Wednesday Afternoons with Mr. V

About this event

Wednesday Afternoons with Mr. V Attention kids! This fall, join award-winning music educator and composer Bill Vaananen for 8 educational and inspirational Wednesday afternoon sessions of exciting songs and activities. Classes will wrap singing and movement into a tapestry of history, geography, and adventure! A major component of the program will be Mr. V’s epic work “The Song of Hiawatha”, a musical tribute to the North American Indian. A multi-media performance of the entire 30-minute “song” will take place for parents and guests on the final day of class, Wed. Nov. 18 at 4:30 p.m. Older elementary kids (2nd-5th) will find the music especially exciting and inspiring! Minimum 12 Students Ages: 5-11 Price: $400 Wednesdays, 9/30 to 11/18 Time: 4:00 – 5:15 Meet the GDS Faculty Bill Vaananen is an award-winning music educator and composer who has taught and directed elementary-aged students for over 45 years. Originally from Oklahoma, “Mr. V.” was general music teacher at Wescott School in Northbrook for 37 years. He has written hundreds of songs and dozens of original theater works that have been performed across Chicago’s northern suburbs. Recipient of the Golden Apple Award, IEA Human Rights Award, National-Louis Distinguished Alumni Award for Social Justice, and Star of Teaching Award for the State of Illinois, Vaananen continues to perform classes and presentations for children, weaving his original music into inspiring lessons on Nature, history, culture, and adventure. About Our Artistic Director: Jeremy Kruse, Artistic Director of Gorton Drama Studio is the author of “The Young Actor’s Handbook” (Applause Acting Series, 2017).The book was published in Korean and Chinese in 2022. Jeremy is a professional actor, published playwright, award-winning screenwriter, and award-winning filmmaker. Some of the classes he taught at The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York include Method Acting, Comedic Improvisation, Sketch Comedy Writing, and…

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