Class Descriptions
Students will select classes from one or both time blocks (2:00-3:00 pm and 3:05-4:05pm). Classes are offered for ages 4-5, 6-8, 9-12, and 13+. All classes are offered independently, with the exception of Choir and Drama for the 9-12 age group, which must be taken together.
Some instructors are offering a sibling discount. The second sibling will receive a $10 discount and each additional sibling will receive a $20 discount. If you are paying separately for each semester, the discount will be divided between each semester. (Eg. 3 siblings are each enrolled in Drama and Choir. Sibling 1 is 13+ and would pay full price for each class. Sibling 2 is in the 9-12 age group and would receive a $10 discount on each class. Sibling 3 is in the 6-8 age group and would not receive a discount because these classes are offered by different instructors.)
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Drama (Ages 13+)
Director: Alicia Donnelly
Contact: alicia@agapemusicarts.com
Cost: $120 (23 weeks - 1st semester $60, 2nd semester $60 - due January 9th)
Sibling discount available.
Hi! My name is Alicia Donnelly and I have been homeschooling for the past 20 years. Three of my children are grown and my 4th, Matthew is in 8th grade. I have always loved performing. As a child and teen I took dance and voice classes. I would always perform in our church plays and skits as well as recitals. Since becoming a homeschooling mom I had a vision for incorporating drama into homeschooling. I have taught in co-ops over the last 15 years and have directed plays and skits as well. My hope is that your children will love acting and demonstrating God’s love through the performing arts!
For the Teen class we will be using a book called Drama, A Comprehensive Guide to Dramatic Elements and Style. We will talk about vocabulary, staging, design, and costumes a well. I plan on incorporating games and exercises in with student sheets. We will be either performing a play that is already written or writing one of our own.
Supplies required: Please bring either a notebook and folder or a 3 ring binder with paper and folder, along with a pen or pencil
Payment either by mail: 76 West Long Meadow Drive, Staatsburg 12580 or paypal: makdonnelly@yahoo.com (please send as family/friend and list your student's name in the memo)
Beginner Art (Ages 13+)
Teacher: Juliet Sweeney
Contact: juliet@agapemusicarts.com
Cost: $120 (23 weeks - 1st semester $60, 2nd semester $60 - due January 9th)
Sibling discount available.
Hi! My name is Juliet Sweeney. I have a Bachelor's of Fine Art with a specialization in Drawing and Painting. I am a homeschooling mom of two girls. I have volunteered with the high school and young adult ministries at CCHV for 20 years. I am excited to work with your teens and get to know them and their interests in art.
In this art class, we will be covering the fundamentals of art and also discovering different styles of art and learn new techniques, and experiment with a variety of mediums. We will be displaying the art we create at our end of year Spring concert.
Supplies required: Students will need a sketchbook and drawing pencil. All other supplies will be provided.
Payment by mail: 157 Smith Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 or venmo @mattnjewels (please send as family/friend and list your student's name in the memo)
Beginner Guitar (Ages 13+)
Teacher: Andrew Baffi
Contact: andrew@agapemusicarts.com
Cost: $100 (23 weeks)
Hi! My name is Andrew. I can be found most Wednesdays and Sundays at Calvary Chapel of the Hudson Valley with the Worship team and my guitar. I have a passion for music and worship and I look forward to teaching some of what I know to the children of Agape Music & Arts.
This class will teach introductory guitar, focusing on finger exercises, chords, scales, songs, basic music theory, ear training, how to tune, etc. This class will be geared to towards those who have never played guitar before and will be limited to 10 students.
Supplies provided: guitar picks and handouts
Required: Playable guitar, no toy guitars (acoustic or electric but no amplification), tuner (can be found on Amazon or Alto music)
Payment by mail: 66 Patricia Lane, Clinton Corners, NY 12514
Choir (Ages 9-12) - Students must also be registered for Drama (Ages 9-12)
Director: Georgia Santo
Contact: georgia@agapemusicarts.com
Cost: $120 (25 weeks - 1st semester $60, 2nd semester $60 - due January 9th)
Sibling discount available.
This program will be a 25 week program and coincides with the 9-12 drama class. We will culminate with a production, ‘King of the Jungle Musical’ created by Celeste Slydesdale. This is a fun christian musical and children will learn to sing in a choir as well as have the experience of acting. Students will also learn solfedge, sight singing, part singing, and reading music notation.
I graduated from the Crane School of Music with a Bachelor’s in Music Education. Going on to teach General Music and choir in my former elementary school, we soon had our first child. From that point on we decided to homeschool our five children. Three have graduated and I have two wonderful elementary age boys with me now. We have loved the opportunity to bring the Agape program to fellow homeschooling families as a way to glorify God in developing these skills, gifts, and creative interests in children. Agape is the word for God’s unique love and, above all things, we aim to create an atmosphere that reflects this; thus we focus on a safe, encouraging learning environment where children can grow.
Supplies provided: Music book of Jungle Songs, sight singing take homes
Needed: 3 ring binder with side pockets, pencil, dry erase marker, highlighter
Payment by mail: 149 Rombout Rd Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 or Paypal: gsantoagape@gmail.com (please send as family/friend and list your student's name in the memo)
Art (Ages 9-12)
Teacher: Nicole Cunningham
Contact: nicole@agapemusicarts.com
Cost: $120 (23 weeks - 1st semester $60, 2nd semester $60 - due January 9th)
Hi! My name is Nicole Cunningham! I have been a homeschooling mom of 4 boys for 10 years & have been teaching in some aspect for over 20 years! I look forward to working with your children this year!
This class will encompass drawing, painting, building & crafts.
Supplies needed: a drawing pad, pencils (regular and colored) to start. A more detailed list will be emailed by Sept 1st
Payment by cash or check: 185 Rochdale Rd. Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 or Venmo @Nicole-C80 (last 4 digits of my phone # are 0513) or paypay nikkiemaxx@msn.com (please send as family/friend and list your student's name in the memo)
Choir (Ages 6-8)
Teacher: Jennifer Mery
Contact: jennifer@agapemusicarts.com
Cost: $100 (23 weeks - 1st semester $50, 2nd semester $50 - due January 9th)
Sibling discount available.
Hi, my name is Jennifer Mery. I studied music education for 2 and 1/2 years at The King's College. I've taken music lessons since I was very young in violin, piano, guitar and voice. I also enjoyed participating in choirs, orchestras, and plays. My husband and I just finished homeschooling our eight children. So many other homeschooling parents have given sacrificially of their time and talents to help us during our journey that now it's our time to give back. I love to convince children that they can do things they didn't think they could and to challenge the children that already have musical experience to try something that is new to them.
This class will work to develop the voice, actively listen, and sing with expression. Classroom instruments and creative movement will also be used to encourage a sense of rhythm. The chorus will work on songs that will culminate with a concert performance. Most of all, our goal is to enjoy worshiping God together through the gift of music.
All supplies will be provided.
Payment by mail: 4 Spoor Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 or cash
Music (Ages 4-5)
Teacher: Rachel Underwood
Contact: rachel@agapemusicarts.com
Cost: $60 (23 weeks)
My name Is Rachel Underwood. I have three children and live in the Town of Poughkeepsie. I enjoy early education and love teaching about music and art. I have a background in teaching children's classes at the local library and am now homeschooling my own children.
1st semester: We will be learning about rhythm and beat and enjoying singing songs with finger play. Children will keep the rhythm sticks at the end of the semester.
2nd semester: This is a beginners basic drum class. They will be learning songs on their drum and while practicing at home will have to bring their single drum to class each week. Children will take home their single drum and drum sticks at the end of the 2nd semester. (no drum knowledge is required this is very beginner)
This class has a child cap at 10 kids to ensure enough individual attention. Parent must be present in the building during this class.
Please pay by cash. I can meet up or you can drop off to my mailbox. All cost goes directly into supplies for your children and for church facility donation.
3:05 PM - 4:05 PM
Choir (Ages 13+)
Director: Georgia Santo
Contact: georgia@agapemusicarts.com
Cost: $120 (23 weeks - 1st semester $60, 2nd semester $60 - due January 9th)
Sibling discount available.
This will be a 23 week program that culminates with a concert on April 22nd. Students will learn proper singing technique, part singing, daily warmups, sight singing, how to read choral music, and will experience a variety of styles as well as the enjoyment of singing together as a choir.
I graduated from the Crane School of Music with a Bachelor’s in Music Education. Going on to teach General Music and choir in my former elementary school, we soon had our first child. From that point on we decided to homeschool our five children. Three have graduated and I have two wonderful elementary age boys with me now. We have loved the opportunity to bring the Agape program to fellow homeschooling families as a way to glorify God in developing these skills, gifts, and creative interests in children. Agape is the word for God’s unique love and, above all things, we aim to create an atmosphere that reflects this; thus we focus on a safe, encouraging learning environment where children can grow.
Supplies: Provided: choral music and sight singing book
Needed: pocket folder, pencil, highlighter
Payment either by mail: 149 Rombout Rd Poughkeepsie NY 12603, or PayPal: gsantoagape@gmail.com (please send as family/friend and list your student's name in the memo)
Drama (Ages 9-12) - Students must also be registered for Choir (Ages 9-12)
Director: Alicia Donnelly
Contact: alicia@agapemusicarts.com
Cost: $120 (25 weeks - 1st semester $60, 2nd semester $60 - due January 9th)
Sibling discount available.
Hi! My name is Alicia Donnelly and I have been homeschooling for the past 20 years. Three of my children are grown and my 4th, Matthew is in 8th grade. I have always loved performing. As a child and teen I took dance and voice classes. I would always perform in our church plays and skits as well as recitals. Since becoming a homeschooling mom I had a vision for incorporating drama into homeschooling. I have taught in co-ops over the last 15 years and have directed plays and skits as well. My hope is that your children will love acting and demonstrating God’s love through the performing arts!
We will be doing a musical this year called King of the Jungle. We will have speaking parts, choreography for the songs and skits within the singing. I plan on teaching the basic elements of acting and using drama games as tools for learning. This class will coincide with their Choir class.
Supplies Needed: Binder with pockets and paper, pencil.
Payment either by mail: 76 West Long Meadow Drive, Staatsburg 12580 or paypal: makdonnelly@yahoo.com (please send as family/friend and list your student's name in the memo)
Beginner Guitar (Ages 9-12)
Teacher: Andrew Baffi
Contact: andrew@agapemusicarts.com
Cost: $100 (23 weeks)
Hi! My name is Andrew. I can be found most Wednesdays and Sundays at Calvary Chapel of the Hudson Valley with the Worship team and my guitar. I have a passion for music and worship and I look forward to teaching some of what I know to the children of Agape Music & Arts.
This class will teach introductory guitar, focusing on finger exercises, chords, scales, songs, basic music theory, ear training, how to tune, etc. This class will be geared to towards those who have never played guitar before and will be limited to 10 students.
Supplies provided: guitar picks and handouts
Required: Playable guitar, no toy guitars (acoustic or electric but no amplification), tuner (can be found on Amazon or Alto music)
Payment by mail: 66 Patricia Lane, Clinton Corners, NY 12514
Art (Ages 6-8)
Teacher: Rachel Underwood
Contact: rachel@agapemusicarts.com
Cost: $30 (23 weeks) - There may be an extra expense for supplies mid semester.
My name Is Rachel Underwood. I have three children and live in the Town of Poughkeepsie. I enjoy early education and love teaching about music and art. I have a background in teaching children's classes at the local library and am now homeschooling my own children.
This cost will ensure a take home art kit and take home drawing practice lessons. There may be an extra expense for supplies mid semester.
We will be learning basic drawing skills while implementing fun and expressive art project lessons as well. Each week your child will be bringing home a drawing or art project. This class has a child cap at 10 kids to ensure enough individual attention. Parent must be present in the building during this class.
Payment by cash. All cost goes directly into supplies for your children and for church facility donation. Contact rachel@agapemusicarts.com to meet up.
Art 2 (Ages 6-8)
Teacher: Nicole Cunningham
Contact: nicole@agapemusicarts.com
Cost: $120 (23 weeks - 1st semester $60, 2nd semester $60 - due January 9th)
Hi! My name is Nicole Cunningham! I have been a homeschooling mom of 4 boys for 10 years & have been teaching in some aspect for over 20 years! I look forward to working with your children this year!
This class will encompass a variety of Arts and Crafts projects using the Good & Beautiful Curriculum.
Supplies: Most items will be supplied but a detailed list of items needed will be sent out Sept 1st.
Payment by cash or check: 185 Rochdale Rd. Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 or Venmo @Nicole-C80 (last 4 digits of my phone # are 0513) or paypay nikkiemaxx@msn.com (please send as family/friend and list your student's name in the memo)
Drama (Ages 6-8)
Teacher: Anita Platyan
Contact: anita@agapemusicarts.com
Cost: $100 (23 weeks - 1st semester $50, 2nd semester $50 - due January 9th)
Sibling discount available.
This will be a Bible Drama and Dance class where we will be performing moral based and biblical story skits, incorporating appropriate dances. Children will be playing out different Bible and theme based characters along with learning dances to Christian music.
I am a homeschooling mom with a passion to teach children about the Bible. I was a dancer up until college and enjoy choreographing cultural dances.
Payment by cash or check: 7 Eldorado Drive, Poughkeepsie NY 12603
Art (Ages 4-5)
Teacher: Veronica Stouter
Contact: veronicahstouter@gmail.com
Cost: $60 (22 weeks - 1st semester $30, 2nd semester $30 - due January 9th)
The goal of this class is to encourage observation and awareness of God’s creation, and to see creative skills as a gift from God. We will explore the elements of design, touch on a few classic artists, sample different techniques and materials, and most of all have fun expressing ourselves together! Examples from each student will be displayed at the end of the year concert on April 22.
I am a graduate of Pratt Institute with a BA in Communication Design. I look forward to meeting everyone and learning about art basics together!
Supplies: Supplies will be provided
Payment: By mail: 55 Haviland Road, Poughkeepsie NY 12601 or by Venmo @Caleb-Stouter (please send as family/friend and list your student's name in the memo)