Leon Lewis-Nicol's story is one of dedication. A native of Freetown, Sierra Leone, the West African native taught himself the piano for 10 years before moving to the United States in 2016 – an accomplishment he's very proud of because "it shows that nothing is impossible regardless of one's background," he says.
The emergence of the COVID-19 global pandemic has left an impact on the performing arts. Because of social distancing requirements, public performances have been canceled and many companies have used digital services to showcase theatre performances online leaving many to wonder, will theatre go back to the way it was?
The Millikin University School of Music Preparatory Department has announced a series of online programs for students who want to learn more about music and music making with guidance from experienced teachers and musicians. Programs will all be delivered through Zoom video conferencing software and Google Classroom. Millikin's 2020 online summer music camps will be held June 29 – July 31.
This July, Alicia Rosier, a senior music education major at Millikin University, will be participating in the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois teacher preparation program for her third time.
Millikin University's new Center for Theatre & Dance will be opening in fall 2020, and as that target date grows closer, the unique aspects of the venue are taking shape on Millikin's campus.
We recently caught up with Mary Black, director of the School of Theatre & Dance, to provide us a tour of the large dance studio located inside the new Center.
The world has been turned upside down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, faculty and staff at Millikin University have brought classes to online and distant learning modes, students have adapted and continued learning in new ways, all working to keep Millikin's Performance Learning mission going.
Millikin University in partnership with the Broadway Dreams Foundation, a premiere performing arts education nonprofit organization, is pleased to announce that the University is awarding a four-year full tuition theatre scholarship to student Jeri Leader of Ontario, Canada.
When it comes to the theatre industry, the fields of design, production and technical theatre are the most male-dominated disciplines, with exception to costuming. Why is this? As an undergraduate at Millikin University, Caitlyn Garrity '19 conducted a two-year research study to find the answers.
Millikin University has received a generous gift of $100,000 from Dr. Paul and Shirley Stanley to support Millikin's new Center for Theatre & Dance. In addition to the $100,000 contribution, the Stanleys also made a $50,000 contribution toward the project during Millikin's "Transform MU" capital campaign.
The world has been turned upside down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, faculty and staff at Millikin University have brought classes to online and distant learning modes, students have adapted and continued learning in new ways, all working to keep Millikin's Performance Learning mission going.