Mason Community Arts Academy

Eugene's journey in music began at a young age in Saratov, Russia. "I have been playing clarinet for as long as I remember myself," he recalled. Inspired by his musician mother and guided by an excellent teacher, Eugene's passion for the clarinet flourished. After graduating with honors from Saratov State Conservatory, he gained significant experience in professional band performance and woodwind instruction. He eventually became the second clarinetist in the Saratov Symphony Orchestra.

Lake Rusch’s passion for acting was ignited in seventh grade when they first joined George Mason University’s Acting for Young People (AFYP) showcase program. They continued to attend the program throughout high school.

The annual ARTS by George! benefit, presented by George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA), returns in 2024 with multiple award-winning actress and singer Lea Salonga as the headliner. The philanthropic event raises vital support for student scholarships in visual arts, dance, music, theater, game design, film, and arts management, as well as for the Mason Community Arts Academy, Green Machine Ensembles, and the Great Performances at Mason season at the Center for the Arts. ARTS by George! takes place on Saturday, September 28 on the Fairfax campus of George Mason University.

On Tuesday, March 19, 2024, Delegate Kathy Tran presented Mason Community Arts Academy Executive Director Mary Lechter with House Resolution 804, in honor of Acting for Young People’s (AFYP) 25th anniversary in 2022. AFYP is a partner program within Mason Community Arts Academy (MCAA) the community arts education division of Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts.

“An evening like no other,” ARTS by George! makes its in-person return on September 24. The philanthropic event, headlined by Emmy® and Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth, raises support for student scholarships in visual arts, dance, music, theater, game design, film, arts management, as well as for the Mason Community Arts Academy, Green Machine Ensembles, and the Great Performance at Mason season at the Center for the Arts.