Have you hoped to one day learn how to play woodwinds or to paint a sunset? To hone skills on the drums or improve vocal performance? For those who value the joy and exhilaration that comes from an involvement with the arts, the new Fairview Baptist Church Fine Arts Academy (FAFA) launching in January in Columbus can be a valuable resource.
The FAFA mission is to bring the Fairview family and community quality musical and educational guidance to help participants explore and realize their full potential in their selected disciplines, all in a Christian-based learning environment.
A roster of accomplished instructors with a wide range of teaching and performance experiences will provide lessons in brass instruments (trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone and tuba); woodwind instruments (flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon and saxophone); percussion instruments (snare drum, drum set and marimba); piano; voice; and drawing and painting.
Registration for spring semester lessons is open through Jan. 8. Classes will also be offered in a summer and fall semester format.
Nurturing talent
Dr. Larry Bradford, director of the academy and minister of instrumental music at Fairview, said, “We wanted to reach out to the community and the members of the church to provide a quality arts program — something that’s affordable and will hopefully teach young people and adults how to excel in a discipline, whether it be music or art. We want to encourage them to use their talents.”
The Fine Arts Academy concept was developed among Bradford, Fairview Minister of Worship Rev. Danny Baxter and Fairview Senior Pastor Dr. Breck Ladd.
Bradford will teach FAFA classes in percussion instruments; Baxter will be a voice instructor. They join instructors Adam Byars and Tracy Blaylock on woodwinds and brass, Shirley Gustine teaching piano, Carmen Osburn teaching guitar, violin instructors Laura and Lucy Sandifer, and Bill Moss teaching drawing and painting. Classes are open to students from age 5 to senior adults.
“You’re never too old to learn,” said Laura Sandifer. “This is a good way to learn a new talent, or improve one you already have, and use it to bring glory to God.”
Brass and woodwinds instructor Adam Byars is a member of Fairview’s orchestra.
“The student will get more benefit from private lessons, but we’ll also offer group classes as well if there are enough people who want that same instrument,” said Byars, who is assistant band director at New Hope High School. “We’re offering the instruction and will see where the interests lie.”
Bill Moss of Columbus has always been passionate about art; he has painted and designed professionally for 32 years and taught art classes for 15 years. He will teach an adult and a student drawing class, and an adult painting (acrylic) class.
“I’ll teach working with color, mixing, shading, depth — the art principles. My goal is to teach people a different way to perceive or look at things so they’ll be able to recreate it, to express it on paper,” explained Moss. “I believe God is using me and my talents to show others his love through the arts.”
Tuition for the various lessons offered ranges from $240 to $400 per semester. For additional details about the Fine Arts Academy programs, contact Fairview Baptist Church at 662-328-2924. Fairview is located at 127 Airline Road in east Columbus.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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