Skip To Main Content

Upper School Fine Arts Curriculum

The Durham Academy Upper School Fine Arts Department strives to empower each student to create original art in their personal and/or professional life, finding confidence and joy in performing or presenting their work. In the creation of their own art, students problem-solve and collaborate with other artists and learn the value of ongoing reflection and revision in the creative process.

Equally important, our students approach others' art with respect and empathy, and they engage with art using learned skills, habits and vocabulary. A major focus of the Upper School arts curriculum is approaching art with curiosity to understand the context in which it was created. Students incorporate historical and cultural knowledge as inspiration to express their unique voice and vision. 

We believe that the learning and practice of art encourages the growth of the whole student and deepens the understanding of the human experience. Research shows that making art (in visual or performing arts) transforms our brains and our bodies*; we see this benefit especially in those making art each year. Fine Arts courses are studio classes, where students develop their skills by actively engaging in their chosen discipline, working independently and collaboratively. Through this process, students conceive and express their artistic ideas through experimentation and risk-taking across one or more disciplines, both inside the classroom and through extracurricular offerings.

*Johns Hopkins University and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences

Students will be able to independently use their learning to:

  • Actively engage in the arts.

  • Solve problems independently and collaboratively.

  • Experiment and take risks to conceive, develop, and express artistic ideas.

  • Communicate ideas about and respond authentically to art in an informed manner.

  • Connect artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural and/or historical contexts to deepen understanding of the human experience.

Upper School Fine Arts Course Offerings

Select Grade Level

Filter By Category

FA 200 • Novice Dance

This full-year course will develop the beginning dancer in terms of knowledge of dance history, vocabulary, technique, choreography and performance skills. Students will explore aspects of movement, improvisation and choreography on an individual and group basis.

Read More about FA 200 • Novice Dance
FA 300 • Intermediate Dance

This full-year, multi-level course will focus strongly on technical development and choreography. This course will highlight various dance styles including Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Broadway, Hip-Hop, Tap and Contemporary.

Read More about FA 300 • Intermediate Dance
FA 350 • Dance Composition, Choreography & Community

This full-year course will challenge the upper-level dancer in terms of technique, choreographic principles and performance skills. This course will develop the dancer’s choreographic voice through project-based learning and performance.

Read More about FA 350 • Dance Composition, Choreography & Community
FA 300 • Instrumental Ensemble

The Upper School Instrumental Ensemble studies music and musicianship through the rehearsal and performance of many different styles of music, in both the full ensemble and in smaller combinations.

Read More about FA 300 • Instrumental Ensemble
FA 200 • Vocal Ensemble

The Upper School Vocal Ensemble studies music and musicianship through the rehearsal and performance of many different styles of music, both a cappella and accompanied.

Read More about FA 200 • Vocal Ensemble
FA 300 • Fundamentals of Music Theory

Do you find yourself listening to music and wondering why it works the way it does? Or why that one moment in that particular song always makes you feel so emotional? Or are you a budding songwriter looking to craft the perfect ear candy?

Read More about FA 300 • Fundamentals of Music Theory
FA 350 • Songwriting & Composition

Are you a budding singer-songwriter? Do you enjoy beat-making on your laptop? Are you midway through composing your opera or symphony? In Songwriting and Composition, you can bring your ideas to life!

Read More about FA 350 • Songwriting & Composition
FA 200 • Acting Studio

Want to improve your skills as an actor on stage or in front of a camera? Want to feel more confident speaking in public, making oral presentations in class, or interviewing for a job or college? Want to use your imagination and have fun?

Read More about FA 200 • Acting Studio
FA 300 • Scene Study

In this class, students will continue to develop their acting skills by applying and extending what they learned in Acting Studio to both on-stage and on-camera scenes. This is a project-based class, so students have the opportunity to collaborate with their peers as they dig more deeply into the rehearsal process.

Read More about FA 300 • Scene Study
FA 200 • Technical Theatre: Design & Production I

This course will explore the fundamentals of technical theatre with an emphasis on safety protocols, equipment and design concepts. Students will demonstrate their learning through different facets of the class: department productions, class projects, design concepts, and class discussions.

Read More about FA 200 • Technical Theatre: Design & Production I
FA 300 • Technical Theatre: Design & Production II

This course will expand on the knowledge gained in the first section. Students will strengthen their skills by exploring more advanced techniques in scenic construction, advanced lighting design, 3D drafting techniques, and beyond.

Read More about FA 300 • Technical Theatre: Design & Production II
FA 200 • Introduction to Two-Dimensional Visual Art

Do you like to draw and paint? Then this course is for you. No art experience is required, but experience can be very helpful. The fall semester focuses on exercises in basic drawing and composition with an emphasis on observation, expression and drawing from still life setups in pencil, charcoal and ink.

Read More about FA 200 • Introduction to Two-Dimensional Visual Art
FA 300 • Intermediate Art

This course is for students who know they enjoy art and are serious about developing their skills and visual ability. Only students with discipline and a strong desire to learn more sophisticated techniques should take this course.

Read More about FA 300 • Intermediate Art
FA 350 • Studio Praxis for Experienced Art Students

Are you driven to make art? Are you possibly interested in applying to art programs? This course follows Intermediate Art and is for students who have the skill, independence and problem-solving ability to conceive of and produce work in response to conceptual prompts and ideas.

Read More about FA 350 • Studio Praxis for Experienced Art Students
FA 200 • Photography I

What’s the difference between a snapshot and a photograph? Do you want to learn how aperture can control your depth-of-field or how shutter speed can blur motion? This full-year project-based course is focused on learning the basic technical processes of both digital and film photography as well as the fundamental creative rules that govern artmaking.

Read More about FA 200 • Photography I
FA 300 • Photography II

In this full-year or semester course, students will examine and explore the art of visual storytelling through digital, analog and alternative photographic processes. Emphasis will be placed on experimentation and curiosity in an effort to discover and tell stories that are personally significant and visually impactful.

Read More about FA 300 • Photography II
FA 300 • Digital Art & Design II

In this full-year or semester course, students will build on the technical and foundational skills acquired in Digital Art & Design I. We will continue to use Adobe programs, learning advanced techniques in the execution of more complex projects.

Read More about FA 300 • Digital Art & Design II
FA 200 • Video Production I

This course will offer students a hands-on overview of the vocabulary, camera gear and editing workflows associated with video storytelling. The goal of the course is to introduce students to the building blocks of audio and video production in order to produce videos that will inform, entertain or inspire an audience.

Read More about FA 200 • Video Production I
FA 250 • Video Production II

In this class, students will build on the technical and storytelling skills they learned in Video Production I. Students will act as video producers, determining what stories they want to tell and what form is best suited to telling them.

Read More about FA 250 • Video Production II
FA 300 • Video Production: Working with Audio

In this class, students will dive deeper into audio recording techniques to become more adept at sound design and editing. Students will work with Adobe Premiere Pro and Audition to isolate channels and mix audio levels.

Read More about FA 300 • Video Production: Working with Audio