Academics
Curriculum

Performing Arts

"This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before." Leonard Bernstein
  • Drama 6

    Drama 6 is designed for students who have an interest in exploring theater arts. This creative, performance-oriented program focuses on improving self-esteem, public-speaking skills and concentration through the use of improvisation, pantomime, vocalization and theater games. By creating a fully rounded theater education foundation, this course cultivates effective performers as well as discerning theater enthusiasts.
    No previous experience is necessary; however, involvement in and commitment to class activities is a required element.
  • Drama 7

    Drama 7 includes performance and audition work, directing workshops, playwriting, film festivals, live play performances and an independent film project. The primary focus of the seventh-grade drama program is to develop advanced performance skills, directing techniques and artistic collaboration. Seventh graders learn to utilize theater arts as an instrument to influence and impact on society. No previous experience is necessary; however, involvement in and commitment to the class activities is required.
  • Drama 8

    The eighth-grade drama curriculum focuses on using theater as a medium for individual expression. This is an improvisation-based class with an emphasis on creating original characters and scripts. This unique program is full of projects and performances that are intended to showcase students at their creative best. These projects include classic monologues, a full-length performance showcase, as well as scripting, performing and directing original films with dialogue for the final project. No previous experience is necessary, however, involvement in and commitment to class activities are required.
  • MS Musical Theatre

    In this course students will be able to explore storytelling through song. The majority of the course involves creating, rehearsing and performing musical numbers. Students perform solos, duets, trios and ensemble numbers and direct and choreograph for their
    classmates. A portion of the course develops musical theater appreciation as students learn about Broadway history and tradition while watching performances from different musical theater genres and composers. Students enrolling in Musical Theater should feel comfortable performing on stage, which is a required component of the class.
  • MS Dance

    This course emphasizes the essential components of the art of dance. Students learn the aesthetic and technical aspects while placing an emphasis on joy, awareness, and respect for the physical body and its athletic and expressive capabilities. Students explore the diversity of the dance world by learning various dance styles, techniques, and movement quality. Students learn about the history and context of these styles as well as genre-specific terminology and skills by viewing and critiquing the aesthetics of dance. All of these elements culminate with choreographic and performance opportunities. Students leave this course with a well-rounded educational dance foundation that simultaneously
    strengthens their personal and developmental skills and imbues a diverse cultural and social consciousness. No prior dance experience is required.
  • Beginning Band

    Beginning band teaches basic music-reading skills and musical concepts for successful participation in the band program. Students develop music appreciation and sensitivity while learning to play a standard brass, wind or percussion instrument. Instruments to choose from include the flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, baritone, tuba and percussion. Focus is on individual skill development, with
    opportunities for small ensemble and large-group performances. Beginning band offers two major performances during the year. Successful completion of this course prepares students to move on to a higher-level band course. No prior musical experience is required.
  • Intermediate (Concert) Band

    The concert band is the intermediate-level class of the Ransom Everglades Middle School band program. The course is organized to continue to develop basic music-reading skills and musical concepts that are needed to participate successfully in the band program. Students increase their musical appreciation and sensitivity while learning to play a standard brass, wind, or percussion instrument. Large group performances are emphasized, with opportunities offered for small ensemble and individual skill development. A wide variety of music is performed, including classical, jazz and popular styles. The concert band offers three major performances during the year. Attendance at special rehearsals and all performances is required. Upon successful completion of this course students are encouraged to move on to the symphonic band in the following year.
  • Advanced (Symphonic) Band

    The symphonic band is the top-level class of the Ransom Everglades Middle School band program, and is organized to continue to develop basic music reading skills and musical
    concepts that are needed to participate successfully in the band program. Students increase their musical appreciation and sensitivity while learning to play a standard brass, wind or percussion instrument. The emphasis is on performance in large groups, with opportunities offered for small ensemble and individual skill development as well. A wide variety of music is performed, including classical, jazz and popular styles. The symphonic band has five to seven major performances during the year. Attendance at special rehearsals and all performances is required. It is hoped that successful completion of this course will encourage students to continue in the band program at the upper school. Some prior musical experience is required to join the symphonic band.
  • MS Beginning Strings

    As the introductory class of the Ransom Everglades Orchestra, Beginning Strings presents students with basic music-reading skills and musical concepts that are needed to participate successfully in the orchestra program. Students develop musical appreciation skills and artistic sensitivity while learning to play a string instrument. Students may choose from violin, viola, cello and double bass. The development of individual skills is
    emphasized with opportunities for small ensemble and large-group performances. The beginning orchestra presents several performances during the year. No prior musical experience is required.
  • MS String Orchestra

    The Strings Orchestra is a more advanced class in the Ransom Everglades Middle School orchestra program. While the course continues to develop skills from Beginning Strings, this course has a higher level of performance expectation. Students are expected  to be able to read music and perform reasonably complex and technically demanding repertoire. A wide variety of music is performed throughout the year. The Strings Orchestra performs four to six times during the year and attendance at special rehearsals and all performances is required. Upon successful completion of this course, students are encouraged to join the Chamber Ensemble or continue their training in the orchestra
    program at the upper school.
  • Chamber String Ensemble

    The Chamber Ensemble is the highest level of The RE Middle School orchestra program. The class is designed to further develop high-level musical skills including sight reading, bow and tone development, technique, and musical expression. The group is purposefully small with a stated focus on small ensemble and chamber music performance. The Chamber Ensemble performs an eclectic and diverse repertoire and is featured in several performances throughout the school year. Attendance at all rehearsals and performances is required.
  • MS Chorus

    The middle school vocal chorus offers students of all grade levels the opportunity to hone their skills as vocalists. This course gives students the opportunity to join an organized vocal group that performs formal and informal concerts. Students learn to read music and sing in basic two and four part harmony, as well as study concepts related to blend, balance, and singing with confidence, style, and charisma. The repertoire is wide-ranging,
    from classical to a capella to jazz, with specific pieces to be selected based on the interests and talents of students in the group. No prior vocal music experience is required.
  • Vocal Ensemble

    Open to all students in grades 6-8
    The middle school vocal ensemble offers students of all grade levels the opportunity to hone their skills as vocalists. This course gives students the opportunity to join an organized vocal group that performs formal and informal concerts. Students learn to read music and sing in basic two and four part harmony, as well as study concepts related to blend, balance, and singing with confidence, style, and charisma. The repertoire is wide-ranging, from classical to a capella to jazz, with specific pieces to be selected based on the interests and talents of students in the group. No prior vocal music experience is required.

Department Faculty

  • Photo of Shawn Costantino
    Shawn Costantino
    Director of Arts
    305-460-8875
    University of Miami - B.M.
    DePaul University - M.M.
    Bio
  • Photo of Florencia Ancewicz
    Florencia Ancewicz
    Performing Arts Department Assistant, Assistant Technical Director
    305-460-8907
    Florida International University - B.F.A.
    University of Idaho - M.F.A.
  • Photo of Cecilia Gonzalez
    Cecilia Gonzalez
    Performing Arts Teacher
    305-250-6881
    University of Miami - B.M.
    University of Miami - M.A.
    Bio
  • Photo of Therese Guidry
    Tess Guidry
    Performing Arts Teacher
    Louisiana State University - B.A.
    Bio
  • Photo of Jon Hamm
    Jon Hamm
    Performing Arts Department Chair, Director of Instrumental Music
    305-460-8205
    Indiana State University - B.S.
    Bio
  • Photo of Quincy Knowles
    Quincy Knowles
    Performing Arts Facilities Technical Director
    305-460-2109
    Florida Atlantic University - B.M.
    Bio
  • Photo of Cathryn Leibinger
    Cathi Leibinger
    Middle School Band Director, Performing Arts Department Coordinator
    305-250-6868
    Millikin University - B.A.
    Southern Oregon University - M.S.
    Bio
  • Photo of Desiree Masucci
    Desiree Masucci
    Performing Arts Teacher
    305-460-8929
    Rollins College - B.A.
    California Institute of the Arts - M.F.A.
    Bio
  • Photo of Laura Montes
    Laura Montes
    Performing Art Teacher
    305-460-8863
    University of Miami - B.M.
    Bio
  • Photo of Gina Montet
    Gina Montet
    Performing Arts Teacher
    305-250-6861
    University of Miami - B.S.C.
    University of Miami - B.A.
    Bio
  • Photo of Scott O'Donnell
    Scott O'Donnell
    Performing Arts Teacher
    305-460-8932
    Stetson University - B.A.
    University of Miami - M.A.
    Bio
  • Photo of Arn Xu
    Arn Xu
    Accompanist
    University of Miami - B.M.
    University of Toronto - M.M.
    Bio

Select a School Level and Department

Founded in 1903, Ransom Everglades School is a coeducational, college preparatory day school for grades 6 - 12 located on two campuses in Coconut Grove, Florida. Ransom Everglades School produces graduates who "believe that they are in the world not so much for what they can get out of it as for what they can put into it." The school provides rigorous college preparation that promotes the student's sense of identity, community, personal integrity and values for a productive and satisfying life, and prepares the student to lead and to contribute to society.