The Arts Department offers classes in both performing and visual arts. Our emerging film program is making a name for itself in the D.C. Metro area through its annual Madeira Film Festival.
1-block course; Open to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
Drawing is the foundation course for students interested in visual art and eager to expand their creative abilities. Students will be instructed in the composition of still life, landscape, perspective, and will gain a greater understanding of the creative process. Prerequisites: None.
*Special note: There is a fee for this class.
1-block course; Open to 9, 10, 11, and 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 perspective landscapes, still life drawings, and mixed media art. Prerequisites: Studio Art: Fundamentals of Drawing
*Special note: There is a fee for this class.
1-3 block course; Open to grades 9, 10, 11, and 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, oil paints. Prerequisites: Studio Art: Fundamentals of Drawing
*Special note: There is a fee for this class.
1-3 block course; Open to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
Sculpture is a course for students eager to advance their understanding of 3-dimensional art. Students will the use various materials along with unique processes to create medium to large-scale works of art. Prerequisites: Studio Art: Fundamentals of Drawing and one additional studio course.
Special note: There is an additional material fee for this class.
1- or 2-block course; Open to grades 10, 11, and 12
Sculpture on the Human Form is a hands-on course in which students will employ the major steps of product development to research, conceptualize, design, prototype and build large-scale sculpture for the human body. Students will learn soft sculpture techniques, including wire armature-building, batting and sewing (hand and machine). Guest speakers will discuss aspects of fashion design and soft, figurative sculpture. The class also includes a field trip to the ManneqART Museum of Sculpture on the Human Form. Final projects will be eligible for submission in the ManneqART Competition, held annually in June. Prerequisites: Studio Art: Sculpture
1-3 block course; Open to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
Students will develop the skills necessary to produce hand-built and wheel-thrown ceramic objects. Development of pottery skills and critical analysis are very important to the goals of this class. Work will evolve through experimentation with different clay media and techniques. Prerequisites: FStudio Art: Fundamentals of Drawing
*Special note: There is a fee for this class.
1-3 block course; Open to grades 10, 11, and 12
Students will use design software (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) to create marketing materials that are used in real world environments. Prerequisites: Fundamentals of Art- Drawing.
*Special note: There is a fee for this class.
4-block course; Open to grades 11 and 12
In this college-level art 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 address the three essential components in their portfolios: quality, concentration and breadth. Students are required to submit this body of work to the College Board for review by the portfolio deadline.
Students interested in applying to an AP art course should make their intentions known to the visual arts teachers early in their high school careers so the teachers can track applicants through the art curriculum and help them understand eligibility requirements. Prerequisites: At least three blocks of Studio Art classes (Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, or Ceramic Studio).
*Special note: There is a $90 fee for this class.
**Course not offered this academic year.
1-block course; Open to grades 10, 11, and 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 does satisfy the math department computer programming requirement.
1-block course; Open to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
Students will visit a variety of museums over a five-week period. Discussion and activities will take place in the museums. Observation and research of original works, understanding the curatorial process, art conservation, and presentation will be explored as well as the use of museums as a classroom space. Prerequisites: 1 block of a visual arts course and an interest in art, art history, and/or museum work.
*Special notes: There is a $50 fee for this class.
1-block course; Open to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
Students will learn how to use their own 35mm SLR digital camera, which they must provide. A variety of photo editing skills and the use of Photoshop will be explored. Color printing and beginning portfolio development will also be included in this course. Prerequisites: Darkroom Photography,.
*Special notes: Students must supply their own 35mm DSLR camera. There is a $50 fee for this class.
1-3 block course; Open to grades 10, 11, and 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: There is a $50 fee for this class. Students must supply their own camera.
1-block course; Open to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
Students will learn how to use and control a school-supplied 35mm 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.
*Special notes: There is a $50 fee for this class.
1-block course; Open to grades 10, 11, and 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: Darkroom.
*Special notes: There is a $50 fee for this class.
1-block course; Open to grades 9, 10, 11, and 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: Photography: Digital and Photography: Darkroom.
*Special note: There is a $50 fee for this class.
1-block course; Open to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
Students use a variety of cameras and learn the fundamental techniques for shooting and editing video to tell the most compelling story. Camera techniques include choosing the right frame size and background, applying the rule of thirds, achieving proper exposure, and using depth of field, continuity and rack focus, among other tools. Students edit their footage in i-movie and Final Cut X to achieve proper continuity, pacing and seamlessness cuts, as well as control the mood and tone of their film. Students practice documentary and narrative styles. Prerequisites: None.
*Special note: There is a fee for this class.
1-3 block course; Open to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
Advanced Film Production builds upon skills acquired in Film Production I. Students will create a documentary, which they will submit to The Madeira Film Festival. Students will learn advanced techniques in filming and editing, with a greater emphasis on story development and project planning. Students will develop the leadership skills necessary to bring their vision to fruition. The course may be repeated, with expanding access to camera equipment and accessories, as well as additional editing software applications. Students in the Advanced Film Production classes will produce the Madeira School Film Festival. Prerequisites: Film Production.
*Special note: There is an additional fee for this class.
1-3 block course; Open to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
Advanced Film Production builds upon skills acquired in Film Production I. Students will create a fiction film, which they will submit to The Madeira Film Festival. Students will learn advanced techniques in filming and editing, with a greater emphasis on story development and project planning. Students will develop the leadership skills necessary to bring their vision to fruition. The course may be repeated, with expanding access to camera equipment and accessories, as well as additional editing software applications. Students in the Advanced Film Production classes will produce the Madeira School Film Festival. Prerequisites: Film Production.
*Special Note: There is a fee for this course.
1 block class; Open to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
Students learn to apply the acting techniques of Stanislavski, Laban, Chekhov, Bogart and Meisner to the practice of scenes and monologues, both comic and dramatic. Students gain confidence in expressing themselves, portraying a role, finding their motivation, connecting with their scene partner, and creating the character’s physicality. No final performance is required. Prerequisites: None.
1-3 block course; Open to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
Students learn one comedic, dramatic, contemporary and classical monologue, and practice performing it in a mock audition setting. Students master the art of making a good first impression: from walking in the door, introducing themselves, to getting in to character and applying good performance technique. Students also practice cold-reading from a script, working with a scene partner, and taking direction. Prerequisites: None.
1-3 block course; Open to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
Students discover their inner comic and learn to draw laughter from their audience. Through dialogue, monologue and improvisation work, students practice the principles of comedy, applying such elements as surprise, exaggeration, repetition, timing, slapstick and dramatic irony. Beginning and advanced students benefit from this course. No final performance is required. Prerequisites: None.
1-3 block course; Open to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
Students will learn the specific skills required for screen acting, including but not limited to eye focus, awareness of the camera, frame size, restrictive movement, repetition and believability. Students will practice auditioning for commercials and short films. Students will practice scenes and monologues, and work with props, costumes and sets, culminating in the filming of a short. Beginning and advanced acting students benefit from this course. Prerequisites: None.
1-3 block course; Open to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
Students write scenes and monologues, which are then read and performed by their peers for feedback and an enhanced understanding of the dramatic form, how the written script works in performance . Students learn the essence of character, conflict, setting, theme, dramatic irony, and spectacle. Students practice writing for comedy and drama. The culminating project is to write a full one-act play. Prerequisites: None.
**Course not offered this academic year.
2-block course; Open to grades 10, 11, and 12
Students craft a vision for a scene or a play, and lead a team of actors and designers in the realization of this vision. In the first module, students gain confidence in their leadership skills and creative voice through the practice of directing their peers in scenes and monologues. Students apply design principles to staging and blocking, while learning to use metaphors and imagery to communicate their ideas. Students learn to direct a variety of actors in a variety of genres. In the second module, students select or write a one-act play, which they cast, rehearse and fully produce for the One-Act Festival, in collaboration with student designers from Stagecraft. Prerequisites: One acting course and one theater production, or permission of instructor.
Open to grades 10, 11, and 12
September through May (Modules 1 to 6) on Tuesday, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Additional hours required for play and musical set builds, tech weeks, and One Acts.
Stagecraft is a year-long, hands-on course in technical theatre and production design. Students will have the opportunity to learn scenic construction and painting, properties and costume construction, lighting and sound engineering principles, and technical drafting for theatre. During the course, students will be actively practicing numerous skills such as logistics, organization, collaboration, and project management. Students will experience a project from sketches to building to deconstruction and along the way will learn to solve problems in creative and collaborative ways. In this manner, the Fall Play, Winter Musical, and One Acts Festival will provide dramatic learning experiences from backstage to the tech booth.
Students who return for multiple years have the opportunity to take on more senior roles in leadership, design, and project management, in addition to learning theater history. These roles and assignments will challenge their creativity and imagination and will be more tailored to the individual as they design and create technical elements for the student-led One Acts Festival. Students who take on this challenge will develop skills in flexibility, collaboration, self-evaluation, leadership, and project management. All students take the course for three academic credits.
*Special note: There is an additional $50 material fee for the third level of this class.
Open to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
September through April on Mondays and Wednesdays, 6:30 – 7:30 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 – contemporary, both accompanied and a cappella. Students prepare for 2 - 3 concerts and/or festivals per year. All students take the class for 3 academic credits. Prerequisites: None.
Open to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
September through April 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 2-10 players for 4-6 concerts per year. Membership is open to all instrumental musicians, all ability levels are welcome. All students take the class for academic credit. Students must participate in the performances. Prerequisites: None.
Class of 2020 & beyond:
Classes of 2019 & 2018:
Ms. Cowan began teaching at Madeira in 2006. She earned a bachelor's degree in English from Gordon College and a master's degree in Theater Directing from the University of California, Irvine. Ms. Cowan teaches Intro to Performing Arts, Intermediate Acting, Advanced Acting, Film Production, Advanced Film Production, Advanced Theater Production, and ninth grade Public Speaking. Additionally she directs the fall play, winter musical, and the Madeira Film Festival; co-sponsors the Madeira Arts Council; lead advisor to the Cappies Team; and ninth grade class advisor. She enjoys singing, acting, directing, and watching movies as well as hiking and staying active.
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. Mattox began teaching at Madeira in 2008. She earned a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from Wayne State University.
Ms. Randolph began teaching at Madeira in 2009. She earned a bachelor's degree from Dickinson College.
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.
Ms. Morris began instructing at Madeira in 1998. She earned a bachelor's degree in Music from Bowling Green State University and a master's degree from The Catholic University.
Joan Wolfe Kidder teaches and performs in Northern Virginia. She earned her Masters in Music Performance from Ball State University, where she studied cello and chamber music with Dr. Peter Opie of the American Piano Trio, and her Bachelors in Music Performance from the Conservatory of Shenandoah University where she studied with Mr. Clyde Shaw of the Audubon Quartet. Joan has participated in various summer music festivals including the Idyllwild Summer Music Festival and the Chautauqua Summer Music Festival. She performs around the region and in recent years has played with the National String Symphonia and Ars Nova Chamber Orchestra. In addition to classical music she loves musical theatre and plays shows whenever she can.
Joan has been teaching cello for over 6 years. She began her study of the Suzuki method in 2014 and is currently certified through book 3 with plans to continue study. She believes in the emphasis of listening skills and believes they help her students to be sensitive musicians. She has also taught many group classes for general music skills and piano skills and is certified in the Orff method and uses its emphasis on movement with all her students. In graduate school, Joan had an assistantship in the music theory department and instills the love of theory and basic musical knowledge to help create well-rounded musicians.
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.