Arts

Specials Team

Mr. Roberge, Coach Negron, Ms. Carlson, Ms. Knudsen, Mrs. Hicks, Coach Cruz, Mrs. Turley,

Individual Arts

Piano

The Classical Center at Vial is unique in its offering of piano instruction to our students in the Classical Magnet program.

The Classical Magnet students receive an intensive piano instruction course by our piano teacher Mr. R. Third through fifth grade students in the piano program have classes twice a week for 30 minutes each, for a total of one hour.

In addition, Mr. R has introduced the online instructional support component. It is available through Edmodo.com. If your student doesn't have access yet, contact Mr. R If you have any additional questions.

We would like to invite you to enjoy music from one of our Piano students.

Drama

The K-2 Classical Center at Vial students receive 45 minutes of theatrical training each week. Students learn about set design, character development, voice, performance, costuming and puppetry. Grades 3-5 may choose between Drama and Piano.

In addition, students in grades 3-5 may audition to be cast in our winter show or spring musical. Practices are held outside of school hours. These student performances are held at a local theater in Garland.

Music

General Music is taught to all students Kindergarten through fifth grade. Kindergarten through second grade students have a new addition to this year's curriculum that includes preparation for piano study, along with existing curriculum in vocal exploration, movement, and beginning instrument with bar instruments and unpitched percussion. As students grow older, they will have more opportunities for further applied instrumental and voice instruction. 3^rd and 4^th Graders learn the recorder and 4^th and 5^th Graders will learn the ukulele. They will also learn more challenging bar instrument music.

3^rd -5^th Grade students are also welcome to audition for the Vial honor choir at the beginning of each year. Voce Vikings, affectionally nick-named V², will perform in at least 2 concerts each year.

Art

Meet our Fine Arts department

The Classical Center at Vial has a phenomenal Fine Arts Department.

Heather Turley is the Drama teacher at Classical Center at Vial Drama teacher this year. Mrs. Turley believes that if something has changed your life, then you should definitely share it with others. That’s why she decided to become a teacher: to share a love of performing arts with future generations. The best part about teaching theatre at Vial is that every single student get hands-on experience with acting and stagecraft. We work as a team and we all encourage one another as we share this love of performing. Mrs. Turley hopes that every child leaves her class feeling cherished, confident, and capable.

Robert Roberge is the Piano Lab instructor here at Vial. Having group piano in an elementary school, let alone a public school setting is absolutely incredible!!! Classical Magnet students receive piano once every 8 days for 45 minutes. There are also pianos available for every student to check out free of charge! Mr. Roberge believes that all students can learn, and that music education is something that should bring joy, and also discipline to the playing field. Hard work at the piano should also bring some of the most rewarding experiences of your childhood, and also your life long career!

Stephanie Carlson is the Art Teacher at Vial. This is her Third year at Classical Center at Vial Elementary.

This is Ms. Knudsen’s 23rd year teaching music in GISD and her 1^st year at Vial. She has Bachelor’s (Texas State at San Marcos) and Master’s (East Texas A&M University) Degrees in Music Education and is Orff Schulwerk Certified from SMU. Ms. Knudsen believes that everyone (of all ages) can grow as musicians. You don’t have to want to be a professional musician to enjoy and excel at music. Every student is welcome in Music class and every student has a voice.

Ms. Knudsen is an assistant director for Garland Children’s Chorus, GISD’s 4^th and 5^th Grade District Honor Choir. (She really loves teaching choir.) When she’s not teaching, she loves to hang out with her adorable maltipoo, Diana Prince, cook or bake something yummy, and spend time with family and friends.

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