WHAT IS IT? A community music, drama and art program for ages 7-14!!
This is the 7th semester of Music/Drama & Arts class! And this semester class is a little different … some weeks we will have art/music, others will have music/drama, and sometimes art/drama.
We also are offering 13 weeks of class this semester.
These classes will be taught by…
Music
INSTRUCTORS: Music instruction by Patrice Yearwood. Teacher of many – public school, Musikgarten, church music, private lessons and lots of drama too for 40 plus years… ouch, that sounds old but I’m just getting started… music classes, private voice & piano lessons, Instructor for Singing for Seniors through Lifelong Learning Institute of Virginia Tech, former artistic director / founder of Blacksburg Children’s Chorale, currently music director at St. Michael Lutheran.
Drama
Stage instruction by Joelle Shenk. Joelle brings 20+ years of teaching theatre and public presentation to the table. She LOVES sharing the joys of theatre, helping children gain confidence and have a blast while doing so. Her favorite things are currently eating interesting food and reading children’s stories… out loud.
Art
Art instruction by Louann Thompson. I have been an educator for many years. Art and children have always been a love of mine. I taught Elementary Art at Gilbert Linkous for 22 years. Now I have continued my love for art by teaching Art Education and supervising Art Ed student teachers at Radford University. My favorite quote by Pablo Picasso is “Every child is an artist: the problem is staying an artist when you grow up.”
WHO CAN JOIN: Children and youth, ages 7-14, are welcome to register for a 13 week class in music, drama, and art that will culminate in a production of The Grumps of Ring-A-Ding Town.
A Musical to Ring in the Holidays
by John Jacobson and John Higgins
The bells of Ring-a-Ding Town have stopped ringing! WHY? Because everyone has lost their holiday spirit. With all the pressures of the season, they have become so comically grumpy that even the bells refuse to ring. THEN a severe winter storm teaches the townspeople to care for each other again and guess what? The bells RING again!
Come join us for this story with music to RING in the season!
There is no prerequisite for this class. Must have a teachable attitude, be able to commit to attending and participating, work with fellow peers, and be able to listen to instruction. If you like to sing, create art and act… Join us!
WHEN and WHERE: Class is 13 weeks and starts on August 31, with NO class on Labor Day, September 7. Class is on Mondays, 5:30-7:00 p.m. through November 30. The final class, on November 30, will be a dress rehearsal from 5:15-7:15 p.m.
Productions are Saturday, December 5 at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.Call time for actors is 9:00 a.m. for run through, and a break for lunch between productions.
Location for weekly class, dress rehearsals and productions – St. Michael Lutheran Church, 2308 Merrimac Road, Blacksburg.
No need to be affiliated with the church. All are welcome!
COST: There is a $40 registration fee (along with a $6.80 processing fee). We want to offer a semester long music, drama & art learning opportunity to community children. All we ask is that you commit to coming, learning, working on lines/music at home, and be ready to participate and try your best AND have a blast while doing so!
NOTES TO REMEMBER BEFORE REGISTERING:
- This is a class, building to a production, so participation is key. Please check your calendars to ensure dates and times of rehearsals and production work for you PRIOR to registering. Thank you!
- Class size is capped at 30 participants.
- Registration ends on Friday, August 28, 2026
- IF the class fills, you may be placed on a waiting list. Simply email payearwood1@gmail.com.
- Questions? Please email payearwood1@gmail.com
- Admission to the production is free, but donations will be accepted to help sustain the program and give back to a charitable organization.
Sing well. Act well. Do good.
Want to share St. Michael’s Music/Drama & Arts? Download the printable flyer.