My name is Lisa Kitzke. I graduated from UW-Milwaukee in 1993 with a BFA in Music -Performance. I teach traditional violin lessons in my home/studio in Jackson and accept students ages 5 yrs and older. In addition to teaching privately in my studio, I offer private instruction at the North Shore Academy of Arts in Grafton. Outside of teaching, I play in the praise band at Still Waters Community United Methodist church here in Jackson and am a first violinist in the Kettle Moraine Symphony. I am also a member of Moraine Private Music Teacher Association.

As for the lessons; each lesson takes into account each student’s goals, abilities, experience, strengths and weaknesses. I also structure the lesson around each individual student; something you can only get in private lessons. My teaching style is open and honest, fun and encouraging.

I truly feel it is far more important to teach the basic concepts of violin playing rather than simply teaching notation and tune playing….

Teaching the “fundies” is well; fundamental. Private lessons include music theory as a musical notation of rhythm, melody and sight reading. The students will have the opportunity to explore and become familiar with music of different periods and genres for the age- appropriate repertoire.  To encourage my students to apply what they are being taught and to teach them to think for themselves -I will quiz my students on occasion. Questions may range from how to hold the instrument in a sitting position versus a standing position-and ask for a demonstration to asking my students to explain the ”circle of fifths”. It just puts their minds in motion!

I have very strong beliefs about teaching, and about practicing. It is my hope that the combination of great lessons and hard work at home will result in many wonderful musical experiences.  Without  1:1 instruction/lessons combined with daily practice; students will learn bad habits. The tendency is for students without guidance to naturally hold the instrument wrong, and place one’s fingers incorrectly, not to mention a host of other potential problems. Rather than creating frustration and grief; consider private lessons. It’s much easier to learn things correctly the first time, rather than undoing those bad habits and mistakes. Yes, learning to play violin does take dedication and work. With the right attitude, the right teacher and the desire to learn…playing can be ultimately rewarding.

Email info@northshoreacademyofthearts.org or call 262.377.3514 to inquire about private music lessons.

The North Shore Academy of the Arts is proud to announce that we are taking registrations for our 2012 musical production of The Little Mermaid*.  The musical will be performed at the Cedarburg Performing Arts Center.  Spaces are limited so please register early online!

NSAA has a wide level of disciplines that can be learned through our performing arts department such as singing, playing instruments, dancing, modeling, acting, yoga & more.  Many of our students have overwhelming success stories that we love to share from time to time.

This summer, NSAA will be offering many programs in the visual, literary and performing arts. VIEW Summer 2012 Programs, Classes & Events Here are some of our performing arts classes being offered:

Violin lessons for all ages and skill levels

Ukulele Strum & Hum ages 7 and up

Pizza Productions ages 7-13

Musical Theater Summer Camp for elementary and middle school

Music Therapy for all ages

Community Drum Circle for ages 10 to adult

Jr. Stagekids Production of Disney’s Winnie the Pooh* ages 6-11

Zumba for adults

Zumba Toning for adults

Private voice, guitar, piano, percussion and songwriting for all ages and levels

Summer Singing ages 10 and up

Summertime Fun Sing-a-longs, Activities & More ages 4-8

Runway Modeling “First Step” ages 6 and up

Basic Modeling Industry Knowledge ages 14 and up

Catwalk ages 6 and up

Make That Face and Strike a Pose ages 11 and up

Act Out ages 6 and up

Commercial Print/Your Best Side Up ages 6 and up

Teen Yoga

Thursdays Sunrise Yoga

Summer Yoga

Monday Evening Series Yoga

* pending rights

For registration questions, please email info@northshoreacademyofthearts.org or call 262.377.3514 and leave a message.  You may also drop off registration forms anytime in the black registrations box located outside our building.  NSAA is located at 1111 Broad Street in Grafton.  Our “sister site” The Arts Mill is located at 1300 14th Ave. http://theartsmill.org

Classes begin January 16!

Our Winter/Spring Program Guide is full of great opportunities for all ages in the visual, literary and performing arts!  Enrich your own life or a child’s life by registering today!

FOR ADULTS

We have Zumba, Intro to Wheel Throwing, Visual Arts Walk in Studio, private music lessons, private dance lessons, Painting Studio, yoga, Piloxing and more!

FOR TEENS

We have our 2012 Seussical production to be performed at the Cedarburg Performing Arts Center, Just for Gleeks GLEE group, Painting Studio, Fundamentals of Music Theory, Intro to Wheel Throwing, Ballet, Lyrical, Tap, Hip Hop and Modern dance, Broadway Bound, School Daze Comedy, private lessons and more!

FOR ELEMENTARY AGE

We have Pizza Productions drama class, Aladdin KIDS, Willy Wonka KIDS, Seussical Jr., birthday parties, private lessons, Art Sampler, Sing Your Heart Out, dance classes, modeling classes, Lets Have Fun Sing-A-Long and more!

FOR PRE-K and/or KINDERGARTEN

Partners in Art, Naomi’s Music Together, Ballet and Jazz, Imagine Me in the Arts, private piano, birthday parties and more!

CONTACT

info@northshoreacademyofthearts.org or call 262.377.3514 or

REGISTER ONLINE today!!!

Tickets for our Stagekids Production CAMP ROCK and adult/youth production of HAIRSPRAY will be on sale for the general public on March 30.  Both shows will be packed into one fabulous musical weekend at the Cedarburg Performing Arts Center.

CAMP ROCK Shows/Times:

Thursday May 5 at 6:30pm

Friday May 6 at 9:30am and 7:00pm

HAIRSPRAY Shows/Times:

Saturday May 7 9:30am, 1:00pm and 7:00pm

Saturday May 8 at 2:00pm (Take mom to lunch and a show!)

Call the CPAC at 262. 376.6161 for $7 adult tickets and $3 child tickets.  Tickets expected to sell fast.  Grab a few extras for family and friends when you call!

View MORE PHOTOS on our NSAA Fan page  Much THANKS to Photographer David Fischer

WHO: Jr. Stagekids
WHAT: Present Disney’s The Jungle Book
WHEN: Monday March 28, 5pm (Green Cast) and 6:30pm (Purple Cast)
WHERE: NSAA, 1111 Broad Street in Grafton
COST: Cash donations accepted at the door
MORE INFORMATION: email info@northshoreacademyofthearts.org or visit http://www.northshoreacademyofthearts.org

For Immediate Release

December 27, 2010   

Contact: Sheri Bestor  Cell:  262.719.4633                              

Arts Mill in downtown Grafton secures initial funding; Construction Underway Soon.

The “Arts Mill” in downtown Grafton to transform the Grafton Mill building into a vibrant community for artists, performers and residents of the north shore communities. 

•  The new “Arts Mill”  created by the North Shore Academy of the Arts will help make downtown Grafton a tourist and entertainment destination.
• The one-of-a-kind Arts Mill to include studio space for 20 artists, a boutique, gallery and banquet space.
• Kapco to provide lead $10,000 gift and up to $5,000 in matching funds.
• Community members are encouraged to contribute now so that the $5,000 match can be secured.
• The historic building will receive many upgrades that will transform the space into a vibrant arts community. 

(Grafton, WI) The New Year will be an exciting start to North Shore Academy of the Arts’ second decade of offering Southeastern Wisconsin programming and opportunities in the visual, performing and literary arts. 

WIth the expansion of the soon to be opening “Arts Mill” NSAA is striving to become the hub of arts in Grafton.  

“Moving into the historical Grafton Mill is like coming back home,” said Sheri Bestor, Founder and President of NSAA. “We began there with three small rooms ten years ago and now we’ll be occupying the second and a portion of the third floor.”  

“We have many artists who have already committed to occupying studio space with us. The high talent and variety of mediums will be an asset to the project,” said Paula Christensen, Director of NSAA’s Studios and Gallery. “I’m confident that we can fill all our spaces once we’ve committed to the upgrades.”

To make the space the perfect location for art studios and a gallery, there are several updates that need to take place before the move can happen.  That’s where the community comes in, lead by Kapco. 

“We’ve always been able to count on Jim Kacmarcik and the Kapco team to support our endeavors in the arts for our community.  Neil Willenson, the Vice President of  Community Relations at Kapco, has secured a generous,” said Bestor. 

“Kapco is pleased to be the lead contributor to the exciting Arts Mill project.  We have always admired the vision of NSAA Founder Sheri Bestor and have partnered with this fine organization for many years.   We know our funds will be utilized to transform the Grafton Mill building into a vibrant center for the visual and performing arts.  To encourage community participation in this important endeavor, In addition to our $10,000 lead gift,  Kapco will also match up to $5,000 in contributions received prior to spring 2011.     We are hopeful that the entire community will embrace what will soon become a one of a kind artistic and entertainment destination,” said Jim Kacmarcik, President of Kapco Metal Stamping.

 NSAA  envisions this project to be a community wide endeavor.

“We are working to make this building and what is within, a pride of Ozaukee County. The public will now be able to enjoy live artists working, be able to shop for high quality unique gift items. purchase art work, enjoy the special events held in the gallery, all while appreciating the amazing views and charm of the old building.  Our plans include making sitting areas near the river, and hopefully working with the village to expand the river walk.”

 ”We’d like the public to be able to be a part of this excitement.  So give us a call and we’ll give you a paint brush. We guarantee your contributions will be appreciated and you’ll have made a difference in what will become a long lasting special place for community members,” said Christensen.  

But that’s not all NSAA will appreciate. Make a donation, any size, and help NSAA reach their goal of raising $5,000 that will be matched by Kapco. 

“We’ve had only positive feedback about the project. We appreciate, already, all of the support and donations that have been coming in,” said Bestor. 

The public is encouraged to donate to the project by: visiting our website, www.northshoreacademyofthearts.org, or mailing the donation to: nsaa, 1111 Broad Street, Grafton WI 53024 

Artists interested in renting studio space: Paula, at paulac@northshoreacademyofthearts.org 

Artisans interested in selling their products in the store can contact: Adria, at adriaw@northshoreacademyofthearts.org

For more information (website) www.northshoreacademyofthearts.org 

About NSAA:  North Shore Academy of the Arts is a not-for-profit 501c3 organization offering quality opportunities in the visual, performing and literary arts to all ages.

Welcome to Zumba!

Zumba is a Latin-inspired, easy to follow, calorie burning, dance fitness party! It is a spicy, upbeat mixture of Salsa, Merengue, Samba, belly dancing, hop-hop and many other beats.

A NOTE FROM ZUMBA INSTRUCTOR MERLYNN KIMMEL…….

Dancing has always played a very important role in my life. I have a graduate and undergraduate degree in dance from UW-Madison. I have taught, been trained/certified and competed professionally in many styles from Jazz, Ballet and Zumba to Latin/Ballroom Dance. I have taught and choreographed for ages 2-82 at many dance studios in the area as well as Concordia College in Mequon and U.W. Madison. I have been involved in NSAA’s Dance/Theater program since it’s inception. I am most passionate about Zumba because the classes feel like a party that EVERYONE can join in on. Each class is a total body work-out with toning exercises that are more fun than they are work. And, Zumba requires NO previous dance experience.

North Shore Academy of the Arts has positively affected the lives of thousands of people over the ten years that it has been in existence. With my background and the comfortable/creative environment provided at NSAA, I felt it was the perfect place for Zumba to grow. The classes have been running for three weeks and already the energy at the Zumba classes has been exhilarating. We are bringing people of ALL fitness levels, ages and backgrounds together for a movement celebration. Come, take a class, the first class is FREE, feel the music, and let loose. The classes are ongoing, you can join anytime.

For more information please notify me. Mkimmel@earthlink.net .

First class is free.
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays. 9:15-10:15.
$6.00/drop in. $50.00/10 class punch card.
Bring a guest. You AND the guest can take the class for FREE.

“I look forward to coming to class.”
“The energy in the class is invigorating.”
“I’m feeling more comfortable in my body already.”
“This is the first fitness/dance class I’ve taken that allows my creativity to shine.”

Here we go!   One decade down.  Many more to go!  2011 will mark our next decade of providing visual, literary and performing arts opportunities for all ages.   For 10 years we have provided the Southeastern WI communities with quality programming.  Here is a peek at our newest offerings. 

Announcing our Winter Spring Program and Events Guide

“Growing Strong” photo courtesy of Angela Mack (c) 11/10.  May not be used without permission.