April 2007: African-American Storyteller Visits Ware

Sheila Arnold, African-American storyteller, wowed Ware Academy with her performances on Wednesday, April 4th. The first performance, “Keeping Heritage Alive”, was performed for grades PreK through 3. This performance included stories and songs written, told or passed down through the African-American culture. The stories and songs covered a wide spectrum of time and included original pieces as well as time tested ones. Sheila’s second performance, “Bess: an 18th Century Tavern Slave from Williamsburg, VA”, entertained grades 4 through 8. Bess shared her joys, sorrows and hopes through stories and songs from her life. Ware students of all grades were in awe with Sheila’s dress and accent. They also enjoyed being a part of a real slave wedding and learning songs from her heritage.  

Sheila Arnold has been performing since she was 8 years old.  She currently lives in Hampton, VA and performs in, manages and contracts new business for History’s Alive! She also uses her creative talents to lead creative writing and drama workshops, and is also a motivational speaker.

March 2007:

Congratulations to Patrick Murphy (5th Grader) and his Valentine Batik and Brynn Backer (1st Grader) and her Princess. Both students won BLUE RIBBONS at this year's Gloucester County Art Scholarship Show.

February 2007: Virginia Opera at Ware Academy: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow; Friday, Feb. 23 - 7:00 pm; $5:00 - dessert and coffee

January 2007: Click here to read about Missoula Children's Theatre week in January 2007!

December 2006: The Diggs School of Dance will perform different forms of dance including jazz, classical ballet and modern.

November 2006:  Storyteller visits Ware

Ware Academy welcomed Red Hawk, Cherokee mythkeeper and recording artists, on Monday, November 20th. Ware students enjoyed an interactive program of Native American stories, music and dance. Wearing his traditional ribbon shirt instead of full regalia, Red Hawk's performance helped dispel cultural stereotypes. Besides being a motivational speaker, Red Hawk is also a nationally known master storyteller, entertainer, actor, author and poet. The 2005 release of his album "Flight of the Hawk" is already surpassing last year's award winning CD, "The Songs Remember," which won a 2004 TELLY Award for Music Video of the Year, received a nomination for "Best Spoken Word" at the 2004 NAMMY's (Native American Music Awards), a 2005 IMA nomination (Independent Music Award), received 3 first round nominations in the 47th annual GRAMMY Awards and a letter of appreciation from President George W. Bush for his tribute to the victims of September 11th. Red Hawk is the second artist to perform at Ware this year as a part of a series to expand the school's fine and performing arts program.

October 2006: Drumming at Ware Academy

Ware Academy welcomed Tom Teasley, a nationally-known percussionist, drummer and member of Young Audience Arts for Learning, on Tuesday, October 17th. Described in the Washington Post as a "percussionist in the widest and most exuberant sense of the word,"  Teasley left Ware students awestruck by his performance. His performance combined world drums and drumming techniques with playing styles from Africa, India and the Middle East. Sounds of indigenous instruments such as frame drums, shakers, kalimba and djembe, as well as traditional jazz instruments filled the gymnasium. This is the first of many performances the school has scheduled as a part of the effort to expand the School’s fine and performing arts program.  With an emphasis on educating the whole child, Ware hopes not only to expose its students to more opportunities to perform and attend cultural events but also to inspire them to use the arts to cultivate their creativity reaching across the whole curriculum.

New Performing Arts Staff Member: Sheila Johnson

The performing arts department has a new face this year. Ms. Sheila Johnson is sharing her love of music with our students. One could say music is Ms. Johnson’s life. Not only is she preparing an album of contemporary Christian songs in a jazz style, she is a Choir Director and Head of Music Ministry at her church. Johnson teaches private lessons on a variety of musical instruments and gives voice lessons. “I play nine instruments and counting, because there are more I want to learn to play,” states Johnson. Although she is a very talented professional singer, teaching music is her heart’s true desire. As a student at Gloucester High School, she was inspired by band and choral teachers who instilled her joy for teaching. Ware Academy is very excited about the performances Ms. Johnson has planned for this school year.