On Friday, September 7, approximately 60 freshmen interested in joining the Conservatory Certificate Program attended their first apprentice workshop.
The purpose of the workshop was to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of the program before they commit to “an intensive and extensive group,” according to Performing Arts Department Chair Laura Lang-Ree.
“We want them to have a big understanding of what is involved, and we want them to have a lot of fun,” Lang-Ree said of the workshop. “We hope that it is informative and they get to bond and learn a little bit more about a different area that they didn’t know much about.”
The workshop started with an introduction to eight conservatory advisors: technical theater teacher Brian Larsen, theater teacher Jeffrey Draper, dance teachers Amalia De La Rosa and Karl Kuehn, vocal music teacher Jennifer Sandusky, instrumental music teacher Christopher Florio, vocal music teacher Susan Nace, and musical theater teacher Lang Ree.
The students then gave brief introductions of themselves and also discussed what they would like to focus on specifically in the Certificate Program. Interests ranged from musical theater and technical theater to vocal music and dance.
For the remainder of the workshop, the students and teachers divided into groups of four as they participated in a variety of icebreakers, activities, and games relevant to specific arts.
Cordelia Larsen (9), who is interested in the musical theater program, attended the workshop.
“I have been interested in musical theater all my life, or at least for as long as I can remember,” she said. “I can’t see myself doing anything else in high school or in life, so this apprentice workshop was really my opportunity to solidify my [involvement] and really prove my commitment level.”
Likewise, Gwen Howard (9) attended the workshop for her interest in vocal music.
“I’m interested [in joining the Certificate Program] because I think it is a really great way to challenge myself and grow as an artist and a person in general,” she said.
Gwen looks forward to working with the artistic directors in the Upper School community.