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“My friends and I were on the phone until 2:00 a.m. after the show.” “Rather than worry about where we were going to eat as usual, my family and I talked about the play’s issues …
Visiting Artists: John Goodman, Lolis Eric Elie, Wendell Pierce, Clark Peters, and Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine
It was as if Drama, Musical Theatre, Theatre Design and Media Arts students had five living textbooks in front of them, so deep was the information the actors and writers from HBO’s New Orleans production …
Victor Kirschman: A Great Friend of NOCCA
Victor Kirschman was truly great man and a longtime friend of NOCCA. We asked Ashley Kirschman to write a short summary of the man who offered boundless passion, enthusiasm, and support to his family, friends, …
Dress Rehearsal With Yo-Yo Ma
Students were hard pressed to decide which part of a career-inspiring afternoon they enjoyed more: Yo-Yo Ma’s rehearsal with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra or the time he spent with them afterward answering questions. His joy, …
Visiting Artist: Court Watson
As set and costume designer for the World War II Museum’s Stage Door Canteen, New York City-based Court Watson laid out set design after set design for NOCCA’s Theatre Design students. With credits including Jekyll …
Visiting Artist: Carl Allen
“One of my favorite questions is ‘What if?” Juilliard’s Artistic Director of Jazz Studies Carl Allen shared with NOCCA’s Jazz students during a recent master class. “What if I did this instead of that? Where …
Visiting Artist: Sarah Vowell
“I like my main characters to be hugely flawed,” acclaimed author and columnist Sarah Vowell told NOCCA Creative Writing students and guest students from Lusher Charter School on a recent visit. “The truth is so …
Visiting Artist: Fabio Bidini
To start the new school year off as well as a new concert season, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra brought acclaimed pianist Fabio Bidini to NOCCA for an intensive master class with classical music students. “When …
Items of note
As of May 15, the class of 2009 earned $8,750,000 in scholarships and aid to college (not including TOPS), a $91,000 per student average. Sixty percent of graduates will be studying out-of-state, and 40% will …
Visiting Artist: Michael Cerveris
In May, Tony Award-winning actor, singer and musician Michael Cerveris led master classes with both Musical Theatre and Vocal Music students. The Vocal students were preparing their performances for the Classical Music Singers Competition in …
Visiting Artist: Wynton Marsalis
On April 24, 2009, alumnus Wynton Marsalis conducted a workshop, excerpted below, with NOCCA Level IV Jazz students for students from across New Orleans as part of the Jazz & Heritage Festival’s education outreach held …
Visiting Artist: Delfeayo Marsalis
During one of many classes Delfeayo taught this year, he led students on both a technical and personal development track. “By what measure will you consider yourselves successful?” Delfeayo asked each student before making them …
Visiting Artist: T. S. Monk, Jr.
On April 22, 2009, The Thelonius Monk Institute of Jazz presented The Blues and Jazz: Two American Classics. Bringing together master artists and NOCCA students, the Monk Institute presented Antonio Hart (above left at piano), …
The Financial Aid Program: Some of our successes
The NOCCA Institute awarded $60,000 in Term-Time and Summer Study Financial Aid support to this year’s graduates during their years of study at NOCCA. They earned $5.4 million in scholarships and aid to college. Eighty …
Celebration Speaker: Wendell Pierce
Alumnus Wendell Pierce returned to NOCCA on May 14, 2009 to give the commencment address at Celebration. Below are excerpts from his remarks. * * * * * Tonight is a profoundly special night – …