Middle School Arts

Visual Art: 

Visual Art classes in the Middle School develop an appreciation for art while exploring different artists, their styles, and their influence in art history. Our curriculum explores and applies the elements of art (color, form, line, shape, space, texture, and value) and the principles of design (emphasis, balance, contrast, repetition, proportion, movement, and unity) to two- and three-dimensional projects. These projects give students exposure to a variety of mediums and techniques while becoming visual problem solvers. 

Dance: 

Creative Movement and Dance in the Middle School help a student develop an understanding of musicality as well as learn how to count music for dancers in a variety of tempos and time signatures. Dancers explore choreographic techniques including story-based choreography and Chance Dance, as well as developing original choreography. Students experience an introduction and build a deeper understanding of a variety of dance techniques including jazz, modern, lyrical, contemporary, and others. The Dance Program provides several performance opportunities that help students showcase what they have learned and build performance confidence. 

Instrumental Music: 

Instrumental Music classes in the Middle School teach the basics of producing a sound with their choice of instruments including drums, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, guitar, bass guitar, cello, and piano. Students learn to identify musical pitches by ear, using the Movable Do System of Solfege. They develop their own musical creativity but also learn to play as a group, as a duo, trio, or a full ensemble. Students explore Jewish music, folk music, popular songs, and more. The Instrumental Music Program provides several performance opportunities that help students showcase what they have learned and build performance confidence. 

Performance Theatre: 

Performance Theatre classes in the Middle School teach the fundamentals of theatre through games and activities that explore character development. Students connect storytelling in theatre to the books being read in their Humanities and English classes. They are introduced to William Shakespeare’s works such as Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Students gain an understanding of why Shakespeare’s plays are still relevant and popular. Students work on and performs scenes from musicals, plays, and movies as well as learn the basics of playwriting. The Theatre Program provides several performance opportunities that help students showcase what they have learned and build performance confidence.

Technical Theatre: 

Technical Theatre classes in the Middle School teach the basics of technical theatre covering elements that range from over-all safety to the proper use of all power tools in our scene shop. Students learn the basics of set constructions as well as touch on the areas of theatrical design in Lighting, Sound, Props, Special Effects, and Scenic Projections. The more advanced students will be elevated to more elaborate projects. If desired, the student has the opportunity to work on the Stage Crew for the middle school and high school shows in all areas of production.