Arts, Music & Drama

Feel The Joy of Creation at the SJA Music Department

RPReplay_Final1602540201.mp4

Meet Ms. Cannon

Ms. Cannon has been teaching at St. Joan for seven years. She completed a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance at U of T.

Q. Is an arts education important?

Ms. Cannon: "YES! Not only does arts education directly develop creative problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, motor skills, language skills, social skills, decision-making skills, risk-taking skills, inventiveness & creativity, it also helps you understand the world through cultural connections. Most of all, developing these skills in combination, throughout high school helps students magically mature, find confidence in themselves and discover who they truly are. It is absolutely humbling and glorious to be a part of that.

SHSM and Experiential Learning in Arts & Culture

    • Playing in a concert band (Concert, Jazz, and Choir bands)

    • Performing at our bi-annual school-wide concerts, Sight and Sound

    • Performing at the TCDSB Music Festival

    • Field trips to Roy Thomson Hall, Massey Hall, and Stratford to experience a wide variety of musical genres: Jazz, Blues, modern, contemporary, classical, popular, rock, etc.);

    • Entering the CBC Music Class Competition in which we’ve placed top ten in all of Canada

    • In-school concerts by invited professional solo musicians and bands

    • Arts and Culture Specialist High Skills Major program for grade 11 and 12 students with even more experiential learning opportunities for students interested in pursuing post-secondary education in any field related to the arts and cultural studies.

Arts and Culture SHSM 2020-2021 (7).pdf


Ms. Cannon's Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Which instruments are available to play?

Grade 9/10: Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Drumset, Timpani, Mallet Instruments (Bells, Xylophone, Vibraphone), Electric Bass, Guitar (in grade 10 guitar class only)

Grade 11/12: all of the above plus electric guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, marimba


Q. Do we have to share instruments?

No, there are enough instruments that music students do not have to share.


Q. Do we have to perform publicly?

You do have to perform at the evening Sight and Sound performance for parents and students in December or May, depending on your semester. We work together as a team to make sure every student feels prepared to perform. (For students who are comfortable, we have more performance opportunities such as Music Festivals.) I am here for you! You can do it!


Q. Do we have to learn music theory?

Yes. Music is a language. I want you to learn to speak (play/sing), read (notes on sheet music) and write (arrange/compose) the language of music. These three skills are important in any language today. As with most languages in the world, the focus is on speaking fluently (playing/singing well) and supported by strong reading and writing skills, as it is with Music at St. Joan of Arc.


Sight & Sound:

Twice a year, students have the chance to showcase their talents in public performances to the school community. Come check us out for a visual and auditory treat!

Meet our Alumni

Miguel Abuel won the Coro San Marco Scholarship (to award a deserving student entering a Canadian University or College, specifically in the faculty of music).

Self-Expression and Discovery in Visual Arts

3D Tour of our Visual Arts Class

Mr. Stevenson's Drama FAQs

Meet Mr. Stevenson

My name is Mr. Jeffrey Stevenson and I have been a drama teacher for the TCDSB for the past 15 years. I am a father of four and grew up in Ottawa, Ontario. I have a BFA in Theatre at York University and did my BEd at the University of Ottawa. I am also a graduate of The Second City Conservatory program for improv and sketch comedy here in Toronto.

Q. What is the best part about being a drama teacher?

"The best part about being a drama teacher is seeing students truly learn to be themselves and not be ashamed of who they are, to reach their full potential. Students always say that after taking drama they feel more self-confident. I tell all my students to “leave their mask at the door”, the one you wear in the halls. The drama room is a place where you can be you! What’s better than that?"

Q. What do students do in drama?

A. Students in drama have attended many professional theatre productions in and around the Toronto area over the years including but not limited to Mirvish, YPT, Studio 180 and The Stratford Festival. Students have attended on-camera acting studios, in-development play readings and even a behind the scenes look at Halloween Haunt at Canada’s Wonderland set and costume design. Several theatre companies have also come to St. Joan of Arc to run workshops in class. Music classes have attended live performances, participated in recording music at a professional recording studio, and participated in many festivals and competitions throughout the GTA, province and Canada wide. Our visual arts students have visited many galleries, including the AGO and McMichael Art Gallery and have had the opportunity to work with professional artists in class and in professional studios.

Q. What's special about the Arts program at St. Joan?

A. We have a strong Arts program with passionate and knowledgeable teachers who maintain strong ties to their respective industries. We also offer a Specialist High Skills Major in Arts and Culture for students in their Grade 11 and 12 years. We produce high quality major school productions of plays and musicals and offer all arts students the ability to showcase their work twice a year at our annual Winter and Spring Festival of Sight and Sound.

Q. If I want to be an actor or singer, how can St. Joan help me?

A. If you want to be an actor or singer, St. Joan provides ample opportunities to hone your skills and when you are ready our dedicated teachers will be there to help guide you in the right direction and help you prepare for audition, music exams. Our teachers also have their own personal connection to the industry that they can tap into to help open the doors to start your own professional career in the arts

Q. If I don’t want to be an actor or singer, where can doing drama take me?

A. If you do not want to be an actor or singer, drama is still an essential course to take to learn invaluable life skills that will help you thrive in any career path or even part-time job you choose. Taking drama is guaranteed to help you in all your other classes as you will learn how to be an effective communicator, develop self-confidence in front of others, learn how to engage an audience and learn to take risks stepping outside of your comfort zone.