Atlanta International School Offers Music Lessons after School

A student at Southern Methodist University (SMU), Zoe Reardon is pursuing a double major in business and world languages. Previously, Zoe Reardon graduated from the Atlanta International School (AIS), where she completed an International Baccalaureate diploma.

AIS, a private school in Atlanta that includes primary, middle, and upper grades, takes a comprehensive and global approach to education. In addition to foreign language classes and international travel opportunities, AIS cultivates the artistic and creative side of students through an after-school music program.

For more than 10 years, AIS has offered independent music lessons outside the regular school day. Lessons are taught by qualified and experienced music instructors and offered to all interested students.

The school also has several musical ensembles, including the Upper School Band and Orchestra, the Middle School Band and Orchestra, and Primary School Strings. All students participating in the orchestras are encouraged to take private lessons in the after-school program.

Why Does Abstract Art Make Some People So Uncomfortable?

An undergraduate student at Southern Methodist University, Zoe Reardon divides her time between academic responsibilities and professional experience as a summer theater instructor and business analyst for The Alliance Theater camps in Georgia. Passionate about photography and other creative pursuits, Zoe Reardon is the daughter of an abstract artist.

Due to humans’ natural penchant for solving problems, viewing abstract art can often be a challenge. This is because abstract art does not tell a particular story to viewers. It does not always have a meaning or narrative, and is often open for interpretation. Because of their inability to find a tangible meaning in abstract art, many viewers will instead avoid such artwork, or claim that it is simple to recreate.

However, despite having no narrative, abstract art does not lack a purpose. The point of abstract art is to encourage imagination and involvement among its viewers. Rather than creating a shareable experience, it strives to create an emotional experience for viewers that varies depending on each person’s state of mind and personality. For many, embracing this emotional experience is difficult and may even feel threatening to them, thus furthering their avoidance.

When viewing abstract art, it’s essential that individuals leave themselves open to the experience. Since there are no recognizable objects in an abstract piece, viewers need not worry about what other people around them are seeing. Rather, they should only focus on their own personal meaning and appreciate the artwork for how it affects them personally.

Considerations When Choosing a Mission Trip

Prior to entering the business program at Southern Methodist University, Zoe Reardon was an active high school student at the Atlanta International School. While attending Atlanta International, Zoe Reardon traveled to Nepal and Mexico to participate in humanitarian mission trips.

Individuals interested in giving back by enrolling in a mission trip should consider several factors before choosing a country or program. First, volunteers should review all of their personal reasons for wanting to travel abroad and help others. Some people may participate in mission trips for spiritual or religious reasons or to experience a culture in which they are interested.

Once one’s goals have been identified, the search for programs that will offer adequate support and training can begin. It is also important to find a program that has values and a purpose that are compatible with a volunteer’s goals. After choosing a program and location, volunteers should use the pre-departure period to learn more about the local people, including their history, present circumstances, and their culture.

Projecting Voice on Stage Without Yelling

A student at Southern Methodist University SMU in Texas, Zoe Reardon studies business and world languages at the undergraduate level. Zoe Reardon has worked several times for The Alliance Theater camp and was responsible for teaching basic theater skills to groups of students between the ages of four and six.

Every theater actor must be capable of projecting their voice so that they can be heard throughout the theater. However, some actors will yell instead of projecting when speaking on stage. Yelling uses the vocal cords to create volume and will make the throat sore over time. Conversely, projecting involves creating more sound with breath from the diaphragm. This air gives actors more control over the amount of sound they produce and gives their voice more depth.

Projecting the voice instead of yelling begins with relaxing the body. Doing so loosens up the muscles in the chest and jaw, thus freeing actors to reach a greater range of volume as they change the amount of air they take into their lungs. Yawning is one way of loosening these muscles, as is doing shoulder rolls or neck rolls prior to a performance.

Beyond relaxing the body, actors must look at their breathing techniques. Many people incorrectly believe that the bulk of their breath is stored in the lungs. Because of this, they will expand their chests as they breathe in. In reality, the diaphragm holds most of a person’s air and the diaphragm is located in the stomach. Due to this, actors who breathe with the correct technique have their stomachs rise and fall as they breathe.

Finally, it’s important that actors aim their voice out. This means that instead of talking to the other actors on stage, individuals must be aware that they are actually talking to the audience. When speakers confidently aim their sound to the back wall of the theater, they are more successful at projecting their voice so the audience can hear it without yelling.