2025-26 Arts Bill

ARTS BILL 2025-2026

Dear Friends and Patrons of the Arts, Welcome to the 2025-26 Kentucky Country Day School Fine Arts Season. This year, we celebrate Excellence that Inspires, honoring the imagination, effort, and creativity our students bring to every performance and exhibition. Across our stages, studios, and gallery spaces, they remind us that excellence is not a single moment of achievement but an ongoing pursuit of mastery, expression, and connection. We invite you to explore the diverse performances and exhibits featured in this year’s Arts Bill, each one reflecting the creative energy of KCD and the remarkable dedication of our students and faculty.

There is great pride in the accomplishments of our students and the teachers who guide them. The arts at KCD are an essential complement to the school’s strong academic and athletic programs, engaging both the intellect and the imagination. Through their artistic work, our students live out the KCD mission to be Citizens, Scholars, and Stewards—young people who think deeply, act with integrity, and contribute meaningfully to their community.

Thank you for your continued support of the arts at KCD. Your presence at performances, encouragement of our students, and generous patronage sustain this vital part of our school. We are especially grateful to the many volunteers whose time, talent, and care help make each performance possible. If you are inspired by what you experience this season and have not yet given, please consider supporting our One Fund with a designated gift to the Arts Guild. Your gift helps ensure that every Bearcat continues to discover, create, and shine.

Bravo, and enjoy the show!

Deena J. Carey Head of School

ARTS BILL COVER Spring Orchestra Concert, May 2025

Alice in Wonderland, Upper School Play, December 2024

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2025-26 ARTS BILL

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Pirates, Choral Theatre Players performance, May 2025

2024-25 ARTS BILL

KCD ARTS 2025-2026 CALENDAR

5TH-GRADE ORCHESTRA CONCERT October 29 6:30 pm................................................................................ The Commons CHARLOTTE’S WEB UPPER SCHOOL PLAY November 6 6:00 pm................................................................................... KCD Theater November 8 3:00 pm................................................................................... KCD Theater November 9 3:00 pm................................................................................... KCD Theater COMMOTION IN THE OCEAN BEARCAT SINGERS November 13 5:00 pm................................................................................... KCD Theater YOUNG STRINGS CONCERT November 19 4:30 pm................................................................................... KCD Theater ORCHESTRA CONCERT November 20 7:00 pm................................................................................... KCD Theater MID-YEAR STUDIO ART SHOW Works will be displayed December 1-15 December 4 6:00-7:00 pm..........................................................KCD Theater Lobby CHORAL CONCERT MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOL CHOIRS December 4 7:00 pm................................................................................... KCD Theater ARTS ACADEMY RECITALS December 2, 4, 12 4:00 pm........................ Music for Little Mozarts, Orchestra Room December 8 4:00 pm.....................Lower School Ukelele Ensemble, Room 201 December 15-18 4:00 pm..............................Fine Arts Academy, Black Box Theater THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH MIDDLE SCHOOL PLAY December 12 7:00 pm................................................................................... KCD Theater December 13 7:00 pm................................................................................... KCD Theater December 14 3:00 pm................................................................................... KCD Theater THE SNOW QUEEN CHORAL THEATRE PLAYERS January 15 6:30 pm.................................................................................... KCD Theater SHREK THE MUSICAL STUDENT-RUN MUSICAL, KCD ACTOR’S GUILD January 30 7:00 pm................................................................................... KCD Theater January 31 7:00 pm................................................................................... KCD Theater February 1 3:00 pm................................................................................... KCD Theater 4

2025-26 ARTS BILL

CHICAGO: TEEN EDITION UPPER SCHOOL MUSICAL March 20 7:00 pm................................................................................... KCD Theater March 21 7:00 pm................................................................................... KCD Theater March 22 3:00 pm................................................................................... KCD Theater BEARCAT SINGERS PERFORMANCE March 25 5:00 pm................................................................................... KCD Theater ALL SCHOOL ART SHOW Works will be displayed April 14-24 April 15 6:00-7:00 pm..........................................................KCD Theater Lobby SPRING CHOIR CONCERT MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOL CHOIRS April 15 7:00 pm................................................................................... KCD Theater MATILDA JUNIOR MIDDLE SCHOOL MUSICAL April 24 7:00 pm................................................................................... KCD Theater April 25 7:00 pm................................................................................... KCD Theater April 26 3:00 pm................................................................................... KCD Theater YOUNG STRINGS CONCERT May 6 4:30 pm................................................................................... KCD Theater SPRING ORCHESTRA CONCERT May 7 7:00 pm................................................................................... KCD Theater CHORAL THEATRE PLAYERS PERFORMANCE May 13 6:30 pm.................................................................................... KCD Theater ARTS ACADEMY RECITALS May 5, 7, 8 4:00 pm........................ Music for Little Mozarts, Orchestra Room May 6 4:00 pm.....................Lower School Ukelele Ensemble, Room 201 May 11-14 4:00 pm..............................Fine Arts Academy, Black Box Theater

5th-grade students perform with Opera for the Young, March 2025

2025-26 ARTS BILL

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The Nutcracker, Bearcat Singers performance, December 2024

We understand the value of commitment, preparation, knowledge, and confidence. Congratulations to the young performers at Kentucky Country Day School for showcasing these qualities with every production.

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Upper and lower school students collaborate on a ceramics project, September 2024

2025-26 ARTS BILL

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Yo, Vikings!, Middle School Musical, November 2024

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2025-26 ARTS BILL

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Young Strings Concert, May 2025

2024-25 ARTS BILL

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The KCD Arts Guild has and continues to support an extensive variety of enriching experiences, touching students across all three divisions and in all disciplines of drama, music, and visual arts. The Guild’s ability to support, sponsor, and supplement arts programming is made possible in direct proportion to the funds raised by the Guild. Please consider supporting the KCD Arts Guild by making a gift to KCD and designating funds to the arts.

2024-25 GIFTS TO THE ARTS AT KCD FUNDED THE FOLLOWING: • Student scholarships for arts-related summer programs • Opera for the Young performance and student masterclass • Artists in Residence • Paper cutter for studio art classes • Wireless microphones • Camera for photography classes • Curtain for the Theater • Arts faculty retirement gifts • Lightboard for the Theater

2025-26 ARTS BILL

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Dear Bearcat Community, Over the past year, our visual and performing arts programs have grown in energy, participation, and ambition. From dynamic student art exhibitions and captivating stage productions to beautiful concerts and innovative classroom projects, the arts at KCD continue to shape the culture of our school in meaningful ways.

With that growth comes an exciting opportunity—and a real need—to strengthen our support system for the arts. This year, we’re inviting all families to join the Arts Guild with a suggested contribution of $100. Every donation directly enhances student experiences in music, theatre, and the visual arts. Join the Arts Guild today by scanning the QR code below!

Your involvement makes a tangible impact. Contributions help us invest in state-of-the-art equipment, creative learning spaces, and enriching opportunities for students to share their work with broader audiences.

Whether it’s a senior showcasing their portfolio, a middle schooler discovering their voice on stage, or a third grader learning to play their first instrument, your support helps make those moments possible.

At KCD, the arts are more than just a subject—they’re a powerful way for students to grow into thoughtful, expressive, and compassionate individuals.

Thank you for being part of this journey and for your continued support.

We can’t wait to welcome you into the audience, into the studio, and into the creative heartbeat of our school. Let’s make this a year full of imagination, expression, and unforgettable moments in the arts.

With appreciation, Hannah Parker Gruver Chair, KCD Arts Department 2025-26 ARTS BILL

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UPPER SCHOOL THEATRE PARTICIPATES IN THE INAUGURAL BRADLEY AWARDS KCD’s Upper School Theatre program proudly participated in the inaugural KPA Bradley Awards produced by Kentucky Performing Arts during the 2024-25 season.

This program culminated in a Tony Awards®-inspired showcase, celebrating and supporting musical theatre education in Kentucky and Southern Indiana high schools.

With award winners recognized in 13 categories each year, the KPA Bradley Awards selects two students to represent our region at The Jimmy Awards®/National High School Musical Theatre Awards®, including an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City for over a week of workshops and rehearsals with Broadway professionals.

Last year, the Upper School production of The Drowsy Chaperone was nominated for the Bradley Awards. Throughout its three performances, a panel of guest judges evaluated the show, celebrating the incredible talent of our students and considering awards for various categories.

KCD is thrilled to be participating in the KPA Bradley Awards for the 202526 season, with adjudicators viewing our performance of Chicago: Teen Edition in March. Visit bit.ly/KPABradleyAwards to learn more.

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2025-26 ARTS BILL

FACULTY RECEIVE FORTNIGHT AWARDS FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Kayla Collier, Lower School Music Teacher, traveled to Ghana in the summer of 2025 to expand her musicianship and learn about other cultures’ musical traditions through participation in an Orff-Afrique master class. This immersive program led by world-renowned West African musicians, gave her hands-on experience learning children’s games, dances, drumming, and more from culture-bearers in Ghana, which she looks forward to sharing with her students at KCD. During her experience she also attended and participated in musical performances, experienced traditional ceremonies, practiced West African dancing, collaborated with local students from the Nunya Music Academy, and made lasting friendships with music teachers from around the world.

In summer 2025, Susanna Crum, Middle School Art Teacher, visited Hokkaido, Tokyo, and Kyoto, Japan, to attend unique exhibitions of historical and contemporary art that influence her teaching and art practice.

During her stop in Tokyo, she visited Pigment Tokyo, a key supplier of brushes, inks, and drawing materials. After a short bullet-train ride from Kyoto to Nagoya, she visited an immersive multimedia exhibition at Kanayama Minami Museum on yūrei and yōkai, mythical creatures from Japanese folklore that have impacted American pop and print culture for nearly two centuries.

She looks forward to sharing how Japanese art and culture have shaped the field of contemporary art and media with her students.

2025-26 ARTS BILL

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FACULTY ARTS DEPARTMENT

TAMMY BURKE

KAYLA COLLIER

SUSANNA CRUM

Visual Arts Teacher

Music Teacher

Visual Arts Teacher

WILL DYRE

HANNAH GRUVER

ERIC JAGER

Theater Coordinator, Designer, and Technician

Arts Department Chair, Choral Director

Ceramics Teacher

KATHERINE MATHIS

DAVID MILLER

HALCOMBE MILLER

Orchestra Director

Art, Photography, and Design Teacher

Visual Arts Teacher

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2025-26 ARTS BILL

TIM RICE

MICHELLE SALERNO

SABRINA STEIN

Design & Fabrication Lab Director

Upper School Theatre Director, English Department Chair

Middle School Theatre Director

SARAH STONE Music Teacher, Arts Academy Artistic Director

SCAN TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR 2025-26 ARTS FACULTY!

Middle school students designed and constructed the Cheshire Cat’s grin for the Upper School Alice in Wonderland production, December 2024 2025-26 ARTS BILL

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The Drowsy Chaperone, Upper School Musical, March 2025

Midsummer Night’s Dream: The Movie, Middle School Play, February 2025

The Little Mermaid, Upper School Student-Run Musical, April 2025

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2025-26 ARTS BILL

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2025-26 ARTS BILL