Thank you to D-E’s Visual Arts & Design and Performing Arts Departments for a spectacular showcasing of original student work this spring! Whether visiting our Swartley Art Gallery exhibits or attending events on the stages of Schenck Auditorium, Hajjar Auditorium, or the Leggett Hall Theatre Lab, anyone with an interest in the arts has had so much to enjoy and experience this past season.
Middle School Musical Cast and Crew Get Ready for High School!
This year’s Middle School Musical is High School Musical JR., based on the 2006 Disney Channel Original Movie in which Troy, the captain of East High School’s basketball team, and Gabriella, who’s at the top of her class, try out for the lead roles in the spring musical. The students end up drawn to each other, despite encountering some obstacles along the way.
The leads for D-E’s production include Ella Gorcie ’30, Owen Lee ’29, Brooke Cohen ’29, and Austin Tiemann ’30. According to Eileen Lynch, MS Theater Director and Drama Teacher, the idea to put on this show came about after a casual conversation with MS Principal Jonathan Davis. “We were commenting on the themes of togetherness and community woven through the show and thought it would be a good fit for the Middle School production here at D-E.”
Lower School Music Teacher Lisa Dove is the Music Director, and John John Tarrayo and Bella Savas will choreograph this dance-centric show, assisted by student Dance Captain Arianna Chan ’30. “I honestly think [this show has] helped some of us discover sides of ourselves we didn’t even know were there,” remarks Arianna. “It’s been a fun ride!”
To read more about the making of the MS Musical, click the link in our bio.
The Fifth Grade Opera Opens a Door to Theatre
As part of a longstanding tradition, D-E Performing Arts presented the Fifth Grade Opera for the broader D-E community on Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Hajjar Auditorium. The opera is traditionally divided into three operettas, for which the Lower School (LS) students...
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Foster Creativity
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, presented by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, is the nation’s longest-running recognition program for creative students in grades 7-12, ages 13 and older. “Scholastic is an institution that has supported students’ artistic expression in writing and visual arts nationally,” says Ms. Marisol Diaz, Chair of the Art & Design Department. “It can open up other opportunities, such as residencies and scholarships.” You also become part of a community of Scholastic winners, adds Ms. Diaz. This year, D-E’s national award winners were Sydney Adekanbi ’25 and Blake Glasser ’27.
Swartley Gallery Senior Spotlight 2025 Exhibit Reception Highlights
This afternoon, the Swartley Gallery hosted a reception of “The Senior Spotlight”—the final exhibit of the Swartley Gallery Series for this school year. It was a bittersweet swan song of sorts for the Class of 2025, who have taken AP Studio Art. For this series,...
Reminder: Annual Orchestra Extravaganza Concert is Friday April 25!
Don’t miss tomorrow’s Annual Orchestra Extravaganza Concert! The D-E community is invited to this live concert, a beloved tradition presented by D-E Performing Arts Department, on April 25 at 7 PM in Schenck Auditorium. It will feature musical ensembles from all three...
LS Students Prepare for Fifth Grade Opera
D-E Lower School (LS) students are working hard preparing for the Fifth Grade Opera, with a final performance tomorrow evening! Students collaborated to conceptualize the opera, write the script, and compose the music with the help of Lower School Music Teachers Ms....
Chamber Music Society Hosts Afternoon Concert in Hulst House
D-E’s Chamber Music Society (DCMS) hosted a small concert in Hulst House last Thursday afternoon. The showcase began with Miranda Cheng ’26, Brandan Zhu ’26, and Sianne Kim ’26 performing “Por Una Cabeza,” followed by Brahms’ Clarinet Trio in A minor, Op. 114, played...
Jazz Rock Spring Show on April 17
Jazz Rock, directed by our legendary Mr. Rob DeBellis and with vocal coordination by Mr. Kenneth Kacmar, hit another one out of the park with its Spring Show this morning in Schenck Auditorium! An enthusiastic crowd cheered, hooted, and clapped along to a dozen...
Swartley Gallery LS “High Five” Closing Reception
Art-tastic! The Swartley Gallery displayed multimedia work from our Lower School art students as part of the “Keep the High Five Alive” showcase, curated by Ms. Christine Hanaway Maloney. First graders experimented with colors and patterns by painting squares...
Orchestra Extravaganza Concert is Friday, April 25
Save the date! On Friday, April 25, D-E Performing Arts Department’s annual Orchestra Extravaganza Concert is set to perform. Rehearsals are underway with D-Edicated guidance from our Music Department faculty; student musicians from all three divisions will be...
