Choir (Ages *8-12) - Students must also be registered for Drama (Ages 8-12). Note: must have turned 8 by January 2023

Director: Georgia Santo

Contact: georgia@agapemusicarts.com

Cost: $125 (25 weeks - 1st semester $65, 2nd semester $60 - due January 15th)

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 of, ‘Back to the Beginning’ A Kids Musical Adventure Through Time’ created by Christy Semsen, arranged by Daniel Semsen. Students will learn to sing in a choir as well as have the experience of acting. This musical is also unique in that it combines messages of God’s love with a journey through varying styles of music throughout history and the accompanying dance. Students will also learn solfedge, sight singing, part singing, proper singing technique, and how to read 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, 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 or Venmo: @gsantoagape (please send as family/friend and list your student's name in the memo)

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 9th 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 16 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 continue 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. The kids did a wonderful job last year and I can’t wait to see what this year will bring!!

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)

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,  as well as beginner music theory and notation. Creative movement and classroom instruments will also be used to encourage a sense of rhythm. The chorus will work on songs that will culminate with a concert performance and musical selections will include worshiping God and patriotism and will culminate with the 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 and Elizabeth Latendorf

Contact: rachel@agapemusicarts.com

Cost: $15

Elizabeth Latendorf and Rachel Underwood are both homeschool mothers looking to instill the love and joy of music into our children. 

This years class will introduce the children to different genres of music. The focus will be on beginner theory through games, play and instruction in beat and rhythm. The children will be introduced to praise and worship songs while memorizing lyrics and hand motions with a special focus on being the light of the world. 

NOTE: The class duration will be 45 minutes. Please pick your children up at end of class so the next teacher can set up for their class. Teachers can not swap rooms until all children are picked up by their parents. 

Payment due upon the first class by cash only. 

Art (Ages 13+)

Teacher: Juliet Sweeney

Contact: juliet@agapemusicarts.com

Cost: $130 (23 weeks - 1st semester $65, 2nd semester $65 - 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: PO Box 22 Verbank, NY 12585 or venmo @mattnjewels  (please send as family/friend and list your student's name in the memo)

Choir (Ages 13+)

Director: Georgia Santo

Contact: georgia@agapemusicarts.com

Cost: $120 (23 weeks - 1st semester $60, 2nd semester $60 - due January 15th)

Sibling discount available.

This will be a 23 week program that culminates with a concert on April 27nd. 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 by mail: 149 Rombout Rd Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 or Paypal: gsantoagape@gmail.com or Venmo: @gsantoagape (please send as family/friend and list your student's name in the memo)

Drama (Ages *8-12) - Students must also be registered for Choir (Ages 8-12). Note: must have turned 8 by January 2023

Director: Alicia Donnelly

Contact: alicia@agapemusicarts.com

Cost: $125 (25 weeks - 1st semester $65, 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 9th 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 16years 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 another musical this year called Back to the Beginning. Here is the link for a description of it https://wordchoralclub.com/shop/discount-groups/15-wcc-discount/back-to-the-beginning-33 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)

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.

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: In person on the first day of class or by Venmo @Caleb-Stouter (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)

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)

Drama & Dance (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 have studied three years of modern dance in high school and have participated in many plays middle school, high school and as an adult in my church. I have also studied praise dance with my church.

We will open class prayer, Bible memory verses, and “Question of the Day” (an ice-breaker game to encourage creativity, make new friends and just have fun together!). Then we will warm up with cardio and stretching and practice new dance strategies such as moving across the floor together. And next, we will memorize choreography for a praise song act out a Bible story culminating in our end of the year performance.

All supplies will be provided.

Bring to class: Please always wear sneakers to dance class and girls, when wearing a dress or skirt, please wear shorts underneath. Also, please bring your own water bottle each time labeled with your first and last name. Thank you and look forward to seeing everyone!

Payment by mail: 4 Spoor Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 or cash 

Art (Ages 6-8) 

Teacher: Kelly Kochem

Contact: kochemk@gmail.com

Cost: $120 for 22 weeks

My name is Kelly Kochem. I am a homeschooling mom to my two children. We are beginning our fifth year of homeschool.  I am a former elementary school teacher.  I also have my Master's in Literacy and a love for art. 

This art class will be geared for children ages 6-8. I will incorporate literacy by reading a new book each week. We will then use the book as inspiration for creating art. Each art project will be a guided lesson focusing on skills such as perception, collage, clay modeling, colors, and shapes. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone!

Supplies Needed: A folder for artwork, pencil, glue stick. All other supplies will be provided 

Payment: Cash on first day of class or venmo @Kelly-Kochem (last 4 digits are 3823) 

Dulcimer (Ages 9-12)

Director: Georgia Santo

Contact: georgia@agapemusicarts.com

Cost: $183 ( 23 weeks of instruction and the Simplicity Dulcimer to keep)

The Appalachian dulcimer is a beautiful, fretted string instrument originally played in the Appalachian region of America. This instrument is a perfect one to start on as it is quickly learned and sounds good even from the fist strum. The students will own their own dulcimer and weekly be instructed in learning many favorite songs on them. They will explore American and other folk tunes, learn to play in a group, learn to read music, and culminate with a concert on April 27th. 

I graduated from the Crane School of Music with a Bachelor’s in Music Education. This same Dulcimer was taught to me here and I grew to love the potential it had to increase music appreciation and ability in a very simple way. 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: Dulcimer and book (check out: backyardmusic.com to view and hear this instrument) The Dulcimer is made from a very high quality, sturdy cardboard.

           Needed: pocket folder, pencil, highlighter

Payment by mail: 149 Rombout Rd Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 or Paypal: gsantoagape@gmail.com or Venmo: @gsantoagape (please send as family/friend and list your student's name in the memo)

Beginner Guitar (13+)

Director: Robin Wheatley

Contact: robin@agapemusicarts.com

Cost: $120 (23 weeks - 1st semester $60, 2nd semester $60 - due January 9th)

This class is for beginning guitarists.  We will be using the book "Mastering the Guitar" by William Bay and Mike Christiansen (provided).  It is a class method that teaches tuning, note and tablature reading, chords, and basic ensemble playing.  Students will be expected to practice at home in between classes and come back prepared for new material.  The book includes access to a website which has mp.3 practice files to make learning easier.  We will also learn some Christian praise songs/hymns.  The class will perform in the Spring concert.  

I have been involved with Agape since its beginning, and this is the second time I will be teaching beginning guitar.  I hold a dual bachelor's degree in Music Therapy and Music Education from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, and have taught music at Upton Lake Christian School, as well as in homeschool co-ops and private lessons over the years.  I have been homeschooling since 2008, and have one graduated child, and one in 10th grade. I look forward to working with your teens!

Supplies: Provided: "Mastering the Guitar" book, song sheets and handouts, pick, pencil and folder

           Needed: working guitar (preferably acoustic)

Payment: check mailed to Robin Wheatley, 8 Glen Hill, Dover Plains, NY  12522, or Paypal wheatley.robinL@gmail.com (please use friend/family option, and put your student's name in the memo)