|
Artist-In-Residence Mission Statement
To serve as a Source of creative
ideas that enhance the performing arts and educational experience
for students, faculty and community at The Summit School.
To serve as a Resource for
students, faculty and community at The Summit School in all facets
of the performing arts.
Objectives of Artist-In-Residence
I. Generate enthusiasm throughout
the Summit community for the performing arts.
II. Assess the needs of students
as a group and as individuals to determine strengths, areas of interest
and areas of need in order to develop a performing arts vision for
The Summit School.
III. Understand the specific
goals of individual teachers and collaborate with them on curriculum-based
initiatives that transcend traditional educational models.
IV. Enable students to plan,
implement and execute performing arts programs that involve individuals,
classes and where appropriate, the entire school.
V. Elevate the profile of
The Summit School by giving public concerts and events in the new
facility.
Rob Levit
Artist-In-Residence, The Summit School
410-263-6265/levit@toad.net
Essential Questions For Faculty
Regarding The Performing Arts At Summit
1. What would you like to see happen
at Summit in the coming year in the performing arts?
2. What programs, concepts and initiatives
have worked well in the past and why?
3. What programs, concepts and initiatives
have not worked well in the past and why?
4. Are you interested in curriculum-based
collaboration?
5. Does participation in school-wide
performances interest you?
6. Do you prefer smaller programs
that don't require as much time away from the classroom but still
provide quality opportunities for the students to perform?
7. How can the Artist-In-Residence
best serve the needs of the faculty and students?
8. What is important to you, both
as an individual and educator, about the performing arts?
9. What role should the performing
arts play in children with unique learning needs?
I define the performing arts as studying
the history and techniques of music, movement and drama and then
attempting to integrate them into a performance, whether it be a
very basic one or a larger scale endeavor, in order to create first
hand experience for the participant.
Rob Levit
Artist-In-Residence, The Summit School
410-263-6265/levit@toad.net
Artist-In-Residence Personal Statement
I grew up in a household surrounded
by music and the arts, though my parents weren't musical. Some of
my memories include being forced to take violin and piano lessons
(I resented them then but how happy I am now!), seeing the incredible
mime troupe Mummenschanz and hearing the legendary Isaac Stern or
Dizzy Gillespie from box seats at the Richmond Mosque. These fond
memories now create a rich tapestry of images and ideas to draw
from as I, in a sense, return to my childhood roots by providing
the same sense of awe and excitement I felt then to students who
will look to me for inspiration, support and guidance at The Summit
School.
As I developed into an artist, I
transformed through several critical stages:
As a guitarist, I learned
the basics of making music on an instrument -- fingering notes and
chords, enjoying sound for sound's sake and developing the discipline
to stick with something even though the rewards weren't immediate.
As a natural teacher, I gravitated
toward sharing my gifts with my college friends and pretty soon
discovered that through teaching, I could introduce alot of people
to the joy of music making and also generate income for myself while
providing a valuable service. The ability to effectively pass knowledge
to others in a clear yet artistic manner is something I strive for
whether the student be a child, adult or teen. My ultimate goal
as a teacher is for the student to become self-sufficient and to
teach him/herself.
As a jazz musician, improvisation
is the essence of my approach to music. The ability to play an instrument
is wonderful. The ability to improvise freely and spontaneously
on an instrument is beyond words. Improvisation, when broadened
beyond music, is an invaluable life-skill.
As a composer, I discovered,
almost by accident, how amazing it was to hear my own compositions
played by others. It was my first realization that being creative
had the potential to put me outside of myself and create something
lasting other than another guitar solo. Realizing that one's work
has a life of its own helps remove the ego from the act of creation.
Listeners respond emotionally to my music. That's a thrill!
As a leader/performer, I have
logged thousands of hours performing in public. Whether it be clubs,
concerts and major festivals I am comfortable and happy being on
stage. I have learned through many mistakes and missteps, the value
of compromise and communication with audience, group members and
business owners in creating a winning performance for all.
As an artist, I awakened to
the fact that all Art is created through fundamental principles
-- constructing order out of chaos (or vice versa), developing personal
expression while selflessly contributing to the whole and paying
deep abiding attention to one's inner and outer environment. This
awakening has allowed me to re-ignite my interest in poetry, expository
writing and visual art and thus cross boundaries and barriers as
to what my perceived personal limitations are. I discovered that
all of us are only limited by our ability to imagine and then harness
that imagination into Art.
Rob Levit
Artist-In-Residence, The Summit School
410-263-6265/levit@toad.net
|