Music and Arts Academy for Children relocates to expand programs

SPARTA - Inside every child there is talent and imagination that will surface if the child is encouraged and supported. That’s the philosophy of Lena Zelenina and Tatyana Grosh, directors of the Music and Art Academy for Children recently relocated to a new home in Sparta. The walls of the intimate studio are lined with paintings, both by the children and adults. “When they see the real art, it talks to them,” said Zelenia, “It inspires them.” The new location will allow collaboration with the theater-oriented school, Acting-A-Part, which is located down the street from the academy’s new location. Zelenia, the art instructor, is the daughter of an artist known throughout Eastern Europe. She has a master’s in education from the Teachers Training University at the Moscow State University, and she has plans to rename the studio in honor of her father, Mikhail Biryukov. The music instructor, Tatyana Grosh, is also an educator with a master’s from the Odessa Conservatory. The students number 45 at present, but there are plans to expand the number of offerings. Children 4 years old and up are accepted to art classes, while 3-year-olds can attend music classes. Zelenia will soon offer a workshop for adults, but with children’s interests in mind. “How to Teach Art to Young Children” is geared to parents whose children are unable to participate in formal classes. Art of all shapes and sizes Art classes are taught in all media, including oil pastels, soft pastels, crayons, watercolors, tempera, acrylic, charcoal and pencil. Zelenia explained that the children work on a still-life composed of simple shapes, like a bowl of fruit or a toy. “Drawing from real life, drawing their hand, or a bowl of fruit, a fork or a spoon, they are training their memory at the same time,” she said. “It is also an exercise for the eyes.” They sometimes do self-portraits or portraits of one other. Angelina Lauridia is working on her grandfather’s portrait as a birthday present; Kim Bollad is completing an acrylic of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart for an upcoming festival. But art is more than learning how to draw. Zelenia said that the children express emotion through their work. They also develop their imaginations by creating stories around the drawings and paintings. Classical music is played to inspire the children, who identify the mood of the piece, imagine the story behind it, and then paint what it makes them feel. Music classes focus on training children’s ears to identify classical pieces that include the works of Beethoven, Mozart, Bach and Schumann. They are taught theory that prepares them for future vocal or instrumental lessons. Many of the children are multitalented and participate in several classes. Second-grader Michelle Favichi is a music and voice student, in addition to an artist. Her ambition is to be a pianist. Seven-year-old Erin Duffy has been painting for about three years, according to her mom, who claims no particular artistic talents for her daughter. “Erin just loves art,” she said. The students and instructors are preparing for the “Mostly Mozart” festival scheduled for April 2, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the composer’s birth. The presentation will include musical performances and an exhibit of students’ work. All are invited to attend. Music and Art Academy for Children is located at 409 Woodport Road, Sparta; call 973-729-8652; e-mail contact@musicandartacademy.net; or visit their Web site at www.musicandartacademy.net.