Students move into updated, renamed Bellinger Hall, now Greene Family Commons

by Von Smith on June 21, 2025 364 views

Performing and visual arts students from universities across the nation pile into the newly renovated Greene Family Commons, formerly Bellinger Hall, where they will stay during the summer season on Friday, June 20, 2025. Greene Family Commons was renamed for Cathrine and Craig Greene who donated $8 million for the facility to be fully renovated over the next year. VON SMITH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Louis Roy, left, laughs at his roommate Milo Klase’s, right, creased suit jacket while unpacking in their newly renovated living space. Although Roy is from Buffalo, Ny. and Klase’s from San Francisco, Ca., both study at the Cleveland Institute of Music where they have been roommates for 2 years. VON SMITH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
From left, Indiana University School of Music students Maya Jackson, Stanley Cannon, and Kale Jette move their things into the newly renovated Greene Family Commons. VON SMITH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Opera Conservatory student Aida Skaraite guides Lawrence Fong, parent of Music School Festival Orchestra student Charlotte Fong, to the check-in table. VON SMITH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Student dancer Bruno Khilkin Secches of New York City practices locking his bike with his parents Michael and Juliana. VON SMITH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Students of the schools of performing and visual arts check-in and receive their room assignments. GEORGE KOLOSKI/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Chautauqua Opera Conservatory students Ella Vaughn, left, and Madeleine Christopher get settled into their room. GEORGE KOLOSKI/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Instrumental Program students Rhianna Lingle, left, and Erin Yun move their bags into the newly renovated Greene Family Commons. GEORGE KOLOSKI/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Chautauqua Visual Arts student, Kayla Edmonston moves into the newly renovated Greene Family Commons. GEORGE KOLOSKI/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Staff photos by Von Smith and George Koloski

Since the 1970s, thousands of students in Chautauqua’s Schools of Performing and Visual Arts have called Bellinger Hall home each summer. For this year’s students, that home will have a fresh new look, and a new name: Greene Family Commons. The first of a two-phase renovation project was completed this off-season, bringing a refresh of the student living spaces. As temperatures climb into the 90s this week, another major upgrade will make itself felt: the addition of air conditioning. Over the course of the nine-week Summer Assembly Season, over 250 students will benefit from the upgrades to Greene Family Commons, which were made possible by the generosity of Chautauquans and local foundations.