Making the Arts a part of your Branksome experience is possible in so many ways—from involvement in music ensembles to conservatory lessons, to film production and theatrical performances with student-led crews and technicians.
From JK through the senior years, Branksome offers classes and clubs that are guaranteed to cultivate your creative side. There is no shortage of opportunities for students to create and perform.
Visual Arts
Students in Grades 1 through 6 receive weekly instruction in our Art Studio. Girls enjoy sketching and drawing with a variety of media, paints, clay, collage, printmaking and more! Each year our Grade 6 class works with an artist from the community to create an art legacy project that remains in Sue Bett House or on the school grounds.
In the senior grades, girls explore a wide range of themes through studio work that may include drawing, painting, sculpting, printmaking, as well as the creation of collage, multimedia works and works using emergent technologies. They also investigate aspects of art history and explore an artist's use of materials and techniques to further develop their own work.
Film
Students explore a wide range of themes through studio work, including storyboarding, writing, creating films and multimedia works. They use the critical analysis process when evaluating their own films and the films of others. Students also study aspects of film history, genre, script writing, analysis, as well as films from Canada and other parts of the world.
Theatre
Through Theatre Arts, students learn more than the art of drama: they learn about themselves and the world around them. This learning enhances the ability to listen, question, interpret, create, communicate, solve problems and reflect.
In the Senior & Middle School, two teacher-directed shows are produced each year. Students also have the opportunity to direct a play under the mentorship of teacher directors, and have their work presented as part of a celebration of curricular and student-led theatre.
Music
Students begin music instruction in Junior Kindergarten and, as they mature, they study voice, percussion, recorder, guitar, composition and theory. Students expand on their knowledge of both Instrumental and Vocal music. Senior music lovers have the option of joining a variety of musical ensembles, including the Concert Choir, String Orchestra, Chamber Strings, Concert Band, Wind Symphony and Stage Band.
Dance
Our modern light-filled dance and yoga studios offer students the space to express themselves and find balance between body and mind. Students of all ages learn different dance styles including ballet, jazz, hip hop and more.
The Senior and Preparatory Dance Company offers an opportunity for students to take part in dance in a more serious manner, learning a range of performance styles and performing at school and community events.