Explore Arts Program
We offer a vibrant, comprehensive curriculum designed to ignite passion, foster skill, and encourage profound self-expression. Our dedicated faculty are master practitioners and working artists, bringing real-world experience into the classroom.
The Pauline McFarlin Walter Arts Center
Our commitment to the arts is showcased in the exceptional Pauline McFarlin Walter Arts Center. This premier facility boasts a 1,200-seat main theater, a versatile studio theater, a darkroom for photography, a dedicated dance studio, and numerous music rooms. The Holliman Gallery further enriches our artistic environment with rotating exhibitions by diverse artists, open to both our school community and the public. These cutting-edge resources provide the perfect backdrop for students to learn, create, and perform.
Dance Program
Inspiration through movement and performance
Holland Hall’s comprehensive dance program welcomes movers of all levels, from those exploring artistic movement to aspiring pre-professional artists. Available for 7th-12th grade students, our curriculum covers a variety of dance techniques and styles, improvisation, and choreography. Students gain valuable experience through required performances throughout the year.
Middle School Dance (7th & 8th Grade): Focuses on basic technique and movement improvisation, culminating in required dance performances.
Upper School Dance: Offers advanced movement, choreography, and artistic expression. Students can also collaborate with guest artists and participate in off-campus performances. An additional Choreography class is available for students wishing to hone their skills.
Theater Arts
Setting the stage for success
Our theater program is a collaborative and multifaceted experience that fosters self-awareness, confidence, teamwork, and empathy. Students develop foundational skills in acting, improvisation, and technical production, becoming comfortable and expressive on stage.
Middle School Theater: Students learn foundational acting and improvisation, with opportunities to perform or work behind the scenes in annual productions.
Upper School Theater: Students can act, direct, playwrite, and develop technical crew skills. Opportunities include two annual productions (including musicals), Theater Night showcases, and performances at the ISAS Arts Festival. Students can also join the Improv Club and Company 21, a unique volunteer opportunity with community students with Down Syndrome.
Music Program
A notable curriculum in all branches
Music is woven into the fabric of every grade level at Holland Hall, providing continuous opportunities for students to grow and develop as musicians. From early exploration in Primary School to advanced ensembles in Upper School, we offer a rich musical journey.
Primary School Music (PreK-3rd Grade): Focuses on developing musicianship through movement, songs, speech, and instrument playing, preparing students for music reading and writing using the Orff-Schulwerk approach.
Middle School Music:
Orchestra (6th-8th Grade): Learn fundamentals of violin, viola, cello, and bass, with required semester concerts.
Band (6th-8th Grade): Instruction in band instruments, with two required concerts per year.
Vocal Music (6th-8th Grade): Develops choral skills in a developmentally appropriate environment, including sight-singing and required performances in December and May. An annual Middle School musical is also produced.
Upper School Music:
Orchestra: Advanced repertoire and skills for string players, participating in state contests, concerts, and the ISAS Arts Festival. Opportunity for full orchestra collaboration with the band.
Band: Advances playing skills, with smaller specialty groups including Pep Band, Concert Band, Drum Line, Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, and Small Ensembles. Required public performances.
Vocal Music: Offers diverse ensembles including the Concert Choir (open to all), the auditioned Holland Hall Singers, and the auditioned Holland Hall Show Choir. These groups perform at various school and community events, including the ISAS Arts Festival.
Visual Arts
Creation, innovation, and expression
In our visual arts programs, students become makers and deep thinkers. Engaging with materials like paint or clay fosters artistic risk-taking, building confidence and poise that extends far beyond the art studio. Students gain an unmatched understanding of the universal human experience through their creative endeavors.
Drawing, Painting and Advanced Art: Emphasizes individual freedom of expression. Students learn fundamental techniques (composition, line, value) while exploring their unique perspectives. Assignments foster creative and critical thinking.
Ceramics: Students learn a wide variety of clay manipulation techniques including slab building, wheel-throwing, sculpting, and press molds. They experiment with firing techniques like raku and pit firing, and are encouraged to develop their own artistic interests through series of pieces.
Photography: Covers traditional photographic principles, including 35mm SLR cameras and the wet darkroom, as well as digital darkroom techniques and studio photography. Students explore the essentials of image making, visual arts fundamentals, and are encouraged to express and appreciate their emotions through their work with non-traditional, self-directed assignments.
Holland Hall News
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Molly Cao: Lunar New Year celebration transforms language learning
Day of Service: 'It's definitely a Holland Hall tradition that I will miss'
Staff Spotlight: Kelly Danner, Middle School
