The term “academy” represents the best in education; something higher than the basics and a place where special skills are taught. That was exactly what we strive to achieve: to create the best education event that anyone in the holiday community could find.
Every year we ask our attendees to complete an extensive feedback survey to help us make better decisions on every aspect of the Academy. As our membership continues to grow, and to include more individuals from different holiday experience levels, we recognized the need to modify how we approach the educational aspects of the Academy. So in 2011 we launched an entirely new approach to our education.
We have implemented a system of educational “tracks” because our attendees are the best judge of what their level of knowledge is, as well as how high their interest in a particular topic goes. Remember that you do not have to select one track and stay in it. You can choose to attend any class in any track, based on your interest and experience.
In 2012 we will have the very best of our traditional Christmas classes, a comprehensive DIY educational track presented by the experts in the Do-It-Yourself community (DIY Light Animation), a fully developed offering of Halloween courses, and many other learning opportunities for decorators and holiday enthusiasts.
We have had over 80 classes taught at the past Academy events, and continue to work hard on developing educational offerings that are informative, useful, and exciting.
Be sure to check our educational pages for more details:
Classic Christmas: These are the topics that you have grown to know and love. From the simplest to the more advanced, there will be plenty of ideas to get your mind turning.
DIY Expo: You’ve heard of “DIY” and “RGB”. Now is your chance to learn from the best at DIY Light Animation. Take your displays to the next technical level with the courses in this track.
Scare Sessions: With the Halloween Development Committee and our friends at the Dallas/Fort Worth Friends of Halloween leading the way this year’s Halloween offerings are sure to bring new meaning to the word “haunting”.
Software Solutions: Every year we have more and more sessions covering the various software programs available to holiday decorators. This year will be no different as we will cover applications that handle audio and light sequencing.
Beyond Lighting: These sessions will allow you to step outside of the tradtional “lighting” classes and develop other holiday ideas. Our two session “Claus Curriculum” will help you understand your responsibilities when you are being Santa and provide you some resources for suits, interactive ideas and working with children. Our “Pyro Lab” will let you see some ways to incorporate firework effects into your display and/or prepare for the largest pyro show on your block. Other topics are being discussed so stay tuned.
The S3 Experience: Learn the many features of sequencing with Light-O-Rama software from the official trainer: Drew Hickman of Holiday Technologies. Drew ill cover the new features of the S3 suite and help you learn some best practices to make your sequencing easier and faster. AS OF MAY 7TH THE S3 EXPERIENCE IS SOLD OUT. THE REGULAR ACADEMY HAS NO LIMITS SO REGISTER TODAY!