





Monday 7 April

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
ISD Auditorium & Foyer



Monday 7 April
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
ISD Auditorium & Foyer
Throughout my MYP and DP years, practicing guitar in music helped me focus and feel satisfied with my abilities. Music helped me build resilience and realize the value of long term effort combined with passion. The pieces I learned give me confidence and make me feel at peace when I play them. Other than my instrument, learning about different musical techniques and stylistic periods was really fun to learn.
Music is a way to connect with so many different people, it is what brings everyone together. I have taken music throughout High School. It has acted like a rock during all my stressful IB work. It provided me a place to show my creativity. Throughout my IBDP Music course, I have overcome most of my performing fears as a soloist and learned many new skills I will hold to me for the rest of my life!
In the last two years of IB Theatre Arts, I’ve mastered necessary skills such as performance, analysis, and collaboration. Through the discovery of different theatre techniques and through mind-opening experiences of the historical and cultural context of plays, my creative and critical thinking abilities have been vastly improved. My journey was accompanied by things that felt as though I was straight up learning how to be a performer, and, at the same time, I was discovering how to write a script. The heartfelt gratitude goes out to the remarkable teacher, Mr. Eugene Barnaart without whose guidance and theater fever my fire never would have been stoked. Mr. Eugene Barnaart accepted and encouraged my dissension, giving me opportunities for growth only to make me realize how inventive I can be.
In Theatre Arts, I learned the art of performance, particularly through my Kabuki presentation. Exploring the unique movement, expression, and storytelling of Kabuki deepened my appreciation for theatre. Working on various plays helped me improve my acting skills, build confidence, and develop stronger teamwork. Theatre has made me more resilient, adaptable, and self-aware in both performance and life. I am grateful to my teacher who guided me through theatre arts and encouraged me to get better. Not only was my teacher Mr. Eugene Barnaart a guide for me, but also gave me opportunities and helped me grow as a student.
Throughout the two years of IB Theatre Arts, I have developed theatre for my performance and public speaking skills. It has taught me to be creative and analytical in my mind. I have researched into diverse traditions and forms of theatre and performance approaches to rehearsals and devising new work. I've learned about working with others, the power of body language, and the impact of theatre on various cultures and through history. I would like to thank Mr. Eugene Barnaart for his leadership, passion, and encouragement. His dedication to the craft and belief in our capabilities have enriched and inspired this journey. I am genuinely grateful for the experience and memories accumulated in this class!
My work in the IBDP Theatre program has made me a creative risk-taker and an outspoken free-thinker both in and out of the auditorium. Working with Mr. Eugene and my fellow theatre students has made me a stronger collaborator. My ability to understand and apply constructive feedback to performances has improved. Studying the techniques of practitioners like Bertolt Brecht and Augusto Boal has taught me the power of theatre as a tool for social progress.
The IB Theatre program has shown me that theatre is more than just acting, it’s about storytelling in every form. Exploring different styles, practitioners, and technical elements like lighting and set design has shaped how I see theatre. The collaborative project challenged men to step up, work as a team, and bring a shared vision to life. In my role as a director and stage designer, I learned to turn ideas into reality, making sure every detail served the story. This experience has reinforced the power of theatre and how every element, no matter how small, plays a role in making it unforgettable. Through it all, Mr. Eugene supported me during tough times and helped me realize my own creativity, pushing me to explore new ideas and trust my artistic instincts. This experience has reinforced the power of theatre and how every element, no matter how small, plays a role in making it unforgettable.
Through Theatre Arts, I have learned the power of storytelling in challenging societal norms, evoking empathy, and sparking meaningful conversations. I have developed a deeper understanding of performance techniques, stagecraft, and the psychological depth behind characters, allowing me to engage with theatre on a more profound level. The creative process—whether through acting, directing, or design—has strengthened my ability to collaborate, think critically, and adapt to challenges. Most importantly, theatre has made me a stronger person by pushing me beyond my comfort zone, helping me find confidence in my voice, and teaching me resilience in the face of creative and personal obstacles.
The IB DP Visual Arts course has been an incredible journey of growth and exploration, pushing me to deepen my conceptual understanding of art while refining the technical skills necessary to bring my ideas to life. It has pushed me to engage in critical thinking, embrace experimentation without hesitation and communicate my thoughts with intention and clarity. Through this process, I have learned to look beyond just the aesthetics, looking at the deeper meanings within works of art and recognizing the connections between art and life.
The course has not only shaped me as an artist but also as an individual, allowing me to turn to creativity despite the rigorous demands of other DP courses. Some of my favorite moments include the thrill of brainstorming ideas, the excitement of exploring unfamiliar media and techniques, and the satisfaction of watching my artistic visions take form, evolving from abstract concepts into meaningful works.
These two years in DP Visual Arts have been a journey to rediscover myself and grow. I not only unlocked my creativity but also the depth of my perseverance. Every new brushstroke, color, and even a change in technique taught me that artistic expression is more than simply making art - it requires persistence and dedication.
The challenges I encountered in reaching a level of satisfaction towards my work shaped me to who I am today. These were some of the lessons that the canvas taught me: that with enough patience and persistence, progress is inevitable. More than what I put into the painting, this knowledge, and the confidence that accompanies it, I will carry with me to every stage of life. Putting this chapter of my life behind me, I feel grateful, inspired, and equally ready and excited to continue creating, whether that is in art or life.
Being a DP Visual Arts student has been an absolute roller-coaster, but also a thrilling journey of creativity and growth. I’ve pulled many all-nighters, convincing myself I had so much time before realizing, at 3 a.m, that I had way too much left to do. Time management has been one of my biggest challenges, balancing my artistic ambitions with the relentless workload of the IB. But somehow, through all the chaos, I always managed to pull it together. The process of curating my exhibition and developing my portfolio has challenged me to think critically about art’s role in society and my own artistic voice. Researching global artists and movements has broadened my perspective and allowed me to refine my style while drawing inspiration from diverse artistic traditions. Ultimately, I feel like this course has truly shaped me as an artist and as a person.