CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
All our instructors are experienced managing groups while still making sure each individual student is helped where they are at and that they are challenged. Group sizes vary from typically 3-12 students depending on the type of class (orchestra and theatre classes may be larger).
Our classes are designed to promote strong growth in skills, so practice at home between classes is expected. Each week, instructors provide clear assignment instructions for students to take note of what to practice. Please see What to Expect for information about performances and policies.
Our classes are designed to promote strong growth in skills, so practice at home between classes is expected. Each week, instructors provide clear assignment instructions for students to take note of what to practice. Please see What to Expect for information about performances and policies.
Sign up through the New Student Registration/Student Portal.
THEATER/MUSICAL THEATER/IMPROV
(Instr: Athena Watkins, Danika Starrharrt, Megan Owen, North Gill, Bailee Morrison) Get ready to sing, dance, and act your heart out in this class! Students will learn the fundamentals of creating a character, learning choreography, and singing with confidence. We will practice thinking on our toes with improvisation games, build the skills to "fill a space" with our voices, and prepare performance pieces. Our production stories are all family-friendly (think G rated), and full of fun and action. Each season culminates with a big public show during our all-day Encore festivals! Come join us and become a "triple threat"! 
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PIANO ALIVE
(Instr: Danika Starrharrt, Bailee Morrison, Sharon Lucas, ) Students learn chording and notation, theory for creativity, and group playing skills in a fun yet discipline-oriented environment. Musical movement and percussion is incorporated for younger age groups. Classical piece performance and songwriting are incorporated in older age groups. Each student has access to their own center-provided keyboard during classes, and time on the grand piano is shared for special class performances. Read more about the method and level systems. |
SCULPTING
(Instr: Rachel Kitzmiller, Sharon Lucas) In this class, we will develop an understanding of the fundamentals of what clay can and cannot do in its various stages, while making sophisticated, functional pieces of art. We will learn how to build upon a frame and construct personalized sculpture(s). In addition to group instruction, each student will have enough one-on-one instruction with the teacher within classes to plan, form, and refine their own chosen design. We will prepare our projects for final firing and decorating. Students will also have the opportunity to learn to use underglaze on their pieces before the firing. Classes specifically noted as "wheel" will also include time throwing and practicing on the potters' wheel. | ||
FILMMAKING
(Instr: Julien McGregor) With special emphasis on how to tell a moving story in an exceptional way, this class covers the depths of how to produce a great film. The skills that will be covered include screenplay writing, pre-production (shot design, casting, equipment), production (directing, lighting, audio), and post-production (editing, color grading, audio mastering). The course will culminate in the creation of a short film. Students who continue in this class can expect to be equipped with everything they need to know for a career in filmmaking. |
ACRYLICS STUDY
(Instr: Kelly Kadlec) Students will paint detailed animal wildlife paintings over each course, taking away in-depth training on: -How to plan and layout a painting keeping composition in mind -Identifying the right colors for base coats and understanding the importance of layering the paint -How to get your subject to really stand out using color to create depth and detail -How to correctly mix colors to get the right consistency |
ELEMENTARY & PRE-K 2D/3D ART ADVENTURES
(Instr: Bobbi Randall) Younger children will learn art basics in a warm, welcoming environment of creative participation. Projects are different every week! 2D arts projects are all on paper, canvas, or wood using watercolor, pencils, ink. 3D arts projects are about crafting and construction, creating many keepworthy works. |
SYMPHONIC BAND & ORCHESTRA
(Instr: Danika Starrharrt) More than a community or school band experience, these ensembles incorporate an in-depth study of theory, tone, transposition, and artistic values of cooperative music. More than 75% of all the repertoire is custom-arranged for each season's group that comes together, by our resident, award-winning composer-conductor. There are multiple symphonic bands and orchestral groups at Encore, for various levels, children, and adults, respectively. |
CREATIVE WRITING
(Instr: Megan Owen) Collaborative classes that follow the hero's journey and bring together an array of writing styles and goals, producing works from short novels to poems to magazine articles. |
KNITTING
(Instr: Athena Watkins) Folks have enjoyed knitting for centuries, and for good reason! Learn to create your own wearable, decorative, and useful items with this stress-relieving activity. Students will learn to knit and purl stitch, and how to read basic patterns to create their projects. |
LEGO CREATION
(Instr: Megan Owen) Students will exercise their creative minds within the limits of bricks to not only follow but also make their own patterns and designs, engineering art and moving parts. |
ROCK BAND
(Instr: Michael Simon) Young intermediate players will have the opportunity to arrange their pieces, learn grooves, leading and following in a small band setting. |
INTRICATE JEWELRY MAKING
(Instr: Carrie Walker) Using classic materials and polymer clay, this class teaches how to join, chain, and combine leather, metal, stone, glass, and more into original designs to wear and share. |
BEGINNING CLOGGING
(Instr: Kate Haderlie) Clogging is a highly rhythmic, uniquely American dance form. Students will learn fundamental clogging steps and 2 short dance routines in this summer session. Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move easily and bring a water bottle. Students should wear flat-soled sneakers or tennis-shoes with little to no tread. Clogging shoes are welcome but not required. |
TEXTILE ARTS & FASHION DESIGN
(Instr: Carrie Walker) In these introductory level textile art and craft course, students will develop skills related to using differing fabrics to create wearables and works of art! In this class we'll use traditional and experimental materials to explore techniques such as weaving, embroidery, piecing and applique. |
OIL PAINTING and WATERCOLOR
(Instr: Carrie Walker) Feel welcome in our nurturing and inspiring art studio! Whether you're new to painting or re-awakening a passion, these classes offer a unique fear-free method that teaches beginners to paint and seasoned painters more advanced approaches, tips and tricks to painting in oils. In the first half of the course we'll cover basic techniques in a step-by-step, easy to learn method. The second half of the season we'll move to a painting of choice that's either an animal or still life to utilize those skills you just acquired! |
DRAWING
(Instr: Lisa Cheney; North Gill) Students will learn fundamental drawing techniques while using both their intuition and feelings to create abstract/symbolic drawings, followed up with an exploration of the Elements of Art and Principles of Design to create more realistic drawings. They will begin to understand how artists see the world and how they translate what they see onto the paper. They will explore these concepts through the use of different materials like pencil, pen, marker, charcoal, colored pencil, and ink. |
ILLUSTRATION & DESIGN
(Instr: Jocelyn Singleton, Carrie Walker) You have power as an artist! Whether you’re a beginning or experienced artist, this class will give you the tools you need to make intentional art. Learn how to design art that engages viewers, communicates a visual message, and organizes information in a beautiful way. Projects will explore a mix of different mediums, and will be tailored to student abilities and interests whenever possible. |
WORSHIP BAND
(Instr: Nate Stein) Students will learn: how to harmonize/contribute tasteful instrumental accompaniment by ear, and how to select, transpose, and lead music in front of a group with confidence. The class will function as if it were a worship music practice session. Each student will have the opportunity to be the worship leader. Each class teaches ideas for both the leader and followers on how to work together as a team and use their particular instrument in a way that contributes to the arrangement as a whole. Each week, students are sent with a list of YouTube songs for listening as part of assignments. All instruments (and vocalists) are welcome! |
UKULELE / GUITAR
(Instr: Michael Simon, Sharon Lucas) In this class group, beginning-intermediate players learn tuning, technique, rhythm, scales, chords, basic notation, improvisation, and song form. Students will play as an ensemble and learn to read and create their own strum patterns and fingerpicking patterns. As the class advances, the repertoire will consist of folk, pop, and classical adaptations. |
CHOIRS & VOCAL ENSEMBLES
(Instr: Danika Starrharrt, Sharon Lucas, Bailee Morrison, North Gill) Join us to empower your voice, make friends, and have some beautiful fun! Singers will explore harmony, practice professional pop and classical vocal techniques, and learn as many enjoyable songs as can be packed into each season. Our vocal ensembles are not too large, which means your voice matters, and there are also plenty of soloing opportunities! These groups are not only led from experience as a choir director but also as an award winning composer and singer-songwriter, so practices are known to be dynamic and energizing. In the words of one of our vocal ensemble members: “Danika’s passion for music is amazing, her talent and perseverance shine, her creativity and humor make it so fun, and her discipline keeps us grounded. I’ve been so blessed to be part of this group!” |
POLYMER CLAY
(Instr: Rachel Kitzmiller) Create your own beads and figurines while learning about color properties and clay techniques, including marbling, millefiori, and miniature sculpture. |
SONGWRITING
(Instr: Nate Stein) Create catchy tunes with a team, learning all about song form and what makes melodies meaningful. Students will learn the needed music theory and laws of poetry and rhythm to write songs of their own, using the circle of fifths and more. |
VISUAL JOURNALING
(Instr: Lisa Cheney) In this class, students create their own book by binding specialty papers and then filling them out with all kinds of media, collaging, drawing, and writing meaningfully. |
ARTISAN 101
(Instr: Carrie Walker) This class offers a sampling of several art mediums for young learners to grow and experiment uniquely through pen & ink, pencils, markers, illustration, watercolor, and more. Students will learn basic brush techniques, paper prep with various kinds of papers, color theory, color mixing, drawing techniques, value, shading, and scale. |
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS
(Instr: Megan Owen) Storytelling comes to life in the world of Dungeons & Dragons! Embark on an epic adventure to explore new worlds, meet new characters, and develop skills your student never knew they were capable of all through the lens of their own creativity and imagination. Through extensive character work and improv, your student will develop a well rounded character complete with strengths, weaknesses, fear, and flaws. They will embody this character and through role play and acting, take them on a journey of trials, triumphs, and growth. Using their imagination, students will lead the story and their adventuring party on a quest for heroes. Their journey will be mapped by the decisions their character makes, the interactions they have with both their party and the NPCs they meet, and the nuanced backstory they create and then put into motion. Their imaginations will run wild as they create a story and act it out each week in class! This semester-long class will take students through an age appropriate campaign to defeat dragons and save the realm! This creative outlet for play allows your student to develop their skills as an actor as they learn to speak, think, and act as their character would while also building confidence and encouraging self expression. Through the art of play, students will bring their character to life! This is a game of villains and heroes, fantasy and imagination! While our campaign will be age appropriate, there will be monsters to slay and villages to save. To ensure that this is a safe space for all, we will remove any mention of the various pantheons throughout the realm. There is still great material to work with, and our clerics and paladins can draw their strength and power from light and the good of those in the realm. |
FLORAL ART & ARRANGING
(Instr: Jocelyn Singleton) This class is a mix of creating flower-themed artwork and designing arrangements with fresh and silk flowers. Throughout this course students will take home ~9 art projects, and ~8 fresh/silk arrangements, depending on class dynamics. Students will be utilizing craft knives, hot glue, wire, pliers, and other tools requiring ample student maturity and respect for safety protocols. |
MIXED MEDIA WATERCOLOR
(Instr: Lisa Cheney) Many kinds of watercolor, oils, textures, and inks combine for ultimate creative license and stunning results. Basic to advanced design and drawing principles are taught through this no-two-classes-ever-alike multi-media adventure. |
CREATIVE DANCE
(Instr: Micah Taylor) Creative dance increases total body connectivity while allowing dancers to think for themselves and be active problem-solvers. Students will explore one movement concept each week building a comprehensive movement vocabulary each season. Students will revisit movement concepts as they continue for multiple seasons, deepening understanding and skill development with each iteration. Each class includes a proper warm-up and cool down, movement skill development, and creative choice-making throughout. |
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