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Costa Mesa's Arts & Learning Conservatory

OC’s Best Kept Summer Camp Secret

06.03.11

By Sheryll Alexander

Ever heard of Costa Mesa’s Arts & Learning Conservatory? No? That’s because super impressive founder Debora Wondercheck (see more about her below) has been kept under wraps way too long. With super professional and talented teachers, this excellent organization takes its summer camps seriously and yet with lots of good-natured humor too.

Held at Costa Mesa’s Vanguard University, The Arts & Learning Conservatory has both half- and full-day summer theatre camps for kids ages 5-16. In addition, the conservatory features before and after extended child care as well as camps specifically for voice, dance, acting and orchestra.

Why theatre camp? Creating a professional musical production requires all kinds of skills, talents and lots of team work. Kids not only open their minds to creativity, but learn the value of confidence, laughter, singing, dancing, painting and even technical skills such as set construction, sound and lighting production.

For 2011, The Arts & Learning Conservatory summer theatre and music schedule features:

Rapunzel: June 27-July 1

Acting: June 27-July 8

Cinderella, July 5-8

Orchestra: July 11-22

Annie: July 11-15

Group Voice: July 11-22

Wizard of Oz: July 18-22

Toy Story: July 25-29

Stage Combat & Movement: July 25-Aug. 5

Peter Pan: Aug. 1-5

Camp Broadway’s Got Talent: Aug. 8-12

We recommend The Arts & Learning Conservatory because our family was recently involved in one of the organization’s school drama programs (at Woodland Elementary). My veteran film actor and director husband, who helped proctor the class, was highly impressed with conservatory drama teacher Chelsea Braverman’s style, professionalism and enthusiasm.

In fact, all 23 teachers at the conservatory not only have extensive acting, music, voice and theatre experience, but all have master’s or even doctorate degrees. They are also screened fingerprinted for security purpose and trained in CPR.

Ready to get your kid involved in a cool and highly memorable summer camp? For more information on all summer camps, including prices, visit their website.

More About Founder Debora Wondercheck

Debora Wondercheck is the executive director of The Arts & Learning Conservatory, which she founded seven years ago. Since then, her organization has production more than 40 productions. She is an adjunct professor of music at Vanguard University and also serves as the director of music at the Waldorf School of Orange County. While teaching in the Newport-Mesa School District, Debora was a recipient of the Teacher's of Excellence Award. Currently Debora serves on the Cultural Arts Committee for the city of Costa Mesa and is a member of the Arts Alliance of California. Debora has also instructed in the Irvine Unified School District where she was a master teacher of string pedagogy. She earned a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master’s of science in education administration from Cal State Fullerton.

Sheryll Alexander runs a news media agency based in Costa Mesa, California.

DINE AND DISCOVER DOWNTOWN LA!

05.31.11

By Sheryll Alexander

If you have yet to discover Downtown Los Angeles, then now is the time with the new Dine & Discover Downtown LA package from the JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE.

Why JW Marriott? Because this brand new hotel sits right atop the bustling L.A. LIVE entertainment complex where guests can shop, eat and attend an event at Staples Center or the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The getaway begins with a stimulating food tour of Downtown Los Angeles with an “insider” food tour company. With Six Taste Tours, guests visit six different eateries that are putting Downtown LA on the culinary map and meet the chefs behind each hot spot. Led by a guide with expert knowledge of the area, guests also learn about Downtown LA history and the local culinary scene while tasting pupusas, mac and cheese and modern Thai cuisine.

In the evening, guests join Chef Nona Sivley, who was winner of Hell’s Kitchen Season 8, at JW Marriott’s award-winning LA Market Restaurant as she prepares a special multi-course tasting menu just for two.

The Dine & Discover Downtown LA package includes:

Overnight accommodations at the JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE

Food tour for two with Six Taste Tours

Multi-course dinner for two at LA Market Restaurant prepared by Chef Nona Sivley

Tour of the LA Market kitchen

Complimentary overnight parking

The Dine & Discover Downtown L.A. package is available for a Friday, Saturday or Sunday night stay only. To make a reservation, call 1-800-228-9290 or visit www.lalivemarriott.com and enter code ZJ1.

About JW Marriott Hotel Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE

The JW Marriott Hotel Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE is located in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles and serves as the focal point of the L.A. LIVE sports, residential and entertainment district, offering sophisticated travelers a front seat to the emerging world-class entertainment, sports and dining development. With its 878 well-appointed guest rooms, nine treatment room spa, full-service fitness center and outdoor pool, diverse dining options, including celebrity chef Kerry Simon’s LA Market and 100,000 square feet of versatile meeting space, the JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE has become a vibrant center of life in the city. For additional information on the hotel, call 213-765-8600 or visit [url=http://www.lalivemarriott.com]http://www.lalivemarriott.com[/url].

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