Visual & Performing Arts

Heart valves, cars, cartoons, and buildings may not seem to have much in common, but they all share one spectacular attribute: all originated as a 3D model. 3D modeling has changed the way the world makes things, and in this course, you’ll learn the basics to begin creating in 3D! You’ll learn how different 3D models are built and how to practice using a variety of modeling methods. By the end of the course, you’ll walk away with a portfolio of your ingenious modeling ideas.

Whether it’s the choreographed action in a superhero blockbuster, a video game, or a cartoon, animation tells a story. The foundation of great stories is a compelling character. Discover the tools of the trade used to create a 3D animated character. Learn to model, texture, and animate any character to bring it to life. Along the way, explore the history of animation and the principles of design and storytelling.

Throughout history, artists have learned by studying the work of great masters before them. This course invites students on a journey through the evolution of art, exploring a variety of artistic movements and styles to find inspiration for their own creative expression.

Throughout history, artists have learned by studying the work of great masters before them. This course invites students on a journey through the evolution of art, exploring a variety of artistic movements and styles to find inspiration for their own creative expression.

Art tells a story. Go on a journey of when humans began creating art in prehistoric times to ancient Roman, early Christian, and Medieval periods. Explore the artistic characteristics of the Renaissance, Americas, Baroque, Romantic, and more. Learn the elements and design principles of art, and about some of the greatest artists in the world, while creating your own art, both on paper and digitally. It’s time to tell your story through art.

This course will focus specifically on the bass guitar and is the first in a series of courses that will take you from the fundamentals of playing through more advanced techniques and genre-specific skills. Basics 1 will introduce you to the bass itself, the technique fundamentals, and the beginning concepts that will lay the foundation for all of your future development on the instrument.

You will learn scales and chords. You will learn how to build chords and voice them on your guitar, and you will learn the basic skills necessary for the transposition of harmonies (this is the fancy musical language for changing the chords of a song into a new key). You will even learn how the chord changes (called "harmonic motion") in pieces creating feelings of tension and relaxation in music and how musicians use this to enhance their performances.

This is a log-based course designed for students who are actively involved in dance in their community and who wish to further develop their skills while receiving high school credit. Students must complete a minimum of 90 hours of related activity, provide evidence of activity completion, and complete a final project. Students may choose to take this as a single semester course or as a full high school credit (Dance A and B).

Advanced Design is intended for students planning to pursue art and design in postsecondary education or as a career path. Building on skills from Intermediate Design, students approach projects with increased depth, independence, and creative sophistication. As in previous courses, students collaborate with their instructor to select and plan original, personalized projects that demonstrate mastery of the course competencies.

Beginning Design is a student-driven, project-based course that introduces students to the principles and practices of design. Through guided planning with their instructor, students select and complete original projects that demonstrate proficiency in designated course competencies. These competencies include not only the basic elements and principles of art, but also the exploration of social and historical contexts, as well as critical analysis and interpretation of art.

Intermediate Design is a student-driven, project-based course that builds on the foundational skills developed in Beginning Design, challenging students to apply design concepts with increased sophistication and personal expression. As in the previous course, students work closely with their instructor to select and plan original, personalized projects that further develop proficiency in designated course competencies.

You interact with digital art every day, why not learn how to create it? In Digital Art Imaging 1, you will explore the fundamental concepts, tools, and techniques of digital imaging. You'll learn how to use computers, digital cameras, editing software, and more to create digital artworks and use the critique process grow artistically as you evaluate and respond to your own work.

Advanced Digital Photography is a student-driven, project-based course that supports students in refining their technical and artistic photography skills through personalized, instructor-guided projects. Building on skills developed in Intermediate Digital Photography, students explore complex composition and lighting scenarios, deepen their understanding of digital photography technology, and connect technical skills with artistic intent.

Beginning Digital Photography is a student-driven, project-based course that introduces students to essential camera handling skills and foundational design principles such as composition and lighting. Through guided planning with their instructor, students select and complete original projects that demonstrate proficiency in designated course competencies.

Intermediate Digital Photography is a student-driven, project-based course that builds on the foundational skills developed in Beginning Digital Photography. Students work with their instructor to plan original projects that demonstrate increased proficiency in designated course competencies.

Beginning Digital Publication is a student-driven, project-based course that introduces students to the creative and technical processes used to produce professional-quality print or digital publications. Students explore the full production cycle—from conceptualization through development, revision, and final presentation—while learning to communicate effectively with a specific audience.

Advanced Drawing is a student-driven, project-based course for students who wish to develop fluent drawing skills. By this level, students should be able to represent depth and perspective in their drawing. Students will collaborate with their instructor to plan personalized, original projects that will expand upon skills developed in Intermediate Drawing and align with their particular interests.

Beginning Drawing is a student-driven, project-based course designed for students with little or no prior drawing experience. Through guided planning with their instructor, students select and complete original projects that demonstrate proficiency in designated course competencies. Emphasis is placed on developing a working vocabulary of visual art terms and applying the elements and principles of art to drawing practices.

Intermediate Drawing is a student-driven, project-based course that builds on the foundational skills developed in Beginning Drawing. Through guided planning with their instructor, students continue to complete original projects that demonstrate increasing sophistication and proficiency in designated course competencies. Students expand their working vocabulary of visual art terms and apply the elements and principles of art with greater nuance and control.

This course is designed for the beginner drummer and focuses on creating a solid drumming foundation. Throughout the course you’ll study the fundamentals of playing the drum set. Lesson topics include developing proper technique, learning to read music for the drum set, and learning to play essential groove and fill ideas.

Welcome to the wonderful world of flute! Flute: Basics 1 lays a solid foundation for the beginning flutist.  Breathing, sound development, embouchure, posture, instrument assembly, and note reading are the first topics covered.  Throughout the course, you will be presented with progressive lessons that will gradually build your knowledge of the flute and music in general.

Welcome! You have chosen to learn to play horn!  The horn is a fantastic instrument because it has the potential to create the most beautiful sound (absolutely no bias), and it’s an incredibly versatile instrument.  Horns get to play high and low; play with the strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion at different times in orchestral and band music; and often get to play lush melodic lines that represent the hero (think Star Wars).

This course is an introduction to the guitar, guitar technique, the music played on the guitar, and some important icons in guitar performance. By taking this course, you will learn the proper way to play the guitar through the development of good technique. You will also learn how to read standard notation, tablature, chord diagrams, and chord charts. Guitar: Basics 1 also teaches you guitar care and maintenance, the history of the guitar, composition, and performance techniques.

Have you ever heard a music piece that made you want to get up and dance, sing, or even cry? Regardless of the genre, music moves us. Explore the elements and pieces of music. And learn through the historical context, musicians and composers, and influence of music from the Middle Ages to the 21st century, on how to listen and really hear the different music that makes up our world.

Get ready to elevate your music knowledge to the next level. In this course, you will learn about Global musical traditions as you explore the function of music in a multitude of cultures. You will examine the fundamentals, sound, and structure of music to understand how music is representative of the culture it was created in.

This course is designed to get you interested in Music Theory. During this course you are going to be introduced to the foundational concepts and building blocks of music and how to apply them to your instrument or voice. You will have a better understanding of music, and you will be better able to communicate with other musicians. As you study the concepts found in this course, you can apply them to the other courses offered through this program and enhance your learning experience.

Musical Performance is a log-based, student-driven course designed for learners actively engaged in the study and practice of music and musical performance. Students may earn credit through participation in community music groups, private music instruction, and/or original performance work. Each student collaborates with an instructor to develop an individualized plan focused on personal growth, skill development, and artistic goals.

Advanced Painting is a student-driven, project-based course designed for students with prior Intermediate Painting experience. Students should have a strong understanding of the elements and principles of art, particularly as they relate to creating depth and perspective. Advanced techniques in acrylic, watercolor, oil, or mixed media are practiced and expanded based on each student’s artistic goals.

Beginning Painting is a student-driven, project-based course that introduces students to the principles and practices of painting, including design, color mixing, and basic application techniques. Foundational skills using acrylic media are introduced and practiced throughout the course. Through guided planning with their instructor, students select and complete original projects that demonstrate proficiency in designated course competencies.

Intermediate Painting is a student-driven, project-based course for students with prior experience in beginning-level painting. Students build upon their foundational knowledge of the elements and principles of art, with continued emphasis on creating depth and perspective in their work.

This course is designed to get you playing the saxophone as soon as possible. Within this first course, you will learn about the saxophone itself (its history, etc.), how to read notes and rhythms, and how to finger these notes on the saxophone. In addition, you will learn basic maintenance for the saxophone, simple composition, and performance techniques.

Studio Arts is a log-based, student-driven course sequence designed for learners actively engaged in hands-on art-making through self-directed studio practice. Students may work in one or multiple media, including painting, sculpture (such as ceramics and porcelain), printmaking, photography, fiber arts, digital art, graphic design, and mixed-media production.

Lights, camera, action! Step into the world of performance productions, exploring the elements of theatre and cinema. You'll compare how different elements in theatre and film, including historical and cultural influences, serve the story and articulate themes. You'll get a detailed view of the creative, performance, and technical operations behind theatre and film and gain experience and insights into various aspects of production.

Theatrical Performance is a log-based, student-driven course designed for learners actively engaged in the study and practice of acting and theatrical performance. Students may earn credit through participation in community theatre, private acting instruction, or original performance work. Each student collaborates with an instructor to develop an individualized plan focused on personal growth, skill development, and artistic goals.

This course is designed to introduce you to the trumpet in an effective, gradual, and fun way that will lay a solid foundation for growth on the instrument.  We want you to play the trumpet properly, but we also want you to have fun.  This course is an entryway to an awesome world of playing the trumpet in many styles and ensembles.  By taking our Basics courses you are preparing yourself for a lifetime of making music for your own enjoyment and the enjoyment of others.

This is a fun, portable, and affordable instrument that has continued to grow in popularity since its creation in the 19th century. In addition to being enjoyable, learning how to play the ukulele will provide you with an understanding of the mechanics of stringed, fretted instruments making it easier to pick up and learn other stringed, fretted instruments (guitar, bass, mandolin, and banjo) later if you choose.

This course has been designed to engage your personal interests and strengths, while providing a solid, foundational knowledge of singing technique. You will study anatomy and mechanics, music theory, and artistic interpretation all with the goal of making you a better, more insightful singer and artist.