Fine Arts Academy
The Fine Arts Academy at Christ United Methodist Church was established in 1995 by the Administrative Board of Christ Church under the direction of Lahonda Sharp for the purpose of promoting the study of the arts through private and class instruction. The Academy is a ministry of Christ Church and operates with a Board of Directors which reports to the Administrative Council.
2008-09 FAA Registration
2008-09 FAA Calendar
2008-09 FAA Faculty
2008-09 FAA Tuition
2008-09 FAA Packet
Prospective students are encouraged to contact the faculty directly for more information on classes or to discuss scheduling of private lessons. Faculty contact information is available in the FAA Faculty .pdf.
Art Exploration
Elementary (4-7 y)
Children will enjoy creative projects through mixed media. Children are introduced to Art History, Artists and Art concepts such as line, color and space.. Children’s creativity and higher order thinking skills are developed through open-ended questions and project ideas. Children are encouraged to develop projects through their own imagination instead of mirroring existing works. Creativity, Fun and exploration are emphasized while learning about Art in a nurturing environment. Mondays 4:30-5:15
Art and Movement Exploration – Parent/child class
Toddlers (12-36 months)
Classes will provide the opportunity for children to explore concepts from Creative Movement, Motor Skills and Art Exploration! Toddlers explore Art through process based and sensory activities. The have the opportunity to create, explore and experience various developmentally appropriate media through Art center activities. Sensory, Fine Motor and Exploration opportunities are provided each week with new activities. Mondays 9:30-10:15
Creative Dance/Pre Ballet Ages 4-8
Creative Dance with an emphasis on concepts rather than technique. Class warm ups utilize Ann Green Gilbert’s “Brain dance” of breathing and stretching. Major focuses are based on gross motor, creativity, imagination, exploration, social skills, loco motor skills, introductory dance concepts (rhythm, space, levels, etc),body and spatial awareness. Dancers will also be introduced to the basics of ballet, will develop their own rhythm, memory skills, and their creative voice. Wednesdays 4:30-5:15
Creative Drama- Ages 6- 10
Children will participate in dramatic activities with experience as the goal and with the objective of creative experiences and learning through creative drama instead of performance preparation. Activities will include dramatic play, story enactment, imagination journeys, theater games and movement activities. Children will utilize Reader’s theater, familiar stories, fairy tales, movement and games to learn about the dramatic process and theater terminology in a creative, fun and supportive environment. Wednesdays 5:30-6:15
Intro to Keyboard Class - Piano for Beginner Age 4 and Up
Fifteen 50-min group lessons (3-4 students per class) designed to learn playing piano through singing and activities. A small class setting allows hands-on instruction offered by a private lesson but simulates the classroom environment that students are accustomed to. This class provides a great opportunity for students to experience piano lessons before making a long-term commitment. Saturdays
Special Projects in Art - 8-12yrs
Students have the opportunity to learn several specialized Art mediums. The basic techniques of Jewelry making, computer imaging, sculpture and screen printing will be explored. Students have the opportunity to learn specialized skills of four exciting Art forms. Mondays 5:30-6:15
Art Classes
Art Classes Provided by Creative Connections:
Creative Connections was founded in August of 2007 by Casey Casteel to provide educational and fun, developmentally appropriate fine arts opportunities for students in a supportive and nurturing environment that emphasizes creativity, imagination and independent thinking.
All of our faculty are highly educated in their teaching subjects. All have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a related field as well as teaching experience and training in appropriate teaching pedagogy and practices. All faculty participate in extensive continued education and training in their teaching subjects, child development and education. All of our curriculum is designed “in house” by our qualified faculty members and is customized to meet the needs of each class dynamic.
Casey Casteel
Casey has a B.S. in Interdisciplinary studies with course work in various Arts, Education, Child Development and Psychology. She is currently working on a Masters degree in Education. Casey has been a Preschool, Kindergarten, Art, Dance, Drama, Movement and Yoga teacher at private, public and charter schools in the Houston area. She has also worked for various arts organizations as a Creative Movement, Art and Drama teacher.
She also has specialized experience teaching students with special needs and taught in a therapeutic school for children with social and emotional difficulties. Before founding Creative Connections, Casey was the Director of a local Elementary school Fine Arts department where she created the school wide Fine Arts curriculum, directed productions and instructed courses in Dance, Drama and Art.
Art and Movement Exploration – Parent/child class Toddlers (12-36 months) with parent or caregiver
Classes will provide the opportunity for children to explore concepts from Creative Movement, Motor Skills and Art Exploration! Toddlers explore Art through process based and sensory activities. The have the opportunity to create, explore and experience various developmentally appropriate media through Art center activities. Sensory, Fine Motor and Exploration opportunities are provided each week with new activities.
Art Exploration-Ages 4-7
Children will enjoy creative projects through mixed media. Children are introduced to Art History, Artists and Art concepts such as line, color and space.. Children’s creativity and higher order thinking skills are developed through open-ended questions and project ideas. Children are encouraged to develop projects through their own imagination instead of mirroring existing works. Creativity, Fun and exploration are emphasized while learning about Art in a nurturing environment.
Special Projects in Art-Ages 8-12
Students have the opportunity to learn several specialized Art mediums. The basic techniques of Jewelry making, computer imaging, sculpture and screen printing will be explored. Students have the opportunity to learn specialized skills of four exciting Art forms.
Dance Classes
Children's Classes
Creative Dance/Pre Ballet - Ages 4-7
Creative Dance with an emphasis on concepts rather than technique. Class warm ups utilize Ann Green Gilbert’s “Brain dance” of breathing and stretching. Major focuses are based on gross motor, creativity, imagination, exploration, social skills, loco motor skills, introductory dance concepts (rhythm, space, levels, etc),body and spatial awareness. Dancers will also be introduced to the basics of ballet, will develop their own rhythm, memory skills, and their creative voice.
Creative Drama- Ages 6-10
Children will participate in dramatic activities with experience as the goal and with the objective of creative experiences and learning through creative drama instead of performance preparation. Activities will include dramatic play, story enactment, imagination journeys, theater games and movement activities. Children will utilize Reader’s theater, familiar stories, fairy tales, movement and games to learn about the dramatic process and theater terminology in a creative, fun and supportive environment.
Casey Casteel, Instructor
Casey has a BS in Interdisciplinary studies with course work in various Arts, Education, Child Development and Psychology. She is currently working on a Masters degree in Education. Casey has been a Preschool, Kindergarten, Art, Dance, Drama, Movement and Yoga teacher at Private, Public and Charter schools in the Houston area. She has also worked for various Arts organizations as a Creative Movement, Art and Drama teacher. She also has specialized experience teaching students with special needs and taught in a therapeutic school for children with social and emotional difficulties. Before founding Creative Connections; Casey was the Director of a local Elementary school Fine Arts department where she created the school wide Fine Arts curriculum, directed productions and instructed courses in Dance, Drama and Art.
Guitar/Bass
The Academy offers both private lessons and classroom instruction in guitar and bass. Adults and children are welcome.
Craig Kinsey, Instructor
Craig Kinsey has played guitar for over twenty years and implements numerous musical styles. He is the guitarist and lead singer of the successful Houston band Sideshow Tramps and has a solo project both of which have won many awards and accolades from the Houston Chronicle, Houston Press, and Free Press. The Sideshow Tramps have toured in the south and played many towns and venues giving Kinsey an understanding of the art and craft of guitar both in itself and in relation to an audience. With patience and humor he guides his students, young and old, into a relationship with the instrument that is enriching for both the student and listeners.
The lessons come out of an old tradition of one on one learning. The student will learn songs immediately and grow as a musician both in music theory (as much as the students wills) and the craft of play. The student will learn songs they choose in class to learn as well as songs and new styles they may have never heard of. The class is designed to be an adventure in music and performance that will lead to confidence, greater social skills, and self awareness.
Mike Whitebread, Instructor
Private Piano Lessons
Hangfong Au, Instructor
Hangfong holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance from the University of Houston, Moores School of Music and is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda--the National Music Honor Society of the United States. She received a Licientiate from the Royal Schools of Music and a Fellowship from Trinity College of Music in London. She has coached with renowned pianist Horacio Gutiérrez, and performed in master classes for Abbey Simon, Nelita True, and Sarah Laimon.
Hangfong has established herself as a soloist and collaborative artist. She has performed at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Stafford Performance Center, Trinity University, Rice University, and at the Masquerade Theater in a production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Sunday in the Park with Goerge.” She has also performed in a production of Johannes Brahms’ “Liebeslieder Walzer” broadcast by Hong Kong Public Radio and Television.
Hangfong has accompanied numerous recitals, competitions, auditions, juries and lessons for both singers and instrumentalists, and has served as a staff accompanist at Brazosport College. She is currently a staff accompanist at the University of Houston and Lee College.
A devoted pedagogue, Hangfong has held teaching posts at Mikrokosmo Music Conservatory in Hong Kong and Brazosport College in Lake Jackson. She currently teaches at the Fine Arts Academy of Christ United Methodist Church where she is the Associate Accompanist and maintains a private studio.
PrepTime Piano-Preparatory Class Piano for Beginner Age 4 and Up
Fifteen 50-min group lessons (3-4 students per class) designed to learn playing piano through singing and activities. A small class setting allows hands-on instruction offered by a private lesson but stimulates the classroom environment that students are accustomed to. This class provides a great opportunity for students to experience piano lessons before making a long-term commitment.
Lajuan Ellis-Thayer, Instructor
After much begging from her mother, Mrs. Johnson took Lajuan into her piano studio on a trial basis when Lajuan was just a first grader. (Mrs. Johnson didn't normally accept students until they were in the second grade, but Lajuan's mother had already taught her the basics and was desperate for someone else to take over!) Each week Lajuan's parents drove 20 minutes to a neighboring town so that she could do something she loved.
Her mother always oversaw her practice and gave her the dreaded "Eh eh!" from the kitchen if she made a mistake. Mom always said the secret to a good pianist was a mean mother! Lajuan continued to take piano from first grade until eighth grade. At that time, several people began asking to take piano from her so she began to teach at the age of 14. Her first student was a 50 year old woman in her home town.
Lajuan resumed her piano studies in college receiving a Bachelor of Music with a minor in Theater from Sam Houston State University. Although her emphasis was voice, she also studied piano and piano pedagogy. With 27 years of piano teaching experience, she is a strong believer in the importance of studying music theory as you learn to play.
She is also a firm believer in practice and requires students to practice AT LEAST five days a week. Her rule of thumb is to practice only on the days you eat, but she knows life happens, and that it's not always possible
Lahonda Sharp, Instructor
Violin
Liga Vildere, Instructor
Liga Vildere was born in Latvia, a small country in the North of Europe by the cost of the Baltic Sea, and began violin studies (and other music studies) at the age of five. She completed her certification as a violin teacher and performer in Riga, Latvia. In 1997, she acquired her B.S. in Special Education and Speech Therapy in Liepaya, Latvia. Liga has approximately 13 years of experience in violin instruction and teaches all skill levels.
Voice
Cornelia Post, Instuctor
Cornelia Jones-Post, a native Texan born in Houston Texas has brought outstanding dramatic interpretation to the roles of Amneris, Azucena, Ulrica, and Adalgisa in Europe, New York and regional opera. She has sung at the noted Salzburg Festival and Bregenz Fesital in Austria. In concert, she has toured Europe singing the works of American composers and spirituals. Ms. Post is also a composer and has written music for film and stage as well. She is the composer of four dramatic musicals titled "Antebellum". The Operas, "Nouvelle Monde", "Jareau", "The Old Magnolis" and "Morningsong" were presented at the Trinity Center at Citicorp Center in New York. She is also the composer of the musical comedy, "Something's Stanking In Here!". She has composed incidental music for the Off Broadway productions of "Henrietta" at the Negro Ensemble Theatre, "He, She, That One" at the Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre, "Split Second", "Mulatto", "Blues For Mr. Charlie", "Swap", and "The Flies" at the Amistad World Theatre. In the regional theaters, Ms. Post has composed for such productions as "Blood Knot" at the Cross-Roads Theatre, in New Jersey and "Leman in the Sky" at the Studio Theatre in Washington, D.C. She is the composer of choral and chamber works as well, including the Christmas chamber ballet, "The Little Match Girl".