EA Student Musicians Perform at Band & String Fest, Region Band, and Music in the Parks
EA Student Musicians Perform at Band & String Fest, Region Band, and Music in the Parks

EA student musicians have had several opportunities to share their talents at regional events over the last few months.

The Upper School Orchestra and Chamber Ensemble both received Excellent ratings and the Chamber Ensemble was chosen as the Best Overall string group at the Music in the Parks festival on Saturday, April 20 at Hershey Park. "We had an excellent showing at Music in the Parks this weekend," remarked Orchestra Director James Finegan. "I am so proud of our ensembles!"

Nine EA 5th and 6th graders participated in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) Chester County Band Fest in early February. The students enjoyed practicing and performing with other young musicians from 23 area elementary and middle schools. Fifth graders included Xunnan Dang, Neo Wang, Hope Varga, and Ishaan Wani. Sixth graders Victor Tsai, Leo Wang, Zach Chen, and Aubrey Whitman also performed. The festival was held at West Chester East High School.

"Since November, our students have been preparing six concert selections for the festival," explained Lower School Music Teacher Deb Newnham, Hon. "Our students enjoyed the opportunity to perform with 100 other young musicians from area schools." 

Sixth graders Elizabella Lee, Caroline Quinn, Alina Wang, and Milo Zidek were selected for 5/6 String Fest and performed at Garnet Valley Middle School.

On Tuesday, April 16, eighth graders Anna Bradford, Parvathi Balakrishnan, Max Leung, and Kassi Patrick participated in the District 12 7/8 String Fest. They spent the day rehearsing in preparation for an evening concert. Mr. Finegan co-hosted the event at Marple Newtown High School.

Michelle Jiang '24 (violin) and Brian Lee '26 (cello) participated in the PMEA District 12 Orchestra Festival. "It was another great opportunity for our talented students to perform with their peers under an amazing conductor," said Mr. Finegan. Ethan Zhou '25 (saxophone) and Hailey Deng '25 (clarinet) participated in the District 12 Band Festival at Avon Grove High School. 

Hailey also represented EA at the 2024 PMEA Region VI Honors Band Festival at Downingtown West High School. "This ensemble was comprised of 124 of the top band student-musicians from Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, Delaware, and Philadelphia Counties," said Band Director Ryan Dankanich, Hon. "Each earned a seat in the ensemble through auditioning for the District Band and subsequent re-audition to the region level."

Mr. Dankanich served as co-host of the festival. "Under the baton of Dr. Gary P. Gilroy (Fresno State University), Hailey and the ensemble rehearsed for two days and performed seven pieces of highly advanced band repertoire in a concert on Saturday, February 24." 

The Jazz Band shared their talents on Saturday, April 20 at the opening of the new Nemours Children's Health facility in Malvern.

Christian Cloud: Technology
Christian Cloud: Technology
klabrake
Technology will not only bring the world into the student's classroom, but allow the student a deeper understanding of what it means to be human.

Hometown: Collingswood, NJ

Degree(s): BA Elementary Education (FIU), MS.Ed Reading, Writing, Literacy/School Leadership (UPenn)

Contact: ccloud@episcopalacademy.org, Twitter: @CloudLiteracy


Why is it important to teach technology to young children? How does it impact a child's development?

Through the use of technological tools, students begin to understand how they will interact with the world around them, designing the technological breakthroughs of tomorrow, and generating new and original content from their own perspective. Technology will not only bring the world into the student's classroom, but allow the student a deeper understanding of what it means to be human.

How has campus technology influenced or impacted the way you teach and how students learn?

Our campus technology is one of the most robust programs I have ever experienced as an educator. Our IDEA Lab is the perfect space for our students, teachers, and even our parents to experience not only our high-tech devices like IPad, MacBooks, Chromebooks and 3D printing, but also see the magic of low-tech maker projects. With almost every technological avenue available to our students, we have the freedom to allow the students to drive their own learning in any direction they which to go.

In what ways do you see students developing and advancing in your class through the school year?

Students arrive with various levels of proficiency in technology. Some students are experts at navigating digital technologies, while others excel in engineering. My overall goal is for my students to understand the concepts behind our work in the lab and have the skills required to generate content through the various forms of technology. Whether this is producing a multimedia presentation, coding a new app, or collaborating internationally. I want my students to be able to have the skill to use the right tool effectively and use their own creativity in expressing their passion.

What is the EA community like?

I love the sense of community at EA. From the first time I met Head of Lower School Dr. Malone and Assistant Head of Lower School Ms. Kimmet, I knew that it was a great place. That feeling has only been strengthened over time with all the wonderful people I work with.

The EA community is a supportive, student centered, environment. Like my motto outside my door "What good shall I do this day?" (Ben Franklin) I feel everyone in our community strives to answer that question. It is a family atmosphere where everyone goes out of their way to help you.