Torres – East Los Angeles Performing Arts Magnet Vol. 1 Issue 3 December 2015

Torres – East Los Angeles Performing Arts Magnet Vol. 1 Issue 3 December 2015

Fall Dance Performance

Our amazing dance teachers, Angela Weber and Alli Gray, created another incredible performance for our school community. Over seventy five students performed. It was inspiring! This performance highlighted our new freshmen, ELAPA Dance Co., and Torres Dance Team.
View additional pictures @ https://111315elapadance.shutterfly.com.

S.L.A.M.

The exciting  partnership with the USC Thornton School of Music is the engine of of our SLAM! Program. This is an after school program where students are mentored in songwriting, ensemble work, and other musical ventures. This opportunity culminated in a moving performance by many of the workshop
participants.

The SLAM Instructors

 Student Led Conferences

On  November 19^th,  ELAPA Magnet held Student Led Conferences. Students shared their work with their parents and discussed their strengths and their goals. ELAPA is in the process of creating portfolio requirements for graduation and in the future students will also be sharing their electronic portfolio which will include written work from various disciplines as well as videos and podcasts. A group of administrators, teachers, students, and community partners are involved in the process of creating the criteria for this portfolio.

 ELAPA Magnet Partners with Los Angeles Opera 

ELAPA Magnet Partners with Los Angeles Opera and the Huntington Library to present a collaborative production of Orpheus with young professional singers and musicians and renowned opera direct Eli Villanueva.  A brilliant time was had by performers and audience alike. It was extraordinary!

Torres-East Los Angeles Performing Arts Magnet Vol. 2 Issue 2

Torres-East Los Angeles Performing Arts Magnet Vol. 2 Issue 2

ABC DIVERSITY FIELD TRIP

On October 28th, Advanced Theatre students participated in the ABC Studios- Disney Family Channel Diversity Showcase. ABC casting directors did a great job involving students in the rehearsal process. John Villacorta, Vice-President of ABC Casting, who oversees many shows including Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Agent Carter, Scandal, and How to Get Away with Murder, gave them a clear perspective on how to dive into the industry. Internships, such as those our students receive through the Linked Learning program, are an important element of a successful entry into a career in television.

ELAPA Magnet Orchestra, Theatre, and Choir Performance

On October 30, Orchestra, Theatre, and Choir performed for the school community. It was a fun and energetic show.  The audience could not have been more enthusiastic. We are amazed by the level of talent in evidence.  We had some outstanding solo performances but the ensemble work was equally amazing,  spirited and focused. Over one hundred students performed. What an impressive feat. 

Additional photos https://orchtheachoir.shutterfly.com

What happens when Rapunzel goes Grunge…Rumpelstiltskin goes Reggae....Snow White is a feminist…and Hansel hangs out with the bad kids?  THE BROTHER’S GRIMM SPECTACULATHON!

On October 27th the Elapa Magnet Theatre Company had the entire school howling with laughter as they performed this fast and funny take on Grimms' classic fairytales.  Directed by Theatre teacher Janet Borrus, the show featured a cast of 20, and included lots of audience participation.

  Our Stage Tech classes designed the set and lights, under the guidance of Technical Director Daniel Guzman

View additional photos https://f20151022theatregrimms.shutterfly.com

Tres Mariposas  A Site-specific Dance 

Performed at Huntington Library 10-22-2015

An absolutely enchanting twilight performance by our dance students at Huntington Library was enjoyed by members of our school community. The dance students performed four dances in three separate locations in the gardens and in the rotunda of the Huntington Library gardens.

Additional photos https://elapatresmariposas.shutterfly.com
Videos of the three dances can be seen at ELAPA MAGNET youtube channel 

Torres-East Los Angeles Performing Arts Magnet Vol. 2 Issue 1

PLEASE WELCOME  OUR NEW ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AND MAGNET COORDINATOR

We are so pleased to announce we have a new Assistant Principal, Ms. Ana Beltran. We are equally pleased to welcome Ms. Jantre Christian. who will be taking Ms. Beltran's place as the Magnet Coordinator.

WELCOME ALSO TO THIS YEAR'S  BRIGHT AND SHINY FRESHMAN CLASS. Every year ELAPA Magnet just gets better and better. We are so happy to have you and your families become part of our community.

The new freshmen (fresh persons?) show impressive school spirit preparing for the flashmob, participating in Art Camp,and making new friends.

A quote from one of new students as she reflects upon her first weeks ELAPA Magnet:
"I heard a lot of things about high school. They told me it was a scary place. What do I mean by scary? Well, they told me since I was going to be a freshman, the sophmores, juniors, and seniors would pick on me. If I wanted to fit in, I would have to do a lot of crazy things. It wasn't like that at all! And one more thing that I have never mentioned to anyone, I like all my teachers in this school. In all the other schools, I'd see my teachers almost as my enemies but now I see them as my friends."

THE YEAR'S FIRST DANCE PERFORMANCE

The school year at ELAPA Magnet began with an incredible performance by dance students who studied during ELAPA Magnet's Summer Dance Intensive led by Ms. Alli Grey.

The ELAPA Summer Dance Intensive is a two-week long training camp for ELAPA and Torres Dance students who want to improve their hip hop and contemporary dance skills. Students who participated had to apply for the intensive in May of 2015 and the most dedicated dancers where chosen for this amazing opportunity.   

The students where taught by professional dancers and choreographers from the Versastyle Dance Company, including the Head Coach of the Torres Dance Team, Ms. Alli Gray and the Assistant Coach, Mr. Alex Almaraz. 

 The students studied various dance styles and were also encouraged to explore their own strengths as dancers and choreographers.  At the end of the two-week session the students were ready to perform in their own show was was named "Strengthology." 

Hundreds of beautiful pictures from this performance can be found at  https://elapa15danceintensive.shutterfly.com

OUR VERY OWN MS. DU BOSE WAS ONE OF  LAUSD'S TEACHER OF THE YEAR 2015.

Here she is being honored  by Los Angeles County Board of Education. 

Ms. Du Bose with Monica Garcia, Our School Board Member and East District School Superintendent Dr. Frances Marie Gipson

Way to go, Ms. Du Bose! We are so proud.

Graduation Celebration Volume 1 Issue 5

ELAPA Magnet 2015 Graduation

Our Valedictorian, the lovely Kate Ramos.

A moving graduation full of wonderful performances by the graduating class. Please click here to see and download photographs from the graduation. There are two separate links because of the amount of photos.

elapagrad2015 and 2015ELAPAGrad2  

Kate Ramos and Sophia Lugo

There were many inspiring speeches including the ones given by our Salutatorian Sandra Cortez  and our Valedictorian Kate Ramos.

Volume 1 Issue 4 Good-bye Seniors!

Senior Banquet, May 28, 2015

Kate Ramos 2015 Valedictorian

A wonderful time was had by all at the Senior Banquet. Families enjoyed a great meal while awards were given. Thank you so much to the parents and students who prepared and served the meal and helped create such a special evening. This senior class is so capable and talented, it was a pleasure to celebrate their achievement. Photos can be viewed on the Elapa Magnet share site.

LAUSD Film Festival

The First LAUSD Film Festival on May 27th featured our own 9th grader Christopher Leon. His was one of the fourteen films selected for the festival.  A large group of students from ELAPA attended and Tiffany Juarez and Joanice Mejia took photos on the red carpet for the Arts Branch of LAUSD. 
                     

Christopher Leon and the star of his film on the 52 foot long red carpet at the Academy of Motion Pictures in Beverly Hills.

Volume 1 Issue 3 ELAPA Magnet Dance Concert May 21

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2015 Spring Dance Concert "Livin' in the 90s!"

To see all the photos click:      https://elapatotally90s.shutterfly.com

Students in all ELAPA Dance Classes and after-school dance programs performed May 21 in the 2015 Spring ​Dance Concert which was titled "Livin' in the 90s!"  

  All of the songs used in the show had to be from the years 1990-1999.  Ms. Weber taught dances to all of the school day classes and chose a few top students as soloists.

 Some of the songs included were "Achy Breaky Heart," "California Love," "Bitter Sweet Symphony," "The Macarena," and "Livin' La Vida Loca."   The ELAPA Dance Company learned two large dances, "Gangsters Mix," choreographed Ms. Weber; and "Voogue," choreographed by Ms. Alli Gray.  Those students also had the opportunity to contribute their ownchoreography in two additional dances:  "Mambo #5," and "Balle Esta Cumbia."  The Torres Cheerleaders, coached by Mr. Gus Rodriguez, displayed their exceptional stunts in a thrilling 1990s mix of songs. 

  The after-school ballet class also performed  gracefully to music from the movie the Titanic.  The Torres Dance Team worked with their coaches Ms. Alli Gray and Mr. Alex Almaraz on amazing 1990s style hip hop mix which included "Poison" and "Tootsie Roll." 

 

 In the final moments the 9th grade joined the others onstage to dance to the song "It Takes Two."   The entire performance was a great success with exceptional dancing and beautiful lighting that was designed by ELAPA stage crew students under the direction of Mr. Daniel Guzman. 

Volume 1 Issue 2 The Bard Meets the Beatles

ELAPA Rocks Shakespeare at the Huntington!

Posted by: Janet Borrus  Theatre Teacher

To view or download additional  photos from the event go to: elapamidsummer.shutterfly.com

On April 17th Theatre Company performed A Midsummer Night's Dream: The Bard Meets the Beatles at The Huntington Library. Our adaptation was set in the 1960s and included Beatles' songs performed by the cast. Manuel Martinez dashed back and forth from his drum kit to the stage, providing a steady beat while also playing comic lead Bottom.  Liam Ojeda did double duty as band guitarist and Bottom's friend Francis Flute. 

The two won huge laughs when their characters portrayed tragic lovers "Pyramus" and "Thisbe" at the end of the play. Trinadad Munoz played their delightfully nerdy director Peter Quince, with Maria Rincon, Tiffany Gallegos, and Fernando Vasquez rounding out their posse. 

In the romantic leads, rebellious lovers Hermia and Lysander were played by Velia Esquivel and Emilio Vasquez, who performed a duet of the Beatles' classic Help!  Choir students Melanie Fierro, Jazmin Miranda and Rachel Zuniga were their Chorus.  Theatre company veteran Armando Martinez portrayed Lysander's rival Demetrius as an ambitious army recruit, and Alondra Pena took on the demanding role of Helena, whom he first scorns, then adores.  Lysander and Demetrius fight over her.

                                             Senior Samuel Zaragoza was commanding as Oberon, King of the Fairies, and Mariah Gonzalez was his feisty Queen Titania. Below, she introduces her new love Bottom (who Puck has turned into a donkey) to her fairies, played by Wendy Lopez, Alexa Mendoza, Jacey Caceres, Skyla de la Torre, and Jasmine Tucker.  Puck, played by our versatile actor/dancer David Medina, morphs into tree to disguise himself.

Jose Flores and Samanta Correa played Duke Theseus and Hippolyta, whose wedding provides the setting for the story.

The stunning set was designed by Mr. Guzman's Stage Crew under the direction of Akeime Mitterlehner, one of several teaching artists from Shakespeare Festival LA who supported us on the show.  ELAPA seamstress Isabel Gallegos assisted the Costumer so everyone looked fabulous, and Sara Flores assisted Ms. Borrus as Stage Manager.  Ashley Castro and Maite Sousa designed the cool show logo. There are a few t-shirts left. See Ms. Borrus in G208 if you're interested! 

A big thank you to our arts partners: Shakespeare Center LA, LAEP and The Huntington Library!

Free transportation to the event for Torres students, their families and friends was provided by the Huntington Library.  A glorious time was had by all!