Mark Bunce is the Chairperson of the Central Valley Academy's Fine Arts Department as well as a vocal music/theater teacher. Mark’s Glimmerglass connection is as a long time guild member who serves on the Education and Community Engagement Committee in addition to being a volunteer usher at the Festival. During the pandemic he has been most concerned about the social emotional needs of his students. He has persuaded his district to invest in both personal protective equipment and technology tools to work with his vocal students. He has creatively modified his entire curriculum to work with his students remotely; they cannot be together for duets, small ensembles or act together in dramatic scenes. To assist him with audio and filming, he was able to use BOCES funds to hire Joel Morain from Glimmerglass and one of his former students, Lisa Baron. Using the Festival's equipment, they put together YouTube videos. As chairperson of his department, Mark also told us about difficulties teaching instrumental music during this time and about the gaps in arts instruction that will be very noticeable when schools return to in person learning. He is an extraordinarily dedicated teaching professional! Check out the following links to his online concerts and performances.

March 2021