Founded in 1944, the Lawson Academy of the Arts at Converse College offers quality instruction in music and dance with an excellent faculty, in a professional yet nurturing atmosphere. We serve over 1,000 families each year through our programs and encourage students of all ages from preschoolers to adults to join us. The Lawson Academy also functions as a “lab school,” introducing Converse music and dance students to the experience of teaching. This experience crosses over to the full arts spectrum during the summer when college students staff our Fine Arts Day Camp. They teach classes in visual arts, creative writing, music, dance and theatre. Our Palmetto Youth Orchestras, Palmetto Choristers and Lawson Band Program add a wonderful large ensemble dimension to our offerings, as do our smaller chamber ensembles. The Lawson Academy affords the opportunity for Converse College and the Spartanburg community to share in a wonderful learning experience. Join us!

Registration:
Fall Dance:
August 15, 2008; 4:00 - 7:00 pm
August 16, 2008; 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Fall Music:
August 18 - 29, 2008; 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

Spring Dance:
January 5 - 9, 2009; 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Spring Music:
January 5 - 16, 2009; 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Summer Registration:
May 4 - 15, 2009; 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Fees:
Annual Registration Fee - $25.00
Late Registration Fee - $35.00 (Fall: after August 29, Spring: after January 16)

Fees and tuition are payable at the time of registration. A plan of two equal tuition payments is optional. There will be a finance charge on all outstanding balances.

Fall Semester:
Dance: August 18, 2008 – December 12, 2008
Music: September 2, 2008 – January 16, 2009

Spring Semester:
Dance: January 12, 2009 – May 8, 2009
Music: January 19, 2009 – May 15, 2009

Scholarship Auditions
April 23-25, 2009

Fine Arts Day Camp
(864) 596-9170

Lawson Academy Dance Program
(864) 596-9639

Lawson Academy Office Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:00pm Lawson Academy Staff

Paula Morgan - Director

Sharalynn Hicks - Assistant to the Director

Breanna Plount - Director, Dance Program

Janae O'Shields - Director, Fine Arts Day Camp

For upcoming events search the Calendar of Events.

Founded in 2003, the Palmetto Youth Choristers is the quality, choral music experience at the Lawson Academy. Its mission is to provide quality vocal training and to develop individual talent, self-discipline, self-respect and a great sense of accomplishment through this group singing experience. In addition, its aim is to cultivate an appreciation for the arts and culture through the particular enjoyment of choral music as artistic expression. Our Young Men’s Ensemble for unchanged, changed and changing male voices. Finally, as the Choristers strive to achieve excellence in performance, our hope is to promote the Lawson Academy, Converse College and the Spartanburg community on the state, national and eventually international stage.

Established in 1999, the Palmetto Youth Orchestra has grown and changed over the years to include our Palmetto Youth Strings Program. We perform two concerts a year and enjoy collaborating with local community organizations as opportunities arise. The development of our organization is guided by the ideals set forth in our mission statement.

For further information, contact the Lawson Academy office at (864) 596-9022 or via email at palmetto.youth@converse.edu.

In 1944, eight Converse students began teaching 38 community students, and the Lawson Academy was officially born. This student teaching program is still thriving. Each student teacher is required to take a “Private Applied Teaching” (PAT) course under the direction of Converse faculty. Some also take “Class Applied Teaching” (CAT) courses. This is a wonderful opportunity for everyone involved!

Instruction is available in flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophone, harp, violin, viola, cello, voice, piano. Fees are $75 for 12, 30-minute lessons (PAT) and $196 for 14, 30-minute lessons (student teacher).