The Chatham Hall dance program offers classes in ballet, pointe, jazz, and contemporary dance techniques.  Ballet is the basis from which solid dance technique is built.  It builds strength, poise, and discipline, along with developing beautiful lines and musicality.  Therefore, all dancers will be taught ballet, primarily using the Vaganova Method, and expected to learn the steps, terminology, and dance history.  Pointe is an advanced form of ballet technique and is offered to girls with the necessary prior training and experience in ballet. Jazz dance is a high energy dance technique that emphasizes musicality, rhythm and style. Contemporary dance incorporates aspects of ballet, jazz, and modern.  This style incorporates floor work with standing work, and develops the student’s fluidity of movement, creativity and self-expression.  Students study techniques and theories behind choreography, music selection for dance, and participate in the creation of costumes for performances. All of this allows students to experience the performing arts, while encouraging creativity.  The students will participate in a performance at the end of each trimester and experience the joy, freedom, and sense of accomplishment that comes with being on stage.

 One to Three Trimesters- .33 Physical Education and Art Credit each Trimester

 Offered during the athletics period as an Afternoon Athletic Activity.

The Chatham Hall dance program offers classes in ballet, pointe, jazz, and contemporary dance techniques.  Ballet is the basis from which solid dance technique is built.  It builds strength, poise, and discipline, along with developing beautiful lines and musicality.  Therefore, all dancers will be taught ballet, primarily using the Vaganova Method, and expected to learn the steps, terminology, and dance history.  Pointe is an advanced form of ballet technique and is offered to girls with the necessary prior training and experience in ballet. Jazz dance is a high energy dance technique that emphasizes musicality, rhythm and style. Contemporary dance incorporates aspects of ballet, jazz, and modern.  This style incorporates floor work with standing work, and develops the student’s fluidity of movement, creativity and self-expression.  Students study techniques and theories behind choreography, music selection for dance, and participate in the creation of costumes for performances. All of this allows students to experience the performing arts, while encouraging creativity.  The students will participate in a performance at the end of each trimester and experience the joy, freedom, and sense of accomplishment that comes with being on stage.

 One to Three Trimesters- .33 Physical Education and Art Credit each Trimester

 Offered during the athletics period as an Afternoon Athletic Activity.

Enhances Chapel worship services with well-prepared, high-quality choral music, teaches the students the skills to produce beautiful, healthy singing technique and excellent choral blend; and to cultivate an understanding and appreciation for a range of choral genres. The repertoire appropriately challenges the students’ singing ability. During the early part of the year, the choir concentrates on proper body alignment, breathing technique, free vocal production, choral intonation, and tuning. Through group work during rehearsals, students also learn to improve the transition between their registers and their resonance. 

Year-Long Course – 1 Credit

Voice, Piano, Flute, Violin, Viola, Cello, Organ, and Guitar 

Provides an individualized and challenging forum for students to learn and advance their 

technical skills as performers, as well as to broaden their interpretation skills and 

musicianship. To meet these ends, music history and theory are discussed at lessons as they 

pertain to the repertoire. 

One or Two Semesters .25 Credit per Semester

The fall play, staged in the Black Box, is an intimate theatrical experience for actors and audience members. Nuanced scripts and complex characters challenge the actors in meaningful ways. Opportunities for stage management, lighting design, sound production, properties management, etc. are also available. Previous productions include: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, The Children’s Hour, Blithe Spirit, Wait Until Dark, and Crimes of the Heart.  

Audition only.  Offered during the athletics period as an Afternoon Athletic Activity.

 .33 Art and Physical Education Credit

The winter musical, set on the stage in Dutch or in the Black Box, is an entirely different experience with unique opportunities for performance. Students pull together skills in music, theatre, and dance to produce entertaining, engaging works of performance art. Students also participate in all aspects of behind-the-scenes production work: stage management, choreography, lighting design, sound, properties management, costume design, etc. Previous productions include: Next to Normal, A…My Name Will Always Be Alice, Dani Girl, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and Ruthless!. 

Audition only.  Offered during the athletics period as an Afternoon Athletic Activity.

.33 Art and Physical Education Credit