The School of Creative Arts (SOCA) was another planet, an experience that began 65 years ago.
The School of Creative Arts (SOCA) was another planet, an experience that began 65 years ago thanks to the creativity, inspiration, determination and motivation of Kathleen Hinni. She was a modern dance teacher in New York and New Jersey.
Those experiences and memories of SOCA are deemed highly life changing by some former students. Four of us get together every summer and reminisce about those long-ago days in the 1950s and 1960s. We are Jessica Langton Andrews, Susan Kanowith-Klein, Gillian Lamb Butchman and Cynthia Vanderhoop Akins (pictured here). All have Island connections and fly in from Arizona, California, Washington State and Utah, respectively. Once or twice, the school’s ballet teacher, Kathleen Costanza, would join the group. Gillian is the daughter of Helen Lamb who created Jabberwocky in Vineyard Haven, Jessica is the daughter of Basil Langton, who ran the Rice Playhouse in Oak Bluffs for several summers, and Cynthia is part of the renowned Vanderhoop family of Aquinnah.
Martha’s Vineyard provided the ideal location for a summer camp, which flourished in its last home in a large three-story building in West Chop until 1967. Girls of all ages, youngsters to teens, from off-Island and a few from the Vineyard, participated in the arts for two months. Professional teachers conducted daily classes of ballet, art, drama and music. Modern dance was taught by KT as Kathleen Hinni was affectionately (and sometimes not so affectionately) known. Swimming, picnics, folk dancing, Island cultural events and guest artists such as Burl Ives and Pearl Primus, were also part of the school’s program. Margaret Bourke-White, renown photographer, participated in dance classes to assist with her illness. “Leotards, shorts and sweaters” would be the first thing students would hear early each morning from the counselors before breakfast and scurrying off to classes. Jessica and Susan were campers. Gillian and Cynthia were counselors working with the beloved Lana Gerhardt, the head counselor. Lana joined us during our summer get togethers until she died four years ago.
Alas, KT closed the school and moved to Florida. We learned she taught aerobic water dance to other seniors until she died in 1995. Ever energetic and caring, she was also ornery and unpredictable, an enigma we are still trying to figure out.
We often ponder how to create a get together with other former students of the school. Perhaps some will see, share and help us create the opportunity. (Our email addresses are: [email protected]; s[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected].)
Jessica Andrews
Oak Bluffs and Tucson, Ariz.
This letter is also signed by Cynthia Akins, Gillian Butchman and Susan Kanowith-Klein.
Comments
Although I only attended SOCA
Deborah Kramer New York, NYAlthough I only attended SOCA for one summer--the year it closed--it was an experience I've never forgotten and I am delighted to hear that the accomplishments of Kathleen Hinni might finally get some attention from the Martha's Vineyard press, which in my opinion is long overdue. She brought artists to the island that otherwise would not have visited and accepted as students girls from all over the country, including African-Americans at a time when it was hardly fashionable to do so. That alone should garner her some recognition. She was a disciplined individual, who demanded discipline from others and really stood for something. I hope that any future article about SOCA and KT will reflect the depth and variety of the experiences for the campers. Some of the stories and photos that have emerged through the Facebook page deserve a wider audience. I would welcome the opportunity to contribute an anecdote of my own--and possibly a photo--to any feature article on SOCA. Thanks to the authors of this opinion piece for getting this process underway.
Kathleen Hinni was my dance
Laura Goldberg Arlington WA (now - used to be Plainfield NJ)Kathleen Hinni was my dance teacher back in the 50's-60's and I went to SOCA for two summers way back then - she was so important in my life!!!!! Amazing to be able to send you this comment!!!! Much love to her memory!!!
I remember well my years
Sue Sandson Berkeley caI remember well my years going to SOCA and studying under kathleen Hinni She could be demanding and difficult but she taught me to love dance and I adored her
I attended SOCA for about 5
Joanne Gelb Rhinebeck, NYI attended SOCA for about 5 years. I think I might have been the youngest student at one time.
I recently came across the brochure from camp and on the cover it had a picture of Oma and a few girls. I'm one of them. The experiences and teachers I had were life changing for me, even though I was young. I remember KT telling me my sister should stick with the dancing, I should stick with Drama. LOL. I studied with her in NYC during the rest of the year and when I got a little older, I assisted with some of her classes in NJ (I'm from Brooklyn)
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