PAST YEARS

2017-18  KLSD ArtsAlive

Arts in Ed Programming and Gifts  were granted to the following:

Field trip to the MET – Spanish Artists at the Metropolitan Museum of Art                                                                                      Faculty: Jennifer Cocuzzo & Carole Rumpf / Spanish II, III & IV.; Students participating: 80                                                 Verona String Quartet at Caramoor Center of the Arts
Faculty: Steve Morse / Performing Arts.; Students participating: 200
Field trip to “Come From Away” on Broadway
Faculty: Jeanetta Bryant, Jill Hirschfeld &  Therese Von Steenburg/ English/Humanities Research ; Students participating: 38                                                                                                                                                                                 

Field trip to tour “Music of the Apollo” at the Apollo Theatre                                                                                                                  Faculty: Marc McAlley & Tricia Murphy / History of NYC; Students participating: 36                                                      Forensic Art Workshop with Detective Stephen Mancusi
Faculty: Paul Plutzker / Forensics; Students participating: 34                                                                                                             Trip to Radio City Musical 
Faculty: Marc McAlley & Tricia Murphy / History of Music and History of NYC; Students participating: 36                      Annual Trip to Lincoln Center: NY Philharmonic Rehearsal , Backstage Tour and Jazz concert
Faculty: Amy Geiger, Steve Morse & Jeffrey Richardson / Music History & Theory/Music; Students participating: 70 Field Trip to One World Trade Center
Faculty: Tricia Murphy & Joseph Rocchio / History of NYC/Architecture; Students participating: 45                            Field trip to the Botanical Gardens and Dale Chihuly Blown Glass Exhibition
Faculty: Joseph Rocchio  & Judi Offenberg/ Architecture/Advanced Ceramic & Sculpure; Students participating: 50  Wilderness Workshops with Andy Dobos, learning about Woodcarving, & Primitive Nature Skills
Faculty: Jill Hirschfeld /Humanities Research; Students participating: 30   

2016-17  KLSD ArtsAlive

Arts in Ed Programming and Gifts  were granted to the following:

Argus String Quartet Chamber Music Residence Workshop                                                                                                                Faculty: Steve Morse / Performing Arts.; Students participating: 175
Pottery Wheel Techniques workshop with Simon Leach
Faculty: Judi Offenberg / Ceramics, Sculpture, & Art; Students participating: 120
Forensic Art workshop with Detective Stephen Mancusi
Faculty: Paul Plutzker / Forensics; Students participating: 40
Annual Trip to Lincoln Center: NY Philharmonic Rehearsal , Backstage Tour and Jazz concert
Faculty: Amy Geiger / Music History & Theory and Music Tech; Students participating: 60
Shakespeare Program: Hudson Valley Shakespeare performance of Romeo and Juliet at JJHS
Faculty: William Friedman / ELA and Theatre; Students participating: 200
Field trip to MOMA for Humanities Research
Faculty: Hefferon / Humanities Research I, II, III; Students participating: 42
Field trip to “Crónica de una muerte anunciada”
Faculty: Campos / AP Spanish; Students participating: 16
Field trip to “Kinky Boots” on Broadway
Faculty: Amy Geiger / Music History & Theory and Music Tech; Students participating: 20
Field trip to the Botanical Gardens and Dale Chihuly Blown Glass Exhibition
Faculty: Tricia Murphy, Joe Rocchio / History of NY, Architecture; Students participating: 30
Field trip to the MET – Spanish Artists at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Faculty: Jennifer Cocuzzo, Carole Rumpf / Spanish; Students participating: 30
Japanese Music Program Workshops, learning about Japanese Instruments
Faculty: Amy Geiger /Music History & Theory and Music Tech; Students participating: 120

Gifts: Whisper Room located at the JJHS Music Tech Department

2014-15

• MacBeth Performance. Faculty: Candy Wilmot (Hudson Valley Shakespeare) Students served: 100+
• Wilderness Class art projects. Faculty: Jill Veleas (Artist: Maggie Zander) Students served: 30
• Writeopia. Faculty: Jill Veleas (Writing Guest Artist: Lena Roy) Students served: 100+
• Forensic art. Faculty: Comporese (Detective Stephen Mancusi) Students served: 88
• Daytime NY Phil rehearsal, Backstage Tour at Lincoln Center, Nighttime Jazz concert. Faculty: Amy Geiger (n/a) Students served: 48
• Trip to MOMA. Faculty: Dr. Margueritte Hefferon
• 17 Students attended the Young Writers Conference.
• Support for Trip to Disneyworld for the Treblemakers. Faculty: Candy Wilmot (n/a) Students served: 18
• Seed funding for JJHS Art Gallery. Faculty: Gil Cass (n/a) Students served: all
• Focus on French Cinema – screening of film at Bow Tie Cinema in Greenwich CT. Faculty: Lauren Wood-Radcliffe (Alliance Francaise) Students served: 72
• Workshop/assembly on music of Zimbabwe. Faculty: Steve Morse (Banning Eyre and Tendai Maparutsa) Students served: 100+
• JJHS Art Gallery. Faculty: Diane Nerwen
• Science Olympiad. Faculty: Linda Burke (n/a) Students served: 15
• Frida Kahlo event at NY Botanical Garden for Spanish students. Faculty: Maria Vales (NY Botanical Gardens) Students served: 52
• Reflections Literary and Art Magazine. Faculty: Peggy Hefferon (n/a) Students served: entire school

2013-14:

• The Fourth Annual JJHS Student Film Festival was held at John Jay’s own theatre to a great crowd. Producer John Donkin gave a fantastic talk about the ins and outs of producing an animated feature at Blue Sky Studios.
• Indian music workshop and assembly: Visit from faculty from Wesleyan University: South Indian vocalist B. Balasubramanian and percussionist David Nelson, who presented workshops on rhythm and melody in classical South Indian music, and performed for an assembly.
• Field trip to see Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night on Broadway: On February 12th of this year, 54 students from Dr. Hefferon’s Humanities classes and Mr Friedmans’ Acting classes went to see the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Twelfth Night on Broadway. Arts Alive made an incredibly generous donation to defray the cost of this event for our students. It was an absolutely amazing production which was enjoyed by all
• Forensic Art and Science Workshop: Presented to 50 students in their science classes by Mr. Mancusi, a forensic artist.
• Fall Journalism Conference: Workshops at Columbia University on writing, style & grammar, photography, typography, layout and software.
• Hide tanning and Native American Crafts: This workshop connected to the Native American history unit of the Senior Seminar In Environmental studies.
• Encore Cabaret 2: Returning alumni joined current students to perform songs from past JJHS musicals as other favorites, under the direction of alum Andre Catrini and MC Tomm Polos.
• Field Trip to Lincoln Center: This year, 60 students traveled to NYC to visit Lincoln Center and all it has to offer. Students participated in a backstage tour, heard the NY Philharmonic in concert, and attended an evening performance featuring Branford Marsalis at Jazz at Lincoln Center. It was a fun-filled day celebrating our love of music! In addition, our Concert Choir had the opportunity to participate in a workshop with Broadway actress, Lindsay Northen, as well as attend a matinee performance of Wicked the Musical! This opportunity was truly, “once in a lifetime,” for 46 absolutely captivated students!

2012-13:

• The First Encore Cabaret: celebrated the success of the JJ theatre community over the past ten years. All the songs showcased at the cabaret had been
  previously performed on the JJ stage. From the auditions to the final curtain, the event was orchestrated by JJ alumni, Andre Catrini, Tomm Polos and Scott Hickey. Stay tuned for The Second Encore Cabaret!
• The Third Annual John Jay Film Festival was held at Caramoor and attended by a sold-out crowd was a resounding success. Over 20 student films were screened. South Salem resident Steve Martino, Blue Sky Productions director of Peanuts and Horton Hears a Who!, was the 2013 festival’s keynote speaker.
• Reflections – The JJHS Literary and Visual Arts Magazine: ArtsALIVE! reached out to our generous KLSD community and raised the funds to publish the 2012-2013 edition of Reflections, this time beautifully printed in full color with amazing fiction, poetry and artwork. Still available – get your copy!
• The Annual VIP Spring Trip to Lincoln Center offers an opportunity for over 60 of Ms. Amy Geiger’s students to travel to NYC and experience a concert with the NY Philharmonic at Avery Fisher Hall, to participate in a backstage tour of the Lincoln Center complex and to attend an evening performance at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
• Visit to Caramoor:This will be the 13th year Mr. Morales-Thompson will bring his classes to meet with Scott Ellison, the head of the Caramoor Educational Department, where an exciting day includes a tour through the museum’s artwork, a musical performance by Andrew Armstrong, an accomplished pianist, and hands on horticultural work. Students report that the entire day is one terrific learning experience.
• Young Writers Conference: This is an annual event in which students participate in a day-long conference on the art of writing. Workshops include poetry, conventions of writing, the art of the essay, and more. Students have an opportunity to work with professional writers, editors and authors from many backgrounds who share their experiences and skills.
• Visiting Filmmaker Workshop: Visiting Filmmaker Ross Kaufman presented his award-winning documentary, Born into Brothels, a short work, Wait for Me and shared his filmmaking process with 59 students in grades 10-12. The students were from Take Two and Digital Moviemaking classes taught by Ms. Nerwen and Ms. Veleas. The students especially enjoyed the question and answer period with this renowned filmmaker.
• Senior Recognition Award: The Senior Recognition Award was initiated by ArtsAlive! in 2004. Presented at the June graduation ceremonies, the ArtsALIVE! award “recognizes a dedicated artist or advocate of the arts who has displayed creativity and/or initiated an artistic or literary approach to an area of study while at John Jay High School.” Five scholarships were given this year in the following categories: Literary Arts, Theatre, Visual Arts, Music, and Outstanding Leadership in the Arts.
• And Much More!
• Rite of Spring Art Show
• Creative Photography Workshop
• Calculus – The Musical
• Concert and Workshop with Yale Alley Cats

2011-12:

• The Second Annual John Jay High School Film Festival: Held at Caramoor – see entries about this highly successful event within this site.
• The Annual Class Trip to Lincoln Center: Over 70 students led by music faculty Ann Geiger spent a day in NYC visiting Lincoln Center
• What better way to study Romanticism in the AP European History course than to visit the Caramoor Museum? This is the 11th year Mr. Morales-Thompson will bring his classes to meet with Scott Ellison, the head of the Caramoor Educational Department, where an exciting day will include a tour through the museum’s artwork, a musical performance by Andrew Armstrong, an accomplished pianist, and hands on horticultural work. Students report that the entire day is one terrific learning experience.
• Visiting Filmmaker Ross Kaufman will present his award winning documentary, Born into Brothels, a short work, Wait for Me and share his filmmaking process with 59 students in grades 10-12. The students are from Take Two and Digital moviemaking Classes taught by Ms. Nerwen and Ms. Veleas. The students are especially looking forward to the question and answer period with this renowned filmmaker.
• Mid Hudson Valley Shakespeare
• Annual VIP Spring Trip to Lincoln Center offers an opportunity for 65 of Ms. Amy Geiger’s students to travel to NYC and experience a concert with the NY Philharmonic at Avery Fisher Hall,to participate in a backstage tour of the Lincoln Center complex and to attend an evening performance at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Students are taken on a musical journey exploring the work of saxophonist/composer Wayne Shorter’s music beyond The Sound Barrier. The music directly connects to our JJHS curriculum and the NYS Learning Standards for the Arts. One of the highlights of this program is the live rehearsal in progress that the students get a glimpse of!
• Improvisation Training Workshop for the JJHS Improv Club: An Improvisational Teaching Artist provided background information on the Improvisational art form, guided students through theatre games and exercises, and introduced them to short form and long form Improvisation. Under the Artist’s guidance, students created scenes, acted them out, and learned how to critique scenes. Throughout the program, emphasis was placed on Improvisation as a collaborative art, and thinking on one’s feet. Ms. Jane Willis is the advisor for the Improv Club.
• A Forensic Art and Science Workshop was presented to 50 students in their science classes by Mr. Mancusi, a forensic artist.
• Seussical the Musical

2010-2011

First Annual JJHS Film Festival and Career Panel in Partnership with the Katonah Museum,
Diane Nerwen, JJHS Art Department Faculty working with the Arts Alive! Student Committee
Friday, May 20, 2011
Juried film screening and a panel discussion with directors, producers, editors, documentary film makers, animators, and cinematographers. JJHS faculty member, Diane Nerwen, accepted submissions from current JJHS students. The event occurred during the week that KMA will be celebrated student art.

Upright Citizens Brigade with Zach Willis – Improvisational Theatre Games – 5 presentations
Jane Willis/Patsy Whitbourne /Christina Carmon-JJHS English Faculty
May 5, 2011
9th Grade English Students and Willis’ 12th grade Film and Society Class – 335 students
Three theatre games. Improv. artists will come into each 9th grade classroom to help English 9 teachers make an instructional connection to “Romeo and Juliet” as students prepare for performances. Teachings artists will lead students through physical games, exploration of characters, and team building. The artists will work with Willis’ 12th grade Film and Society class on creating characters in Class Story Plots: and then will lead improv. rehearsals.

Lincoln Center Performance and Backstage Academic Tour
Amy Geiger, JJHS Performing Arts Faculty Member
April 29, 2011
45 students tour Lincoln Center, see New York Philharmonic (Alan Gilberts conducting with Emanuel Ax), and hear Jazz at Lincoln Center (The Music of Bud Powell & Earl Hines) in the evening.

“Calculus, The Musical”
Michelle Gaudio and Tom Rizzotti, JJHS Mathematics Faculty Members
April 2011
The theatrical production of Calculus, the Musical was brought to JJHS calculus students and presented at JJHS.

“Careers In The Performing Arts” Symposium
Amy Geiger, JJHS Performing Arts Faculty Member
Monday, March 13, 2011: 6:30 – 8:30pm JJHS Auditorium
This Symposium will be a fully interactive event in which John Jay High School students and parents will have the opportunity to interact directly with a variety of professional artists, working in the performing arts.
The event, moderated by Matt May, who hosted the 2005-2006 season of On Broadway for BECON Television, will begin with an informal, personal introduction of each panelist, leading directly into an interactive question and answer session. Written questions, gathered in advance from John Jay High School Performing Arts students will be addressed, while student and parent audience members will also have the opportunity to ask questions, live, at the event. The panelists will focus on the multitude of possibilities available to artists of all genres in the performing arts, and how one leads him/herself to said opportunities.

Writers in Residence
Jill Veleas, JJHS English Faculty Member and Kathleen Dailey, JJHS Global Studies, Faculty Member
February 2011
Approximately 80 students will attend four presentations/workshops with four visiting authors.
The presenters include: Chris Spain, Wendy Staub, Laura Corrie, Eve Yohalem.
Each presentation/workshop will address one or two aspects of creative writing. Additionally, each author will discuss how he/she became a writer and what it really takes to be a writer. Finally, each author will facilitate an activity and a discussion.

“The Importance of Being Earnest”
Charles Morales Thompson, JJHS Social Studies Faculty Member
February 2011
AP European History field trip – 22 students
Roundabout Theater Company –As part of the AP European History curriculum, the class read the Oscar Wilde play, “The Importance of Being Earnest.” Throughout the year they read a variety of literary forms to help them better understand the societal issues in European history. This satirical play highlights the distinctions between social classes found in Victorian England. In addition, the piece is universally recognized as an unparalleled romp with the English language of the time.

KLSD Screening and Panel Discussion of the film “Race to Nowhere”
February 2011
KLSD Arts ALIVE will partner with all 6 KLSD schools, the Bedford, Lewisboro Pound Ridge, Drug Abuse Prevention Council and Family University to sponsor a showing of Race to Nowhere, a film about the pressures and stresses of our culture of academic competition and achievement.

Upright Citizens Brigade Tour Company – Improvisational Workshop
Jane Willis, JJHS Faculty Member and Advisor to the JJ Improv Club – 20 students
January 14, 2011
Workshop- Teaching Artist will provide background on the Improvisation art form, guide students through theater game exercises, and introduce them to short form Improv and long form Improv. Under Artist’s guidance, students will create scenes, act them out, and then learn how to critique scenes. The emphasis is on Improv as a Collaborative Art, and thinking on one’s feet.

Musical Theatre Dance Workshop for all JJHS Students/Dancers and Non-dancers alike
Amy Geiger, JJHS Performing Arts Faculty Member
December 2010-January 2011
Ms. Anne Marie Galler will present a series of three after school dance workshops for students in grades 9-12 that will focus on the various aspects of dance technique and choreography as they relate to dance in Musical Theatre. Dance, Theatre and Music are disciplines included in the NY State Arts Learning Standards. Our district does not currently support dance, thus this activity will allow students an opportunity to be exposed to this area of the Arts.

Henry Fair, Photographer – “Industrial Scars”
Dr. Linda Burke, JJHS AP Environmental Science Faculty
December 15, 2010
This program is for 42 APES students from 3 sections of APES, and all JJHS Art Department students.
J. Henry Fair, internationally acclaimed photographer, will present his visual arts to help students understand the human impact on the earth created by industrial waste, agricultural waste, deforestation and coal ash.

Fall Fundraiser
“Charlotte’s Web” performed by TheatreworksUSA
November 27, 2010

Aldrich Museum – Student Docent Program
Julie Evans-Kaser, JJHS Art Department Faculty Member
Spring 2011
Student Docents attend five after-school training sessions with a museum educator for each exhibition. These training sessions use an inquiry-based approach to teach students the skills needed to decode and analyze a work of art. When training is complete, the Docents use the same approach to engage their classmates in a conversation about the art during a class field trip to the Museum.
The Student Docent Program equips Student Docents and their peers with the skills and confidence necessary to describe, analyze, and interpret visual art. It encourages students to think in new directions about contemporary art and its relationship to their own lives, increases their ability to discover and derive meaning from works of art, and helps them to build their own interpretation of the world around them.

Scholarships:
Senior Recognition Award, initiated in 2004. Presented at the June graduation ceremonies, the ArtsALIVE! award “recognizes a dedicated artist or advocate of the arts who has displayed creativity and/or initiated an artistic or literary approach to an area of study while at John Jay High School.”
June 2011 recipients: Elise Symer, John VanderWerff, Shannon Keane

2009-2010

Fall Fundraiser
“Junie B. Jones” performed by TheatreworksUSA
November 28, 2009

Visiting Artist: Speaker on F. Scott Fitzgerald
Faculty: English Department for 120 students
November 23, 2009
11th Grade Advanced Placement English classes received guest lecturer.
Behind the scenes support:
Faculty: Judi Offenberg, The Art Club
November 2009
Contributed to the cost of a bench for mosaic project

Field Trip: The Met
Faculty: Dan Shrinsky
November 18, 2009 Gr 9 43 students
World History class to the Met.

Field Trip: Quebec
Faculty: Foreign Language – Hanky Kutscher
December 2009
ArtsALIVE! to contribute to cost of French IV students to Quebec.

Visiting Artist: Hudson Valley Shakespeare
Faculty: English Department
December 2009
Actors bring “Macbeth” to life for Grades 10 through dramatic readings.

Field Trip: Brooklyn Academy of Music
Faculty: Bill Friedman
February 5, 2010 Gr 11-12 17 students
Students are currently rehearsing “As You Like It” for a spring performance. Advanced acting students will go to BAM to see the play in the Bridge Project production – a world-class company directed by Sam Mendes. This production exposes students to performance skills of the highest level.

Field Trip: Aldrich Museum Student Docent Training Program
Faculty: Julie Evans Kaser
Starts February 23, 2010
The Student Docent Program is a school program designed to equip students with the skills needed to discover and connect with contemporary art. In essence, the Museum teaches small groups of students from each participating school to lead discussions about contemporary art with their classmates. Led though the exhibition by their peers, students on the tour are more likely to make connections between the work on view and their own experiences.

Field Trip: World Language Classes to Met
Faculty: Katy Koken
February 23, 2010 35-40 students
The Onassis Foundation visit will provide a bridge for the cultural continuity from the ancient world, through the Byzantine and medieval worlds, the Renaissance to modernity. A trip to the Metropolitan Museum expands students’ awareness of ancient culture and cultural identity. It permits them to read Latin inscriptions in situ, to grasp the reach in time and space of ancient Greek and Roman influence on world art, and to appreciate the refinement of achievement of ancient civilization. Each level of Latin will have a search through the Museum for objects pertinent to its own particular focus of Latin this year: AP student will hunt for Bronze Age, Trojan War, and Age of Augustus artifacts; Latin 4 will hunt for Republican Rome and Etruscan artifacts; Latin 3 will hunt for early Empire artifacts.

Field Trip: Young Writer’s Conference
March 15, 2010
Faculty: English Department 17 students
This is the annual Young Writers’ Conference. Selected students from area high schools devote the day to working with professional writers on works in progress that they take with them to the workshops. Additional workshops for writers are provided.

Field Trip: Caramoor
Faculty: Charles Morales-Thomason
March 16, 2010 – Gr 12 – 21 students
Tour of artwork, musical performance, horticulture hands on experience -related to European History,

Behind the scenes support:
Funds are provided to Art Department for the opening reception of the two art shows (Rite of Winter and Rite of Spring) at the Katonah Library Art Gallery. The openings are March 6th 10-12 (Rite of Winter) and April 17th 10-12 (Rite of Spring).

Field Trip: Lincoln Center
Faculty: Amy Geiger
April 23, 2010
Contribution promised to Music Theory and Theory/History classes to partake of a full day of concerts and back scene experiences at Lincoln Center.

Fundraising Event
“ArtsALIVE! Goes for the Laughs”
May 8th, 2010 at the Katonah Village Library
Over 65 people attended a enjoyable evening of comedy and refreshments hosted by Katonah’s own Bill Tisherman, a wine consultant who took up standup comedy to buttress his speaking skills. “Comedy has provided me with a fulfilling mid-life crisis,” says the John Jay parent of two, who goes by “Tish” professionally. In addition to providing a joke or two, Bill provided a variety of wines for the evening’s cocktail hour. “Most of my material is food-related, which everyone can relate to,” he notes, adding, “I think, therefore I am…. I eat, therefore I am more.” Comedian Dave Ingber added a musical note to the evening’s entertainment. Ingber, who graduated from Harvard before deciding to pursue a graduate degree at the proverbial School of Hard Comedy Knocks, wrote the book/lyrics/music for the award-winning “Fantasy Football: The Musical?” which ran off-Broadway in 2009. Other New York writing credits include “God Loves My People Best” (book and lyrics) and “A Political Party!” (co-book/co-lyrics/music). He writes for the ESPN Web series “Mayne Street with Kenny Mayne,” and was a co-producer of the long running midtown comedy show “Sage Stand-Up” from 2007- 2009. Ingber warns: “I’m coming to town with a guitar, and I am not afraid to use it.” His satirical standup acoustic numbers have been known to skewer everyone from jihadists to philosophers to Eliot Spitzer. The crowd lingered until the library clean up crew moved us out!

Visiting Artist: Avijit Halder
May 18, 2010
Faculty: Jill Hirshfeld and Charles Morales – Thomason
Avijit Halder is one of the children portrayed in the documentary film “Born Into Brothels.” Through the help of documentarian Zana Briski and her foundation Kids-With-Cameras, Avijit, who was born and raised in the brothels of Calcutta, is now studying art at New York University. Relating to various books read this semester, Avijit will share his story and discuss the power of art (photography, painting and documentary film) in raising awareness and prompting change throughout the world.

Visiting Artist: Harold Rosenbaum, Conductor
Three dates in May 2010
Faculty: Steve Morse
Noted conductor Harold Rosenbaum will work with students of the John Jay Chorale and Orchestra during lesson periods and rehearsals and support the Orchestra in preparing to perform several pieces at the spring concerts.

Scholarships:
Senior Recognition Award, initiated in 2004. Presented at the June graduation ceremonies, the ArtsALIVE! award “recognizes a dedicated artist or advocate of the arts who has displayed creativity and/or initiated an artistic or literary approach to an area of study while at John Jay High School.”
June 2010 recipients: Tess Feigenbaum, Kora Welsh, Elena Pascullo

2008-2009

back to top

Fall Fundraiser:
“Nate the Great” performed by TheatreworksUSA
November 29, 2008

Field Trip: Design A Day At Caramoor
Faculty: Charles Morales-Thomason
February 13, 2009 Gr 12 29 students
Students devote a day to creating Renaissance arts, crafts and decoration with support of Caramoor staff.

Behind the scenes support:
March 7, April 18, 2009
Contributed to the cost of winter and spring art shows.

Behind the scenes support:
March 2009
Contributed to the JJTW production, “A Chorus Line.”

Field Trip:
April 2009
15 students attended the Young Author’s Conference.

Visiting Artists: Hudson Valley Shakespeare Troupe
April 21, 2009 300 students
The 9th grade English classes received “Romeo and Juliet” on our stage.

Visiting Artist: Ian Rosenbaum, Percussionist
Faculty: Richardson/Cox/Morse
April 22, 2009 250-450 students
We have many student percussionists who have never experienced a solo percussion concert
by a professional musician. This is for the multiple students looking to major in percussion.

Field Trip: The New York Philharmonic
Faculty: Amy Geiger
April 24, 2009 Gr 9-12 50 Students
This program will feature Riccardo Muti, one of the world’s most vivid conductors,
as he leads the NY Philharmonic in concert of Verdi Overture. Students will have the opportunity
to hear music in a variety of genres spanning several centuries. Music is a Learning Standards
for the Arts and is an integral part of our school curriculum.

Field Trip: Jazz at Lincoln Center
Faculty: Amy Geiger
April 24, 2009 Gr 9-12 50 Students
This concert featured two living legends, Chic Corea and John McLaughlin.
Students will hear a variety of jazz style spanning 40 years.

Visiting Artist: Harold Rosenbaum
Faculty: Steve Morse
May 29 & 30, 2009 Gr 9-12 140 students
Mr. Rosenbaum will work with Orchestra & Chorale students on their Spring Concert Repertoire.
He will focus on the various aspects of musicality and the historical significance
of the work of German composer Johannes Brahms.

Visiting Artist: Rebecca Woll, Contemporary Dance
May 5, 7, 2009 Gr 9-12 140 students
The dancers will work with students on Duncan and other modern dance techniques. The workshops will run after school from 3-6pm with the third workshop an assembly for performing and visual arts students.

Field Trip:
June 3, 2009
15 students viewed “In the Heights.”

Behind the scenes support:
Contributed to the production expense of “Focus” and “Reflections.”

Scholarships:
Senior Recognition Award, initiated in 2004. Presented at the June graduation ceremonies, the ArtsALIVE! award “recognizes a dedicated artist or advocate of the arts who has displayed creativity and/or initiated an artistic or literary approach to an area of study while at John Jay High School.”
June 2009 recipients: Allie Cashel, Eric Silver, Thomas Arena

2007-2008

back to top

Field Trip: New York City Opera
Faculty: Maureen Roehmer
November 1, 2007
French IV-V students attend a play, “Cendrillon,” at the NYC Opera

Behind the scenes support:
Jim McLean, Sound Technician
Fall 2007
Tech set up for Homecoming music

Fall Fundraiser
“A Christmas Carol”, performed by TheatreworksUSA
November 24, 2007

Visiting Artist: Anne-Marie Galler – Tap Dancing Workshop
Faculty: Amy Geiger
November 28, 2007 and December 5, 12, 19, 2007
5 weeks of after school tap classes lead by Anne-Marie Galler in which 68 students participated.
Open enrollment.

Visiting Artist: Robert Bueka
Faculty: Vicki Weiss
November 2007
Great Gatsby speaker for 2 sessions in AP English Grade 11

Field Trip: Caramoor
Faculty: Charles Morales-Thomason
February 2008 Gr 12 18 students

Field Trip: NYC trip to Lincoln Center
Faculty: Amy Geiger
March 27th, 2008
53 students from the general music program – included the NY Philharmonic,
backstage tour of Lincoln Center and a concert with Dave Brubeck and Ramsey Lewis
at Jazz at Lincoln Center

Field Trip: Lincoln Center
Faculty: Amy Geiger
March 27, 2008
Trip to include attendance at a rehearsal of the NY Philharmonic and a backstage tour
of the Metropolitan Opera and an evening performance. 55 students

Visiting Artists:
May 2008
Math students view performance of “Calculus, the Musical.”

Scholarships:
Senior Recognition Award, initiated in 2004. Presented at the June graduation ceremonies,
the ArtsALIVE! award “recognizes a dedicated artist or advocate of the arts who has displayed creativity and/or initiated an artistic or literary approach to an area of study while at John Jay High School.”
June 2008 recipients: Ben Moss, Gavin Engel, Cale Israel, Mikaila Beusman

2006-2007

back to top

Equipment purchase:
Faculty: Judi Offenberg
September 20, 2006
ArtsALIVE! purchased a vertical electric silk steamer for Advanced Studio Art classes and Art Club

Special Event: A Meet and Greet
October 25, 2006
A KLSD ArtsALIVE annual meeting combined with an opportunity to mingle with parents, faculty and arts students.

Special Event: Thanksgiving Fundraising
November 26, 2006
“Monsters, Mozart, and Matisse” by TheatreworksUSA

Field Trip: JP Morgan Library
December 8, 2006
Faculty: Maureen Roehmer
French students attended a curator show of watercolors by St. Exupery for “The Little Prince.”

Field Trip: Caramoor
Faculty: Charles Morales-Thomason, Social Studies Teacher
February 14, 2007 15 students
The Advanced Placement European History curriculum includes a study of Romanticism, and as part of that unit our class will visit Caramoor museum on February 14, 2007. This will be the seventh year I have brought my classes to Caramoor, and every year the trip is one of the highlights of our year. Marilyn Reynolds heads the museums Educational Department and she has planned for us an exciting day of activities which includes a tour through the museums artwork, a musical performance by Andrew Armstrong, an accomplished pianist, and even some hands-on horticultural work for the students.

Behind the scenes support:
March 2007
Contributed to cost for Refreshments for Rite of Winter on 3/10 and Rite of Spring on 3/28.

Field Trip: Performance of “The Seagull”, Chekhov at Classic Stage Company, E. 13th Street
Faculty: Bill Friedman 17 students from Acting III
March 14, 2008
This was a world-class production, directed by a Russian member of the Moscow Arts Theater
and starring Alan Cummings and Dianne Weist, of a play that the students had been working on in class.

Visiting Artist: Dan Renkin, a professional stage fight choreographer
Faculty: Bill Friedman
May 19-22, 2008
Workshops for forty students on how stage combat is an extension of the elements of good acting: focus, intention and commitment.

Field Trip: Paley Center for Media (formerly Museum of Television and Radio)
Faculty: Cynthia Salvatore and Patricia Whitbourne, English Dept
2 classes of seniors (36 total + 4 chaperones)

Visiting Artist: James Weston
Faculty: Social Studies Department
Mr. Weston speaks on Islamic culture to Grades 9 + 10

Behind the scenes support:
Funds to JJHS production “Children of Eden”

Behind the scenes support:
Funds to “Reflections” to cover printing expenses

Behind the scenes support:
Contributed funds to send students to Young Writers Conference

Behind the scenes support:
Funds to JJHS production, “Noises Off”

Behind the scenes support:
Funds to The Notables and to the Rolling Tones for sheet music

Visiting Artist: Harold Rosenbaum
Faculty: Steve Morse
May 2007
Guest Conductor for 2 days for JJHS Chorale

Visiting Artists: Gerry Deganhart and Patrick Mulvey
June 2007
2 writing workshops in poetry.

Scholarships:
Senior Recognition Award, initiated in 2004. Presented at the June graduation ceremonies,
the ArtsALIVE! award “recognizes a dedicated artist or advocate of the arts who has displayed creativity and/or initiated an artistic or literary approach to an area of study while at John Jay High School.”
June 2007 recipients: Christopher Pesto, Sara Mendes, Alexander Waterston

2005-2006

back to top

Field Trip: Columbia University Scholastic Press Fall Publishing Conference
Faculty: Lauren Carrigan
November 7, 2005 Grades 9-12 for 22 students
Workshops on photography, typography, layout, creative writing, critique.

Field Trip: New York City Opera
Faculty: Maureen Roehmer
French students attend “The Little Prince.” This allows students an opportunity to practice
their translation skills and do activities prior to and after the performance.

Visiting Artist: Martin Espada – Latino Poet
Faculty: Lauren Carrigan
November 18, 2005 Grades 9-12 – Two performances
Students will read Martin Espada’s poetry in the fall before he visits. During his workshops,
Mr. Espada will read his poems and lead discussion to explore the diverse social, historical and cultural dimensions of his poetry which arises from his Puerto Rican heritage and social consciousness.
Students will relate their writing to their own cultural identities.

Thanksgiving Fundraiser:
November 26, 2005 “Cam Jansen” by TheatreworksUSA
Through music and theatre arts the audience will hear an interesting tale – a fictional character
is brought to life. Its main character, Cam Jansen, is from a popular children’s book series.

Field Trip: Caramoor
Faculty: Charles Morales-Thomason
February 2006 Gr 12 33 students

Field Trip: National Theatre for Arts & Ed, LLC to see “El Barbero de Sevilla”
March 30, 2006
Two sessions for 70 Spanish III students performed at Ridgefield Playhouse. This allows students
an opportunity to practice their translation skills and do activities prior to and after the performance.

Field Trip: NYC Opera “Carmen” at Lincoln Center
Faculty: Maureen Roehmer
April 13, 2006 for 20 students. Includes a backstage tour. This trip will engage French students in the opera –
its staging and music. Carmen is a colorful selection for a first step into French opera.

Scholarships:
Senior Recognition Award, initiated in 2004. Presented at the June graduation ceremonies, the ArtsALIVE! award “recognizes a dedicated artist or advocate of the arts who has displayed creativity and/or initiated an artistic or literary approach to an area of study while at John Jay High School.”
June 2006 recipients: Alison Shearer, Caroline Van Sicklin, Cooper Hanson

2004-2005

back to top

Behind the scenes support:
Fall 2004
Contributed to a Cast Dinner for the final performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Thanksgiving Fundraising Event – The Sixth Annual
“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” by TheatreworksUSA
Saturday, November 27, 2004 at 2pm

Field Trip: NYC Opera “The Little Prince” at Lincoln Center
Faculty: Maureen Roehmer
November 17, 2005 20 students.
Students who read “The Little Prince” in French saw the play in English and enjoyed a backstage tour.

Visiting Artist: Hudson Valley Shakespeare Company presenting “Macbeth”
Faculty: Vicki Weiss
February 28, 2005 Grade 10 Three sessions
As part of our study of Shakespeare and Macbeth, the program includes performances
as well as student interpretations of various scenes.

Field Trip: Caramoor
Faculty: Charles Morales-Thomason
February 2005 Gr 12 23 students

Visiting Artist: Shakespeare in Action from TheatreworksUSA
May 4, 2005 Grades 9-10
Faculty: Candy Wilmot
Brings live theatre experience to students, enriches comprehension

First Year – ArtsAlive! Scholarship
A Senior Recognition Award. Presented at the June graduation ceremonies, this cash prize “recognizes a dedicated artist or advocate of the arts who has displayed creativity and/or initiated an artistic or literary approach to an area of study while at John Jay High School.”

2003-2004

back to top

Special Theatre Event: “The Laramie Project”
Visiting Artist: Karen Ludwig, Director
October 2003
ArtsAlive! and the Gay/Straight Alliance of JJHS have combined to mount a presentation of “The Laramie Project” written by Moises Kaufman. Approximately 18 students will participate in the staged reading, which will be directed by Karen Ludwig, a Lewisboro resident with background in professional theater – both as an actress and director. One public performance, followed by two assemblies for students during the week.

Thanksgiving Fundraising – Fifth Thanksgiving Family Holiday Event
“Dinosaurs! Jim West of TheatreworksUSA”
Saturday, November 29, 2003 at 2pm
TheatreworksUSA, founded in 1961, is one of America’s foremost professional award-winning theatre companies for young and family audiences, performing at home in New York and touring across the country to theatres, art centers and schools.

Field Trip: Columbia University Scholastic Press Association
Faculty: Lauren Daponte
November 2003
Students from FOCUS, the student newspaper will attend a journalism conference and workshop which will cover all aspects of student publishing including typography and design, feature writing, writing about sensitive issues, and photo essays.

Behind the scenes support:
Spring 2004
Contributed to production expenses for the JJ Theatre Workshop production of “Oklahoma”

Field Trip: Caramoor
Faculty: Charles Morales-Thomason
February 2004 Gr 12 35 students

Field trip: MOMA
Winter 2004
French III student for Impressionist art study.

Visiting Artist: Jan Reynold, Media Center /Journalism Speaker
Faculty: Lauren Carrigan
Spring 2004
Jan Reynolds, writer, photographer, adventure traveler came to speak to a varied audience of students including the FOCUS staff, Modern American Culture students, photography students, and others.

Behind the scenes support:
Music Students to Ajudication in Florida
May 2004
Contributed to the expenses of a fund raising concert at Caramoor to offset travel expenses to Florida.

Visiting Artists: Romeo and Juliet, by TheatreWorksUSA
May 2004
A contemporized version, performed for 9th grade.

Behind the scenes support:
June 2004
Contributed to the cost of printing “Reflections” annual literary magazine.

Behind the scenes support:
Purchased sheet music for student string quartet.

2002-2003

back to top

Field Trip: Caramoor
Faculty: Charles Morales-Thomason
February 2003 50 students

Visiting Artist: John Scofield Jazz Workshop
March 2003
Open to students of JJHS and area colleges. Local fans of all ages attended as well. Improvization as well as basic favorites streamed forth in an easy going, afternoon of groove with audience participation.

Visiting Artist: Faith Vicinanza, Poet and Elizabeth Thomas, Poet
Special Event: The First Poetry SLAM at JJHS
Faculty: English Department
Spring 2003 – Various dates
Poet Faith Vicinanza taught three programs on the art of writing, polishing, and presenting a poem – with added emphasis on posture, diction, and presentation as a dramatic vehicle. This program was a precursor to the SLAM on May 21, where guest poets competed with JJHS students. The English Department coordinated the two slams where the audience numerically rated the poets based on delivery, message, and style. 15-20 students joined the friendly competition with a 9th grade student proclaimed as the winner. Returning guest poets included Ernie Blue, Faith Vicinanza, Elizabeth Thomas, and Krishna Hayes.

Visiting Artist: Sloane Wainwright, composer and musician
Faculty: Music Department
April 22, 24, 2003
“A New Dimension to the Art of the Wordsmith.” A songwriting opportunity in a two part series working with a masterful composer, fusing words and notes into a blend of personal story.

Special Activity: Art in the Shops
Faculty: Art Department
May 2003
“Art in the Shops” is a new endeavor sponsored by ArtsAlive which provides area merchants with a revolving showcase of high school artwork for display in their places of business. The Katonah Chamber of Commerce is the primary recipient of the work, provided through a joint effort of the JJHS Art Department and ArtsAlive members Nancy Mendelsohn and Donna Camedeco who initiated the idea. The objective of Art in the Shops is twofold: for students to gain experience in presenting themselves and their work in a professional manner; and for them to have the opportunity to display their work in local venues… places where artwork may not typically appear. It is a win-win situation for shopkeepers as well as art students.

2001-2002

back to top

Visiting Artists: The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival
Faculty: English Department
October 2001
Actors from the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival presented two workshops and a performance
focused upon textual interpretation.

Visiting Artist: Chinelo Achebe-Ejueyithchie, Author
November 2001
A four-day residency with grades 9 and 10 with a focus on literary interpretations of the novel
“Things Fall Apart” (written by her father Chinua Achebe).

Field trip: Brooklyn Academy of Music
November 8, 2001
90 Global Studies students attended a performance of “Once Upon a Time in Chinese America.”
A 17th century fable performed by martial artists and young musicians.

Special Event: The Third Thanksgiving Family Theatre Event
Fundraiser: “Island of the Blue Dolphin” by TheatreworksUSA.
November 24, 2001
TheatreworksUSA presents a musical adaptation of Scott O’Dell’s award winning children’s book.

Visiting Artist: Nathan Childers, Jazz musician and Yamaha clinician
Faculty: Music Department
November 2001
Mr. Childers taught instrumental workshops for students tailored to specific interest areas.
Comments from students… “Rock on. He was a big help in thinking of ways to improvise.” –
“Very cool! Childers is a great musician with some extremely helpful tips.” –
“Truly a magnificent musician. Nathan Childers helped me to be a better musician.”

Visiting Artists: Rajeckas & Intraub – Movement Theatre Artists
Faculty: Drama
December 3, 5, 2001
Rajeckas & Intraub’s workshops with drama students focused on concentration, cooperation, commitment and collaboration as a tool for self discovery combining mime, dance, music and sound effects.
Comments from students… “Their movement exercises strengthened by their years of experience really helped us to discover new aspects of acting.” – “A great look at different ways of acting. Amazing passion for the art. They made me love acting even more.” – “I really learned some valuable techniques to improve the quality of my movement.”

Visiting Artist: The Atlantic Theater Company Acting School and Practical Aesthetics Workshop of NYC
January 2002
Master teacher and actor Paul Urcioli taught a series of workshops for drama students using the Meisner-based techniques developed by David Mamet and William Macy.

Field trip: Caramoor
January 29, 2002 31 students
AP European History students toured Caramoor, attended a musical performance and a hands-on horticultural class. Students donned 19th c European clothing for a photo shoot in the museum setting.

Special Event: Poetry Week
May 20-23, 2002
Reggie Marra, Gerry Degenhardt, Ernie Blue, Elizabeth Thomas, Faith Vicinanza, and Krishna Hayes provide various approaches to students in all grades including performance techniques, intensive writing workshops.

Special Event: The Wall of the Arts
ArtsALIVE! initiates a project intended to create long-term revenue and honor individuals who have blossomed creatively while active in Katonah-Lewisboro School District. By purchasing a nameplates, an individual will be remebered in the theatre foyer at the high school. ArtsALIVE! announces a long range goal: to build an Art Gallery at the high school.

2000-2001

back to top

Visiting Artist: Brett Slavin
February 6, 2001
Two classes in ceramics for Katonah-Lewisboro School of Experiential Education

Visiting Artist: Maggie Zander
March 2001
Two classes presented in creating art from found objects for Katonah-Lewisboro School of Experiential Education

Fundraising Event: “Imagination in Motion” by Rajeckas and Intraub
March 18, 2001
A performance of combination of mime, modern dance and vaudeville.

Behind the scenes support:
Spring 2001
Contributed to the production costs of the JJTW spring musical, “Little Shop of Horrors. “

Visiting Artists: Associated Solo Artists, The Physics of Music
Faculty: Music department
May 2001
Two classical musicians/scientists taught the scientific properties of sound. The workshop began with a live musical performance followed by acoustical demonstrations designed to make cross-disciplinary connections between concepts such as waveforms, overtones, frequency, resonance.

Visiting Artists: The Brooklyn Academy of Music
Spring 2001
9th grade English classes gained an active understanding of the text of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
through in-class reading with actors. The visit culminated with a performance.

Special Event: Poetry Week
May 2001
Visiting Artists: Joanna Featherstone performs “Hold Fast to Dreams” a monologue based on the poets of the Harlem renaissance.
Reggie Marra, Gerry Deganhardt, Ernie Blue, Elizabeth Thomas, Faith Vicinanza, and Krishna Hayes provide various approaches to students in all grades including performance techniques, intensive writing workshops.

1999-2000

back to top

Special Event: Thanksgiving Fundraiser
Das Puppenspiel performs “The Snow Queen”
November 1999

Visiting Artists: The Earthtones
Faculty: Music department
March 2000
This traveling male a-cappella singing troupe from SUNY Albany performed for our students and worked with the male members of the JJHS chorus.

Behind the scenes support:
March 2000
Assisted in hiring and contributed to the fee for the choreographer for the JJTW spring production
of “West Side Story”.

Special Event: Earth Day Celebration
Visiting Artists: The Arm of the Sea Theatre and The Spirit Ensemble
April 28, 2000
In concert with other high school clubs, ArtsALIVE! coordinated two activities: a large scale puppetry,
poetry, music event via The Arm of the Sea’s production: “The City that Drinks the Mountain Sky”;
The Spirit Ensemble drummed outside, filling the campus with rhythm.

Visiting Artists: “A Day of Poetry” with Elizabeth Thomas, Reggie Marra, Gerry Deganhart
May 3, 2000
Performance, intensive writing techniques presented by varied poets.

Visiting Artist: Daphna Czernobilsky, Theatre Workshop
Faculty: English Department and Drama
May 2000
Actress, Director, Educator, Ms. Czernobilsky addressed the experience of prejudice through theater exercises. This is an exploratory workshop with drama students and Modern American Culture students.

Field trips:
Spring 2000
• February KLSEE students to view “The Death of a Salesman”
• French class to two Alliance Francais events
• Advanced Placement Art students to MOMA
• 10th Grade English trip to Brooklyn Museum of Art
• Latin class to Yale University Art Gallery and to the Cloisters

Behind the scenes support:
• ArtsALIVE! contributed cash to buy musical instruments
• Purchased posters for Women’s History Month
• Contributed to cost of running the Model UN

1998-1999

back to top

Special Event:
October 18, 1998
“MusicPhest” at Homecoming. ArtsALIVE! sponsored a dance with student band performances.

January 1999
Foundation grant received to “Arts Alive – The John Jay High School Cultural Arts Program” from the
Katonah-Lewisboro School Foundation for $3000.00.

Visiting Artist: Laura Simms, Storyteller
Faculty: English department
February 11, 1999
Simms evoked the universal language of myth, both ancient and contemporary, in addressing the topic of “Healing from War: Tales of Aggression and the Search for Wholeness.”

Visiting Artist: Poet Edward Sanders
Faculty: Katonah Lewisboro School of Experiential Education
February 26, 1999
Acclaimed Beat Poet read selected works of his own and that of Allen Ginsberg’s.

Visiting Artist: Mona Jimenez, Digital artist
Faculty: Art Department
March 8, 1999
Ms. Jimenez makes large-scale computer prints constructed from photos, live action,
drawings and/or writings. Her work involves retelling of stories or making references to lost or little known historical, cultural and personal history.

Visiting Speaker: Peter Gibbons, Harvard Graduate School of Education
April 22, 1999
Dr. Gibbons spoke on the disappearance of heros and heroines in modern American culture.

Visiting Artist: Sherree Coluccelli, Costume Designer
Faculty: Drama
April 1999
A professional Dresser with a background as a museum curator specializing in costumes,
Ms. Coluccelli met with drama students in the making of JJ Theatre Workshop’s production of “South Pacific”.

Visiting Artist: Esmeralda Santiago, Author
Faculty: English and Foreign Language
Spring 1999
Ms. Santiago spoke of emigrating as a teenager from Puerto Rico, and her quest for higher learning.

Special Event:
Visiting Artists: John Scofield and Friends
May 1999
Mr. Scofield performed with members of the John Scofield Trio including Marlon Browden (drums)
and Matthew Garrison (bass). Mr. Scofield invited students to join in. In a casual lunchtime set,
music filled our halls.

Behind the scenes support:
Spring 1999
We contributed to the cost of material for the John Jay Art Club mural.

1997-1998

back to top

Fundraiser: The John Scofield & Friends Concert
November 1997
Renowned jazz guitarist John Scofield, drummer Bill Stewart, and bassist Larry Grenadier held a public concert and workshop for music fans fifteen years of age and up. A Takamine guitar was raffled (courtesy of Kaman Music).

Visiting Artist: Laura Simms, Storyteller
Faculty: English department
December 12, 1997
“Story as History – History as Story.” A workshop to heighten awareness of events, both personal and historic, from a media perspective. Who is telling the story? How can one decipher the story from the storyteller?

Field Trip: Purchase College
Faculty: Music Department
Winter 1998
Students visited the Manhattanville Chapel where members of the Select Choir rehearsed
in an acoustically perfect environment.

Visiting Artist: Ian Baren, Explorer
Winter 1998
“Underground Exploration of China” – a slide presentation and discussion on caving for
9th Grade Global Studies students

Visiting Artists: Dale Zheutlin, Architect/Ceramicist and Fred Levine, Industrial Designer
Faculty: Art Department
April 17, 1998
A presentation to all art classes on the interrelationship between math, computer modeling, architecture, industrial design and engineering in the completion of a ceramic mural in a corporate location.

Special Event: “The art rumble.”
April 18,1998
ArtsAlive! presented student-generated art in various formats: art displays, video presentations,
live music – both ‘plugged and ‘unplugged’ (included poetry, acoustic music, monologues, stand-up comedians). All students were encouraged to hang their art, not only those in “art classes.”

Visiting Artists: The Spirit Ensemble, Afro-Caribbean Musicians
May 29, 1998
Performed one assembly and held informal drumming on campus.

1997

Field Trip: A Play, “Mere Mortals” by David Ives
May 1997
For students performing in the first student-directed One Act Play Festival (which featured four plays by Ives).

Visiting Artist: Faith Vicinanza, Poet
June 5, 1997
“If I Were A Poem”. A two workshops open to all students on writing and performance techniques.

Behind the scenes support:
ArtsAlive! has purchased the published works of visiting authors and artists for the library.