Villa Academy

performing arts

The confidence to stand up in front of a crowd or help orchestrate a school-wide or community performance –

this is part of Villa Academy’s whole-child philosophy.

Villa Academy students are natural performers. And they have numerous opportunities to show off their abilities, from class projects, to school-wide assemblies, to spirit rallies. And each grade-level organizes, leads, and performs at least one prayer service during the school year – unique events which are known for their great music and creative approach to seasonal or liturgical themes.

In addition to class related projects and presentations, Villa Academy students can further explore their creativity and technical skill through a range of before- and after-school performing arts offerings.

Villa Voices

Band

Strings Ensemble

Drama

Villa Voices
In this choral group for students in grades 2-5, singers learn and perform selections from a variety of musical styles. Practices are held before school once a week. Participation is open to all interested students, and the group performs several times throughout the school year.

Band
The Villa Academy beginning and advanced bands are open to grades 4-8. Instruction focuses on rehearsal technique, music fundamentals, and a variety of repertoire, and students participate in performances throughout the year.

The band meets in the mornings before school and is led by Irv Kellenberger, a professional musician and tutor.

About the Director
Both the Villa Voices and the Villa Academy Bands are directed by Irv Kellenberger. In 1988 Mr. Kellenberger joined a new Seattle night club band, got married, and began teaching music at Villa Academy. Today he still plays with some of the same musicians from that original group, has celebrated 19 years of great married life, and is director of the Villa Bands and Villa Voices. Irv holds degrees in Music and English, serves on the Board of two music foundations, participates in the music ministries at his church, and performs regularly with The Pontiac Bay Symphony Orchestra and The Big Dog Revue.

Strings Ensemble
Led by parent volunteers, the Villa Academy strings ensemble was created specifically for students who are taking private instruction, to offer them the opportunity to play as a group.

Drama
The Villa Academy After School Theatre Program offers each grade level (K-8) the opportunity to discover their inner thespian, puppeteer, or stage manager.

For grades kindergarten through two, the school offers an after-school Spring Musical Workshop. Participants are introduced to a range of theater styles, singing, acting, and puppetry in a warm and informal environment.

Grades two through eight are invited to participate in the Villa Youth Theater, which performs a musical each spring. Auditions and rehearsals begin in January, with performances in March. All students who register receive a part in the ensemble, with special auditions for lead roles.

This year’s musical will be the Broadway Junior production, Once on this Island, a poignant story with a catchy, Caribbean score, adapted from the popular Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale “The Little Mermaid.”

About the Director
All of Villa Academy’s drama programs are led by Terry La Russa Banton. Ms. La Russa Banton holds an M.F.A in acting and directing from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She served as artistic director of the Bellevue School District Youth Theater for 27 years and is currently on the eighth-grade faculty at Villa Academy.