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DA's Arts & Media Program
At Denver Academy, our multi-faceted Arts & Media Program is designed to develop awareness and appreciation of the creative aspects of life. We recognize that fine arts are a vital part of a young person's development.
Our program supports a strength that many of our students possess: the ability to express and communicate through artistic creativity. In this area, many students blossom in a way they never have before. They are encouraged in areas that complement their own unique abilities and are asked to explore and discover.
List of 5 items.
Digital Arts
The Denver Academy digital arts courses provide the opportunity for students to use the computer as a tool to create a large variety of visual imagery including
photography, animation, and graphic design.
Self-expression, computer basics, and the elements and principles of art and design combine to create an exciting atmosphere in which students brainstorm ideas, grow their technical skills, and produce meaningful artwork.
Film & Video
Denver Academy's film & sound design courses cover the history of film, video, and sound taught at all levels so that students can better understand how storytelling through moving images has evolved over the past 100 years, and where it is headed in the 21st century. Students learn about the different roles of the filmmaker, from writer and producer to director and editor. We teach ways to take an idea through the five steps of production: from conception and development through pre-production, production, post-production (editing), and distribution. Students also learn that leadership, teamwork, communication, discipline, and problem-solving are essential ingredients of being a good storyteller.
Metal Arts
A favorite student elective is metal arts. In the Saipe Metal Arts Studio, students learn general safety precautions and job skills in oxyacetylene and MIG welding, gas and plasma cutting; the operation of the chop saw, drill press, band saw, angle grinder, and hand tools; the application of trade math; metallurgy; the basics of drafting and blueprint reading; and the rules of shop safety. After completing required safety skills tests and assigned projects, students design and fabricate practical and artistic projects of their own. Advanced students practice more complex skills and design increasingly advanced fabrication projects. This course emphasizes teamwork, problem-solving, and manual skill-building.
Music
In our curriculum, all areas of musical intelligence are incorporated as a goal to bring music to all students. Classes include guitar, choir,
and a
marching drumline
. In music exploration, students learn how to truly listen to musical composition, perform on a variety of instruments, and translate what they hear in the musical world around them. Denver Academy's Music Program has also been incorporated into various classrooms across the campus. This interdisciplinary approach has been used in math, history, English, art, and drama classes.
Theatre
Denver Academy's Theatre Program recognizes that students struggle without a sense of passion, purpose, and self-worth. Through drama, students learn that they are talented, capable human beings. Many students who have struggled in their academic life, blossom in the performing arts and develop the self-discipline and confidence necessary to work hard and strive for success.
The Theatre Program is offered to all students, from elementary through high school. In the younger grades, students are introduced to theater through creative play, team building, and storytelling. In the upper grades, the emphasis is on performance. Classes include
advanced improvisation
set design
, one-act plays, and story/character development
, all utilizing theater games, short-form, and long-form. Emphasis is also placed on script analysis, character study, motivation, memorization, movement, projection, diction, focus, sound/lighting, publicity, directing, costume and prop design, with the final goal being production and performance.
We frequently partner with the Language Arts Department and other core curricula to enhance the learning experience. This unique opportunity to perform as a team extends into the classroom and creates bonds that last a lifetime.
Learn more about current productions and make reservations on the
DA Theatre website
Visual Arts
The Visual Arts Program allows students the opportunity to be passionate about their creativity and gives them a sense of purpose and pride.
Studio-based Program
Our studio-based program provides a hands-on approach to guiding students in ways of communication. We focus on campus-wide subject integrations with a multimedia approach utilizing diverse materials in areas such as drawing, painting, ceramics, silk-screen printing, and sculpture.
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DA Performing Arts Center
Meet the Arts & Media Team
List of 8 members.
Katie
Bradford
Dean of Arts & Media/JEDI Chair
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An educator with over 20 years of experience, Katie Bradford serves not only as JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Chair but also as Dean of the Arts and Media Department at Denver Academy. Mrs. Bradford is committed to making our community a safe and inclusive space for all learners. In recognition of her diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging accomplishments, Katie has received inclusive leader awards from Diversity IS, GlobalMindED, and the Mizel Museum. She was also named Queer Literacy Educator of the Year by CU Boulder and has also been honored by Denver Academy with Teacher of the Year and Lifetime Achievement (Wings of the Future) awards. Mrs. Bradford serves on the executive leadership team for the Colorado Diversity Network.
Kayla
Chalk
Arts & Media Teacher
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A little spilled paint doesn’t bother Ms. Kayla Chalk. Open-mindedness and a sprinkle of fearlessness are important parts of the creative process. With an arts background and many years of working with the Denver Academy Summer Program and Elementary School, Ms. Chalk is both a teacher and an artisan. She is inspired by knowing that the upcoming generations will be the next great thinkers and doers in this world and she gets to play a small part in their formative years.
Ms. Chalk graduated from the University of Colorado at Denver with a B.A. in Film, Theater, & Video Production with an emphasis in Costume Design.
Kris
Fritzsche
Arts & Media Teacher, Welding Instructor
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Mr. Fritzsche has been involved in art education and administration for over a decade. Mr. Fritzsche teaches DA film, video, visual art, and sound design courses. In addition to teaching, he is very active in the Colorado arts education community and sits on the board of directors for ArtSource Colorado.
Mr. Fritzsche earned his B.F.A. in sculpture and metal arts from Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Tommy
Laird
Arts & Media Teacher
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Mr. Laird comes to school every day with an aim to progress, evolve, adapt, and challenge both himself and his students. Although students see him as an art teacher, he likens his role as a mentor for future inventors and detectives. Mr. Laird has worked at multiple art galleries as well as another private school in Denver. A jazz and blues aficionado, he plays jazz guitar and enjoys the musical stylings of The Black Keys, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Ray Charles, among others.
Mr. Laird graduated with a B.F.A. in Art Education with an emphasis in Photography from Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Paul
Loose
Music Teacher
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Mr. Loose teaches music classes at Denver Academy for all grade levels. From elementary chorus to high school Rock Band, you'll see students in his classes singing, playing instruments, jamming, and generally having fun. Mr. Loose plays several instruments and has spent 20 years performing with a bagpipe band and various other rock bands.
Mr. Loose holds a B.A. in Instrumental Music Education from Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Holly
Marks
High School Theater Teacher
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Ms. Marks brings both her teaching experience and real-world acting chops to Denver Academy’s Arts & Media Department. In addition to her time at DA, Ms. Marks previously taught at another independent school in Denver. She also earned her SAG-AFTRA card as a working actress in Los Angeles—you can catch her face in an episode of "Glee!"
Ms. Marks graduated from Colorado State University with a B.A. in Performing Arts with an emphasis in Theater.
Kendall
Newman
Vocal Music Teacher
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Ms. Newman teaches vocal music to all grades at DA and strives to create a fun, safe, and welcoming environment for all students. Ms. Newman has always been passionate about music and has loved singing in choirs, writing songs, performing in musicals, directing an a cappella group, and teaching music. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, shopping at a local farmer's market, and exploring Colorado.
Ms. Newman graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a B.M.E in Vocal Music Education.
Patrick
Ring
Elem & Middle School Theater Teacher
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Mr. Ring has a bachelor's degree in communication arts with an emphasis on theatre and performance studies from Western State Colorado University. Before coming to DA he directed with the Gunnison Arts Center and taught theatre classes with KidStage Denver. He continually works to stay involved in the Denver theatre scene alongside teaching middle school and elementary theatre classes at DA.
Find Us
4400 E. Iliff Ave. Denver, CO 80222
Main/Attendance: 303.777.5870
Admissions: 303.777.5161
General:
info@denveracademy.org
About
Denver Academy is an independent private school for grades 2-12 located in Denver, CO. DA
inspires and empowers a diverse group of learners through student-centered, differentiated, and transformative education.
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