Visual & Performing Arts

Visual & Performing Arts The Visual and Performing Arts Department encourages creativity and the exploration of a young woman’s individual talent, whether she chooses to sing, move, act, dance, design, draw, paint, play an instrument or learn about film. Students not only learn to express themselves through the arts, they learn about artists who have had an impact on all our lives.

The department’s teachers are committed professionals who delight in helping young women reach their full creative potential. While many of our graduates have gone on to careers in the arts, our teachers truly enjoy engaging any student who seeks to express herself in our studios or on stage.

Taking a Leap Dance classes at Presentation are offered to students at every experience level. New dancers can learn the basics of jazz, ballet, modern and hip-hop while gaining confidence onstage, while experienced dancers are challenged to hone their skills while choreographing and performing original routines.

Hitting a High Note Even if a student has never played an instrument or can’t read music, we have something to offer her. We have three levels of choir and now offer AP Music Theory.

On Stage Acting students study, rehearse and perform monologues, building confidence on stage whether performing alone or with others. They also learn to use props, set pieces and costumes to enhance their performance.

Behind the Scenes Students take on roles that simulate a professional film crew. Technicians learn how to use lighting, sound and backstage equipment.

On Camera Students who have taken Digital Video Production often go on to join the after-school Broadcast Journalism program. Broadcast Journalism students produce the Monday morning school news, The Panther Report, every week during the school year. They also take field trips to local news stations and listen to talks from media professionals. Digital video production classes take field trips to local news stations to learn about professional life behind the camera.

Art and Technology At Presentation, technology is used to enhance student learning through art. iPads, 3D printers and our Mac Lab complement courses ranging from Graphic Design to Digital Photography and Graphic Publications. Each iMac includes a full Adobe suite to support visual and digital media classes.

Courses

Performing Arts

• Dance Team • Dance I, II, III & IV • Choral I & II (Cantabile) • Bella Voce: PHS Women’s Choir • Voice I & II • AP Music Theory • Theater Productions I & II

Visual Arts • Advanced Art I & II (Ceramics, Design, Drawing & Painting) • Appreciation I: Music • Appreciation II: Film • Ceramics I & II • Design I & II • Drawing and Painting I & II • AP Studio Art: 2D Design & Drawing

Digital Arts

• Graphic Design I & II • Digital Photography I & II • Digital Video Production I & II • Graphic Publications I, II, III & IV • Broadcast Journalism I & II

Students are required to take a minimum of four semesters of Visual and Performing Arts.

Faculty Perspective

Cynthia Ford Art Department Chair

“When students come into our classrooms they are artists. It doesn’t matter what they thought of themselves before they entered. We challenge them to see, think and express themselves creatively and to think differently.”