Middle School: Grades 6-8

Cooking with the Silo
The Silo, New Milford
Transportation provided from Shepaug School at 2:30pm
Thursdays, 3:00-5:00pm
February 23, March 1, 8, 15, 22
5 Sessions: $55 for Residents; $75 for Nonresidents
This course is full. 

Expand your knowledge of cooking and hone your culinary skills in The Silo Cooking School’s fully equipped professional Viking kitchen. The Silo’s staff will work with you as you fully participate in discovering new and exciting menu ideas, use a wide array of kitchen tools and techniques, and experiment with recipes and flavors; all of which will inspire you to create wonderful entrees, desserts, and beyond!

Dance

The Inter-district Dance Project with Pilobolus
Waterbury Arts Magnet School, Waterbury
Transportation provided from Shepaug School in Washington and Woodbury Middle School (Bus departs Shepaug at 2:30pm and returns at 6:15pm, departs Woodbury at 2:50pm and returns at 6:00pm).
Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 3:30-5:30pm
January 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, February 1, 2, 3, 8
Dress Rehearsal: February 9
Performances: February 10 & 11
19 Sessions: $209
$152 for Region 12 students, made possible by funding from Region 12 schools

Team up with Pilobolus and other students from across Connecticut for an exhilarating, collaborative dance workshop. In this one-of-a-kind class, you will explore, invent, interact, and become involved in a different kind of dance while meeting new friends at Waterbury Arts Magnet School’s state-of-the-art dance studio. You’ll see the limitless possibilities within the medium of movement as you become more comfortable with being physically creative, collaborative, and expressive. At the end of the workshop, you will have the unique opportunity to perform alongside the world-famous, Emmy-Nominated Pilobolus in public performances on February 10th and 11th! This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that simply can’t be missed.

Literary Arts

Graphic Novels and Comic Books with Lisa Worth Huber
Shepaug Middle School Art Room, Washington
Wednesdays and Fridays, 2:30-5:00pm
February 22, 29, March 2, 7, 14, 16, 21, 28
8 Sessions: $88 for Residents; $120 for Nonresidents

Time to turn the world upside down!  In this workshop, you will immerse yourself in the process of creating graphic stories and comic strips. Together we will explore visual storytelling techniques and examine some classic characters, highlighting the qualities that make these characters compelling and unique. We will experiment with different storytelling methods, discovering creative ways to combine pictures and words into original tales. If you have characters or comic and graphic stories you have created in other classes, you are encouraged to bring these to the first class.

Martial Arts

The Art of Fencing with Marc Ganych
Booth Free School, Roxbury
Fridays, 4:45-5:45pm (Grades 6 & 7)
Fridays, 6:00-7:00pm (Grade 8 )
October 14, 21 28, November 4, 18, December 2, 9, 16
8 Sessions: $88 for Residents; $120 for Nonresidents

Students will learn the basics of Olympic Sport Fencing. They will be taught to wield three distinctive fencing swords: Foil, Epee and the Saber. After completing these classes students will have a good understanding of each Fencing sword and will be able to conduct basic fencing with each distinctive sword.

Music

The Inter-district Community Folk Ensemble with Friso Hermans
Shepaug School Band Room, Washington
Tuesdays, 6:00-8:00pm
September 20, 27, October 4, 11, 18, 25, November 1, 8, 15, 29, December 6, 13
12 Sessions: $132
$96 for Region 12 students, made possible by funding from Region 12 schools

In Community Folk Ensemble, students and adults will have the opportunity to play music together in a variety of acoustic styles, including traditional, contradance, English country dance, and music from the American Folk revival of the 1960′s and 1970′s.  Musicians of all ages, playing any acoustic instrument, are encouraged to join us for this exploration of Folk music in its many forms.

Hand Drumming & Percussion with John Marshall
Shepaug School Band Room, Washington
Mondays, 6:30-7:30pm
November 21, 28, December 5, 12, 19
5 Sessions: $55 for Residents; $75 for Nonresidents
Grades 7 & 8 only

Award winning Master Percussionist John Marshall teaches you all about the variety of rhythms and chants from around the world, performed on hand drums like the West African djembe, North African dumbek and Afro-Cuban conga. Using these instruments, you will learn traditional drumming patterns, and also create original arrangements that feature both solo and ensemble parts. Rhythms from the Middle East, Central Asia, Brazil, India, and the Caribbean will also be presented. On the final day of the class, family and friends are invited to join us for a concert in which we will incorporate and present class material.

Hand Drumming & Percussion with John Marshall
Shepaug School Band Room, Washington
Mondays, 5:00-5:50pm
November 21, 28, December 5, 12, 19
5 Sessions: $55 for Residents; $75 for Nonresidents
Grade 6 only

Explore a variety of rhythms and chants from around the world with award-winning Master Percussionist John Marshall. Using an assortment of percussion instruments including the West African djembe, North African dumbek and Afro-Cuban conga, you will learn traditional drumming patterns and create original arrangements that feature both solo and ensemble parts. Rhythms from the Middle East, Central Asia, Brazil, India, and the Caribbean will also be presented. On the final day of the class, family and friends are invited to join us for a concert in which we will incorporate and present class material.

The Inter-district Percussion Project with John Marshall
Waterbury Arts Magnet School, Waterbury
Transportation provided from Shepaug School in Washington and Woodbury Middle School (Bus departs Shepaug at 2:30pm and returns at 6:15pm, departs Woodbury at 2:50pm and returns at 6:00pm).
Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 3:30-5:30pm
January 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, February 1, 2, 3, 8
Dress Rehearsal: February 9
Performances: February 10 & 11
19 Sessions: $209
$152 for Region 12 students, made possible by funding from Region 12 schools

Join students from around the state and perfect your drumming skills in the acoustically balanced music studio at the Waterbury Arts Magnet School. Award-winning Master Percussionist John Marshall will teach you all about the variety of rhythms and chants from around the world, performed on hand drums like the West African djembe, North African dumbek, and Afro-Cuban conga. Using these instruments, you will learn traditional drumming patterns and will create original arrangements featuring solo and ensemble parts. Rhythms from the Middle East, Central Asia, Brazil, India, and the Caribbean will also be presented.  At the end of the workshop, you will have the unique opportunity to perform alongside the world-famous, Emmy-Nominated Pilobolus in public performances on February 10th and 11th! This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that simply can’t be missed.

The Inter-district Strings Project with Friso Hermans, John Mobilio, and The Waterbury Symphony Orchestra
Waterbury Arts Magnet School, Waterbury
Transportation provided from Shepaug School in Washington and Woodbury Middle School (Bus departs Shepaug at 2:30pm and returns at 6:15pm, departs Woodbury at 2:50pm and returns at 6:00pm).
Wednesdays and Thursdays, 3:30-5:30pm
January 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26, February 1, 2, 8
In-school performance: February 9
12 Sessions: $132

Students who play the violin, viola, cello, or bass won’t want to miss this incredible opportunity to work and perform side-by-side with the teaching artists of the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra. Young musicians will learn from WSO professionals in small groups, focusing on fundamental techniques, ensemble skills, and musical interpretation. Participants will also learn a varied repertoire and perform in two concerts with the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra at Naugatuck Valley Community College for 1,600 school children.

Playing in the Band for Boys with Joe Bouchard
Shepaug School Band Room, Washington
Mondays, 2:30-4:15pm
February 13, 27, March 5, 12, 19, 26
Performance Face-Off: March 27
6 Sessions: $66 for Residents; $90 for Nonresidents

In this workshop, you will receive first-hand knowledge from a world-famous rock musician about what it takes to have a successful band. Teaching artist Joe Bouchard will show you what it really means to Rock & Roll—how to work together with your bandmates, how to book your first gig, and how to promote your band. The workshop will conclude with a performance/face-off with Playing in the Band for Girls.

Playing in the Band for Girls with Joe Bouchard
Shepaug School Band Room, Washington
Tuesdays, 2:30-4:15pm
February 14, 21, 28, March 6, 13, 20
Performance Face-Off: March 27
6 Sessions: $66 for Residents; $90 for Nonresidents

In this workshop, you will receive first-hand knowledge from a world-famous rock musician about what it takes to have a successful band. Teaching artist Joe Bouchard will show you what it really means to Rock & Roll—how to work together with your bandmates, how to book your first gig, and how to promote your band. The workshop will conclude with a performance/face-off with Playing in the Band for Boys.

The Inter-district Community Orchestra with Friso Hermans
Shepaug School Band Room, Washington
Wednesdays, 6:00-8:00pm
March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4, 18, 25, May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
12 Sessions: $132
$96 for Region 12 students, made possible by funding from Region 12 schools

Students and adults who play traditional string, wind, and brass instruments will have the opportunity to play the orchestral repertoire together.  This includes violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, and percussion.  Join us in making orchestral music a vital part of our community.

Theatre

A Middle School Play with Emily Hubelbank and Lesley Neilson-Bowman
Shepaug School Art Room and Theatre, Washington
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays at 6:00-8:00pm
Saturdays at 10:00am-1:00pm
April 16, 17, 21, 23, 24, 28, 30, May 1, 3, 4, 5, 7
Auditions: April 2, 2:30-4:15pm
In-School & Evening Performance: May 8
Field trip to see a professional play at Hartford Stage to be announced.
13 Sessions: $153 for Residents; $205 for Nonresidents (includes field trip)

Discover what it takes to produce a play: learning lines, acting, designing and constructing costumes, and building sets. We will explore different acting techniques and styles, and you will learn how to develop a character. Participants will form the cast, rehearse, block, create the set, and perform a play on the final day of the workshop. Make sure to invite your friends and family to the final production! The performance during the school day will be held for Shepaug Middle School students.

Visual Arts

Digital Photography with Donna Cloutier
Shepaug Middle School Computer Lab, Washington
Thursdays, 2:30-4:15pm
September 22, 29, October 6, 13, 20
5 Sessions: $55 for Residents; $75 for Nonresidents

This workshop explores the use of digital photography as a fine-art medium. It includes a trip to photograph new and different images. Back in the computer lab, you will learn how to download digital files, make simple corrections, perform digital manipulation, and produce a digital print. After printing your favorite photo, you will mount and mat it to complete your fine art print. We prefer you to supply your own digital camera. Participants of this workshop are invited to submit a piece of their work to the ASAP Inter-district Photography Project, which will culminate in a juried show by professional photographers.

Silk Screening for Posters with Jenna Robb
Shepaug Middle School Art Room, Washington
Tuesdays, 2:30-4:15pm
October 25, November 8, 15, 22
4 Sessions: $44 for Residents; $60 for Nonresidents

Silk screening is a fun and colorful way to produce lots of hand made art at once, as well as a great way to get ideas out into public.  In this class we will work in groups to design posters; we will then translate them into silk-screened works of art.

 

Character Design with Jesse Smolover
Shepaug Middle School Art Room, Washington
Wednesdays, 5:30-7:00pm
November 9, 16, 30, December 7
4 Sessions: $44 for Residents; $60 for Nonresidents

Many characters are designed each year for movies, comic books, and video games, but very few of them are truly memorable. So why do some characters stand out above the rest? If you like to create worlds, fantastic or benign, this class will teach you how to break past the clichés and make characters that are unique and engaging.

Art of Fly Tying with John Potter
Shepaug Middle School Art Room, Washington
Mondays, 6:00-8:00pm
January 9, 23, 30, Februry 6, 13, 27
6 Sessions: $66 for Residents; $90 for Nonresidents
Grades 7 & 8 only

Learn basic tying patterns to make beautiful streamers, nymphs, and salt water patterns while discovering the elements of a good fly and why they catch fish. In a hands-on environment you will use all the basic fly tying tools as well as a variety of hooks. You’ll walk away with knowledge of how to use a variety of fly tying materials and where they can be purchased. Both natural and synthetic materials will be explored.

Stop Motion with John Kane
Shepaug Middle School Art Room, Washington
Tuesday and Thursdays, 3:30-5:30pm
April 3, 5, 19
3 Sessions: $33 for Residents; $45 for Nonresidents

Join us as we travel down the twisted path of experimental animation, using tools available to everyone! You’ll try different types of stop-motion animation and create a collaborative movie to watch at the end of the workshop. Come with a thumb drive or a blank writable DVD, and some great visual ideas to fill them up. Additional laptops and DV movie cameras are welcome, but certainly not necessary. Movies are a true team effort, so we can all create a single-class movie. We will be using IStop Motion, which is a very inexpensive but versatile download from Boinx Software. There are limitless possibilities here, so if you’ve taken a previous class we will offer new areas for you to explore while working with the workshop as a whole.

The Robot Pentathlon with Michael Morrissey
Burnham School Gym, Bridgewater
Mondays, 4:45-6:30pm
May 14, 21, June 4, 11
4 Sessions: $44 for Residents; $60 for Nonresidents

Four days, four events. Each day we’ll build and program a vehicle to compete in the day’s competition. The events will include vehicle racing, feats of strength, jousting ability, a LEGO toss, and the final day’s obstacle course.

Sewing & Fashion Design
with Lesley Neilson-Bowman
Shepaug School Craft Room, Washington
Tuesday-Friday, 2:30-5:00pm
Shopping Trip – May 31, 2:30-6:30pm
June 5, 6, 7, 8
5 Sessions: $55 for Residents; $75 for Nonresidents
Grade 8 only

In this workshop, you will create your own wearable works of art. We will start with an afternoon of shopping at consignment boutiques and thrift stores to hunt for clothing and vintage pieces that will be the basis for your creations. Back in the studio you will deconstruct your finds, then reconstruct, transform, and embellish them into fabulous fashionable works of art. We’ll finish the workshop with unique pieces of clothing that you design yourself! Additional fabrics, trim, and embellishments will be provided, and a variety of sewing and surface pattern techniques will be discussed. We’ll take a dinner break during our shopping spree, so please be prepared to cover costs for dining as well as shopping.

Click the following link to register for workshops:

Middle School, High School, Adult