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The RCAAS Visual & Performing Arts programs help provide our students with a well-rounded education. With the ability to take classes in all five arts disciplines: Theatre, Dance, Visual Art, Vocal and Instrumental Music; students can express themselves artistically throughout the school day, alongside their core academic classes. Research says, students in the arts often experience improved reading comprehension, maintain better attendance records, and stay generally more engaged in school than their non-arts counterparts.
The RCAAS also serves as a feeder program for the Great Lakes Visual & Performing Arts Academy at Sandusky High School; preparing students for the possibility of a career in the arts or careers that support the arts. RCAAS also hosts the district's Summer Arts Camp for students in 2nd - 6th grade. The camp introduce the arts to some and gives those with experience more opportunities to perform and create. Students come daily for a week participating in sessions throughout the day in Theatre, Music, Art and Dance.
Dance Education
Workshop Leader - Julie Shaull
There are several benefits for the students who participate in the Dance program. Students will demonstrate movement combinations, increase memory, order, and sequencing skills. develop skills that are necessary for learning such as creativity, communication, critical thinking, and collaboration. Through the creative process, students are encouraged to use their imagination, collaborate with their peers to solve problems, and discover multiple solutions to challenges. Dancing utilizes the entire body and is an excellent form of exercise for total body fitness, improving range of motion, coordination, strength, flexibility, endurance, and kinesthetic memory. (NDEO, 2019)
Theatre Education
Workshop Leader - Grace Mulinix
The RCAAS Theatre program serves as an introduction to theatre for many students. They will engage in many activities and forms of expression. Including written expression with monologue and script writing. They will explore verbal expression and develop a better understanding of self through the use of games and acting drills. Through this program students are taught to be confident, take risks in class and in production performances; encouraging them to trust their ideas and abilities, taking the art of creative thinking and expression to the next level. Students have several opportunities during the school year and over the summer to perform in front of their peers, parents and the community.
Music Education
Choir, General Music, & Guitar Teacher - Mike Schmenk
The General Music program promotes the development of the whole student through the benefits of studying music in its most essential forms. The student gain vocal skills; focused listening skills; and engage in hands-on experiences with a variety of instruments. Connections of music to science, math, and various cultures are at the core of each lesson.
The Guitar program provides the students at the RCAAS the opportunity to learn why the guitar has become one of the most popular musical instruments in the world. Using guitars scaled to their size, the students work through a progressive curriculum designed to move at their pace and desired outcome goals.
The RCAAS Choir is a combined program of students in 3rd through 6th grade. The smaller classes give the students a private vocal studio feel. Students also learn about music theory, performance etiquette, ear training, singing solos, musical patterns recognition, exercise memorization, and lyrics. It provides a sense of real belonging and encourages student engagement.
Band Teachers - Danny Klohn and Josh Barringer
Band directors at the Sandusky Middle and Sandusky High Schools, Mr. Klohn and Mr. Barringer provide instruction to our 6th graders in their chosen band instruments. This prepares them with fundamental skills necessary to help them succeed when they get to 7th grade and beyond. Our students also perform with the middle and high school bands at the annual Spring Band Concert.
Orchestra Teachers - Wendy Hayberger and Emily Liao
At RCAAS, we start our orchestra students much earlier than most. Students as young as 4th grade have the opportunity to begin learning to play their choice of Violin, Viola, Cello, or Bass. Mr. Nitschke and Mrs. Hayberger prepare our students for the full middle and high school orchestra experience by practicing fundamental skills and honing performance chops at the All-City Orchestra Concert each spring.
Art Education:
General and Advanced Art Teacher - Rosalyn Shepherd
Art Education for RCAAS students is a creative tool for self-expression; giving students the tools to make design decisions that speak to their individual experiences. Students will learn about the elements and principles of art, art history, 2D and 3D design, Art careers and how to use various media to create art. As part of a well-rounded education; Art encourages skills such as perseverance, focus, collaboration, non-verbal communication, confidence, creativity, self-awareness and much more.
Innovative Art Spaces
Through grant funding from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, students are able to expand their experiences in visual art through 2 innovative spaces: The Michele Ziemke Students Art Gallery where students throughout the district K-12 have the opportunity to display their art work in a professional gallery run by the Great Lakes Arts Academy high school students.
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