Hartford Magazine’s list of 2022 list of notable “40 under 40” features two alumni of the Academy, Miles Wilson-Toliver 2013 and Jasmine Agosto 2006. Singing worldwide since age 9, Miles always felt a calling to use music for a higher purpose. Recently, he is the founder of “Voices of Hartford.” As the group’s director, he mentors citizens in Hartford’s north end helping black artists in the region.

A 2002 Academy alumni is in "How We See It" on Amazon Prime.

The Academy’s dance department was honored to meet both Governor Ned Lamont and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona at a special performance including excerpts from The Nutcracker performed by members of the New York City Ballet. Many thanks to Travelers for inviting us to this wonderful event.

Dancers from The Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Half-Day Program joined renowned choreographer Jennifer Weber in a film project produced by The Bushnell. Written as a “love letter to the Bushnell,” the piece titled While You Were Gone celebrates a welcome back to live performance after 19 months of theaters being shuttered due to the pandemic. The piece premiered on the Bushnell’s YouTube page on September 20, 2021.

Academy alum Sarah Pilla has received an Emmy in the category of “ Outstanding Environment News Story.” The story titled “Oceana Trash” reports on the dangers of plastic and its effects on the ocean’s eco system.

Academy alum Corey Pane has been drawing from a young age. He finds it as a great way to express himself. For the past six years this passion has taken him to painting murals.

During the week of January 11th, young artists took part in activities and discussions on the topic of racial equity. Throughout the week, artists instructors have taken time out of lessons to bring in guest speakers, hold open discussions, and take part in activities. "Students are going to be able to use their visual artistic voice to create works that have meaning and have a message," says Visual Arts Chair Natasha Miles.

On Wednesday, Dec. 16, Dr. Jimmy Greene, Co-coordinator of the Jazz Studies Program at Western CT State University, former Academy Artist-Instructor, and Academy Alum, hosted a Zoom Masterclass for our instrumentalists. The masterclass featured a performance of the Academy Jazz Ensemble, a critique by Jimmy, and a recording of his Jazz Ensemble at WCSU.

Music has always been part of Jimmy MacBride’s life. He had been playing drums since he was three years old before going on to study jazz drums at the Academy. After graduating in 2009, he went to earn his degree from Julliard School of Music.

Academy artist instructor Gail Fresia is the 2020 recipient of the International Art Schools Network’s Teacher of the Year Award! Gail joined GHAA Half-day in 2004 as an Artist-Instructor for the Theater Design and Production Department as well as the costume designer for all Academy productions. Throughout her illustrious professional career, she collaborated Maurice Scendak for a Pilobolus performance.

Freelance artist Konnstantin Kahl has his hands in everything visual arts. Growing up in New York City, he always knew that he wanted to do art for a living. As a teen, he attended LaGuardia’s arts high school before moving on to Hampshire College in Massachusetts. It was there where the young artist got involved in various art styles/genres which have led him to making costumes, special effect designs, sculpture, and graphic art. On December 2, he shared his personal journey with Theater Design students at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Half Day Program.

The Academy has always been a place to make music. That’s why for Hispanic Heritage Month, young jazz musicians chose to celebrate Hispanic culture with a little outdoor music. Jamming outside as busses roll in to start the day, arriving students were greeted with the sounds of Cuban jazz artist Paquito D’Rivera

Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Half Day alumni Frankie Aliciea- Ford is the most recent artist in residence at New Village Arts in Carlsbad, CA. At NVA, Alicea-Ford will be heading “Teatro Pueblo Nuevo” which is their bilingual theater outreach. He will be working within the theater educational programs to ensure that Latinx voices are celebrated within NVA.

Each year seniors in the Dance Department choreograph and produce a Senior Concert through their Senior Composition Class. Traditionally performed at the end of May, students were in the middle of creating their dance pieces when school let out due to Covid-19. Within a week, they put together a plan to shift their focus from the stage to video, from working together in the studio to working remotely from home. With many thanks to director Corrine Bates and video editor Andrew Reardon, we share the Dance Department’s Class of 2020’s Senior Concert.

Musicians of all ages can’t help but to create music with other musicians. The most recent pandemic has challenged many in the music field to find ways to make and perform music while remaining safe through social distancing standards. One of the groups doing this are “The Real Ambassadors” the jazz choir from the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Half Day.

The Academy is still doing art despite social distancing. Here, you can check out two different theater piece done over video communications technology. First, is a scene from Aluis Alfaro’s “Electricidad” performed by theater seniors Weimy Montero Candelario and Aria Adee. Next check out “Behind Closed Doors,” a movement rep piece from Missy Burmeister’s Class.

Academy alumni and current faculty member Kathryn Pateric is the third place winner of the “Ultimate Online Cosplay Championship.” Her submission was of an Aes Sedai, a fictitious being from the fantasy novel “The Wheel of Time.” The design was of her own creative interpretation from research and descriptions from the novel.

Every year, from February to April, the Academy’s spring musical cast goes into rehearsal. For the 2020 production of Matilda, it didn’t seem like anything was going to be different. Then Covid-19 shut the world down and theaters everywhere fell silent. Yet as the saying goes, the show must go on. These artists have found a way to do just that.

Renowned singer David Sabella has done Broadway, Carnegie Hall, among many other endeavors. On May 13th and 14th, singers at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Half Day had the privilege to learn directly from him during a vocal masterclass. In front of individual computer screens, vocal students from grades 9-12 each took turns performing a piece of music for him while he listened from his personal New York vocal studio. “I see all of you joining me from your different bedrooms each uniquely decorated” Sabella said as spoke of the importance of personifying a song. “A really good song is one that can survive outside the show it came from.”