Browse Curriculum

Art

Arts courses at Millbrook School offer breadth and depth. Our courses include topics in instrumental and vocal music, dance, theater, ceramics and sculpture, digital and darkroom photography, drawing and painting, and art history. The program is designed so that one student can pursue just one discipline for four years, taking a unique class each year at Millbrook to deepen their skills, and another student could jump around and graduate with a variety of skills like the ability to read music, throw on the wheel, and critique an oil painting.
Millbrook’s arts faculty are professional artists in their own right. Each faculty member maintains their own practice, which creates a virtuous cycle in our teaching. A concept that our music teacher might be working on one of his original compositions will spark an idea for a lesson with his students. Similarly, work with his students will inspire a new idea for his next music piece. The cycle continues, improving our work as both artists and educators.
Philosophically, the arts program emphasizes arts-specific skills. We do not teach the arts because they improve math performance or scores on standardized testing. Arts education may very well do those things, but we believe in the arts for the arts’ sake. More specifically, we believe that the arts are essential because they teach some lessons as well as or better than any other discipline. In particular, Millbrook’s arts program stresses two of those lessons: the concept of rightness of fit and the importance of storytelling. 
Years ago, teachers gave Scantron tests where single right answers were acceptable. In the 21st century, teachers know that context is essential for problem-solving, and that the right answer in one scenario will change to a different answer in another. In the arts, our problems involve picking the right blue for a painting — cerulean or ultramarine or picking the right blues chord for a bass solo. The principle of rightness of fit guides each student artist among myriad decisions and opportunities.
Finally, the importance of storytelling is a pillar in our work. Occasionally Millbrook students will debate whether originality still exists. Have all human stories already been told? At Millbrook, we believe that the opposite is true. We believe that a student telling their unique stories through a piece of artwork is some of the most valuable teaching we do. Storytelling is at the heart of every part of our program.

  • 2D Design (Sem 1)

    In this introductory studio course, students will explore the basic elements of 2-D design through mixed media projects. Composition, color, texture, and shape will serve as starting points to create artwork and expand our visual vocabulary. Students will learn methods of conducting visual research and explore ways to utilize their findings to create concepts for their own art-making. In addition to creating their own art, students will discuss and reflect on other artists’ work, and be introduced to art movements and theories. The course will culminate in a final project and critique. Semester-long course offered in the fall. No pre-requisites.

  • 2D Design (Sem 2)

    In this introductory studio course, students will explore the basic elements of 2-D design through mixed media projects. Composition, color, texture, and shape will serve as starting points to create artwork and expand our visual vocabulary. Students will learn methods of conducting visual research and explore ways to utilize their findings to create concepts for their own art-making. In addition to creating their own art, students will discuss and reflect on other artists’ work, and be introduced to art movements and theories. The course will culminate in a final project and critique. Semester long course offered in the spring. No pre-requisites.

  • Darkroom Photography (Sem 1)

    This course introduces students to the magic of the photographic wet lab or darkroom. Students will build a deep understanding of cameras and processing by shooting and developing film, processing paper prints in the darkroom, and making their own pinhole cameras. We will devote significant time to learning how to use the manual settings on an SLR (film) camera. This course is appropriate for all students regardless of previous experience.
    Semester-long course – offered in the fall and spring semesters. No prerequisites.
     

  • Darkroom Photography (Sem 2)

    This course introduces students to the magic of the photographic wet lab or darkroom. Students will build a deep understanding of cameras and processing by shooting and developing film, processing paper prints in the darkroom, and making their own pinhole cameras. We will devote significant time to learning how to use the manual settings on an SLR (film) camera. This course is appropriate for all students regardless of previous experience.
    Semester-long course – offered in the fall and spring semesters. No prerequisites.

  • Digital Photography

    Students will master shooting with DSLR cameras, processing images using Photoshop, and making archival prints. The class will focus on non-destructive editing with an eye toward creating fine art. Students will also explore advanced features of their DSLR cameras and editing software, including basic video production and design. This course culminates in a gallery show.
    Yearlong course. Prerequisite: Darkroom Photography

  • Drawing (Sem 1)

    Drawing supports thinking, enables us to see the world more clearly, fosters the development of new ideas, and allows us to document the world visually. In this introductory level course students will use materials such as charcoal, conte crayons, ink, and collage to create drawings. We will learn about a range of compositional strategies that leverage tone, value, mark-making, contour, line, and form to communicate visually. Emphasis is placed on developing an active sketching practice to hone skills introduced during class time. The course will culminate with a final project and critique. Semester-long course offered in the fall. No prerequisites.
     

  • Drawing (Sem 2)

    Drawing supports thinking, enables us to see the world more clearly, fosters the development of new ideas, and allows us to document the world visually. In this introductory level course students will use materials such as charcoal, conte crayons, ink, and collage to create drawings. We will learn about a range of compositional strategies that leverage tone, value, mark-making, contour, line, and form to communicate visually. Emphasis is placed on developing an active sketching practice to hone skills introduced during class time. The course will culminate with a final project and critique. Semester-long course offered in the spring. No prerequisites.

     

  • Experimental Photography

    This course asks students to think expansively about their definitions of photography. We will experiment in Photoshop, work with antique processes like cyanotype, and explore mixed-media projects using collage and embroidery. This course culminates in a gallery show.
    Yearlong course. Prerequisite: Darkroom Photography 

  • Honors Ceramics

    The goal of this course is for students to use their advanced skills in ceramics to explore new ideas and create a cohesive, meaningful body of work based on their personal interests. Students will keep a journal and they will write periodically about what they are doing. This writing will culminate in an artist statement that will accompany their work in the year-end exhibition in the Warner Gallery. There will be some focus during the first semester of the course on specific techniques including an in-depth look at surface design. In the second half of the course, students will learn techniques as needed for their individual projects. Students will continue to practice regular formal and informal critiques of their work. Most importantly, students in this course will work together to create a vibrant studio environment.
    Yearlong course. Prerequisites: Introduction to Ceramics; two yearlong studio art courses, at least one in ceramics; and a portfolio review.

  • Honors Drawing & Painting

    Students will work to develop their art practices through their mediums of choice by creating a significant body of work. Each student will be given a studio where they will be expected to experiment, reflect, create, and develop their artistic voice and technical abilities. They will be asked to expand their theoretical art and cultural knowledge, propel their ideas forward through visual research, learn to engage in dialog with their peers, and work to develop their artistic voices. Students will be expected to further their studio work outside of class time. Individual meetings, peer meetings, group critiques, artist lectures, research presentations, and slideshows will supplement our time working together in the studios. Yearlong course. Prerequisite: Drawing or 2D, two yearlong studio art courses, at least one of either Painting or Mixed Media, and a portfolio review. Open to VIth form students only.
     
     

  • Honors Music

    Honors Music is a project-based course designed as an opportunity for advanced music students to explore their musical interests. Students will compose original pieces that explore song form, harmony, melody, rhythm, and improvisation.
    Year-long, honors-level course. Open by recommendation of music faculty to Vth and VIth form students. Alternates by year with Honors Music Theory. (Not offered 2023-2024 academic year).

  • Honors Music Theory

    At its core, music theory endeavors to simplify musical information, dramatically reducing the time needed to perform a piece of music at a high level. Students learn to read standard notation for rhythm and pitch, recognize rhythms, melodies, chords, and musical forms by ear, and hone their sight-reading using solfege.
    Year-long, honors-level course. Open by recommendation of music faculty to Vth form and VIth form students. Alternates by year with Honors Studio: Concentration in Music.

  • Honors Photo

    This course deals with questions like: “How do I find a good idea for a project? How do I get unstuck when an idea doesn’t come or isn’t working? How do I deal with doubts and insecurities about my art?” After a semester of making art in response to prompted assignments and projects, students will begin independent work toward a final show. While working on their own projects, students will encounter the work and processes of contemporary artists (artists living and working today) who make art outside of school guidance and guidelines.
    Yearlong course. Prerequisite: Darkroom Photography; two yearlong studio art courses, at least one in photography; and a portfolio review.

  • Honors Theater Arts

    This year-long course will offer students an opportunity to nurture their creative abilities while building a solid foundation for performance. We will begin by developing a common vocabulary for our work while also embarking on a thorough exploration of physical and vocal range. Reading examples of great plays and exploring a variety of styles, both historically and experientially will be integrated into the curriculum. Performance opportunities will be varied and often, ranging from monologue to scene work, original devised pieces to acting one-act plays. Course goals will also include keys to creating compelling characters, improvisation, enhancing presence on stage, basic staging and blocking, script analysis, and creating solid audition materials.
    Analysis of a range of styles and performance modes are a weekly requirement.
    Year-long course. No prerequisites.

  • Improvisation I (Sem 1)

    From Viola Spolin to Second City, we will cover it all this semester. Improvisation is a key element of the actor’s craft. Public speaking skills and general confidence in communication are enhanced through the exploration of this fun art form. The class will develop a stronger understanding of the nature of collaboration and the value of ensemble work. We will learn the rules of improv, sharpen our creative instincts, and have a blast. Performance opportunities will be encouraged throughout the semester.
    Offered in the fall semester. No prerequisites.

  • Improvisation II (Sem 2)

    Taken sequentially following Improvisation I or independently, this course uses improvisation to explore social issues, personal concerns, and ideas around discovering solutions. Can theater be a tool for social change? We will look closely at theater forms such as Theatre of the Oppressed, community-based theater collectives, Guerilla Theater, socio-drama, and street theater. We will use theater games to build group dynamics and problem-solving skills, and we will study the methods of Brazilian theater artist, Augusto Boal. The class will culminate with students devising an original piece for performance based on an issue of concern. There will also be a ton of fun improv games along the way.
    Semester-long course. Offered in the spring semester only. No prerequisites.

  • Introduction to Ceramics (Sem 1)

    This course will focus on the basic skills of working with clay including hand building and wheel throwing. Students will learn techniques such as pinch pots, coil construction and slab building. The primary emphasis of this course is to introduce students to the studio and the use of ceramic materials. Each student will keep a journal to develop ideas and to facilitate his or her participation in class critiques.
    Semester-long course – offered in the fall and spring semesters. No prerequisites.

  • Introduction to Ceramics (Sem 2)

    This course will focus on the basic skills of working with clay including hand building and wheel throwing. Students will learn techniques such as pinch pots, coil construction and slab building. The primary emphasis of this course is to introduce students to the studio and the use of ceramic materials. Each student will keep a journal to develop ideas and to facilitate his or her participation in class critiques. 
    Semester-long course – offered in the fall and spring semesters. No prerequisites.

  • Introduction to Guitar (Sem 2)

    Students learn guitar-playing techniques, how to tune a guitar, and how to read simple chord charts and guitar tablature. The course covers strumming, fingerpicking, and basic chord progressions. By the end of the class, students will be able to perform several songs and will have developed a vocabulary of chords and techniques to apply to their musical interests. 
    Semester-long course. No prerequisites. Alternates yearly with Introduction to Percussion. (Not offered 2023-2024 academic year).

  • Introduction to Percussion (Sem 2)

    Hip-hop, funk, and rhythms from Cuba and Brazil fuel the hands-on rhythmic explorations we engage with in this class. You don’t need any musical experience to take this course but you will be asked to learn through playing, so be prepared to roll up your sleeves and make some noise.
    Semester-long course. No prerequisites. Alternates yearly with Introduction to Guitar.

  • Millbrook Singers

    Millbrook Singers, the premier vocal ensemble at Millbrook School, performs a wide variety of repertoire while refining students’ sight-reading, music theory, and aural music skills at an advanced level. Singers perform on and off-campus, including at nearby schools and select venues in New York City. Students selected for Millbrook Singers are required to be a part of the Millbrook Voices ensemble and are strongly encouraged to take private voice lessons.
    Year-long, half-credit course; one meeting per week plus performances and participation in fall and spring Voices ensemble. Open by audition.

  • Mixed Media

    In this intermediate studio course, we will expand our material knowledge through pastels, multi color printmaking, dyeing, watercolors, and other types of painting. Students will be regularly introduced to new materials and techniques through demonstrations. They will be asked to play, problem-solve, and experiment until they are able to use those techniques to create artwork. This course will build on the foundation set in our intro-level courses to give students access to a large toolkit of artistic methods and give students time to create a large body of work. Critiques, reflections, and occasional lectures will supplement time working in the studio.  Yearlong course. Prerequisite: Drawing or 2D Design

  • Music Production (Sem 1)

    Through a series of projects, students develop composition, arranging, production, and recording skills. Students develop a portfolio of digital compositions, working toward a culminating project. Past projects include scoring a silent film, developing music for a fashion show, and creating music for Millbrook School’s communications office. 
    Semester-long course, offered in the spring. No prerequisites. Requirements: Mac laptop with GarageBand or Logic software installed.

  • Painting

    This course offers a comprehensive introduction to oil painting. Through technical exercises and by working from observation, students will hone their ability to depict what they see. Representational painting will be the primary focus of the class, but we will also explore abstract and expressive painting techniques. We will learn about light and color, depict spatial illusion, and describe form while exploring the ways these tools can be employed to affect a viewer. Yearlong course. Prerequisite: Drawing or 2D Design

  • Playwriting

    This year-long creative writing course is designed for students who are interested in exploring themes and styles of dramatic writing while also improving writing skills, encouraging imaginative thinking, and working on the process of writing a one-act play. Areas of focus include character development, dramatic structure, dialogue, and effective exposition. In addition, students will engage in writing exercises and will read examples of great drama, from classic to contemporary, drawing on a wide range of aesthetics. Students will present portions of their developing work to the class, receive feedback, edit, and submit a final draft for production in the spring term. Students from Advanced Scene Study will collaborate in the process of bringing the playwright’s work to life. The final performance will include all elements of production including lights, sound, costumes, and, of course, an invited audience. 
    Year-long course. No prerequisites. Can also be taken as an English elective, in addition to the required form-appropriate English course (see English Department offerings).

  • Popular Music (Sem 1)

    Semester 1
    This class is for all music enthusiasts. Students’ musical interests will be used as a springboard to explore popular musical trends from 1950s to the present. Listening to music, watching concert footage, and group discussions will be regular classroom activities. Students will research the primary musical artists of each decade and share their findings with the class, revealing the stories behind the music while uncovering the connecting threads between the music of yesterday and today. Successful students will be able to define the basic elements of music and describe how they work together, identify significant stylistic trends and artists in popular music from the last sixty years, and understand how to critique musical performances using the vocabulary of music.
    Semester-long course, offered in both the fall and spring semesters. No prerequisites.

  • Popular Music (Sem 2)

    Semester 2
    This class is for all music enthusiasts. Students’ musical interests will be used as a springboard to explore popular musical trends from 1950s to the present. Listening to music, watching concert footage, and group discussions will be regular classroom activities. Students will research the primary musical artists of each decade and share their findings with the class, revealing the stories behind the music while uncovering the connecting threads between the music of yesterday and today. Successful students will be able to define the basic elements of music and describe how they work together, identify significant stylistic trends and artists in popular music from the last sixty years, and understand how to critique musical performances using the vocabulary of music.
    Semester-long course, offered in both the fall and spring semesters. No prerequisites.

  • Public Speaking (Sem 1)

    In this course, students will explore a variety of styles and modes of communicating with multiple opportunities for verbal presentation. Students will explore the art of public speaking through writing, critical analysis, and oral presentation. Students will explore ways to overcome shyness, fear, or insecurities in public speaking through technical and practical means. The emphasis will be on developing comfort with vocal range, physical stance, and logical and articulate presentation of work. Students will focus on presenting their work with confidence and ownership while also practicing the art of active listening. 
    Semester-long course. No prerequisites.

  • Public Speaking (Sem 2)

    In this course, students will explore a variety of styles and modes of communicating with multiple opportunities for verbal presentation. Students will explore the art of public speaking through writing, critical analysis, and oral presentation. Students will explore ways to overcome shyness, fear, or insecurities in public speaking through technical and practical means. The emphasis will be on developing comfort with vocal range, physical stance, and logical and articulate presentation of work. Students will focus on presenting their work with confidence and ownership while also practicing the art of active listening. 
    Semester-long course. No prerequisites.

  • Songwriting (Sem 1)

    In this class, students learn the techniques and skills to express themselves through music and lyrics. Exercises that explore lyric writing, song structure, melody, harmony, and arranging prepare students for the process of creating songs of their own invention.
    Semester-long course, offered in the fall. No prerequisites.

  • Studio Pottery

    This course will focus on making ceramic objects for everyday use. Students will practice their skills on the potter’s wheel as a means to this end, and will employ hand building techniques to create pottery that is functional. Accompanying their work will be a study of historical and contemporary handmade and industry-produced functional ceramics. Students will practice and learn to critique their own and their classmates' work as an essential part of the artistic process, and they will also exhibit their work in the Warner Gallery at the close of the year. In addition, the class will have opportunities to sell their wares to support a cause of their choosing.
    Yearlong course. Prerequisite: Introduction to Ceramics.

Faculty

  • Photo of Joe Raciti
    Joe Raciti
    Art Department Chair, Vocal Music Director
    845-677-8261 Ext. 132
    The Boston Conservatory - M.M.
    Swarthmore College - B.A.
  • Photo of Brian Coughlin
    Brian Coughlin
    Director of Instrumental Music, CES Program Coordinator
    845-677-8261 Ext.132
    University of Oregon - M.M.
    Hartt School - M.M.
    Williams College - B.A.
  • Photo of Tyler Gundrum
    Tyler Gundrum
    Ceramics Instructor
    845-677-8261
    Skidmore College - B.A.
  • Photo of Elaine Lifter
    Elaine Lifter
    Teacher
    845-677-8261 Ext. 132
    New York University - M.A.
    Troy
  • Photo of Sarah MacWright
    Sarah MacWright
    Photography Instructor, Design and Décor
    845-677-8261 x208
    New York University - M.A.
    Williams College - B.A.
  • Photo of Kiernan Pazdar
    Kiernan Pazdar
    Art Instructor
    845-677-8261
    Rhode Island School of Design - M.F.A.
    Rhode Island School of Design - B.F.A.
  • Photo of Zoe Thomas
    Zoe Thomas
    Dance Instructor
    845-677-8261
    Goucher College - B.A.
  • Photo of Jeffrey Zelevansky
    Jeff Zelevansky
    Photography Instructor
    845-677-8261
    Boston University - B.S.
131 Millbrook School Road, Millbrook, NY 12545
T. (845) 677.8261  |   F. (845) 677.8598