Arlington Community Education

Please note: This class was priced incorrectly in the catalog. This price is accurate. History has its eyes on Hamilton! Hamifans, don’t throw away your shot to celebrate your love of your favorite musical with this week of singing, dancing, and crafting. We’ll talk about the song lyrics, characters, and events from the musical and compare them to what we know to be historically true. There will be lots of trivia and fun facts about everything Hamilton—just you wait!

Explore music through songs, games, rhythmic rhymes, dance, and instrument play. We’ll do fun vocal warm ups and sing songs incorporating body movement, funny tongue twisters, and silly sounds as we learn about basic music concepts. Come sing, dance, and play!

Join the fun as we work together to write a script, make costumes, design a set and act out the beloved stories of The Jungle Book and The Little Mermaid. Crafts and other themed activities will be included as well. The Little Mermaid July 10-14 PM “Under the Sea! Darling it’s better down where it’s wetter.” Join us as we work together to write a script, make costumes, design a set and act out the enchanting tale of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Crafts and other Ocean themed activities may be included as well. Hope to see you, Under the Sea! The Jungle Book July 17-21 PM Join us as we work together to write a script, make costumes, design a set and act out the beloved story of The Jungle Book. Crafts and other themed activities will be included as well.

Please note: The catalog incorrectly listed this price as $178. The price here is accurate $185. Learn the basics of technique, music reading, and music making on bowed stringed instruments at this class for beginners. We’ll learn to properly hold the instrument, pluck the strings, and draw the bow. Get a jumpstart if you are signed up to start strings in the fall, review your skills if you have played before, or give it a try in a low-stress environment if you are not currently participating in a school strings program. Please note: You must bring your own instrument. Rentals should be arranged with Acoustic Strings New England or another local vendor in advance of the class.

Please note: This class was priced incorrectly in the catalog. This price is accurate. Love a good laugh? Unlock your creativity, practice teamwork, and explore your silly side as we play a series of theater games that build on quick thinking, imagination, concentration, and confidence. Learn the basics of improvisational acting and non-scripted storytelling as we work collaboratively to create original characters and invent scenarios. No theater or improv experience is necessary.

Rehearse and present a fully-staged production in just two weeks. This full-day program for acting and singing enthusiasts takes place in Arlington High School’s auditorium and will be led by the Arlington High School drama director. Get a taste of performing or grow your talent and confidence in a supportive and creative environment. There’s a role for everyone—singers and non-singers alike. This program will culminate with two evening performances that will be open to the public on July 20 and 21. Auditions: Auditions will be held on July 6 and 7 in person (or if necessary, via Zoom). They will be held for casting purposes only—no one will be cut. All students are welcome, regardless of experience. Note: Students must commit to the entire two weeks and be available for evening shows on July 20 and 21. Find out more about this program at an optional information meeting on Wednesday, May 10 at 6:30 pm in the AHS auditorium.

Here’s a chance to explore fiddling from various cultures—north, south, east and west. We will start out with North American traditional fiddle music and then explore other cultures. The class will accommodate both basic and more complex parts and techniques. For students who have participated in the first year of the APS string program or who have had 10-12 string lessons using the first book of Essential Elements for Strings or the Suzuki method. Please note: Students must bring their own instrument. Rentals should be arranged with Acoustic Strings New England or another local vendor in advance of the class.

Jeté your way through this week that’s all about dance. The primary focus will be on ballet, but we will also try modern, contemporary, and jazz. After stretching, warmups, and movement games, learn short routines and collaborate with your classmates to choreograph your own. We’ll also listen to stories about dance and get inspired by famous dancers.

Please note: This class was priced incorrectly in the catalog. The price here is accurate. Come clown around with us! Through group games, improvisation exercises, and pair and solo work, we’ll learn the basics of clowning. Play with different clown characters as you make up your own unique clown personality. Increase your confidence, channel your energy, speak your mind, and don’t worry about looking silly—after all, clowns are experts in failing gloriously but never giving up!

Please note: This class was priced incorrectly in the catalog. The price here is accurate. If you have been playing an instrument for at least a year, join us for some musical fun. Practice the basics of jazz improvisation while jamming with other musicians in combo and jazz band settings, and learn to read chords and jazz harmony. Open to woodwinds, brass, guitar, bass, piano, and drums. Please note: You must bring your own instrument or contact ACE with questions.

Here is an excellent opportunity to continue playing your string instrument during the summer months. Together, we will learn new techniques and perform a variety of fun music. For students who have participated in the first year of the APS string program or who have had at least 10-12 lessons using the first book of Essential Elements for Strings or the Suzuki method. Please note: You must bring your own instrument.

We will form small chamber groups as well as play together as an orchestra to explore music from classical, pop and jazz or create new compositions of our own. For students with more than two years of playing experience. Please note: You must bring your own instrument.

Explore three styles of dance: jazz, tap, and hip hop. Learn the key steps of each style and then we’ll put them together into short combos. Play dancing games (Follow the Leader, Freeze Dance, the Floor is Lava) and choreograph your own combo to teach to your friends. Bring a water bottle, wear sneakers for hip hop, socks or jazz shoes for jazz, and tap shoes for tap (if you don’t have tap shoes we have some to borrow.)