The Ethel Walker School
In Walker’s Middle School Visual and Performing Arts program, students are guided through a variety of disciplines, including visual arts, music, dance, and theater.
Students learn how to organize their thoughts and ideas into cohesive visual expressions in studio art, ceramics, and photography and they explore various dance, music, and theater techniques along with building their artistic voices through composition. The Middle School arts experience prepare students for Upper School programs and beyond. Arts classes also help students develop a variety of skills such as communicating ideas, brainstorming solutions, and the ability to effectively work in groups and individually.
The Middle School Dance program concentrates on the development of technical skills, and the appreciation of the art form.
This ceramics class will provide an introduction of sculpture techniques, the science of glazing, and wheel skills, and students will be encouraged to experiment at all times. In addition to developing technique, students will design their own multi-part construction based on exploration of pottery around the world. Each student will be expected to produce work that portrays her creative powers and technical abilities.
This course is designed to give students an overview of theatre technique, storytelling, playwriting, improvisation, and design. Students will study several theatre techniques and styles to build a foundation in the performing arts. The study of theatre through class activities and play projects will be a focal point of the course.
In this course students will dive into the exciting world of media arts by exploring photography, digital drawing and painting, and graphic design on Canva. They will create engaging photo manipulation projects while learning essential principles of art and design. Students will also be introduced to digital illustration in Procreate using iPads.
Students will review and apply the elements of art and principles of design as they relate to both two dimensional and three dimensional works while developing individual work habits and creative problem solving. Students are asked to create, write, assess and reflect on their work, the work of their peers and works from history.
This ensemble is for Middle School students who are interested in preparing and performing orchestral music. The Middle School Orchestra performs at Middle School concerts. This experience will prepare the musician for the Upper School Orchestra. All musicians at any level are welcome.
MS Music includes singing and choral activities, rhythm training, music theory, musical theater/theater exercises, sight singing, and audition preparation. There is an emphasis on listening and skill development, as well as music appreciation.
The full Middle School music meeting is called Choristers. All Middle School students participate in this choral group, which performs in the Holiday and Spring Concerts, as well as all-School Chapels.
Private lessons are offered for many instruments and numerous recitals and assemblies are offered throughout the school year. Public performance at these events is encouraged. Private lessons are billed through the Business Office. Further details on arranging private lessons and fees can be found in the Parent Portal.
I feel like Walker's theater program has influenced me as an individual in the way that I feel more comfortable being myself. I find that's one of the beauties of being an artist/performer, finding yourself in the art you create and portray and sharing it with others.
—Fiona V. ’27
Walker’s Theater Program produces shows annually that fill Ferguson Theatre. During the winter play and spring musical, Middle School cast members join Upper School students to rehearse a theatrical production that is presented to the community. Past productions have included The Addams Family, Clue, Elsewhere, Mamma Mia, Peter and the Starcatcher, And Then There Were None, Once in a Lifetime and more!