Shield Fine Arts Academy Offers Education and Fun for All Ages
When her sister invited her to The Salvation Army’s spring concert, Heather Curry didn’t expect the experience to have such an impact on her. Turns out, that concert opened the door to a host of new musical, educational and social experiences, not only for her three children but for herself as well.
Heather’s kids are enrolled in the Lincoln Corps’ Shield Fine Arts Academy (SFAA), which offers free music and dance classes to students pre-kindergarten through adult. Carter, 11, takes percussion and piano; Caeden, 9, enjoys piano, percussion and baritone; and Camryn, 6, is enrolled in the Music Discovery class. Heather, who played trumpet in high school, has even joined the junior band. “My kids were here, and I was just sitting around, so I decided to sit in on a class,” she said. “I’m playing with third and fourth graders, but I love it.”
SFAA, which is in its third year at the Lincoln Corps, engages 76 participants in various instrumental lessons and classes at no charge, including brass, guitar, ukulele, percussion, piano, music fundamentals and Tuneful Toddlers, as well as dance, choir and summer music camps. Up to 20 adults also participate in the Shield Brass Band.
As a homeschooling mom, Heather appreciates the opportunity for her kids to socialize and connect with other kids from different backgrounds and income levels. “It’s been beneficial for all of us to build relationships with people we might not ordinarily cross paths with,” she said.
She is also impressed with the SFAA teachers. “They are so passionate about music, and yet you can tell from the way they interact with the kids that they love teaching, too,” she said.
Michael Keen, a University of Nebraska – Lincoln music education graduate, has taught in the SFAA program for the last two years. “I see the changes that take place in the students,” he said. “Their burgeoning curiosity leads to a growth in musicality. They are excited to come to class and to participate.”
“Music is a vehicle to so many other things,” acknowledged Amy Kruger, music coordinator and director of SFAA. “It teaches discipline and creativity, encourages self-confidence, and helps to develop interpersonal skills and responsibility.”
For more information or to enroll in the Shield Fine Art Academy, contact Amy Kruger at 402-474-6263, ext. 1510, or email Amy_Kruger@usc.salvationarmy.org.
