ORLANDO, FL - On Thursday, June 27, the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras’ (FSYO) students, parents, and staff will embark on an East Asia tour to explore famous landmarks and perform concerts across China. Immersed in new cultures, students will gain an experience of a lifetime during their two-week journey, and have the opportunity to play and learn alongside youth from other countries.
 
Information on tickets for concerts at The Forbidden City Concert Hall, the Concert Hall of Xi’an Conservatory, the Zhejiang Concert Hall, and the Shanghai City Theatre in can be found online at www.fsyo.org.
 
About FSYO: Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras exists to encourage children and young adults, through the practice and performance of orchestral music, to become passionate leaders, thinkers, and contributors in their local community and beyond. In its 62nd Concert Season, FSYO serves almost 300 students and is comprised of seven ensembles - 3 symphony orchestras, a string-training orchestra, a chamber orchestra, 2 jazz orchestras - and 2 supplementary programs - Stringmania Summer Camp and Sing-Song, String-Along.
Programs are sponsored in part by the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs; the Florida Council on Arts and Culture; Orlando Utilities Commission; The City of Orlando, Mayor's Matching Grant; and United Arts of Central Florida.
 

The Seminole County Board of County Commissioners and the Seminole Cultural Arts Council (SCAC) recognized local artist Laura Bird Miller as the 2019 Seminole County Artist of the Year during the regularly scheduled county commission meeting on Tuesday, June 11th.
    Both organizations realize the important role the arts play in the quality of life of  Seminole County residents. Accordingly, they acknowledge the contributions each year of an individual Cultural Artist (performer, visual artist, historian or author) who is a resident of Seminole County and contributes time and talent for the enrichment of Seminole County.
    This year, they chose Laura Bird Miller who teaches art at Circle Christian School  and is herself a landscape, mural, and portrait artist. Her own works have been displayed in various venues, most recently the University Club in Winter Park.
    Laura is a former SCAC board member who was instrumental in establishing and continuing student art exhibits at the AdventHealth Altamonte (formerly Florida Hospital-Altamonte) Art of Healing Gallery, which has led to the success of the longest-running SCAC Art In Public Places program.
    A native of Minnesota who majored in biology and minored in fine arts, Laura Bird Miller combined the two to produce a 50-foot mural in the Central Florida Regional Hospital’s outdoor café, meticulously researching and featuring more than 25 native animals (many of them now endangered) from a bygone era in Central Florida. Her understanding of the value of art to promote healing and wellness has translated her love of mural art into a series of large ocean murals and displays in spas and salons which instill a calming sense of restfulness and peace.
    Last year, she illustrated the cover for the book, “Haven to Heaven”. For several years she had a store-front business, “Coffee & Canvas”, and now works from her home studio in Longwood, teaching and inspiring children and adults to explore their artistic abilities.
    Laura Bird Miller continues to be a driving force for student involvement in the Art of Healing Gallery, and to educate and support the arts in Seminole County and throughout Central Florida.

       **PHOTOS COURTESY OF SEMINOLE COUNTY GOV'T.

The Seminole Cultural Arts Council (SCAC) has been selected as one of the 8 organizations that will be featured on the 2019-2020 LYNX Public Service Bus. 
 
Winning organizations had their logos placed collectively on the LYNX Public Service Bus for the next 12 months. The bus will travel regular routes throughout the LYNX system, giving all 8 organizations free exposure in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. As one of the selected organizations, SCAC may also request that the bus appear at one special event for them during the year at no charge.
 
The bus was unveiled April 10 at 11 AM at Cranes Roost Park's Eddie Rose Amphitheater in Altamonte Springs. The ceremony included Seminole County Commissioner and LYNX Chair, Lee Constantine, as well as LYNX Interim CEO, James E. "Jim" Harrison, along with staff, supporters and/or board members from each of the 8 non-profits chosen for this year.
 
PHOTOS:   
(Top) Organization representatives await unveiling of public service bus
(Below) L-R: Jim Harrison, LYNX Interim CEO; Mary Blake; Donna Bundy; Seminole County Commissioner Lee Constantine; Josie Foranoce; Kathryn Townsend; Anthony Aramendia.