Theatre
Ballard Theatre program provides students with the knowledge and opportunity to appreciate all facets of theatre. Students learn the essentials of performance and production, theatrical language, practices, and processes used to produce their art through hands-on work and by experiencing others' work. In our student-centered department, actors and techs will create a wide range of theatre - writing, designing, directing, acting, and managing. Our program is designed to make students independent creatively and logistically - they will be able to conceive, produce, and perform theatre.
Theater Director: Faith Anderson - faith.anderson@jefferson.kyschools.us
Video: Theatre Pathway represents Kentucky at International Thespian Festival
Photography
The Photography concentration within the Visual Art Department provides students with a wide range of skills that address critical analysis of photographic content, context, and technical craft. The curriculum is comprised of four courses in foundations and advances levels of study in both traditional analog and digital photographic mediums. Photo 1 is an introductory course based in the foundations of photography, Photo 2 concentrates on traditional darkroom photography, Photo 3 is an advanced course in portfolio building and AP Photo (Studio Art 2-D Design Portfolio is a college level course where students develop their artistic voice. A historical component is added to each class to provide a broader knowledge of the social and artistic significance and context of the medium.
Photography Lead Teacher: Lindsey Dobson - lindsey.dobson@jefferson.kyschools.us
Video: Overview of Band, Choir, & Orchestra Pathways
Copy of Performing Arts.movBand
The Band has been an exciting part of Ballard High School and the community experience for fifty years. Ballard Bands bear the mark of excellence in the classroom, at regional and state level music events, and are a vital part of our community and athletic events. Students in the Ballard Bands learn and create moving performances with their individual achievements in tone, technique, and musical expression. Through various ensemble opportunities, students and instructors work as a team through listening, adjusting, responding, and evaluating their growth in an environment that encourages critical thinking and reflection. With concert bands, chamber ensembles, large and small jazz groups, independent percussion courses, marching and athletic bands, an unlimited number of experiences are available to the enterprising band student. Preparation for the demands of daily life are achieved through their experience with developing communication and leadership skills, setting and accomplishing large goal oriented performance projects, collaboration both inside and outside the band program for community events, and practicing good management skills. Regardless of the desired outcome – performer, composer, educator, or advocate for the musical arts – the Ballard Band experiences prepare students for a life filled with creativity and artistry.
Band Director: Carl Kling - carl.kling@jefferson.kyschools.us
Choir
The Ballard High School Choral Program is the only comprehensive, fully graded curriculum in JCPS that serves more than 230 students. The curriculum includes students in two Freshman Women’s Choirs, Freshman Men’s Choir, the Intermediate Choir, and the 95-voice Concert Choir, along with an A/P offering in music theory. Additional offerings for more in-depth study include the Madrigal Singers, and Somethin’s Bruin, an after-school contemporary a cappella offering. Ballard consistently places a large number of student musicians in the Kentucky All-State choirs each year, having averaged more than 32 students per year since 1996, the most in the state of Kentucky.
Choir Director: Noel Weaver - noel.weaver@jefferson.kyschools.us
Orchestra
The Ballard Orchestra program has enjoyed a long tradition of excellence. Through the study of a wide variety of orchestral literature, the program helps students to discover and develop their individual talents, to learn techniques of musical expression, and to develop knowledge and skills in listening, reading, and performing at a high artistic level. Through individual and collaborative efforts, students learn self-discipline, group cooperation, goal setting, self-expression, memory skills, and the importance of teamwork…all skills in great demand in nearly every aspect of life. The knowledge and experience students gain in orchestra should lay the foundation for a lifetime of rewarding encounters with great music, whether students choose to participate in performing groups or become enlightened listeners.
Orchestra Director: Eva Rouse - eva.rouse@jefferson.kyschools.us
Visual Arts
Visual Art courses provide students with knowledge and opportunities to experience a variety of art forms and to create individual works of art. Students in this pathway will learn about the elements and principles, language, materials, and processes used to produce various kinds of visual arts. Students will learn about the work within the process of art, study of the structures, purposes, careers and art history. The program is designed to prepare individuals to create original works as a visual artist.
Visual Arts Teacher Leader: Emily Forrester – emily.forrester@jefferson.kyschools.us
Video: Overview of the Visual Arts Pathways
Copy of Visual Arts.mp4