The Downing Performing Arts Academy

Congratulations to Avra Boggs, who was chosen to serve on the Kentucky State FCCLA Executive Council for 2024-25!! This girl can do more than sing!!!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Our Downing Academy family is growing again! Welcome to the world Lucy Denise, who made her debut on December 15th. Her mom and our voice teacher Kortney Mills says she’s Lincoln-approved!!! Congratulations!!

A HUGE congratulations to Downing Student Maura Hartman!! Maura is not only the state president of Kentucky FCCLA, but she recently won 1st Place at the National FCCLA Leadership Conference. A born leader who does not know a stranger, Maura started her senior year today, just one more step in what we know will be a successful and exciting road ahead!!

It is with a heavy heart that we tell you of the recent passing of longtime Downing Academy string teacher, Leo Blair. Mr. Blair was one of our very first teachers when the Academy was established in 2002 and remained until 2018. He retired from Morehead State University in 1998, but taught part-time until 2018 there as well. He was also a professor of music at Murray State and Ohio Universities. In addition to being a terrific teacher, Mr. Blair performed as a soloist at venues including The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Marshall University, and The Lexington Philharmonic. He performed as a member of symphony orchestras including The Nashville Symphony, The Owensboro Orchestra, and The Lexington Philharmonic. Mr. Blair was a wonderful influence on the young musicians of Maysville, and he made them better. That in turn made the orchestras, groups and performances in which they played better. Music like that lifts up our entire community. Thank you. We will always be grateful.

Congratulations to Downing student Joseph Hazlett for being named Region 5 FBLA President!! Not only is Joseph a great student and confident leader, he plays a mean violin! Bravo Joseph!

Congratulations to Downing student Izabella Martinez. Not only is Izabella a fine violinist, but she is an outstanding artist who was chosen for the 2022 Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts! We hope her experience is full of growth, creativity, and the joy that participating in the arts can bring. Congratulations!!

Downing teacher Nick Denham will have his guitar, kazoo, and many talents at Kenton this evening and every Friday in June from 7-10pm. It's a great way to welcome the weekend!

The Downing Academy says goodbye and thank you to Marion Russell. Marion was a long-time and dedicated member of the Limestone Youth Orchestra board of directors. The Academy is a direct result of the LYO's commitment to strengthening music education in Maysville. Marion was always a strong supporter of our efforts, and be it a young musician or a senior citizen singer, music is better and more accessible in our community because of Marion's passion. Rest in Peace.

Marion Long Russell Obituary (2022) The Ledger Independent View Marion Long Russell's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

Congratulations to Kortney Mills and these Downing Academy students for a wonderful spring recital. They are a small but might group!

There's a sucker born every minute - but don't you be one and miss the Mason County Concert Choir and Orchestra's production of "Barnum" this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 2:15 in the downtown auditorium. There are plenty of Downing students to support. Climb aboard!

We are so excited for Downing Alum (and "Aladdin and "Joseph" extraordinaire) Cameron Carpenter!!! Go Go Go Go!!!!

CAMERON WRITES: The news is out. The narrative podcast I wrote with Criminal Content is currently available on Amazon Music and Wondery+, and will be released week by week on Spotify and Apple Podcasts starting March 8th. If you have Amazon Prime, you can binge all 8 episodes now for free on the Amazon Music app!
I'm very grateful to our amazing production team and everyone who has supported the show so far. Whether you decide to listen now, listen on March 8th, or not listen at all, thank you for being around. And if you do listen, rate and review, and if we do well enough, maybe we'll get to take it to TV!
Starring Emmy-winner Jon Hamm, Carla Gugino, Joe Perrino, Emmy-nominated Dylan Baker, Emmy-nominated Becky Ann Baker, and James O'Connor. Directed by Oscar-winner Shawn Christensen. Produced by Adam Volerich, Gabriel Mason, Shawn Christensen, and Jon Hamm.
Listener discretion is advised. A lot of, uh, what many people would refer to as "impolite" language.

Jon Hamm Stars in True-Crime Thriller ‘American Hostage’ Podcast Series for Amazon (EXCLUSIVE) Jon Hamm finds himself at the center of a hostage crisis in Amazon original podcast drama series “American Hostage,” based on real-life events. All eight episodes of the podcast are ava…

The Downing Academy will be well represented as Fiddle Fest hits the stage tomorrow night (10/28). Let the Mason County Orchestra and Haydn Vitera electrify you with the sound of strings at the Downtown Auditorium. Bows up at 7

Nicholas Denham is not just a wonderful teacher, he’s a great community player…. Literally!!

What do these fabulous pianists have in common? They studied under Dr. Paul Taylor at the Downing Academy. After a pandemic pause, our pied piper of the piano is back and taking students in middle school or older. Adults too. Message here or call 606-564-0302 to set up lessons.

A BIG CONGRATS to Downing Academy student Sidney Lilley and her FCCLA team for placing FIRST in the NATION at a recent concert. Sidney has a great voice - not just for singing, but for articulating her passions! Brava!!

FCCLA places first, second at nationals | Ledger Independent – Maysville Online Mason County High School Chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America finished nationals with first and second place wins.

In this Senior Season, we congratulate the senior music students who recently graduated from Mason County High School. Two of them, Drew Denham and Sidney Lilley are long time Downing Academy students who have excelled in vocal as well as instrumental instruction. May your love of music take you as far as your spirit, imagination and talent will allow! Congratulations!!!

They are Carrying the Banner for the arts and Seizing the Day for personal pride and growth by being involved in theater. Come see "Newsies" on stage starting tonight in a sneak peek at 6:30 then the curtain's up at 7:30 Friday and Saturday, and Sunday at 2:15 at the downtown auditorium. You're the Kings of New York....and Maysville!❤🎭🎼

There’s lots of Downing downtown at the Mason County Music Festival! It’s great to see teachers and alumni taking part. Put some music in your life and come sign up for lessons. It could be YOU onstage next time!!!

The Downing Academy will be well represented at the MCHS Jazz Band's Festival of Music tomorrow. With great music, vendors and food, it's sure to hit all the right notes! Here's the lineup:

11:00am-12:00pm Nicholas Denham will be opening the day!
12:15pm-1:15pm Dimestore Romance with Tanji Shivener
1:30pm -2:15pm Stood on Wood with Nick Reece
2:30pm-3:00pm Kate Touchton
3:15pm-5:00pm Justin Ramsey and the Other Guys
5:15pm-5:30pm MCHS Saxophone Quartet
5:30- 6:00pm Sarah Bravard
6:00pm - 7:30pm your very own MCHS Jazz Band

Happy Birthday to Downing Academy teacher Nicholas Denham. Nick is not only a beloved instructor, but he is ALWAYS ready to answer the call to enhance area events with his considerable talents. The Academy, our town, and MANY students are lucky to have you, Nick!!! Have a wonderful birthday!!🎉

Music fills the soul, beautifully expressed by our Kindermusik teacher Julie Clarke:

I never dreamed of being a music teacher.
I’ve always loved children and teaching,
But I dreamed of being a performer.
I’ve sung on some of the largest stages in the USA.
I’ve performed all over the world.
When I became a mom,
My dream changed.
💜💜💜
I dream of being the best mom I can be.
I dream of helping other parents and caregivers do the same.
I’m learning that life is not about the performance,
It’s about the process.
When my family discovered Kindermusik,
I knew it wasn’t just made for my kids,
It was made for me. 💜

Just finished another Virtual Kindermusik class! 🥳

Bringing the classroom into the home has never been easier. It’s a privilege to work with families from all over the country, and I love every minute with our Kindermusik family. 💜

Have a musical week, friends! 🎶👏

Downing Alum Chanslor Gallenstein hasn't done too badly for himself after studying piano and voice here. He graduated from Transylvania, earned a Harvard Law School degree, clerked for Judge John K. Bush at the 6th District US Court of Appeals, and sang in the Mozart Opera "Don Giovanni" in Prague. He also knows a thing or two about bourbon, which he highlights in an article published by the National Review. Cheers to Chansy!!

Transylvania graduate returns to Kentucky roots for book review on renowned bourbon family | Transylvania University | 1780 Transylvania graduate Chanslor Gallenstein '16, whose family owns a distillery on the banks of the Ohio River, recently had the book review "Pappyland: A Story of Family, Fine Bourbon, and the Things That Last" published in the National Review.

You don’t want your little Mozart to miss a minute with Miss Julie.....Sign up for Kindermusik today!