Junior vocalist Elie Hoover (soprano) and senior saxophonist Jadon Harley will perform as student soloists with the 91����Ƶ Orchestra at its spring Concerto/Aria Concert at 7 p.m. this Friday in Lehman Auditorium.

We caught up with Hoover, a social work and music interdisciplinary studies major from New Carlisle, Ohio, ahead of the event.

What piece will you perform at the concert?

I will be performing “Una donna quindici anni” from Mozart’s Così fan tutte. My voice teacher helped me choose a piece that fits my voice well. It’s a lively selection that I have a lot of fun singing.

Is there a specific teacher you’ve been training with?

Shannon Kiser has been working with me to make this piece the best it can be. He encourages me in many ways and always offers insightful guidance to help me improve. [Music Professor] Benjamin Bergey has also worked hard to prepare the orchestra and integrate me into the process.

What excites you most about this concert?

I’m especially excited to sing in this concert because it’s a unique opportunity to perform as a soloist with such a large and talented group of musicians as an undergraduate student. It’s truly an honor to share the stage with my peers as well as musicians from the community. I hope they have as much fun performing with me as I do with them.

What’s your favorite thing about 91����Ƶ Music?

The 91����Ƶ Music Department has been a home for me over the past couple of years. The ensembles and classes vary in size and level, allowing them to meet students where they are. I always know I have people who will help me improve and classmates I can grow closer to and share this journey with.

Livestream the concert on the .

91����Ƶ held its ninth annual Academic and Creative Excellence (ACE) Festival on Wednesday and Thursday. The campuswide event, hosted by the Provost’s Office and organized by its Intellectual Life Committee, offered students opportunities to learn and engage with one another and to showcase their research, creative projects and papers.

In her opening remarks before the festival’s keynote address on Wednesday, Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus described the ACE Festival as a “celebration of student scholarship.”

“It’s where ideas take shape, not only in papers and research, but also in art, performance, and creative expression, and in the courage it takes to share one’s thinking with others,” she said.

“Here, students learn from one another,” she added. “We engage perspectives across our fields and practice the kind of communication and collaboration that will shape our lives beyond today and this semester.”

Career fair

Students connect with local employers at a career fair in the Hall of Nations on Thursday.

A new addition to this year’s ACE Festival was a career fair held Thursday inside the University Commons Hall of Nations. The event, hosted by the Alumni Engagement Office, gave students a chance to interact directly with employers, connect with alumni professionals, explore career options, and pursue internships or jobs.

Employers represented a range of industries, including Augusta Health, Merck, Park View Federal Credit Union, and Momentum Earthworks. 

One of those employers was Kirby Dean ’92, director of parks and recreation for Rockingham County. He previously served as head coach of the 91����Ƶ men’s basketball team for 15 years, leading the “Runnin’ Royals” to the Elite Eight of the 2010 NCAA Tournament.

Although his department didn’t have any full-time job openings, he said he’s always hiring part-time workers to staff the rec center desk, rake fields during baseball tournaments, or mow grass. He said the career fair was a great way to build relationships and connect with students.

“I feel like there are just good kids here,” Dean said. “They were good when I went here from 1988 to 1992, they were good when I coached here from 2003 to 2018, and they’re good now. They’re the kind of people I’m generally looking for.”

Another employer at the career fair represented the local school division. Jeron Baker, assistant director of human resources for Harrisonburg City Public Schools, said the division typically looks to fill between 50 and 60 jobs each year, mostly teaching positions in math, science, elementary education, and English Language Learner (ELL) classes.

The former associate director of 91����Ƶ admissions said 91����Ƶ graduates have a natural understanding of the diversity and complexity within Harrisonburg’s student community.

“They sense the nuances of the human component and understand that education is not just about outcomes, but about process,” he said. “The process of knowing our students more deeply and understanding their systems more fully—it’s just something that comes naturally to 91����Ƶ students.”

91����Ƶ 60% of students in the city’s public schools speak Spanish at home, Baker said, and 50 to 60 languages are spoken by students across its two high schools. 

“91����Ƶ’s ability to create cross-cultural experiences for its students while also bringing in international populations helps students develop cultural competency in ways that are unique to 91����Ƶ,” he said. “That supports our populations, our students, our families, and the broader vision HCPS has for its students.”

In an last week, 91����Ƶ sophomore Francisco Rodriguez said the event offered him a chance to look at a lot of different career paths.

“Sales is a big passion of mine,” he told the newspaper, “but understanding there are other options available here, it’s really nice to be able to check it all out.”

Presentations

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP PHOTO: Senior nursing majors Emily Guin, Kristina Suslaev, and Reina Landa give a presentation on the effects of social media use on mental health in children and adolescents. | Senior engineering major Levi Stutzman discusses gentrification trends in Washington D.C. and Denver during a poster session at the Suter Science Center. | Chase Comer, a senior majoring in political science and history, presents research on shifting voting patterns in Virginia’s Buchanan and Rockingham counties. 

Students from a wide range of majors presented their academic research Thursday in oral presentations and poster sessions across campus. Topics included the concentration of antioxidants in cinnamon bark, the effect of data centers on surrounding infrastructure and resources, the relationship between trauma and homelessness, and the impact of immigration enforcement on local communities.

Senior Emily Guin, part of a group of nursing majors presenting at Martin Chapel early Thursday morning, said her favorite thing about the ACE Festival was attending other presentations and supporting her peers. “I feel like I learn something new at every presentation,” she said. For instance, she said that last year she learned childhood obesity rates in Harrisonburg were higher than the national average.

Guin will work at Inova Fairfax Hospital’s Emergency Department after graduation. Her group presented on the relationship between social media use among children and adolescents and their emotional well-being and mental health. She said they researched the topic because of how relevant and new it is. 

“I think it’s crazy how impactful social media is, both positive and negative,” Guin said. “I can’t imagine growing up in such a digital time now. It makes me feel so old to say that, but I can’t fathom having everything posted on social media.”

Like many students on campus, engineering senior Levi Stutzman had a busy day of presentations. He was part of a cohort that tracked 91����Ƶ’s carbon emissions and presented findings showing the university is not on track to reach its goal of carbon neutrality by 2035 (as outlined in its Climate Action Plan).

He also delivered a poster presentation analyzing census data from 2000 and 2020 for areas of Washington D.C. and Denver to chart gentrification in those cities. Later that afternoon, he and three other students gave an engineering capstone presentation on a “single-axis shake table” they designed to simulate sesmic movement and its impact on structures. 

“It’s exciting to show off your projects and see what everyone else is working on,” Stutzman said. “It’s a special time of the year.”

Another engineering major, junior Micah Mast, presented a 3D printer he revived and upgraded. 91����Ƶ purchased the printer, a Makerbot Replicator+, in 2018. Because the machine’s parts and software were discontinued, it had largely been unused for several years. 

“It was always the printer nobody wanted to use because the prints were low quality,” Mast said. “It just kind of sat there.”

For his project, he replaced the printer’s proprietary control system with modern open-source electronics, resulting in improved print quality, a faster workflow, and long-term serviceability, all for about $150. The upgraded MakerBot adds a fourth working printer to 91����Ƶ’s collection. 

“This goes along with sustainability, using things that otherwise would’ve essentially been thrown in the trash,” he said. 

Mast said his favorite thing about the ACE Festival is showing the rest of the school what he spent an entire semester working toward.

“There were countless hours of trying to get it to do what it’s doing right now,” he said, pointing to the machine, which was successfully printing tugboats known as the “3DBenchy” test print.

Art exhibition

Senior art students Donovan Arnason, Daisy Buller, Hollyn Miller, Jasmin Ruiz, and Allie Watkins presented their capstone projects during an opening reception Thursday afternoon at the Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery. The exhibition will remain on display through May 1.

Student recital

A student recital at Lehman Auditorium featured performances by vocalists Mac Rhodes-Lehman (bass) and Eli Stoll (baritone), pianists Rafael de Tablan and Micah Wenger, violinist Miriam Rhodes, violist Monica Ehrenfels, flautist Nina Dunsmore, and guitarist and vocalist Erin Yoder (alto). The musicians were accompanied by Harold Bailey and Dominic Baldoni on piano.

A wind ensemble concert was held that evening, followed by a university choir concert on Friday as part of the weeklong ACE Festival lineup. View recordings of those concerts on the .

Authors’ Reception and Award Presentation

The 17th annual Authors’ Reception and Award Presentation recognized and celebrated the winners of 91����Ƶ’s Excellence in Teaching Awards. Faculty members Dr. Ryan Good, Dr. Kathryn Howard-Ligas, and Kevin Carini were announced as this year’s recipients. 

Click the post below for testimonials about each recipient, the winners of the student writing and academic awards, and the faculty and student authors recognized for their published scholarly works.

Keynote address

A keynote address by Dr. Deborah Lawrence, chief scientist at Calyx Global, opened the ACE Festival on Wednesday morning. Lawrence, who taught at the University of Virginia as an environmental sciences professor for more than 25 years, reflected on Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, 91����Ƶ’s Common Read this year, and spoke about her research on forests in Borneo, Mexico, and around the world. 

Read our recap of her address below:

The ACE Festival is hosted by the Provost’s Office and made possible by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; the Center for Interfaith Engagement; and the Daniel B. Suter Endowment, which supports 91����Ƶ’s commitment to fostering curiosity, discovery, and scientific learning. 

For a full schedule of ACE Festival events, visit .

Photos by Aric Berg and Jon Styer/At Ease Consulting

91����Ƶ Theatre brings Shakespeare’s heartwarming tale of mystery and magic to life in an original musical, featuring hit songs from the ’80s and ’90s and dynamic choreographed dance numbers. “The Winter’s Tale: A Musical Adaptation” comes to the Lee Eshleman Studio Theater, with nightly shows at 7:30 p.m. from April 9-12.

Tickets for the show are on sale at and will be available at the door, though seating inside the theater is limited and tickets have been known to sell out quickly. Tickets range from $6 for 91����Ƶ and JMU students, $10 for children and other students, $18 for seniors (65+), and $20 for adults.

“The Winter’s Tale” follows two kingdoms torn apart by jealousy, a lost queen, and the love that may bring them back together. When Leontes, the tyrannical king of Sicilia (Elie Hoover), suspects his wife Hermione (Jubilee Soper) of unfaithfulness with Polixenes, king of Bohemia (Samuel Castaneda), he becomes so enraged that he orders her jailed and their infant daughter abandoned.

Sixteen years later, as the seasons shift from winter to spring, the story moves to Bohemia, where Leontes’ daughter, Perdita (Emilee White), is now grown and has captured the heart of Florizel (Kayden Beidler), the brash and dramatic son of Polixenes. Will their love be enough to reunite the two kingdoms?

Perhaps best known for the stage direction, “Exit, pursued by a bear,” this sweet and complex romance is written in Shakespeare’s signature iambic pentameter. But this adaptation adds a “nice little twist,” said guest director Haley Davis: a mix of 1980s and ’90s chart-toppers, personally selected by 91����Ƶ’s talented student cast, woven throughout the play. It’s sure to have the whole audience singing along.

Frequent 91����Ƶ Theatre collaborator Jim Clemens returns as music director, performing iconic rock ballads and pop rock songs on piano, while student Bryan Joya-Estrada, who also portrays the Shepherd, plays various instruments.

The costumes, designed by Rebecca Bailey, blend early modern and Renaissance elements with an ’80s and ’90s punk rock aesthetic, Davis said.

Rounding out the crew are Shannon Dove as technical director, Sierra Priest as choreographer, and Sarah Peak as stage manager.

The play will be performed in the round, with audience members seated on all sides of the raised stage and in the upper balcony.

“It’s more fun when you have the audience right there at your toes,” said Davis, an administrative-professional faculty member of James Madison University’s School of Theatre and Dance. “You can look up at the heavens or down at the earth, and you have people there to share the moment with.”

It was only after the audition process that it became clear to the production team which play to perform. “In a special way, this play was chosen based on the people rather than the other way around,” she said. “I found that this approach, coupled with the students musically adapting the play, gave the team unique agency in the story they wanted to tell.”

Beidler, who plays the roles of Florizel and Antigonus, said they love how collaborative the show has felt. “It was so fun helping pick the music, and it really feels like we’ve made this show ours,” they said.

Hoover, who portrays Leontes and Autolycus, said, “It’s fun getting to play characters who are both so different from each other and from me.”

One of the play’s most striking moments is when it travels over 16 years, transporting the characters from Sicilia to Bohemia, from a harsh winter to a forgiving spring. The shift has also felt meaningful for the students, who began rehearsals in winter and are gradually emerging into spring themselves.

“I want audiences to walk away with a sense of hope,” Davis said. “Things can look bleak and cold and scary, but there’s something better around the corner if we hold on and let time do what it needs to do.”

Cast
Leontes/Autolycus — Elie Hoover
Hermione — Jubilee Soper
Mamillius/Perdita — Emilee White
Camillo — Erin Batten
Polixenes — Samuel Casteneda
Paulina — Elena Middlebrook
Florizel/Antigonus — Kayden Beidler
Shepherd/Officer — Bryan Joya-Estrada
Lord/Messenger — Kyah Young

Crew
Director — Haley Davis
Music Director — Jim Clemens
Technical Director — Shannon Dove
Costumer — Rebecca Bailey
Choreographer — Sierra Priest
Stage Manager — Sarah Peak

According to an artist’s statement:
“Salt & Fury” is an evocative body of work that delves into the profound connection between environmental forces and psychological states, utilizing the dynamic coastline as a powerful metaphor for internal experiences of anger, grief, and transformation. This collection comprises oil paintings of fractured shorelines, envisioned not as traditional landscapes but as “impact zones” where human emotion confronts the boundaries of language, alongside abstract color works that surrender to pure sensation, embodying affect in raw, visceral form.

Gusler presented on her artwork at a sabbatical spotlight and opening reception on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

View a photo gallery of the reception below.

Gusler holds an MFA in painting and drawing. At 91����Ƶ, she shares her love of immersion into these practices with her students.

To see more of her art, visit or follow her on Instagram at .

The professor and photographer, whose colorful images of the seasonal ponds—and the aquatic life that inhabit them—have earned him 2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year honors and graced the cover of Nature Conservancy Magazine, has been named an associate fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP).��

was one of 16 accomplished photographers and filmmakers selected to join the iLCP’s associate fellow program for 2025, the nonprofit recently announced in a release.��“Each of them brings exceptional skill in visual storytelling, a deep engagement with conservation initiatives and a strong dedication to advancing environmental awareness through their work,” the .��

Established in 2005, iLCP supports environmental and cultural conservation through ethical photography and filmmaking. Its fellows are a group of professional wildlife, nature, and cultural visual storytellers who, “in addition to displaying remarkable photographic and filmmaking skills, have each demonstrated a deep commitment to conservation efforts around the globe,” according to its . These 120+ fellows, based in 26 countries and working in 190 countries, “shine a light on issues ranging from endangered flora and fauna to climate change to ocean health.”

For Johnson, conservation photography allows him to share the same sense of wonder he feels when encountering other creatures in the natural world. “Millions of animal and plant species coexist on Earth, but very few of these species enter our consciousness; that invisibility is a big problem when it comes to conservation,” he said. “Even in the midst of an extinction crisis, most of our news and political discourse is very human-centered. Using visual communication to advocate for the natural world is a way to challenge that narrative and look for ways to share the planet with the ‘more-than-human’ world.”

The 91����Ƶ professor had been an affiliate for iLCP for a number of years where he served as a technical consultant and also connected 91����Ƶ students to its photographers and staff. As a fellow, he will attend the organization’s signature event, , in mid-November, which brings together conservation photographers, filmmakers, scientists, advocates, and communicators from around the globe as they share powerful stories and solutions for a sustainable future.

“It’s definitely affirming to be a part of a fellowship of passionate and committed peers in the conservation photography world,” Johnson said.

Michael Horst, dean of Behavioral, Health and Natural Sciences at 91����Ƶ, said Johnson’s work brings viewers face to face with the miraculous elements of the natural world that might otherwise be overlooked, creating an emotional connection that heightens the importance of protecting and conserving it.

“At 91����Ƶ, we know the importance of deeply cultivating sustainable practices,” Horst said. “For those who need encouragement, Steve’s work can make a big difference.”

91����Ƶ the professor

Johnson came to 91����Ƶ in 2005 and started one of the few full-semester conservation photography courses offered to undergraduates in the U.S.

He holds an MFA from Savannah College of Art and Design and serves on the advisory board of the Virginia Wildlife Committee and Girls Who Click. At 91����Ƶ’s VACA department, he teaches digital media classes and a specialized course on conservation photography. When he’s not in his office, he can often be found crouched next to a vernal pool or kayaking the North Fork of the Shenandoah River.

His images of the natural world have appeared in Wildlife Photographer of the Year, National Wildlife Magazine, Nature Conservancy Magazine, Ranger Rick, Virginia Wildlife, bioGraphic, Orion, National Science Teaching Association Press books, and numerous conservation publications and journals. His long-term project exploring vernal pools was highlighted by the Southern Environmental Law Center in “The wonder of wetlands and 5 Southerners working to protect them” ().

Johnson said one of his favorite things about teaching is that 91����Ƶ and VACA allow for so much innovative, interdisciplinary practice. For example, in his conservation photography class, he teaches a mix of photography, digital media, and science students. 

“In some places, the sciences and arts barely mix,” he said. “Here, I can talk to science students about making compelling images and teach visual arts students about vernal pools.”

Johnson will teach the class in conservation photography again during the fall 2026 semester.

View more of his photography at .

As a guitarist born without arms, Tony Melendez has touched countless lives with his of resilience, faith, and triumph over adversity. The internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter has played the guitar—with his feet—for Pope John Paul II, at the 1989 World Series, and on numerous TV talk shows. He’ll be performing his guitar music and sharing his incredible life story at 91����Ƶ’s annual gala concert on Friday, Nov. 7.

The concert will be held at 7 p.m. at 91����Ƶ’s Lehman Auditorium. It will also be available to watch online through a livestream on the .

The annual gala concert has not only become one of the most popular arts events on campus each year, but also one of the most exciting and unique concerts held in the Valley, said David Berry, music program director at 91����Ƶ.

“This year’s gala, themed Shared Stories, will be a spectacular evening of warmth, brilliant music making, and joy celebrating the beauty of our unique and collective stories,” Berry said. “The concert will feature electrifying world music, a host of exciting guest artists, beautiful choral singing, orchestra, wind band, and more.”

In addition to Melendez’s music, the event will showcase the world premiere of Our Story, an innovative and eclectic new work that brings together folk and world musicians from a range of styles, including Appalachian music trio After Jack, Ukrainian bandurist and electric guitarist Alex Lagoda, African soul artist Makinto, gospel singer Tabatha Parrott, and The Harrisonburg Kurdish/American String Ensemble. 91����Ƶ Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon Dycus will be the narrator for the piece.

Other highlights will include Elaine Hagenburg’s choral masterwork “Illuminare” by the University Choir and Chamber Orchestra, along with performances by the Chamber Singers, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Ensemble.

‘Too good not to share’

Guest artist After Jack will perform programs for more than 1,000 K-8 students throughout Harrisonburg and Rockingham County schools in conjunction with , a nonprofit dedicated to making the arts accessible to students throughout the region. 

“This is sure to be an unforgettable night of beauty, exhilaration, community, peace, and joy,” Berry said. “A concert this special is too good not to share with as many people as possible.”

Thanks to lead sponsor Everence Financial for supporting this event.

From crystal-clear shots of the Milky Way above the Andes in Peru and the surreal pink-and-green glow of the Aurora Borealis at Shenandoah National Park, to a humpback whale breaching the surface of Monterey Bay and a hummingbird frozen mid-flight, the collection of photos in Fleeting offers a glimpse into the 91����Ƶ grad’s adventures around the world.

“I hope that when you look at these photos, you get to feel the same excitement that I felt to be in those places and experience those moments,” said McGuigan, who graduated from the Visual And Communication Arts program with a BA in digital media and environmental sustainability. “I think it’s natural for all of us to want to capture those fleeting, beautiful moments in our lives, and I hope that’s what I’ve done here.”

The exhibition, which opened on Sept. 12, will remain on display until Oct. 3. The gallery is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Sunday.

91����Ƶ News often publishes event previews. Visit  to view latest postings or to subscribe to the news digest to receive the Tuesday morning weekly update.

August

Classes for students begin on Tuesday, Aug. 27.

Aug. 28 — Opening Convocation and Worship. Join President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman as we kick off another 91����Ƶ year with the theme of “Running the Good Race.” 10:15-11:05 a.m., Lehman Auditorium. This event will be livestreamed on  page.  

September

Sept. 4 — Convocation: Unlocking the Brain. is a professor and bestselling author with a passion for helping others learn and study more effectively. This convocation unlocks the learning brain and decodes the research about how learning works into practices that enhance and accelerate our own learning journey. 10:15-11:05 a.m., Lehman Auditorium. This event will be livestreamed on  page.  

Sept. 6 — Suter Science Seminar: Morgan Heim. “Wild Heart: Bringing Empathy and Grace to Environmental Storytelling.” Heim is a wildlife photojournalist and filmmaker focusing on coexistence and how human-influenced environmental change impacts wildlife. She holds degrees in zoology and environmental journalism, which she draws upon in her search to find the beauty, humor and perseverance in wildlife stories. 10:15-11:15 a.m., Suter Science Center 106.

Sept. 6 — The Visual And Communication Arts (VACA) department hosts the first gallery opening of the year featuring widely acclaimed wildlife photographer Morgan Heim. 4-5 p.m., Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery. On display through Oct. 4.

Sept. 6-8 — Join the 91����Ƶ Chamber Singers for a sing-through of the entire Voices Together hymnal. The three-day is a fundraiser for the choir, which will tour the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland in May 2025, wrapping up their tour at the 500-year Celebration of Anabaptism, where they have been selected as the performing choir from North America. 7-11 p.m., Friday, Sept. 6; 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 7; noon until finished, Sunday, Sept. 8; Martin Chapel. 

Sept. 16 — Student Research Symposium. Biology and chemistry students have been busy this summer! Several students will share about their scholarly summer experiences, including presentations of their research. 4:15-6 p.m., Suter Science Center 106.

Sept. 17 — Sabbatical Spotlight: Paul J. Yoder. “Going to Thailand and the Library!” Paul will share highlights of a two-week Virginia Mennonite Missions experience in Thailand. He will also report on the scholarly writing that occupied the bulk of the semester. 12:10-1 p.m., Northlawn West Dining Room.

Sept. 18 — Convocation: Finding Common Ground in Common Grounds. A presidential election is on the horizon and times feel tense and divisive. Whether you are Republican, or Democrat, or something else entirely, gather for a facilitated process where we can each share and listen across the political divide. 10:15-11:05 a.m., Common Grounds Coffeehouse.

Sept. 23 — Verses & Vibes with Jessica Care Moore. A powerful evening of poetry with authors and recording artists Jessica Care Moore and Brad Walrond. 7 p.m., Student Union.

Sept. 26 — Royals Go Downtown. Rep your Royal pride while enjoying samples from Downtown Harrisonburg restaurants and participating in a parade. 5-8 p.m., Downtown Harrisonburg.

Sept. 27 — Wind & Jazz Ensemble Concert. 7-9 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

October

Fall Break for students is between Wednesday, Oct. 16, and Sunday, Oct. 20. Classes resume on Oct. 21.

Oct. 2 — Convocation: Nonviolence Matters. Sarah Nahar, a nonviolent action trainer and interspiritual theologian, will talk about why nonviolence matters, especially in relation to 91����Ƶ’s anabaptism roots, as she also explores the theory behind the practice. 10:15-11:05 a.m., Lehman Auditorium. This event will be livestreamed on  page.  

Oct. 11 — Art Gallery Opening, featuring alumni artists Rebecca Souder Gish ’09, Rhoda Miller ’03, and Jon Styer ’07. 4-5 p.m., Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery.

Oct. 11-13 — Homecoming and Family Weekend 2024. Visit for a full listing of events. 

Oct. 11-27 — 91����Ƶ Theatre’s production of “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical.” A small cast of 91����Ƶ students and community members play multiple roles in this epic rock musical version of Rick Riordan’s beloved young-adult novels about an under-achieving kid who discovers that he’s a demigod. 7 p.m., Oct. 11-12, Oct. 25-26; 2 p.m., Oct. 13, Oct. 26-27. All shows in Studio Theater.

Oct. 13 — The 91����Ƶ Chamber Singers performs for Homecoming and Family Weekend 2024. 9:30 a.m., Park View Mennonite Church.

Oct. 14 — Convocation: Indigenous Peoples’ Day. 10:15-11:05 a.m., Lehman Auditorium.

Oct. 15 — Third annual Queer History Month keynote, featuring Annabeth Roeschley, executive director for Brethren Mennonite Council for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Interests. 7:30 p.m., Common Grounds.

Oct. 29 — Sabbatical Spotlight: Mark Sawin. “Other Voices, Other Rooms: Teaching America in Lithuania and Croatia.” 91����Ƶ History Professor Dr. Mark Metzler Sawin will present the lessons learned during a year of teaching about and being a representative of the U.S. in Lithuania and Croatia. It will focus on difference in ideas and understandings about race, ethnicity, belonging, power, and agency in these racially homogeneous but ethnically fraught areas, through stories of his interactions with many remarkable students and colleagues. 12:10-1 p.m., Northlawn West Dining Room.

Oct. 30 — Convocation: Dia de los Muertos Celebration. Learn about and celebrate this Mexican holiday as we also remember family and friends who have passed. 10:15-11:05 a.m., Lehman Auditorium. This event will be livestreamed on  page.  

November

Thanksgiving Break is between Wednesday, Nov. 27, and Sunday, Dec. 1.

Nov. 1 — Suter Science Seminar: Kathryn Jacobsen. “Health Transitions Epidemiology and the Hepatitis A Paradox.” Jacobsen, professor in the Department of Health Studies at the University of Richmond, leads a talk explaining some of the methods that are used to study health transitions and will discuss the reasons why safe drinking water does not always lead immediately to reduced outbreaks of waterborne infectious diseases and improved community health. 10:15-11:15 a.m., Suter Science Center 106.

Nov. 7 —&�Բ�����;Augsburger Lecture Series: Felipe Hinojosa. Hinojosa is the John and Nancy Jackson Endowed Chair in Latin America and professor of history at Baylor University. His research focuses on the Latinx civil rights movement and religious politics in 20th century America. 7 p.m., Martin Chapel.

Nov. 8 — 91����Ƶ Music Gala Concert: Arise. The 91����Ƶ Gala Concert has become one of the most exciting and unique annual concert events in the Valley. This year’s gala, themed Arise, celebrates the beauty of resilience in overcoming hardship and the joy and peace found in community. The concert will feature electrifying tap dance from guest artist Izaiah Montaque Harris, exciting jazz, beautiful singing, and the grand finale from one of the most powerful and moving musical masterworks of all time, Gustav Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony for chorus and orchestra. 7-9 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

Nov. 13 — Convocation: Subtract. Hear from Leidy Klotz, author of Subtract, as he arms us with the science of less and empowers us to revolutionize our day-to-day lives and shift how we move through the world. 10:15-11:05 a.m., Lehman Auditorium. This event will be livestreamed on  page.  

Nov. 15 — Opening reception and live concert, featuring 91����Ƶ music alum Joseph Harder and an exhibition of his photography. 4-5 p.m., Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery. Exhibition runs through Dec. 13. 

Nov. 17 — Fall Concert (Intermezzo & Concert Choirs with Shenandoah Valley Youth Symphony). 4 p.m., Lehman Auditorium. By donation.

Nov. 19 — Sabbatical Spotlight: Doug Graber Neufeld. “Exploring Our World with Geographic Information Systems: Water, Climate, and Salamanders.” Graber Neufeld is professor of biology at 91����Ƶ and helps to direct the environmental science major. His research focuses on the environmental impacts of toxins and pollution on humans and the planet. 12:10-1 p.m., Northlawn West Dining Room.

Nov. 20 — 91����Ƶ Joint Choir Concert. Join us for a fun concert, featuring three choirs of 91����Ƶ: the University Choir, Chamber Singers, and Gospel Choir. Set in the more informal Student Union, grab a snack or drink at Common Grounds while you enjoy the choral offerings 91����Ƶ has in store! 8 p.m., Student Union.

December

Residence halls close for winter break at noon on Saturday, Dec. 14, and reopen on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. 

Dec. 2 — Sixth annual Lighting of the Green. Join the 91����Ƶ community as Christmas carols are sung, delicious treats are enjoyed, and the lights adorning the Christmas tree at Thomas Plaza are switched on. 4:45 p.m., Front Lawn.

Dec. 6 — Let it Snow! – An 91����Ƶ Christmas Concert. Join us for 91����Ƶ Music’s second-ever Christmas concert: Let it Snow! Featuring 91����Ƶ’s music ensembles and faculty, this special concert presents fun and beautiful holiday classics with a few surprises and special twists along the way. This is sure to be an enjoyable event for all ages. 7-9 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

Dec. 10 — Convocation: Student Recognition Ceremony. Celebrate our amazing students and all the incredible ways they are leading with compassion and care. 10:10-10:50 a.m., Lehman Auditorium. This event will be livestreamed on  page.  

Dec. 14-15 — Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir Christmas Concerts (all performing choirs). 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14; 4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 15, Lehman Auditorium. 

More information

Arts at 91����Ƶ To learn more about music, theater, and visual and communication arts at 91����Ƶ, visit www.emu.edu/arts.

Center for Interfaith Engagement The Center for Interfaith Engagement (CIE) at 91����Ƶ promotes collaboration among religious and nonreligious scholars and practitioners, provides education in our principles and practices, and creates a safe space for developing authentic relationships and mutual understanding both between and within communities. CIE partners with people and organizations for interfaith education and service to promote a more just and peaceful world.

 Each year, a variety of expert scientists visit 91����Ƶ’s campus to share their insights. Refreshments provided.

University Chapel A community gathering place for worship and forum, chapel reflects an Anabaptist/Mennonite perspective alongside the gifts, traditions and cultures of the broader Christian faith. Faith, hope and love are nurtured in the way of Jesus. Faculty, staff, students, and community members are invited to gather every other Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. for campus worship in Martin Chapel. A student-led song, prayer and worship service is held most Sunday evenings from 8-9 p.m. in University Commons Room 177 (Old Common Grounds). Podcasts available.

Writers Reads and Spanish Language Film Series events sponsored by the language and literature department. Writers Read features authors who read from and comment on their work; refreshments are provided. Spanish language films will have English subtitles; introductions and student-led discussions are in English.

Works center around the festival theme of “Unity” and range from J.S. Bach’s Wedding Cantata to Richard Strauss’ Four Last Songs to Valerie Coleman’s Umoja: Anthem of Unity and Ernst von Dohnányi’s Sextet in C Major, Op. 37, said Bach Festival Artistic Director and 91����Ƶ Music Program Director David Berry, a prominent pianist who will perform in the latter work in Festival Concert I.

“This year’s festival includes works that explore themes we can all relate to in our humanity, composers that are underrepresented and we don’t get a chance to hear, and pieces that bring together various different elements to create something entirely new like Antonín �ٱ���řá��’s Symphony No. 9 ‘From the New World,’” shared Berry. “I’m thrilled to welcome audiences to experience this year’s festival featuring an absolutely stellar lineup of musicians from around the world, including artists from 91����Ƶ, JMU, Shenandoah Conservatory, and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, as well as rising star performers from the Shenandoah Valley.”

Featured artists include guest conductor Deanna Tham, associate conductor of the Oregon Symphony and music director of the Union Symphony Orchestra, who will conduct Festival Concerts II and III; Benjamin Bergey, assistant professor of music at 91����Ƶ and conductor of 91����Ƶ’s Orchestra, Chamber Singers, and University Choir; Berlin-based soprano Sara Duchovnay, a “dynamic and expressive” vocalist who sings with “warmth and luster” (OperaWire); Penelope Shumate, who sings soprano solos with “appealing bell-like clarity and surpassing sweetness” (The New York Times); and Mexican American violinist Alejandra Switala, a top prize winner at the 2023 Sphinx Competition in Detroit, Michigan.

Other highlights include Open Mic Night at Pale Fire, which offers listeners the opportunity to hear—and mingle with—festival performers in a casual setting, and a free talk titled “Harry T. Burleigh, Antonín Dvořák, and the Symphony from the New World” by music historian, author and 91����Ƶ alumna Jean Snyder ‘63 on Thursday, June 13 at 4 p.m. at Massanutten Regional Library.

At the intersection of harmony, humanity and nature, the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival gathers internationally-recognized artists and inquisitive audiences to celebrate the life and joy of great music. We like to say “Bach is just the beginning” to share our deep appreciation of the breadth of work influenced by the musical inventions of Bach. The festival began under the artistic direction of Ken J. Nafziger, professor emeritus of 91����Ƶ Music, in 1993.

For tickets to the Bach Festival, visit . Tickets to Festival Concerts I, II and III at 91����Ƶ’s Lehman Auditorium and to the Baroque Faculty Concert at Asbury United Methodist Church are pay what you can from $10-40 and free to college students; tickets to Festival Concerts I, II and III include pre-concert talks. Noon concerts at Asbury United Methodist Church and other on- and off-campus concerts are free for all.

91����Ƶ News often publishes event previews. Visit  to view the latest postings or to subscribe to the news digest to receive the Tuesday morning weekly update.

November 2023

Nov. 1 — Suter Science Seminar: Ángel A. García Jr. “Using Karst as a Central Theme to Establish Multidisciplinary Research Around the World.” Dr. Garcia is a geoscientist interested in using cave and karst science to study the intersection between society and karst terrain around the world. In this talk, he will be discussing current research related to cave and karst in Virginia and Puerto Rico and other parts of the world. 10:10 a.m., SSC 104.

Nov. 3-5 — This and That Theater Showcases. Student and community artists share one-act plays, monologues, song, poetry, spoken word and solo pieces. Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m., MainStage Theater.

Nov. 5 — Massanutten Brass Band. Join the Shenandoah Valley’s very own British-style brass band in concert as they present Old, New, Borrowed, Blue! This concert features pieces by Shostakovich, Gershwin, Graham, and more! 6 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

Nov. 6 — STEM Teaching Gathering. “Lessons Learned from 24 Years in Education” from Brian Nussbaum. This session will highlight three significant transformations in thinking that have influenced Brian’s approach to teaching and share the importance of how learning from failure can be the most important rule as an educator. 10:10 a.m., SSC 109.

Nov. 8 — Convocation: Celebrating 91����Ƶ’s Mennonite Identity. A panel of students, faculty and staff will discuss what it means to be a Mennonite university today. There will also be music performances and singing. 10:10 a.m., Lehman Auditorium.

Nov. 10 —&�Բ�����;91����Ƶ Music 2023 Gala. Together. This special concert celebrating connectedness and community across the globe will feature dance, poetry, world music, the world premiere of two new compositions, and the beloved “Ode to Joy” movement from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. There will be special performances by guest artists Paula Facci, Andreá Bellamore, Makinto as well as all 91����Ƶ music program ensembles. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium. Suggested donation $10-$20.

Nov. 15 — University Colloquium: Cathy Rittenhouse. “Improving Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Test Utilization on a College Campus.” For students to succeed in their educational endeavors, it is essential for colleges to work to meet health needs. Measures that raise awareness about sexually-transmitted infections and reduce barriers to testing are steps in this direction. 4 p.m., SSC 106.

Nov. 17-Dec. 15 — Dittenber/Schram Art Exhibition, featuring the art of Asheville, North Carolina, artists Suzanne Dittenber and Thomas Schram. Gallery opening 4 p.m. Nov. 17, MMG Gallery.

Nov. 18 — Music Faculty Artist Series Recital: Olivia Rominiyi, voice, and Jeremiah Padilla, piano. This recital features 91����Ƶ faculty members Rominiyi (soprano) and Padilla (piano) performing music of Smith Moore, Clara Schumann, Tchaikovsky, Menotti, Rossini, Price, Lane and Puccini. 7 p.m., Martin Chapel.

Nov. 19 — Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir and Shenandoah Valley Youth Symphony joint fall concert. 4 p.m., Lehman Auditorium. By donation.

Nov. 29 — Convocation: Insights and Stories from Howard Zehr, featuring an interview with Howard Zehr about his new book, . 10:10 a.m., Lehman Auditorium.

Nov. 30 — 91����Ƶ Music Program Student Recital. This final student recital of the semester showcases solo performances by 91����Ƶ music students. 12:10 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

December 2023

Dec. 1 — Tis’ the Season: An 91����Ƶ Christmas Concert. A special fun-filled Christmas event, this concert featuring performances by all 91����Ƶ ensembles and several 91����Ƶ faculty members will include music ranging from timeless Christmas jazz favorites to the “Hallelujah” chorus from Handel’s Messiah. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

Dec. 2 — Senior Recital: Judith Hoffman, violin. Senior music education major Judith Hoffman presents her senior violin recital with 91����Ƶ faculty pianist Jeremiah Padilla. 7 p.m., Martin Chapel.

Dec. 4 — Caroling Christmas: Narrating Nativity. This gathering immediately after the Lighting of the Green, in the warmth of the Student Union, features Christmas caroling and one of the biblical stories of Jesus’ birth. 5:30 p.m., University Commons Student Union.

Dec. 7 — Senior Recital: Indigo Gott, flute. Senior Interdisciplinary music major Indigo Gott will present their senior recital featuring special guest collaborators from across the 91����Ƶ music program. 7 p.m., Martin Chapel. 

Dec. 9-10 — Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir Christmas Concert with the Washington Symphonic Brass. Saturday at 7 p.m., Sunday at 4 p.m. Lehman Auditorium. Tickets

Dec. 10 — Conducting Class Recital: Recollections. 91����Ƶ Music conducting class students present their end-of-the-semester recital, featuring an eclectic mix of their own chamber music arrangements. 7 p.m., Martin Chapel.

Dec. 14 — Convocation: Europe Intercultural. The Europe Intercultural group shares about their travels to Vienna, Austria, and areas that were once under the rule of the Hapsburg Empire. 10:10 a.m., Lehman Auditorium.

MMG Gallery = Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery

SSC = Suter Science Center

More information

Arts at 91����Ƶ To learn more about music, theater, and visual and communication arts at 91����Ƶ, visit www.emu.edu/arts.

Center for Interfaith Engagement The Center for Interfaith Engagement (CIE) at 91����Ƶ promotes collaboration among religious and nonreligious scholars and practitioners, provides education in our principles and practices, and creates a safe space for developing authentic relationships and mutual understanding both between and within communities. CIE partners with people and organizations for interfaith education and service to promote a more just and peaceful world.

 Each year, a variety of expert scientists visit 91����Ƶ’s campus to share their insights. Refreshments provided.

University Chapel A community gathering place for worship and forum, chapel reflects an Anabaptist/Mennonite perspective alongside the gifts, traditions and cultures of the broader Christian faith. Faith, hope and love are nurtured in the way of Jesus. Faculty, staff, students, and community members are invited to gather every other Wednesday at 10 a.m. for campus worship in Martin Chapel. A student-led song, prayer and worship service is held most Sunday evenings at 9 p.m. in Martin Chapel. Podcasts available.

Writers Reads and Spanish Language Film Series events sponsored by the language and literature department. Writers Read features authors who read from and comment on their work; refreshments are provided. Spanish language films will have English subtitles; introductions and student-led discussions are in English.

The honor, co-sponsored by the Forbes Center, the Arts Council of the Valley, and the College of Visual and Performing Arts at James Madison University, recognizes “individuals and organizations in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley that enhance and strengthen the cultural community by promoting and advocating for artistic excellence.”

Nafziger – hymnal editor, choral conductor, and founder, conductor and artistic director – has done precisely that.

The timing of the awards presentation was fitting, as shortly after Nafziger began channeling his music-making prowess into the 23rd annual festival, a week-long summer event which gathers musicians and singers from around the country. Three concerts, all in Lehman Auditorium, remain on the schedule: Friday and Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m., and the Sunday morning Leipzig service at 10 a.m.

The award ‘belongs to us all’

During his acceptance speech, Nafziger celebrated the collaborative efforts of his many fellow musicians: “This award is a reminder that, in my primary means of music-making, which is conducting, there is nothing I can do alone. Therefore, this Circle of Excellence award belongs to us all who have often shared workspace – concert hall stage, or rehearsal room, or church – each in some way a playground of the inner life. I cherish the sounds, the beauty, the work, the risks, the joys and the moments that we have experienced together.”

He also saluted past recipients Stan Swartz, a theater teacher at Harrisonburg High School, and OASIS Fine Art & Craft, a Harrisonburg art cooperative.

A member of the faculty at 91����Ƶ since 1977, he was nominated for the award by his colleague, Professor . (Griffing, concertmaster of the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival Orchestra, was unavailable to comment).

“Due to his many years of experience and stellar reputation as a conductor, the Bach Festival regularly attracts highly talented instrumental and choral musicians from around the U.S. and Canada each summer,” wrote President in his supporting letter to Griffing’s nomination.

To the region and beyond

In addition to the Bach Festival, Nafziger has a long legacy of bringing musical excellence to the region. This is his 20th year as the music director of , a chamber choir based in Winchester. With both Musica Viva and the 91����Ƶ , he’s toured widely in local venues, including participating in and planning worship services of various denominations.

Mennonite congregations in the Valley and indeed, all of North America, also worship using the songbook staples that bear his editing mark– Hymnal: A Worship Book, Sing the Journey and Sing the Story.

“Ken is known across the Mennonite Church, and in many other denominations, as a dynamic worship planner and leader,” wrote Swartzendruber.

Nafziger has also opened the world to area musicians, taking both choral groups on tours of Cuba, and traveling himself to the island as a guest conductor, master class professor and project collaborator.

As his acceptance speech suggests, Nafziger’s unflagging enthusiasm and dynamism will continue to shape the Shenandoah Valley’s music scene.

“This honor is encouragement to keep on musicking – no slowing down, no quitting, no easing up,” said Nafziger. “Rather, it tells me that I should take seriously this terse bit of American industrialist Henry J. Kaiser’s advice, ‘If your work speaks for itself, don’t interrupt!’”

 For more information about the remaining Bach Festival concerts, click . For tickets, click .

A freewill offering will be taken at Sunday’s 10 a.m. Leipzig service.

But the clients who nominated him for the “10 Under 40” and invest in his works, which includes the entrance to Eastern Mennonite High School — an 18½-foot piece featuring a starry night version of Midtowne Market’s logo — and glasswork for at least two dozen private establishments in the downtown Harrisonburg area, disagree.

Nafziger has more than 1,400 followers on Facebook, and he’s only been in business for eight months.

“I claim to not be a good businessman, but I’ve come up with sort of a price structure that’s extremely reasonable for one-of-a-kind regional art,” said the artisan who came to Harrisonburg by way of Morris, Minn. “It was shocking to see my Facebook page — suddenly everyone’s like, ‘Hey, you’re really good.’”

Nafziger’s success, however, did not come overnight.

After he graduated from EMHS in 1994, Nafziger followed his passion for art to the Savannah College of Art in Savannah, Ga. He remained in the port city for the next two years, before taking time to travel.

After that point, Nafziger decided he wanted focus in his life: He moved back to Harrisonburg, enrolled in and graduated from 91����Ƶ’s art program in 2002, and found stability as a photographer with Rosetta Stone.

“It was my first real and only job ever,” he said.

Nafziger held that position until Rosetta began cutting payroll and, eventually, employees. His layoff was a trying moment.

“I sat around for about three or four days, feeling sorry for myself,” he said. “It was weird to get dumped by something I was so connected to for 12 years. I watched the company grow and take over the entire language-learning world.”

Throughout his tenure with Rosetta Stone, Nafziger made glass part time and, at the urging of a fellow local artist, moved his home studio to The Gladys Burke Studio in Larkin Arts on Court Square, where others would have access to his works.

He signed a year lease in March and business has increased since.

“At this point, word-of-mouth has helped me so much,” he said. “People aren’t just looking for any glass; they’re looking specifically for me. When I’m meeting clients, I’m not selling something that already exists — I’m selling myself and what I can do for them.

“I want whatever I make for them to be permanent.”

Courtesy Daily News Record, Dec. 2013

Lucky for her, she doesn’t have to.

For the past two years, the 16-year-old junior has been participating in CrashHouse Collaborative Theater — a project started in 2008 that allows local high school students to insert their own voices into Shakespeare’s plays — as both a writer and actor.

“I can take all the things that I’ve been kind of bottling up over the school year and release all those thoughts,” said Howard, of Port Republic. “It’s a nice way to get all that creative energy out in something positive.”

In June, Howard was one of nine local students who helped to deconstruct Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” during a two-week-long camp. The group members reflected on the original script daily through journals, interjecting their own ideas and stories. During the month between the end of the camp and the start-date for performances, local playwright and 91����Ƶ alum Pam Mandigo crafts a new version of the script using the students’ input.

Each camp participant can see bits of his or her work in the final product. For example, though “As You Like It” is originally set in the forest, the CrashHouse version takes place in a desert, thanks to Howard.

“It’s sensational,” she said simply.

On Aug. 28, 30 and 31, Howard will have the chance to see her work on stage, from the stage –Thomas Plaza, in this case. The performances start at 7:30 p.m. each evening.

Bringing down the house

The idea for CrashHouse came about when Mandigo and , associate professor of theater at 91����Ƶ, saw a similar concept played out at a theater conference in Atlanta with “King Lear” as the subject.

“We decided we wanted to do something similar in Harrisonburg,” explained Mandigo, 27, who’s currently living in Boston.

The team got to work on writing grant proposals for the project and found a financial sponsor — the .

That first summer, only three high school students came out. Since then, that number has grown to nearly 10 participants every June. Although the camp has consisted of all girls most years, it’s guy-friendly, as well.

The camp takes place for about five hours everyday for two weeks. Throughout that time, the student writers work on theater games, improv and a host of writing exercises, including the daily journals. Guest artists, from musicians to dance teachers to improv gurus, visit the group during the camp.

During the first week of classes at 91����Ƶ, a group of the CrashHouse camp participants, 91����Ƶ students and alumni bring the script to life. This year, two camp-goers returned to act out the Frankenstein script.

“I’m learning that each summer is a different beast; each group of CrashHouse participants wants to do something different with it,” Mandigo said.

She was surprised when this year’s group became fixated on a subplot in “As You Like It:” a boy who just won’t take the hint and realizes that his love interest isn’t, well, interested.

“Some of the stuff they wrote was just amazing and hilarious and heart-wrenching,” Mandigo said, explaining that the original play ends with the couple marrying. Spoiler alert: In the CrashHouse version, a giant snake eats the heart-struck male.

“It’ll be funnier,” she said of the newest adaptation.

Hooked on CrashHouse

Amanda Chandler, the director of the play this year, returned to the project after acting in “Midsummer Night’s Dream ReDreamed” last CrashHouse season.

“I really liked that the girls who participated in CrashHouse had the opportunity to see their work produced in a full-production and to be able to relate to Shakespeare in that way,” said Chandler, 21, an 91����Ƶ senior from Mount Clinton.

She also commended Mandigo, saying she “did a really good job of making [the script] accessible and understandable and keeping the story intact, but still putting it in the words of the girls who did CrashHouse.”

The style keeps participants returning for more.

“I enjoy acting just for the interaction; I enjoy the process and the workshops for more of my quiet creativity,” explained Howard, who said she will most likely return to CrashHouse next year.

“CrashHouse is very dear to my heart, so I’ll fit it in hopefully,” she said.

Courtesy Daily News Record, August 29, 2013

Even after scoring one of five regional nominations on her way to becoming the Virginia Secondary Art Educator of the Year, she was skeptical about actually winning the honor.

“I kind of had a stigma that no one from Harrisonburg could win this,” said Shradley-Horst, who said she foresaw the honor going to a teacher from a bigger division.

But she was proven wrong. Twice.

Shradley-Horst and Karin Tollefson-Hall, assistant professor of art education and the art education graduate program director at James Madison University, won the top awards for art education in the state in their respective categories – secondary and postsecondary.

They received the awards at the VAEA conference in Norfolk at the beginning of the month.

“It’s a little bit of a bragging right and a chance to do more advocacy [for art education],” said Shradley-Horst, who added that the designations reflect well on local education programs.

It’s also a good opportunity for Tollefson-Hall’s students – who are training to be teachers – to pick up some clearly valued teaching techniques.

“It’s nice to be recognized [and feel] like you’ve done a good job not only for JMU, but for the other art teachers across the state,” Tollefson-Hall, 37, said.

At HHS, Shradley-Horst, 28, is currently teaching art I, II and III and gearing up for a new ceramics class. She also formed an art club aimed mostly at freshman students that she has run for three years.

“She always has the students’ best interests in mind,” said Jauan Brooks, who nominated Shradley-Horst and teaches alongside her at HHS.

According to a biography on the JMU Department of Art and Art History website, Tollefson-Hall is the adviser for the JMU student chapter of the National Art Education Association. She also serves as a member of the honors and awards committee for the association.

Both are Harrisonburg residents and also serve in positions for the Virginia Art Education Association – Shradley-Horst is the secretary of the Blue Ridge region and Tollefson-Hall serves on the association board as higher education division director.

Next, the women will be considered in the regional competition, overseen by the National Art Education Association. Virginia is in the southeastern region, along with Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee and the Virgin Islands.

If they advance in that competition, they will be judged at the national level.

Courtesy Daily News Record, Nov. 15, 2012