Fine Arts

The SCDS Art Department is comprised of two full-time teachers and two part-time teachers who teach art to students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The Lower School art teacher teaches in each of the Lower School classrooms on a regular basis throughout the year, and lessons include both studio processes and an introduction to concepts from Art History.

Middle and High School classes include both 2D and 3D media and are offered as Electives within each division. Offerings include: MS drawing, MS studio art, HS studio and HS AP studio art, Ceramics, and Drawing. Within these classes, students explore ideas and media while developing ever more sophisticated skills in areas which include drawing, painting, design, printmaking, jewelry design & construction, ceramics, sculpture, and architectural design & construction, depending on the grade level. AP Art History, a year-long college survey class, is offered as an academic class through the History Department in the High School.

Faculty
Andy Cunningham, acunningham@saccds.org
Mr. Cunningham teaches Middle School and High School Drawing. He has a BA in Humanities from Menlo College and a Masters of Fine Arts from Hunter College, NYC. Visit his website at www.andy-cunningham.net

Julie Didion, jdidion@saccds.org
Ms. Didion teaches High School ceramics.  She has a BA degree from California State University, Sacramento, and is well known her fanciful shoe and purse sculptures.

Patricia Kelly, pkelly@saccds.org
Fine Arts department chair Patricia Kelly teaches Middle School Ceramics, Middle School Studio Art and High School Studio Art. She has an MA degree in Art from California State University, Sacramento.

Julie Shanks, jshanks@saccds.org
Mrs. Shanks teaches art and art history to Lower School students from Pre-Kindergarten through the 5th grade. She has a BA in Art from California State University, Sacramento.

The Director of Theater teaches  electives in both the Middle and High Schools and directs and produces several student performances. Productions over the last few years include Our Miss Brooks, Phantom Limb, Bewitched, and Ghost Stories. The school is a member of the International Thespian Society, which honors outstanding High School actors at an annual dinner.

The Department of Music is an academic enrichment offering at Country Day. A faculty of three full-time teachers and five private-lesson teachers provides instruction to students in music and related coursework from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Country Day offerings include Classroom Music, Concert Band, Orchestra, Jazz Ensembles, Chamber Ensembles and Choir.

Faculty
Bob Ratcliff, bratcliff@saccds.org
Mr. Ratcliff teaches band in grades five through twelve and the middle and high school Jazz Bands. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Music from the University of North Texas and a Master’s from Washington State University.

Elena Bennett, ebennett@saccds.org
Elena Bennett earned her BA from Cornell University and a Master’s degree from the Yale Divinity School. She teaches music to pre-kindergarten through fourth grade.

Felecia Keys, fkeys@saccds.org
Felecia teaches 5th-12th grade orchestra, chamber music, and choir.  She earned her BA from Patten University and her MA from California State University, Chico.

After-School Enrichment Teachers
Maurice Montgomery (brass)
Victoria Schaevitz (flute)
Felecia Keys (strings)
Virginia Electra and Joy Aragon (piano)
Jim Nakayama (percussion)
Bob Ratcliff (woodwind)
Richard Day (guitar)

Offerings
Classroom music is offered to pre-k through grade four and emphasizes the fundamentals of music and performance. Students meet daily. Performances include singing and playing simple instruments and are held throughout the year.

Band and Orchestra is offered to grade five through high school. Instruction is offered through electives in the Middle and High school and as part of the curriculum in fifth grade. Performances emphasize standard repertoire and are held throughout the year.

Chamber Ensembles and Jazz Band are offered to advanced students. Entrance is by audition and director approval. These groups emphasize performance and are a showcase for County Day.

Private Lessons are offered after school through the After-School Enrichment Program and are available to any student on all band and orchestra instruments, guitar, and piano.