Mission: Madeira Arts prepares students for the ever-evolving world by bolstering creativity, collaboration, curiosity, and resilience.
Vision: Every artistic endeavor, whether it be visual or performing, encourages and celebrates excellence in each student at Madeira. Coursework challenges students to discover connections across disciplines, while practicing traditional and contemporary techniques in making art.
1-block course; Open to grades 9-12
Drawing is the foundation course for students interested in visual arts and eager to expand their creative abilities. Students will be instructed in the use of the design elements and principles through projects such as mark making, perspective drawing, and still-life composition. Prerequisites: None
1-block course; Open to 9-12
Intended for students looking to further their foundational drawing skills, this class allows students to build upon their existing drawing experience through the study of contemporary artists. Students will incorporate contemporary art practice as inspiration for projects that could include Adobe illustrator drawings, still life drawings, and mixed media art. Prerequisites: Studio Art: Fundamentals of Drawing
1-3 block course; Open to grades 9-12
Painting is for students who are eager to advance their painting skills and develop greater understanding of selected painting styles and mediums. Students will learn to create using acrylics, watercolors, and oil paints. Prerequisites: Studio Art: Fundamentals of Drawing
1-3 block course; Open to grades 9-12
Sculpture is a course for students eager to advance their understanding of 3-dimensional art. Students will use various materials and techniques such as carving, modeling, and armature building to create 3-dimensional works of art. Prerequisites: Studio Art: Fundamentals of Drawing
1- or 2-block course; Open to grades 9-12
Contemporary Sculpture is a hands-on course in which students will further their sculpture skills. Projects may include large-scale sculpture for the human body, soft sculpture techniques, and wire armature-building. Prerequisites: Studio Art: Sculpture
1-3 block course; Open to grades 9-12
Students will build the skills necessary to produce hand-built and wheel-thrown ceramic objects. Pottery skills and critical analysis are developed. Work will evolve through experimentation with different clay media and techniques. Prerequisites: Studio Art: Fundamentals of Drawing
1-3 block course; Open to grades 9-12
The Design Suite is for students interested in developing skills using digital media for artistic creation. Students will learn current software (Adobe Design Suite) used in creating visual art, posters, publications, marketing materials, film and animation. Projects will be student centered, with real world applications. Prerequisites: Studio Art: Fundamentals of Drawing
1-3 block course; Open to grades 9-12
3D modeling is a course for students eager to advance their understanding of the intersection of technology and 3-dimensional art. Students will use various 3D modeling software such as TinkerCad, Fusion360, Meshmixer, and more to create 3D printed works of art. Prerequisites:Studio Art: Fundamentals of Drawing.
3-block course; Open to grades 11 and 12
In this course that is modeled on a college-level course, students work towards developing mastery in: problem-solving skills; the elements and principals of 2-D or 3-D design; specific art mediums; art techniques; and related content. This course encourages and expects creative and systematic investigation of formal and conceptual issues in 2-D and 3-D design. Students will address the narrative voice in and of creating artworks. All art created will be assembled into a portfolio (hard bound and on-line) for college submission applications. Prerequisites: At least three blocks of Studio Art classes (Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, or Ceramic Studio)
1-block course; Open to grades 9-12
This course is an introduction to computer programming within the context of the visual arts. Utilizing the processing language, students will learn basic coding techniques, explore the fundamentals of computer graphics and create interactive drawing programs. Prerequisites: Studio Art: Fundamentals of Drawing
*Special Note: This course satisfies the coding requirement.
1-block course; Open to grades 9-12
This is a portfolio-based course intended for students wishing to further their understanding and practice of generative art using the processing language. Students will research a number of digital artists, studying their approach and techniques. Projects will cover a series of advanced skills incorporating media (images, fonts, vector files) and data into digital artwork, while being tailored to individual areas of interest. Advanced students will also periodically act as Teacher Assistants to the Programming for the Visual Arts class, providing help and support to novice programmers as needed. Prerequisites: Programming for the Visual Arts
1-block course; Open to grades 9-12
Students will visit a variety of museums over a five-week period. Discussion and activities will take place in the museums and classroom. Observation and research of original works, understanding of the curatorial process, art conservation, and presentation will be explored. The use of museums as a classroom space will be discussed. The creation of a prototype museum will be the final project for this class. Prerequisites: 1 block of a visual arts course and an interest in art, art history, and/or museum work.
1-block course; Open to grades 9-12
Students will learn how to use and control a school-supplied 35mm SLR film camera, develop negatives, create contact sheets and print photographs. In the process, they will learn how cameras work as well as the fundamentals of composition. Prerequisites: None
1-block course; Open to grades 9-12
A portfolio-based course intended for students interested in exploring advanced darkroom techniques and expanding their black and white film photography skills. Students will experiment with techniques (such as multi-negative printing, masking and selective development), study the techniques of professional film photographers, refine their own personal style, and be guided to create projects of their own interest. Additional portfolio critiques and the work of current artists will be explored. Prerequisites: Photography: Darkroom
1-block course; Open to grades 9-12
Students will further their photography skills by learning how to use their own 35mm SLR digital camera (see below). The course includes an overview of shooting modes and how these relate to the manual exposure settings learned in Photography: Darkroom. A variety of photo editing skills and the use of Photoshop will be explored, in addition to color printing and beginning portfolio development. Prerequisites: Photography: Darkroom
*Special notes: Students must supply their own 35mm DSLR camera with the following modes: aperture priority (A, Av or Portrait), shutter priority (S, Tv or Sport), and exposure compensation (+/-).
1-3 block course; Open to grades 9-12
This is a portfolio-based course. Advanced digital and photo-editing techniques will be explored. Students will be guided to create projects of their own interest. Additional portfolio critiques and the work of current artists will be explored. Prerequisites: Photography: Digital and Photography: Darkroom
*Special notes: Students must supply their own 35mm DSLR camera with the following modes: aperture priority (A, Av or Portrait), shutter priority (S, Tv or Sport), and exposure compensation (+/-).
1-block course; Open to grades 9-12
Narrative photography is the practice of combining story-telling with digital images. Digital stories can be instructional, persuasive, historical, or reflective. In this course students will use digital cameras and/or smartphones to capture digital images. They will also learn to use a variety of photo editing applications to correct and create interesting effects. Students will learn basic photographic principles of composition and exposure. Prerequisite: None
1 block course; Open to grades 9-12
Students will learn techniques and develop acting skills using classical works. Through Greek Tragedy, Commedia D’ell Arte, Elizabethan and Shakespeare drama, and Restoration comedy, actors will gain an understanding of ensemble work, script analysis, character development, and voice and body awareness through monologue and scene work. Prerequisites: None
1 block course; Open to grades 9-12
Building on skills learned in Acting I, students explore contemporary approaches to acting from Realism to Theatre of the Absurd. This class will survey the teachings of Stanislavsky, Chekov, Misner, Adler, Hagen, and others to create active and grounded performances. Through warm-ups, voice and movement exercises, script analysis, and monologue and scene work, actors will apply modern acting techniques in performance. Prerequisites: Acting I
1-3 block course; Open to grades 9-12
Learn the best practices for working with actors on a scripted work. Focusing on script analysis, concept development, design integration, preparation, casting, blocking, and working with actors, this course will culminate in a presentation of a 10-minute play executed by the students. Prerequisites: One acting course and one theater production, or permission of instructor.
1 block course; Open to grades 9-12
From casual announcements to formal presentations we are tasked with public speaking daily. Students will learn techniques for speaking with distinction and engaging an audience including projection, articulation, body language, vocal tone, and eye contact. Focusing on the link between public speaking and storytelling the class will culminate in students giving a speech in the Pechu Kucka or Ignite style. Prerequisites: None
Special Note: This course satisfies the Student Life elective requirement.
1 block course; Open to grades 9-12
An actor’s instrument is her body and voice. This course will focus on movement and vocal practices for healthy and supported performances. Voice work will build on the principles of Linklater to develop vocal range, quality, energy, and projection. Movement work will include LeCoq, Viewpoints, and Alexander technique to create greater awareness, ease of movement, carriage, and variety of expression on stage. Prerequisites: None
1-3 block course; Open to grades 9-12
Explore the elements of creating a new work. Play-building will expose students to two approaches in creating a play for the stage. Students will learn the basics of playwriting including dramatic structure, character development, and plot creation working on writing a short play script. They will then learn the ensemble-based creative approach to play creation of devised theatre, where they will combine improvisation, movement, and writing to create their own short work. Prerequisites: None
1 block class; Open to grades 9-12
This introductory class offers students a chance to experience a variety of aspects of theatre arts and determine areas of interest. Students will actively engage in all aspects of the creative process from developing a director’s concept, to creating design elements, and acting in a scene. Prerequisites: None
Open to grades 9-12
Mods 1 through 6 on Wednesdays, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. Additional hours required for play and musical set builds and tech weeks.
Stagecraft is a year-long, hands-on course in technical theatre and production design. Students will have the opportunity to learn scenic construction, scenic painting, properties and costume construction, lighting and sound engineering principles, technical drawing, and the production design process for theatre. Students will experience a variety of projects from sketches to building to deconstruction and along the way will learn to solve problems in creative and collaborative ways. Earns three academic credits. Course may be repeated. Prerequisites: None
Open to grades 9-12
Mods 1 through 6 on Mondays and Wednesdays, 6:20 – 7:20 p.m.
This large vocal ensemble class provides both basic and advanced singers the opportunity to develop their choral and solo singing in a group experience, exploring a broad repertoire of music – from classical to contemporary, both accompanied and a cappella. Students prepare for two-to-three concerts and/or festivals per year. Earns three academic credits. Course may be repeated. Prerequisites: None
Open to grades 9-12
Mods 1 through 6 on Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
This large ensemble class includes strings, winds, brass, percussion, and pianos. The group prepares full orchestra music, as well as chamber music for smaller ensembles of two-to-ten players for four-to-six concerts per year. Membership is open to all instrumental musicians; all ability levels are welcome. Earns three academic credit. Course may be repeated. Students must participate in the performances. Prerequisites: None
3 credits
Ms. Newman began teaching at Madeira in 2010. She earned a Bachelor's of Fine Arts degree in Scene Design from Boston University and a Master's degree in Art Education from the University of Florida. She currently teaches Technical Theater, Advanced Theater Production, and STEAM in addition to designing the Fall play and Winter musical.
Ms. Crespo started working at Madeira in 2002. She a bachelor's degree in Music from University of Central Arkansas and a master's degree from University of California at Irvine.
Michelle has taught jazz technique and choreographed for The Kirov Academy in Washington D.C., The Washington School of Ballet, Maryland Youth Ballet and CityDance Ensemble. She has been the on-site director for CityDance at The Madeira School for six years and was named Director of Dance in 2016.
Heather Fetrow joins the Madeira Fine Arts department this fall as the Director of Choral Music. Ms. Fetrow has directed choral ensembles previously at the Browning School in New York City and the Hun School of Princeton. She is currently the Associate Director of Strathmore Children's Choir's Treble Chorus in Rockville, MD. She holds degrees in Music Education, Choral Conducting and Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey.
Adalia V Tonneyck has been designing costumes for the Madeira Theater Department since 2014 and now has join the faculty as the Production Manager. For the last 9 years Adalia has been the working in D.C. Metro area as a freelance theater artist, at such companies as The Folger, Traveling Players Ensemble, GWU, Howard University, Constellation, Signature and Adventure theater. She holds a B.A.F in Fiber Arts from S.C.A.D University of Creative careers and M.F.A in Production Design from George Washington University.
Kelsey Meiklejohn joins the Arts Department after working at Madeira as the musical choreographer since 2013. Before joining the faculty at Madeira, she was the Secondary Education Programs Manager at Encore Stage & Studio, where she ran their pre-professional program in addition to directing and choreographing productions. Previously she worked as a teaching artist and choreographer at Sidwell Friends, Episcopal High School, Olney Theatre Center, and Maryland Shakespeare Festival. As an actress she has appeared at: The Shakespeare Theatre, 1st Stage, Flying V, Synetic Family Theatre, National Players Tour, Maryland Shakespeare Festival, Virginia Shakespeare Festival. She holds a B.A. in Theatre and Dance from The College of William & Mary and a M.A. in Theatre Education from The University of Northern Colorado.
Master of Music candidate at George Mason University and received her Bachelor of Music from Vanderbilt University.