High School Art 101/Advanced Art Techniques (Ages 13+)

Teacher: Juliet Sweeney

Contact: juliet@agapemusicarts.com

Cost: $144 (you can pay the full amount or $72 due at the beginning of each semester.)

Sibling discount available.

Hi! My name is Juliet Sweeney. I have a Bachelor's of Fine Arts with a specialization in Drawing and Painting. I am a homeschooling mom of two teens. I have volunteered with the high school and young adult ministries at CCHV for over 20 years. I am excited to work with your teens, getting to know them and their interests in art.

In this class, we will be covering the fundamentals of art and also discovering different styles and techniques, experimenting with a variety of mediums.

**For advanced students who have already taken art classes with me, they will be taught further concepts and techniques to build upon what they have learned in previous years with me.**

All finished student artwork is displayed at the Art Show during the  Agape Spring concert.

Supplies Needed:  Students will need a sketchbook and drawing pencil.  All other supplies will be provided.

Payment by mail: PO Box 22 Verbank, NY 12585 

High School Drama (Ages 13+) 

Director: Alicia Donnelly

Contact: alicia@agapemusicarts.com

Cost: $120 (1st semester $60 due September 16th, 2nd semester $60 due January 20th) 

Sibling discount available.

Hi! My name is Alicia Donnelly and I have been homeschooling for the past 22 years. Three of my children are grown and my 4th, Matthew is in 10th grade.  I will be teaching drama this year at Agape 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!

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 17 years.

For the Teen class we will be using a book called Drama, A Comprehensive Guide to Dramatic Elements and Style as well as many exercises from Dramanotebook.com.  We will learn about Vocabulary, Staging,  Set, Film vs. TV, Themes, and many other topics. I plan on incorporating games and exercises in with student sheets and assignments.  We will be either performing a play that is already written or writing one of our own. So far, we have written two of our own and had great success and laughs with them!

Supplies Needed: Notebook and pencil

Payment: by mail: 76 West Long Meadow Drive Staatsburg, NY 12580 or Paypal: makdonnelly@yahoo.com (friends and family, please.  Thank you.)

Musical Choir (Ages 9-13) - Students must be registered for both Musical - Musical Choir & Musical Drama.

Director: Georgia Santo

Contact: georgia@agapemusicarts.com

Cost: $140 (1st semester $70, 2nd semester $70 due January 20th)

Sibling discount available.

This program will be a 25 week program and coincides with the 9-13 drama class. We will culminate with a production of, ‘Star Quest-Search for the Stolen Scriptures’ 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’s theme is, ‘taking God’s Word to the Universe’ and uses music in a unique way to treasure and store God’s Word in our minds and hearts. 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 middle school 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

Supplies Needed: Folder with 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)

*Please review dates of classes and performance to be certain of your ability to commit to the full program. Thank you!

Middle School Art (Ages 9-12) 

Teacher: Nicole Cunningham & Noemi Maisonet

Contact: nicole@agapemusicarts.com

Cost: $200 

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! 

My name is Noemí Maisonet and I’m a mother of two. I’ve been a homeschooler mom for two years and I’ve been teaching for over 10 years.

We look forward to working with your children this year!

This class will encompass drawing, painting, building & crafts. 

Payment by cash or check: 185 Rochdale Rd. Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 or Venmo: @Nicole-C80 (last 4 digits of my phone # are 0513 - Please send as family/friend and list your student's name in the memo)

Elementary Choir (Ages 6-8) 

Teacher: Jennifer Mery

Contact: jennifer@agapemusicarts.com

Cost: $100 (1st semester $50, 2nd semester $50)

Sibling discount available.

Hi, my name is Jennifer Mery. I studied music education and Bible at The King’s College and I was involved in many choirs, orchestras, and plays. I have been teaching children’s music classes of all ages at homeschool co-ops for many years. My eight adult homeschooled children all love music!

This year I plan to lead the elementary choir in vocal exercises and introduce them to reading music for both melody and rhythm. I like to choose songs from several genres. Also, we will be using several instruments such as rhythm sticks, triangles, handbells, and boomwhackers. Games and praise dance will add variety. Lots of singing and learning to blend as a choir for the end of the year performance will hopefully encourage musical ability, lasting friendships, and a desire to honor the Lord in everything they do in life.

All supplies will be provided.

Payment: cash or check to be given on the first day of each semester or by mail: 4 Spoor Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 

Pre-school Art (Ages 4-5) 

Teacher: Veronica Stouter

Contact: veronica@agapemusicarts.com

Cost: $50 (1st semester $25, 2nd semester $25)

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/art show. Please note that this class will be a 45 minute class.

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!

All 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)

High School Choir (Ages 13+)

Director: Georgia Santo

Contact: georgia@agapemusicarts.com

Cost: $120 (1st semester $60, 2nd semester $60 due January 20th)

Sibling discount available.

This will be a 22 week program that culminates with a concert on April 26th. Students will learn proper, healthy singing technique, part singing, sight singing, choral reading, daily warmups, and will experience a variety of musical styles and cultures as well as the joy of singing together as a choir. Students should be prepared to work hard and diligently practice their parts at home as each part is important to the whole. Students will come away stronger, more confident musicians and enjoy the teamwork with friends.

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 middleschool 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 prints

Supplies  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)

Musical Drama (Ages 9-13) - Students must be registered for both Musical - Musical Choir & Musical Drama.

Director: Alicia Donnelly

Contact: alicia@agapemusicarts.com

Cost: $140 (1st semester $70 due September 16th,  2nd semester $70 due January 20th) 

Sibling discount available.

Hi! My name is Alicia Donnelly and I have been homeschooling for the past 22 years. Three of my children are grown and my 4th, Matthew is in 10th grade.  I will be teaching drama this year at Agape 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!

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 17 years.

For the 9-13 drama class we will be doing a musical this year called , 'Star Quest-Search for the Stolen Scriptures' created by Christy and David Semsen. This class will coincide with the 9-13 music class as well. You must take both classes to be in this musical.

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. 

Supplies Provided: Book and CD

Supplies Needed: Folder with paper and pencil

Payment: 76 West Long Meadow Drive Staatsburg, NY 12580 or Paypal – makdonnelly@yahoo.com friends and family, please.  Thank you.

*Please review dates of classes and performance to be certain of your ability to commit to the full program. Thank you!

Elementary Art (Ages 6-8) 

Teacher: Kelly Kochem

Contact: kelly@agapemusicarts.com

Cost: $200 ($100 first semester, $100 second semester)

My name is Kelly Kochem, and I am a homeschooling mom to two children. I have my degree in Elementary Education, a master's in Literacy, and a love for art and education. 

This art class will be appropriate for children ages 6-8. This class will focus on the seven elements of art and the art projects will be inspired by famous artists throughout history. Art projects will be fun and hands-on. We'll use many different art materials to create and learn different styles of art. 

Supplies Needed: Please have an art bag with sharpened pencils, 1 box of crayons, 1 box of markers, elmer's glue, and 1 glue stick, Please label supplies with your child's name. 

All other supplies will be provided. 

Payment: check or venmo please
venmo: @kelly kochem (last 4 digits are 3823)

Elementary Art (Ages 6-8) - 1st Semester Only

Teacher: Katherine Nathan

Contact:  katherine@agapemusicarts.com

Cost: $50 (This class is only offered during the 1st semester - September 23rd - November 25th)

Hello all! My name is Katherine Nathan, this will be my first year as a teacher for Agapé. I am excited to work with your children for the first session! We will be focusing on Journaling with different art supplies, I will lead them in creating their journals, and we will explore the various ways to journal their thoughts and feelings creatively. We will also use God’s word to help navigate the thoughts and feelings. 

My husband and I decided to pull our children home last year and begin our homeschool journey! I have loved spending our days learning together. We do a lot of arts and crafts that I have found a passion for. We have been so blessed to spend time in God’s Word, which has helped the kids navigate their feelings.  Before that, I worked at Bank of America in retail consumer banking. 

Supplies Needed: Looking for any scrapbook supplies! If you have any lying around you have meant to use but never used, we would love to put them to use! Or if you know anyone looking to get rid of some! 

Payment: Venmo @Kat-Nathan

Drama (Ages 6-8) - 2nd Semester Only

Teacher: Anita Platyan

Contact: anita@agapemusicarts.com

Cost: $60 (2nd semester only, cash due January 20)

This program will be 11 weeks and will focus on manners and acting them out in an appropriate way. Each week we will focus on a new concept and through acting, learn how to express ourselves in a Godly way. This program will focus on growth and development, not only in acting, but in developing a heart for Christ. There is no performance in the concert at the end of this class

I enjoy homeschooling our three boys and am excited to share Christ’s love with children another year through the Agape program.

Payment: cash only

Pre-school Music (Ages 4-5) 

Teacher: Jennifer Mery

Contact: jennifer@agapemusicarts.com

Cost: $100 (1st semester $50, 2nd semester $50 - due January 9th)

Sibling discount available.

Hi, My name is Jennifer Mery. I grew up with a mother who is an opera singer and who brought me to many vocal and instrumental recitals as well as operas. Hence my love for singing, drama, and all instruments! I have enjoyed teaching music classes in homeschool co-ops and a class for 3 and 4 year olds at my church for many years. After homeschooling our eight children, my husband and I enjoy giving back to others after all the generosity shown to us from the Homeschooling Community.

This year I plan to introduce easy singing exercises, creative movement, one song with sign language, and simple classroom instruments. Melody and rhythm will be explored through children’s songs, games, and short Bible skits. My goal is for the children to have a lot of fun while encouraging a love for the Lord and building lifelong friendships through music that honors Him. Family and friends will be able to see and hear their accomplishments at the end of the year performance!

All supplies will be provided.

Payment: cash or check to be given on the first day of each semester or by mail: 4 Spoor Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603