Arts Notes

February 10, 2017

Olivia Siemens ’17 (right) with a friend at Carnegie Hall.

The dance students are in final dress rehearsals for the Dance Convocation coming up on Monday, Feb 13 at 5 p.m. This year the entire program features music by Philip Glass and includes multimedia, aerial work, and live piano music. Led by Director Rina Van de Kamp, the Dance Convo has become one of the highlights of the performing arts calendar.

Cellist Luca Kim ’19 and violinist Olivia Siemens ’17 returned from an amazing trip to New York City last weekend after performing with the National Honors Orchestra. The duo traveled to New York on Thursday, participated in seven-hour rehearsals on Friday and Saturday, and performed at Carnegie Hall on Sunday. Luca said it was an incredible opportunity to perform with some of the most talented musicians in the country. This was Olivia’s third trip to play with the esteemed group.

The Independent Arts Program is celebrating the end of its winter season with a gallery opening tonight, Feb 10, at 6:30 p.m. in the Hitchcock Theatre. Students have been working for almost ten weeks preparing their inquiry-based projects. Some examples include Zac Towbes’ ’17 invention of a hybrid guitar pedal board and sound-effects computer; Harris McCullers ’17 has taken on screenprinting and Abnner Olivares ’18 worked very hard on an installation project at the bottom of the Cate Hill. Isaac Lee ’17 spent time exploring ceramic sculptures and the art of glazing. Elizabeth Li ’19 undertook a self-directed study in animation and motion. Junior Sophie Eskenazi created a zine (basically a small, independently produced magazine or comic), much of which was based on the experience of creating art with the intention of distribution, rather than simply hanging pieces on a wall.

In the Digital Lab, Harris McCullers is starting a 3D printing club on campus using the new FormLab 3D printers that were generously donated last year.

Also, the results for the winners of the Scholastic Art Awards will be announced soon. The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens in grades 7–12. Stay tuned!