Arts

Advanced Ceramics

How can advanced ceramic techniques, surface strategies, and an understanding of materials and firing be used to create functional works that demonstrate craftsmanship, intention, and innovation? This course offers motivated students the opportunity explore new ceramics construction, processing, glazing, firing, and drying techniques while expanding their understanding of design elements. Prerequisite: Ceramics or permission of the instructor.

Advanced Drawing and Painting

How do drawing and painting serve as visual languages to communicate complex ideas and contribute to contemporary artistic dialogue? Advanced Drawing and Painting invites motivated art students to expand their skills and personal voices. Students pursue deeper studies of the foundational skills of composition, mark-making, value, and color while also experimenting with new approaches to artistic expression. Through studio projects, critiques, and process journals, they refine their artistic practices and ability to communicate ideas visually. Students research and analyze art practitioners, while considering how those artists use drawing and painting to address questions of identity, society and culture. This course focuses on creating portfolio-ready work that demonstrates both technical proficiency and conceptual depth. Participation in weekly evening figure drawing sessions is encouraged. Prerequisite: Drawing , Painting, and permission of the instructor.

Advanced Fiber Arts

Advanced Fiber Arts provides students with the opportunity to create larger and more complex textiles and expand their proficiency with textile-design. Students refine their technical skills, incorporate color theory with greater sophistication, deepen their understanding of design concepts, and contextualize their work by studying the many cultural and historical uses of textiles. Prerequisite: Fiber Arts and permission of the instructor.

Advanced Photography

How can we use images to communicate complex ideas and expand our understanding of the world? Advanced Photography is intended for motivated students to deepen their understanding of photography as a serious practice through technically and conceptually rigorous assignments, self-designed independent projects, and the used of advanced equipment. Coursework includes reading and discussing critical texts and researching the work of contemporary photographers. Students will come away from this class having produced a carefully constructed portfolio or series of images. Prerequisite: Photography and permission of instructor.

Advanced Sculpture

How do conceptual thinking, research, and critical dialogue shape sculptural works that communicate ideas beyond the material itself? Advanced Sculpture is designed for students with a foundation in sculpture, tool use, and safety who are ready to delve into the realm of conceptual exploration. Building on the fundamental skills acquired in sculpture, this course shifts focus from material-based techniques to conceptual development and expression. Students engage in a series of projects that challenge them to think critically, experiment with new ideas, and push the boundaries of traditional sculpture. Class discussions, critiques, and research assignments are integral components of the course, fostering a deeper understanding of contemporary sculptural practices and encouraging students to situate their work within broader artistic contexts. Prerequisite: Sculpture and permission from the instructor.

Ceramics

How do form, surface, and process work together to transform clay into functional objects that reflect both craftsmanship and personal expression? Students in ceramics learn a variety of hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques as well as basic glaze chemistry and how to fire a gas kiln, all with an emphasis on functional ceramics. Historical and contemporary ceramics are also explored. Along with different construction methods, students are introduced to the design elements of form and proportion and a variety of surface decoration possibilities such as texturing, carving, and working with slips. This course focuses on good craftsmanship and attention to detail; innovation and experimentation are highly encouraged.

Chamber Music

How does playing music in small ensembles strengthen our ability to listen, communicate, and collaborate? Chamber Music is a performance-based course where students perform in small ensembles, each musician holding an independent and essential role. Through repertoire spanning diverse styles and historical periods, students build technical skill, musical independence, and refined ensemble awareness. Emphasis is placed on collaborative rehearsal techniques, balance, blend, rhythm, intonation, and expressive interpretation. Students develop leadership, accountability, and empathy while learning to solve musical challenges together. Performances provide opportunities to demonstrate growth and shared artistry. This class is open to all students and may be taken repeatedly at higher levels. Students interested in learning a new instrument should consult the instructor before enrolling.

Concepts in Sound

What is music? How does sound provide a foundation for creative works of art? Concepts in Sound explores music as an expressive art form that is built from sound and conveys meaning through the organization or non-organization of sonic resources. Students develop a musical vocabulary and cultivate a language for sound itself, outside of the conventions of common practice era music theory. The class emphasizes experimental, hands-on, project-oriented creative work. In addition to crafting original sound pieces, students listen to musical works, read written works by composers, and respond through writing, reflection and discussion. The curriculum examines major avante-garde composers such as Edgard Varese, John Cage, Cornelius Cardew, Harry Partch, and others who challenged the musical establishment or forged new ways to approach composition. Diverse source materials help students contextualize and give meaning to their musical pieces and ideas.

Design Build

How can the design process—research, planning, iteration, and making—be used to create meaningful, functional objects that respond to real-world needs? Throughout this course, students learn to articulate real-world challenges, envision innovative solutions, develop comprehensive plans, acquire the skills necessary for execution, and ultimately bring their designs to life by creating tangible objects that address identified needs. The course is divided into two primary phases: design and build. During the first part of the course, students delve into the design process, where they explore various design principles, techniques, and methodologies. Through hands-on activities, research, and collaborative projects, students learn to identify and analyze problems, generate multiple design concepts, refine their ideas through feedback and iteration, and develop detailed plans for implementation. In the second portion of the course, students transition from design to construction as they bring their visions to fruition. They have the opportunity to work with a diverse variety of materials as they translate their design plans into physical objects. Students learn essential craftsmanship skills, safe tool operation, and construction techniques relevant to their chosen projects. Students regularly critique and discuss each other’s work in order to share experiences, identify successful elements, and support each other’s efforts as they build individual skills. Gaining control of a medium takes time and things don’t always go as planned; deviations from initial plans are explored during class critiques. All students maintain journals that include records of projects and design, processes, skills learned, inspirations, and reflections.

Digital Filmmaking

How do we capture and edit images and sounds to tell compelling stories? Digital Filmmaking explores the art and technique of cinematic storytelling as a means of self-expression through hands-on production, film analysis, critical reading, and class discussion. Students examine the essential elements of both narrative and documentary styles—composition, cinematography, lighting, sound recording, and editing. Throughout the course, students create short films while building a foundational and historical knowledge of the medium by studying a wide variety of filmmakers and film types.

Drawing

How does drawing function as a tool for seeing and understanding the world? In Drawing, students develop their ability to perceive the world around them and skillfully translate those perceptions to paper. They become fluent in expressing the basic elements of visual experience: light, gesture, edge, mass, texture, and space. Subjects include the human head, the figure, still life, landscape and interior in a variety of wet and dry media. Participants are encouraged to explore personally significant themes by maintaining sketchbooks of images from daily life. In addition to studying the works of notable artists, students regularly critique and discuss each other’s works in order to share experiences, identify successful elements in their drawings, and support each other’s efforts.

Experimental Performance

What does it mean to experiment with performing arts? How do artists express themselves through experimentation or find meaning in the seemingly absurd? Experimental Performance delves into the fields of performance art, avant-garde theater, dance, and music and explores artistic choices that push boundaries. Coursework includes research presentations on artists as well as individual and group performance projects, culminating in an evening of performances shared with the school.

Fiber Arts

How do form and function inform one another in textile work? This course covers a wide variety fiber arts techniques such as weaving, spinning, knitting, dyeing, sewing, and quilting. Students learn to operate and maintain textile equipment, weave on four and eight harness floor looms, spin fiber from our flock of sheep, and use plants from our dye garden to create natural dyes. Independent projects encourage students to observe, analyze, plan, calculate, and problem-solve by exploring textile-design through color, material, and function. Coursework includes research, design, fiber-work, and process-journaling. Resources include a wide variety of textile equipment, a comprehensive library of books and periods, and a large collection of fabrics, fibers, and fleeces.

Guitar Intensive

What techniques and knowledge empower a musician to use the guitar idiomatically for musical expression? How might these tools be used selectively within different musical contexts? Guitar Intensive offers guitarists the opportunity to hone their techniques and develop the fretboard knowledge to apply their skills in a musical context. Topics covered include chord shapes, scale patterns, notational fluency, improvisation, ensemble dynamics, and musicianship. Students build regular practice routines and cultivate repertoires for solo and ensemble playing in multiple styles. This course explores influential guitarists and their different approaches to technique, while returning to the question of how music shapes and is shaped by the instrument itself.

History and Language of Art

The goal of this class is to give students bearings that will help them be able to look carefully at art. Through study of Western art from the late medieval period to the 20th century, students learn to see art clearly and relate what they see to its cultural context, with the aim of fostering a lifelong pleasure in looking at art. The class will study works in reproduction and in visits to major museums. Students will also study techniques and materials through hands-on experience of silverpoint drawing, fresco, and oil painting, including the manufacture of selected media from raw materials. Students will write critiques of paintings and will execute schematic copies of works of art to reveal their compositional elements. The course culminates in presentation of individual research projects. Meets senior humanities credit; does not fulfill art requirement.

Jazz Combo

How can a group of unique improvisational musicians come together in spontaneous musical dialogue to create music that is completely new and at the same time recognizes over a century of jazz history? In this performance-based class, students learn the art and craft of jazz in a small combo setting. Cultivating individual styles, each student learns how to express their unique voice within a group to create conversational music built on the longstanding traditions of jazz. Emphasis is placed on listening, ensemble awareness, and communication in addition to building the requisite tools for musical expression on a given instrument. Students deepen their appreciation for the craft through pertinent jazz history, performance practice and study of the musicians that gave rise to this musical form. Regular listening and transcription will contribute to foundational skills and context. The course includes performances and off-campus opportunities to play with others to give students the opportunity to grow and broaden their musical perspectives as an individual in a shared musical experience in accord with the jazz tradition.

Musical Theater

How does learning the history of musical theater influence the way we perform songs from musicals? This course focuses on both performing songs from musicals and examining the history of musical theater from Showboat to Sondheim to Hamilton. It also explores the role of musical theater in American history, important composers, and social issues raised in musicals. Throughout the term, students learn solo, duet, and group musical numbers. Unlike voice lessons, this course offers students the opportunity to work on character development, acting, and staging across a variety of musical theater genres. Students who are new to musical theater will have the chance to perform and learn in a safe and supportive environment.

Music Composition

How does a composer choose a key or pick a tempo? How do different chord arrangements influence the tone of a piece? How does harmony support melody? Music Composition guides students through developing the skills necessary to capture musical ideas with deliberate compositional techniques. Students practice the craft of composition from start to finish—evolving an idea into a piece of music with a polished score to be performed by soloists and chamber musicians. This course is intended to provide an opportunity for students who have previous experience with notation and music theory to focus on creative work. Students explore fundamental questions about the nature, application, and purpose of music by studying diverse musical works from a variety of composers across time periods. Prerequisites for this course may include: Music Theory, familiarity with musical notation, music lessons, or permission of the instructor.

Music Foundations

Music Foundations is an introductory course that develops core music literacy and performance skills. Students learn to read music notation, understand rhythm and key signatures, and apply essential musical symbols. Through group instruction on piano and/or guitar, students build proper technique, note identification, and basic major and minor chord playing, performing simple melodies and progressions. Topics include pitch, intervals, scales, intonation, and foundational terminology. Ear training strengthens rhythmic accuracy and pitch recognition. By the end of the course, students can read and perform simple music, play basic chords, and use essential vocabulary confidently. This course (or equivalent skills) is a prerequisite for Music Theory.

Music Theory

What is the basic structure of music? How do simple elements combine to form complex musical works? Music Theory explores the fundamental structures of music and how they combine and interact to build patterns that are recognizable as music. Students learn to identify and create these musical elements and gain fluency in the language of musical description through the use of the nomenclature and vocabulary of common practice. Students will learn intervals, scales, chords, keys, modes, chord construction, harmonic function, voice leading, and form as students develop their skills through analysis, composition and hands-on music making. This course may be taken repeatedly at higher levels. Prerequisites for this course may include: Music Foundations, familiarity with musical notation, music lessons, or permission of the instructor.

Painting

How does painting work as a visual language? This course centers on understanding the foundational structures of painting through close-examination, analysis, and sustained studio practice. Students investigate the core building blocks of painting, color theory, value, composition, spatial organization, and material decision-making while working in both acrylic and oil. Through guided studies of historical and contemporary painters, students learn to analyze how formal choices shape mood, meaning, and visual coherence. Studio work emphasizes observational sources. Students develop technical control alongside conceptual intention, using painting as a visual language. Regular critiques support shared analysis of compositional strategies, color relationships, and processes, while a required process journal documents research, experiments, reflections, and revisions.

Photography

How does learning photography affect the way we see the world around us? Students in this course learn the basics of both film photography and digital photography. The curriculum includes learning how to make gelatin silver prints in the darkroom, digitize film images, use Adobe Photoshop, and make colorful inkjet prints. Along with technical skills, students explore concepts and questions perennial to the history of photography, such as how photography relates to truth, storytelling, and self-expression. Coursework includes slideshow lectures, art-historical research, class discussions, and critiques. Students practice slowing down—putting time and care into their work and paying close attention to their surroundings. Students come away from this class having made a body of photographs that express their distinct views of the world.

Printmaking

How can printmaking processes be used to explore, develop, and communicate ideas through image, iteration, and material choice? This course guides students through the creation of artwork using printmaking as a primary means of visual inquiry. Students may work in relief printing, screen printing, and monoprint, exploring how each process supports experimentation, revision, and the development of meaning. Students investigate themes and imagery of personal significance, using print as a thinking process that emphasizes layering, repetition, variation, and decision-making over time. Through hands-on studio work, students consider how materials, scale, and process influence visual language and conceptual intent. Throughout the course, students maintain a process journal to document ideas, experiments, and reflections, and complete art analysis assignments that build skills in visual analysis, contextual understanding, and critical response. Frequent critiques and discussions support thoughtful dialogue, clarify successful formal and conceptual strategies, and encourage continued artistic growth. Prerequisite: Drawing or permission of instructor. Offered in alternating years

Recording and Production

How can audio production tools be used to delineate the relationship between sound, form and meaning? Recording and Production examines how sound can be used to build a narrative, create an immersive experience, or underpin the broader aesthetic significance of a piece. Students learn basic acoustic principles, discover how to capture sound effectively using microphones, gain an understanding of the essential tools of mixing, and develop a personal workflow within a DAW—skills that allows them to apply the technical craft of audio production within creative frameworks to construct meaningful audio work. Material covered includes audio documentaries, podcasts, music, sound design, music from films, and Foley arts, though this course emphasizes hands-on work in project-based formats.

Sculpture

How can ideas be translated into three-dimensional form through an understanding of materials, processes, and sculptural traditions? In this course, students explore the skills and techniques of sculpture using a wide range of materials and methods. Students learn the processes of modeling, carving, and welding using clay, wax, plaster, wood, stone, and metal. Drawings and three-dimensional models are used in the designing and planning stages. Students are expected to complete sculptures in multiple mediums with an emphasis on understanding the history and integrity of specific materials as they work with them. Realism, abstraction, and symbolism are explored as ways of translating ideas into sculptural form. Readings, written work, presentations, discussions, field trips, and critiques allow students to contextualize their studio work alongside the works of other sculptors. No prerequisite.

Studio Art Intensive

How do artists translate ideas into meaningful form through materials, process, and context? How do the materials and processes the artist selects shape their work? How does the context in which a work of art is viewed alter its impact? Studio Art Intensive is an advanced visual art course designed for highly motivated, independent art students to explore their creative voices and artistic concepts through diverse approaches and multiple mediums. The course examines the intersection between concept and meaning, context and form. Throughout the course, students engage in studio-based projects that encourage experimentation with manifold artistic forms, materials, and techniques. From traditional mediums such as painting, drawing, and sculpture to contemporary and multimedia approaches, participants push the boundaries of their artistic expression to build cohesive bodies of work. In addition to independently designed projects, students are introduced to historical and contemporary artists. Emphasis is placed on critical analysis as students study and evaluate the work of other artists, learning to contextualize their practices within broader artistic traditions. Students maintain process journals for thoughtful exploration, experimentation, and self-discovery. Process and critical investigation are as important as the final works created. An essential component of Studio Art Intensive is the continuous communication and collaboration between the individual and the group, regardless of medium. This course allows juniors and seniors to work on their portfolio pieces. Prerequisite: At least 1 introductory art course and permission of the instructor.

Theater Elements

Not Currently Offered

How do the various elements of theater work together to create a production? Theater Elements introduces students to acting, playwriting, directing, design, stage management, and theater history. Students participate in physical and vocal warm-ups, play theater games, and stage scenes from classic and contemporary plays—working together to bring the page to the stage. Skills like memorization, improvisation, diction, and collaboration are all developed as students broaden and deepen their vocabulary for watching and working in theater through research and collaboration.

Vocal Ensemble

How does singing together shape individual voices while creating a unified musical community? Vocal Ensemble is a performance-based course focused on developing healthy vocal technique and collective expression through group singing. Students study and perform diverse repertoire across cultures and historical periods while building skills in sight-reading, diction, intonation, blend, balance, and musical interpretation. Emphasis is placed on ensemble awareness, shared responsibility, and expressive communication through unified sound. Performances showcase students’ musical growth and highlight the power of collaborative artistry. This class is open to all students and may be taken repeatedly at higher levels.

Vocal Intensive

How can vocal techniques be used to support self-expression? Vocal Intensive is designed to allow experienced singers to enhance their vocal skills and performance abilities. Students focus on singing solo. Students explore vocal technique, diction, musical literacy, and more. This course emphasizes understanding the anatomy and physiology of singing, developing a solid method and personal vocal style, and preparing for a recital. While this syllabus covers a range of topics, student interest guides the relative weight given to each topic. Students should take Vocal Ensemble first unless approved by the instructor.