents for 41 years. With the health and
Home of The Ballet Arts Ensemble of Fairfax well-being of our students the top priority, this
providing performing opportunities and a
fall Imagination Stage offers a wide variety
fully Intensive program for Teens.

of in-person theatre arts classes, taught by
our outstanding faculty. There is something
CITYDANCE SCHOOL &
for everyone—early childhood, creative
CONSERVATORY drama, acting, musical theatre, dance, and
citydance.net performance opportunities for ages 1-18.

inquiry@citydance.net Schedule, class descriptions, and COVID
301-581-5204 procedures and policies on our website.

CityDance at Friendship Heights
We are planning for a return to in-person
5207 Wisconsin Avenue NW
professional theatre for young audiences in
Washington, DC 20015
December. Stay tuned for details!
CityDance at Rockville
5200 Randolph Rd
Rockville, MD 20852
LITTLE HANDS
marylandyouthballet.org info@marylandyouthballet.org
301-608-2232 926 Ellsworth Dr. Silver Spring, MD 20910
MYB provides exceptional training for beginning,
intermediate and advanced students at one of
the region’s finest schools of classical ballet.

Classes offered for ages 2-adult with emphasis
on love of dance, personal enrichment, and
pre-professional achievement.

MASON COMMUNITY ARTS
ACADEMY STUDIO ACTING
CONSERVATORY Studioactingconservatory.org
anderson@studioactingconservatory.org 202-232-0714
3423 Holmead Pl. NW, Washington, DC 20010
Ages: 10-17
Modeled after our adult curriculum, the Young
Actors Program nurtures creativity, develops
vocal and physical skills, and enhances each
young actors' ability to perform and work
together as part of an ensemble. The program
is for students ages 10 to 17 and previous
experience is not a requirement. Full and
partial scholarships are available. n
In the Heart of Historic Downtown Frederick, MD
Along Beautiful Carroll Creek Park Promenade
Experience changing solo and
group exhibitions in 7 galleries;
monthly programs, classes, and
workshops for all ages; online
experiences; and a Gift Gallery
featuring works by regional artists
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MUSIC
ismw.org; info@ismw.org
301-365-5888 11325 Seven Locks Road, Ste. 255
Potomac, Md.

4701 Sangamore Road, #LL-03
Bethesda, 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.

703-993-9889 4260 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Va.

Ages: 3 - Adult
Hours of Operation:
Monday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM;
Tuesday: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM;
Wednesday: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM;
Thursday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM;
Friday: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
The Academy brings enriching arts
instruction to the community through
inspiring and innovative lessons, classes
and summer programs in music, theater,
visual arts, and film & video, which are
open to all ages and levels
Kathryn Toothman
Open Daily | FREE ADMISSION
40 S Carroll St | Frederick, MD
301.698.0656 DELAPLAINE.ORG
WashingtonFAMILY.com 19