WHO: “Just For Gleeks” Teen Club
WHAT: Present their season final show
WHEN: Monday March 14, 7pm
WHERE: NSAA, 1111 Broad Street in Grafton
COST: FREE
MORE INFORMATION: email info@northshoreacademyofthearts.org or visit http://www.northshoreacademyofthearts.org

WHO: Jr. Stagekids
WHAT: Present Disney’s The Jungle Book
WHEN: Monday March 28, 5pm and 6:30pm
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

WHO: Stage Kinder-Kids
WHAT: Present “How Does Your Garden Groove”
WHEN: Thursday  March 31, 1pm
WHERE: NSAA, 1111 Broad Street in Grafton
COST: Free
MORE INFORMATION: email info@northshoreacademyofthearts.org or visit http://www.northshoreacademyofthearts.org

News Graphic Article “Chairman of the Arts” from January 18, 2011

For Immediate Release

Re: North Shore Academy of the Arts, Board of Directors

Contact: Sheri Bestor/262.719.4633

North Shore Academy of the Arts Inducts Neil Willenson  as Chairperson of Board of Directors

North Shore Academy of the Arts Inc., a not-for-profit 501c3 organization located in Ozaukee County, providing quality opportunities in the arts, enters their second decade of service to the community.  

“We have many inspiring developments taking place and on the horizon,” said NSAA Founder, Sheri Bestor. “One of the most exciting is Neil Willenson joining our Board. With his tremendous non-profit knowledge, people skills and overall leadership qualities, Neil will be a fantastic addition to our already strong board.”

Current Board members include former chair, Dave Fischer the CFO of Kapco, who is now the Vice President  of NSAA’s board and joining the financial committee, Darrell Hofland, Village Administrator of Grafton, Mike Donahue,  CPA and owner of Donahues Accounting Services, Paula Hare, owner of Hare Strigenz Design, Bruce McIlnay, Attorney, and Urszula Cholewinska.  “We are pleased and proud to welcome Dave Cavil to the board as well. Dave and his wife Sara were the people who stepped forward with a contribution to close the gap and make the outdoor classroom a reality. Dave is  already involved with exciting improvements to the Broad Street Facility. The addition of Dave is perfect timing with Neil taking on the Chairperson position.”

Stepping in as Chair, Neil will work with board members on fundraising and governing the organization.  

 ”When Neil became available, Sheri and I saw it as a golden opportunity.  Neil is uniquely qualified to lead the Board with his firsthand knowledge and understanding of what it takes to run a successful 501c3 organization, his training and background in arts and entertainment as well as his participation in past NSAA productions.  We are extremely fortunate to be able to add such a talented individual to what is already a strong Board.”

Indeed, with 20 years of non-profit executive leadership skills as the  Founder and former CEO of One Heartland, a national charity for disadvantaged children, Willenson is the  perfect fit to lead our Board of Directors.  Most recently, Willenson began work as the Vice President of Community Relations at Kapco where he leads Kapco’s vast philanthropic and community work.

“The dedication and experience provided by Dave Fischer throughout his tenure as Board Chair has brought North Shore Academy of the Arts (NSAA) to a new level.  I am confident that Neil, who has been involved with NSAA for many years will continue the growth and leadership that Dave has provided.  The combination of Neil’s and Dave’s experience and dedication will provide NSAA with a tremendous leadership team,” said NSAA’s Advisory Board Member, Les Weil, Community Volunteer.  

“NSAA continues to transition in such a positive way.  With the addition of Neil and Dave Cavil and the continued dedication of our other board members, our administration at NSAA will be able to focus on running the organization and programming,” said Bestor.

“It is a great honor to be invited to serve as the Board Chair of the North shore Academy of the Arts. For many years I have been an admirer of Founder Sheri Bestor and the creative and dedicated team she has assembled.  As a resident of Grafton myself and a participant in NSAA programming, I know firsthand the great value that NSAA provides to thousands of people in our community.  I am excited for the opportunity to help NSAA bring their bold and ambitious vision of growth to fruition.  Art and arts education truly enriches lives.  NSAA is a preeminent organization in making this possible,” said Neil.

North Shore Academy of the Arts is located in Grafton. Wisconsin, with two facilities.  They focus on classes in the arts for children and adults, musical productions, workshops, mentoring in the arts and the soon to be opening art studios, boutique and art gallery.  To learn more about NSAA or to become involved, visit the website at www.northshoreacademyofthearts.org

###

A Note from NSAA Founder and President

Paula sent out an invitation for volunteers to come to NSAA last Saturday and help with the Circle of Friends event. Circle of friends is a group of special needs individuals and we were providing them with opportunities in the arts.

I stood listening and watching for a while.  Parents bringing their children, young and not so young, into our academy. Teenagers, giving up their weekend afternoon to help. Our devoted staff, giving up holiday time with their families to give to other families.  I watched the singing, dancing and laughter down in the theatre room, the creating, and gluing and smiles in the art room. I saw the learning from one person to another. The honest giving and receiving from each individual involved.

 The afternoon was filled with unwrapping of all sorts.

Here are some of that gifts that I received:

that listening to someone shake the maraca while they laugh, is beautiful music.

that watching a teacher dance with enthusiasm and joy can get you  up out of your wheel chair to join along, even if the only way your feet can move to the rhythm is through your heart.

that while the list of “to dos” don’t get done when you come to an event such as this, their priority shifts. Dramatically.

that if you can’t express your joy through words, you can through music

that it pays to nurture your talents-because even at a young age you can mentor others

that even if it seems you aren’t painting or dancing or singing, in your own way, you’re experiencing art just as deeply

that teachers -especially those at NSAA, have a rare and unique gift of patience and giving and bringing out  the best in someone else by nurturing what’s within

that our old building, despite its shortcomings, is home for good things

and mostly, here is what I was given… the realization that we all have special needs, in one way or another. A need  to express ourselves in unique ways; to discover our talents.  To feel accepted for who we are and for being allowed to be true to what’s within.  And to have the opportunity to give, and to be given to.  

Paula and I stood together on the balcony as people were beginning to filter out.  The last event of the year, of the decade at NSAA, was coming to a close.  We stood in silence– after all these years of working together, little needed to be said. I know we were both thinking through the ups and the downs of the past  ten years–together with our team, all the trials of working on fixing up the facility, the financial challenges,  the journey of finding instructors, the endless editing of brochures, the shows produced, the classes taught, the late nights til three in the morning, the early mornings til late nights. At times, we’ve both had our doubts.

That afternoon shifted those doubts.  We shared the same thought,

“This is why..”

To all of you–Scott  and Paula, our amazing volunteers, staff, board members, artistic and advisory boards, parent committee members, parents, and families, kids and babies, the elderly,  visitors, CPAC, Hartford, Bayshore, our consultants, the Village of Grafton, Mequon Jewish Preschool, organizations we’ve teamed up with,  our donors, even those who have told us time and time again our bathroom is less than desirable and that they aren’t happy with auditions….thank you. We wouldn’t be here without you.

You are our circle of friends.

We look forward to the next ten years as our circle continues to grow.  We hope that together, we can honor the special needs of each other–

 To imagine, discover, create, dream.

North Shore Academy of the Arts.

May your celebrations this season be warm and joyful, may you have opportunities to give and be given to, and may all you  unwrap in the upcoming year, be bright and true.   

Sheri

Straight From Broadway!

Learn from a Broadway Dancer! Movie actor, TV celeb, dancer and Broadway performer Paul McGill is coming back to visit NSAA and share his talents. This workshop will be two hours of enriching energetic fun as Paul works through basic dance techniques that will enhance your dance skills and build new ones for on stage choreography. It can help you during auditions as well as working in musicals and in dance classes. Based on his own experiences, Paul will talk about what he feels will help you earn opportunities in the world of performing arts. Anyone interested in dance, acting, movies and Broadway are encouraged to attend. Spaces are limited.

Dance attire recommended.

February 7, 2011. 6:30-8:30pm

Early Registration Fee: $40 Fee: $50

We are also pleased to announce that Paul has accepted the position of being on our Artistic Advisory Board of Directors.  We are thankful for this great NSAA friend!

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.

See Photos of THE ARTS MILL…A Division of NSAA.  Become a FACEBOOK fan today! Look for “North Shore Academy of the Arts” fan page.

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