Fielding alumni present at the 43rd Annual National Indian Education Association Convention

Posted by Hilary Edwards on Mon, Nov 19, 2012

The theme for this year's convention was "Maintaining Traditions in a Digital Era" and the conference was filled with exciting dialog, inspiration, and sharing of innovative ideas for use in the classroom. The NIEA Annual Convention and Tradeshow brings together Native leaders, congressional representatives, educators, students and school administrators to share best practices, connect with others who are passionate about educating Native students, and pursue solutions to education issues that affect Native communities. Each year, the convention teaches attendees about the local tribal culture and language through various evening events. NIEA’s board of directors and resolutions for yearly legislative priorities are also determined at this event.

Pictured above (left to right): Henry Fowler, Fielding faculty Kathy Tiner, Sandy Kewanhaptewa Dixon, and friend Charlene Teters.

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A Cappella Choir to present ‘Celebration of Love’ Valentine’s concert

Published: 2013-01-22
The Chamber Singers perform at Central Baptist Church

Eastern Nazarene College’s Chamber Singers and A Cappella Choir will present a Valentine’s Day concert at 7:00pm Friday, February 8 at Central Baptist Church in Quincy Center.

Titled “Celebration of Love,” the concert will feature a wide variety of music – including classical and contemporary arrangements as well as popular show tunes – under the direction of Dr. Timothy Shetler.

ENC’s A Cappella Choir and Chamber Singers tour regularly in the New England and Mid-Atlantic states. In addition to performing internationally, the choirs have performed at New York City’s Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, and at Boston’s historic Jordan Hall at New England Conservatory.

A suggested donation of $10 to $15 will be taken at the door. Seniors and students with a valid school ID may make a donation of their choice.

Central Baptist Church is located at 67 Washington St. in Quincy Center, across the street from the Thomas Crane Public Library. The church is handicapped accessible via the Foster St. entrance. For more information, contact the ENC Box Office at 617-745- 3715.

Related at ENC: A Cappella Choir and Chamber Singers

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Preparations are set for the Sixth Annual International Conference on Positive Aging in Los Angeles, CA in February 2013

Posted by Hilary Edwards on Thu, Nov 29, 2012

According to the U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, baby boomers will turn 65 at a rate of 10,000 per day for the next decade making them the fastest growing segment of the population. Future implications indicate: “tomorrow’s elderly will have quite different social, demographic, health, and economic characteristics than today’s elderly… as average length of life continues to increase, issues regarding the quality of active life expectancy are likely to assume greater importance.” In anticipation of this growing segment of our population, the Sixth Annual International Conference on Positive Aging, hosted by Fielding Graduate University’s Institute for Social Innovation, brings together notable speakers and workshop leaders to explore new and innovative approaches to positive aging. This year’s topic is “Life-Reimagined: New Approaches to Positive Aging” and the conference will take place February 10-12, 2013 at the Center for Healthy Communities at The California Endowment in Los Angeles.

The Sixth Annual International Conference on Positive Aging includes a variety of workshops that explore themes of creative expression, community, wellness, and life transitions.  Dr. Katrina Rogers, Provost of Fielding Graduate University and Senior Vice-President states:  “Positive aging promotes creativity, wellness, and growth. It means taking personal control of your life instead of being a victim or passive observer. In this model, aging presents a new opportunity for being socially active, for engaging with the community, for being productive, and for seeking a new meaning and purpose in life. This is why the conference is larger each year: people are interested about how to age well.” The conference provides opportunities to engage in physical and creative activities, including yoga, meditation, music, and connecting with others with similar interests.  Conference registration is open to the public.

The keynote speaker for this year’s conference is Wendy Lustbader, MSW, who currently serves as Affiliate Associate Professor at the University of Washington School of Social Work. Ms. Lustbader has considerable experience working with older people, their families and caregivers, and lectures nationally on subjects related to aging.  As a medical social worker, she specialized for almost twenty years in out-patient mental health at the Pike Market Medical Clinic in Seattle, and has also practiced in a home health care agency, hospital geriatric unit, and nursing home. Ms. Lustbader’s first book was co-authored with Nancy Hooyman, Taking Care of Aging Family Members. This is a practical guide to caregiving which is still considered the best book of its kind by experts in the field of aging. At the opening reception on Sunday, February 10th, Ms. Lustbader will speak about her latest book, Life Gets Better: The Unexpected Pleasures of Growing Older.

The conference will also host a webinar with world-renowned American contemporary spiritual teacher and author Ram Dass. He is known for his personal and professional associations with Timothy Leary at Harvard University in the early 1960's, for his travels to India and his relationship with the Hindu guru Neem Karoli Baba, and for founding the charitable organizations Seva Foundation and Hanuman Foundation. His practice of karma yoga or spiritual service has opened up millions to their deep, yet individuated spiritual practice and path. Dass continues to uphold the boddhisatva ideal for others through his compassionate sharing of true knowledge and vision. His unique skill in getting people to cut through and feel divine love without dogma is still a positive influence on people all over the world.

Dr. James E. Birren is one of the "reigning pioneers" in the organized field of gerontology since the 1940s. He is a past president of The Gerontological Society of America, and author of over 250 publications. Dr. Birren will receive Fielding's Creative Longevity and Wisdom Award in recognition of his six decades of seminal contributions including the influential work on guided autobiography.

Featured speaker Dr. Brian de Vries, Professor of Gerontology at San Francisco State University, and will share his extensive work on aging experiences, including bereavement among gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender adults.  He is a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of American, a member of the Leadership Council for the American Society on Aging, and co-chair of the Lesbian and Gay Aging Issues Network constituency group. Most recently, Dr. de Vries has become a policy advisor for AARP, California. 

Early registration for the three day conference is $275 until January 14th, 2013, and $300 after. Single day tickets are $125. Registration includes meals and opening reception Sunday evening.  To attend only the Sunday dinner reception featuring keynote speaker Wendy Lustbader is $80.

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Warren Lambert recently named President of the KALGBTIC

Posted by Hilary Edwards on Wed, Nov 07, 2012

KALGBTIC is a division of the Kentucky Counseling Association and works in partnership with the national division of the Association of Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Issue in Counseling (ALGBTIC). The mission of ALGBTIC includes the recognition of both individual and social contexts representing the confluence of race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, ability, age, spiritual or religious belief system, indigenous heritage in order: to promote greater awareness and understanding of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) issues among members of the counseling profession and related helping occupations, to improve standards and delivery of counseling services provided to GLBT clients and communities, to identify conditions which create barriers to the human growth and development of GLBT clients and communities and use counseling skills, programs, and efforts to preserve, protect, and promote such development, to develop, implement, and foster interest in counseling-related charitable, scientific, and educational programs designed to further the human growth and development of GLBT clients and communities, to secure equality of treatment, advancement, qualifications, and status of GLBT members of the counseling profession and related helping occupations, and to publish a journal and other scientific, educational, and professional materials with the purpose of raising the standards of practice for all who work with GLBT clients and communities in the counseling profession and related helping occupations.

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Theatre Fairfield's Independent Project presents Pulitzer Prize-winning play "How I Learned to Drive" by Paula Vogel

January 25-27th, 2013
PepsiCo Theatre, Fairfield University

Theatre Fairfield, Fairfield University's resident production company, opens its 2013 theatrical season with an Independent Project production of "How I Learned to Drive," Paula Vogel's 1998 Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Student proposed, conceived, and produced, "How I Learned to Drive" will be a completely student-driven production. Performances take place at 8 p.m. on Friday, January 25 and Saturday, January 26, 2013, and at 2 p.m. Saturday January 26 and Sunday January 27, 2013, at the PepsiCo Theatre on Fairfield University's campus. Tickets are $7 for General Admission, and $5 for Students. Tickets are available through the Quick Center Box Office: (203) 254-4010, or toll-free 1-877-ARTS-396 (1-877-278-7396), and online at www.quickcenter.com. Tickets can also be purchased on the day of performance at the PepsiCo Theatre, but are subject to availability. The PepsiCo Theatre is located at 1073 North Benson Road, on the campus of Fairfield University, in Fairfield, CT. This production was made possible by the generous support of the Jamie A. Hulley Arts Foundation.

"The Independent Project offers a valuable opportunity to learn the ins and outs of putting on a play under 'real world' circumstances," said Fairfield University theatre major Michael Maio '13, who is directing this year's production. "The company returned early from winter break and labored tirelessly over the past three weeks to put together a show we are proud of that is completely our own."

Paula Vogel's "How I Learned to Drive" tells the story of Lil' Bit, a young woman reflecting on her life and the relationships she has had. It focuses on one relationship in particular, her relationship with an older man. Vogel's play challenges society's conception of what love is and what defines a healthy, stable connection. "This play makes us all look at our concept of love and stretch out minds," explains Maio, who chose it for this year's project. "It forces us to face some difficult subject matters, and leaves us to ponder why humans are the way they are, is it nature vs. nurture? The show itself is also witty, funny, and thought-provoking. The characters are larger-than-life, and all are challenges for our performers. We wanted a show that would challenge the audience and the entire company."

The cast and crew of Theater Fairfield's "How I Learned to Drive" includes: director Michael Maio (Seekonk, MA); scenic designer Joe Plouffe '13 (Brockton, MA); Maggie Greene '15 (Portland, OR), as Lil' Bit; Plouffe as Peck; Brendan Freeman '15 (Shrewsbury, MA), as Male Greek Chorus; Katie Premus '15 (Staten Island, NY), as Teenage Greek Chorus; and DiMenna-Nyselius reference librarian Elise Bochinski as Female Greek Chorus. Ms. Bochinski, the only non-student member of the company, returns to Theatre Fairfield after playing the Nurse in "Romeo & Juliet," and the Teacher/ Reporter in last year's Independent Project "Speech & Debate." The crew on this production includes, Kelan McDonnell '15 (Winfield, IL); Ryan Champlin '16 (Warwick, RI); Mary Corigliano '14 (Old Saybrook, CT); Logan Pratt '15 (Cohasset, MA); and Christina Barry '15 (Leominster, MA).

The Jamie A. Hulley Arts Foundation provides educational and career development opportunities in the arts. The Hulley Foundation accepts student proposals and has previously supplied funds for Theatre Fairfield's Independent Project.

Image: Rehearsing a scene from Theatre Fairfield's production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play "How I Learned to Drive" are Fairfield University's Joe Plouffe '13, as Peck, and Maggie Greene '15, as Lil' Bit (left-to-right).

Media Contact: Mike Horyczun, (203) 254-4000 ext. 2647, mhoryczun@fairfield.edu

Posted on January 17, 2013

Vol. 45, No. 153

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Global literacy activist to speak at Fairfield University

Author/philanthropist John Wood, who left a lucrative executive career at Microsoft to found an award-winning nonprofit building schools, libraries and vital opportunities for children around the world, will speak at Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 12. His lecture, "Creating Room to Read: A Story of Hope in the Battle for Global Literacy," is free and open to the public.

Wood's appearance is an Open VISIONS Forum-Espresso event, part of Fairfield's signature lecture series, in conjunction with The Inspired Writer Series, a program of the MFA in Creative Writing. The University's Study Abroad Program is also a contributor to Wood's appearance. Community partners for this event are the Fairfield University Bookstore and Fairfield Public Library.

In 1999, at the age of 35, Wood left behind his nine-year career as a marketing executive for Microsoft to found Room to Read, one of the fastest-growing charities founded during the 20th century. The statistics surrounding its success are staggering. To date, the nonprofit has opened more than 1,500 schools and 14,600 libraries and distributed more than 12 million books for an estimated six million children in 10 countries across Asia and Africa. It has also provided educational scholarships for more than 19,000 girls. Based in San Francisco, the organization has regional offices around the world and a goal of promoting education, gender equality and literacy worldwide. Wood is its board co-chair.

In addition to his work with Room to Read, Wood is a respected author. His latest book, "Creating Room to Read: A Story of Hope in the Battle for Global Literacy," (Viking, 2012) details the makings of the nonprofit and dovetails on his first book, "Leaving Microsoft to Change the World." In the new book, he tells the stories of some of the children who've been helped through Room to Read, including youngsters in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, whose educational systems are still suffering the aftereffects of war; the Sri Lankan students whose schools and villages were swept away in the tsunami; and the Nepali children who had no books in a language they can read until Room to Read began publishing local-language titles - more than 700 of them.

In his latest book "Wood explains how he is achieving his goal of being 'one of many leaders of a global movement,' and he pays special tribute to Nelson Mandela's understanding of how encouraging 'a profound and deep love' for reading can be a transformative social force," according to Kirkus Reviews. "An absorbing personal account of a remarkable achievement."

Wood serves on the advisory board of the Clinton Global Initiative and he was the first-ever recipient of the Microsoft Alumni of the Year award bestowed by Bill and Melinda Gates. He is a five-time winner of Fast Company Magazine's Social Capitalist Award and a three-time speaker at the Clinton Global Initiative. He was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and is a Henry Crown Fellow of the Aspen Institute. Barron's magazine has twice-named him as one of the world's 25 Most Effective Philanthropists. The San Francisco Chronicle described him as the "Andrew Carnegie of the developing world."

Wood teaches at the graduate level at the Wagner School of Public Policy at New York University and the Harvard Graduate School of Education. His degrees include an M.S. in business administration from the University of Colorado, an MBA from the Kellogg School of Northwestern University and three honorary Ph.Ds.

Media Contact: Meredith Guinness, (203) 254-4000, ext. 2950, mguinness@fairfield.edu

Posted on January 14, 2013

Vol. 45, No. 147

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Stephanie Blythe, mezzo-soprano, and Warren Jones, piano, perform All American Song

8 p.m., Friday, February 1, 2013
Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts
Tickets: $55, $45, $35.

The great mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe steps off the opera stage to appear in an intimate duet recital with pianist Warren Jones in a program entitled "All American Song" at 8 p.m., Friday, February 1, 2013, at Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. The performance is sponsored in part by Venü Magazine. A pre-performance discussion with Laura Nash, Fairfield University associate professor of music, takes place at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are: $55, $45, and $35.

The world-renowned Stephanie Blythe has starred on opera stages in the U.S. and Europe including the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Seattle Opera, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, and the Opera National de Paris. Ms. Blythe regularly appears in productions at the Metropolitan Opera, including in the Met's new production of Wagner's Ring Cycle, "Der Ring des Nibelungen." She also stars in this season's "Un Ballo in Maschera"and appeared in the New York Philharmonic Orchestra's presentation of "Carousel." Just prior to her performance at the Quick Center, she will have completed another starring role in the Metropolitan Opera's "Il Trovatore," as the gypsy Azucena.

As one of today's most popular and respected vocal superstars, Ms. Blythe is also a champion of the Great American Songbook. She tours nationally with her "All American Song" program plus a separate Kate Smith retrospective. Her "All American Song" recital at the Quick Center is part of a current tour that culminates later this year with an encore performance in Lincoln Center's American Songbook series and recital in Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium.

Ms. Blythe has premiered several song cycles written for her including "Twelve Poems of Emily Dickinson" by the late James Legg, which is featured on the Quick Center program; "Covered Wagon Woman" by Alan Smith, which was commissioned by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and recorded with the ensemble (CMS Studio Recordings); and "Vignettes: Ellis Island," also by Alan Smith and featured in a special television program entitled "Vignettes: An Evening with Stephanie Blythe and Warren Jones."

The Quick Center program also includes music by Cole Porter: "Night And Day," "The Tale Of The Oyster," "You Do Something To Me"; Irving Berlin: "You Don't Want My Peaches," "What'll I Do?", "I Love A Piano"; the songwriting team of Buddy Desylva, Lew Brown, and Ray Henderson: "Button Up Your Overcoat," "The Thrill Is Gone," "You're the Cream In My Coffee," and "The Best Things In Life Are Free/Keep Your Sunny Side Up"; Samuel Barber: Three Songs, Op. 10, "Rain Has Fallen," "Sleep Now," "I Hear An Army"; and Edward Confrey: "Kitten On The Keys."

Her many operatic appearances include the title roles in "Carmen," "Samson et Dalila, "Orfeo ed Euridice," "L'Italiana in Algeri,""La Grande Duchesse," "Tancredi," "Mignon," and "Guilio Cesare"; Frugola, Principessa, and Zita in "Il Trittico," Fricka in both "Das Rheingold" and "Die Walküre," Waltraute in "Götterdämmerung," Azucena in "Il Trovatore," Ulrica in "Un Ballo in Maschera," Baba the Turk in "The Rake's Progress," Ježibaba in "Rusalka," Jocasta in "Oedipus Rex," Mere Marie in "Dialogues des Carmélites," Mistress Quickly in "Falstaff," Ino/Juno in "Semele," and Orlofsky in "Die Fledermaus."

Ms. Blythe has performed with some of the world's finest orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Orchestra of New York, Minnesota Orchestra, Halle Orchestra, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, the Ensemble Orchestre de Paris, and the Concertgerbouworkest. She has also appeared at the Tanglewood, Cincinnati May, and Ravinia festivals, and at the BBC Proms. The many conductors with whom she has worked include Harry Bicket, James Conlon, Charles Dutoit, Mark Elder, Christoph Eschenbach, James Levine, Fabio Luisi, Nicola Luisotti, Sir Charles Mackerras, John Nelson, Antonio Pappano, Mstislav Rostropovitch, Robert Spano, Patrick Summers, and Michael Tilson Thomas.

A frequent recitalist, Ms. Blythe has been presented in recital in New York City by Zankel Hall, Lincoln Center's Great Performers Series at Alice Tully Hall and its American Songbook Series at the Allen Room, the 92nd Street Y, Town Hall, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She has also been presenter at the Supreme Court at the invitation of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in Washington, DC; the Cleveland Art Song Festival, the University Musical Society in Ann Arbor, the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, Shriver Hall in Baltimore, and San Francisco Performances.

Her recordings of works by Mahler, Brahms, and Wagner and of arias by Handel and Bach are available on the Virgin Classics label. Ms. Blythe was named Musical America's Vocalist of the Year for 2009. Her other awards include the 2007 Opera News Award and the 1999 Richard Tucker Award.

Pianist Warren Jones, who was named as "Collaborative Pianist of the Year" for 2010 by the publication Musical America, is Principal Pianist for the California-based chamber music group Camerata Pacifica. He is a member of the faculty of Manhattan School of Music as well as the Music Academy of the West and received the "Achievement Award" for 2011 from the Music Teachers National Association of America, their highest honor. Three times he has been an invited guest to the White House to perform for state dinners. A graduate of New England Conservatory, he currently serves on its Board of Visitors and has been honored with the Doctor of Music degree from San Francisco Conservatory. His discography contains more than 25 recordings. His newest musical ventures include conducting, and he will return to the podium for performances of Mozart's "Die Zauberflöte" in 2013.

Tickets are available through the Quick Center Box Office: (203) 254-4010, or toll-free 1-877-ARTS-396 (1-877-278-7396).  Tickets can also be purchased online at www.quickcenter.com.

The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts is located on the campus of Fairfield University at 1073 North Benson Road in Fairfield, Connecticut. Entrance to the Quick Center is through the Barlow Road gate at 200 Barlow Road. Free, secure parking is available. Access for people with disabilities is available throughout the Quick Center for audience members and performers. Hearing amplification devices are available upon request at the Box Office. Fairfield University is located off exit 22 of Interstate-95. For further information and directions, call (203) 254-4010 or 1-877-278-7396, or visit www.quickcenter.com.

Image: Stephanie Blythe, Photo Credit: Kobie van Rensburg.

Media Contact: Mike Horyczun, (203) 254-4000 ext. 2647, mhoryczun@fairfield.edu

Posted on January 07, 2013

Vol. 45, No. 144

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