This story was contributed by Amanda Lower, Lower School Performing Arts Instructor, 2-5
On Friday, April 22 the Lower Campus was alive with Immersive Arts Experiences. During their regular connections block, the kindergarten through fifth grade students enjoyed an arts rotation experience. Each grade level, led by a connector teacher followed an interactive and diverse set of artistic stations.
Art Design by 5th grader Hulya Inel
Experiences included
- a west African dance and drumming session with the Uhuru Dance EnsembleΒ
- a crash course in how to act for a commercial with Riley Hough of ClasShare
- Hip Hop with Sherovski MorelandΒ
- Full bodied Mural Making with Amber Jimison on the Frontier
- a Yayoi Kusama immersive dot wallΒ
- a costume challenge with Jess Ford
Experts from the Upper campuses joined the students to connect our two campuses.
- Clark Taylor from the upper school came over with his high school World Drumming class
- Spencer Stephens from the middle school came over for Puppetry Power with his students
- Michael Nestor and Vann Thornton shared their talents with brass instruments
And some special appearances included Eric Cheek from the admissions team.
The lower school artists had a chance to sample new approaches to art forms that they diligently study every week. Art in action provided new mediums, new perspectives, and the joy of a bigger process. The day showcased the students’ curiosity and our schools love to have fun in the arts. The day culminated in the entire campus walking to the middle school gymnasium for the Play Maker Dance Recital. The dancers showed off their technique, artistry, and presence through ballet, jazz, tap, and hip hop numbers. Kindergarten through fifth graders danced through the decades celebrating the 50 Anniversary of Mount Vernon.
