The College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) at UNC Greensboro has admitted the largest freshman class since 2018—275 in the Class of 2026—plus transfer and graduate students for a total of 451 new students.
Dean bruce mcclung and the Directors of the Schools of Art, Dance, Music, and Theatre, along with faculty members Hannah Grannemann (Director of the Arts Administration Program), Dominick Amendum (Artistic Director of the University Concert and Lecture Series), and Dan Hale (Assistant Professor of Animation); three returning students; and staff welcomed the new students to campus as part of the University’s Nav1Gate program held on Monday, August 15th.
Dean mcclung offered advice to the first-year and transfer students as they embark on their academic and artistic journeys at the CVPA:
“No one works harder than a beginner, and you are all beginning or continuing your education in a new environment. You are beginning, so start with your ABCs. “A” is for “asking questions,” “B” is for “bouncing back,” and “C” is for “creating opportunities. We are glad you are here and have chosen to become part of this dynamic community of artists, performers, scholars, and educators!”
The program provided an overview of the College, including video samples of work produced in the four schools and information about opportunities for study abroad, honors, employment, masterclasses, student tickets, and community engagement.
“Our goal was to provide students with a sampling of the myriad of opportunities that exist within the College,” said Director of Advising Jennifer Reich, who organized the session. “This is a time for students to get excited about being a CVPA student.”
After the program in Taylor Theatre, students were treated to cookies and lemonade before heading off to lunch together in the dining hall.
The students aren’t the only ones new to the College. The CVPA has six new full-time faculty and two new staff members:
Natalie Blackman (Assistant Professor of Voice/Acting)
Rhys Fetner (IT Support and Webmaster)
Nathaniel Mitchell (Lecturer in Music Theory)
Daniel Castro Pantoja (Assistant Professor of Musicology)
Clare Parker (Assistant Professor of Costume Design)
Caitlyn Schrader (Director of Community Engagement and Greensboro Project Space)
Rotem Weinberg (Visiting Assistant Professor of Conducting and Director of Orchestras)
Charles Young (Director of the School of Music and Professor of Composition)
The College of Visual and Performing Arts is the largest, most comprehensive set of arts programs in the state of North Carolina. CVPA transforms lives by providing exceptional artistic and academic experiences. For more about CVPA, visit vpa.uncg.edu.
Story and Photos: Terri W. Relos