WOW & BRAVO!!! Our String Society 2025 program, presented by D-E 360° Summer, ended on a high note with a wonderful Grand Finale Concert. The concert, performed to a standing room-only audience in Hajjar Auditorium, was the culmination of a week-long, intensive series of chamber music sectionals, private lessons, conducting workshops, solo ‘shares’, and more. An impressive group of 20+ student musicians, ranging from elementary to high school grades, performed an array of colorful works emblematic of the String Society 2025 theme: “Kaleidoscope”. Pieces performed included “Dragonheart” (Richard Meyer), “Caribbean Delight” (Victor Lopez); “Romanian Folk Dances” (Bela Bartok, arr. Deborah Baker Monday); and perennial String Society favorite “Palladio” (Karl Jenkins). String Society 2025 Co-Directors Ani Kalayjian (Cellist) and Ella Heifets (Violinist) expressed thanks to all the program participants and shared their highlights, including how student musicians were privileged to work closely with a fantastic group of professional faculty; received energetic, inspiring, and encouraging direction from Sue On, Conductor; and had the unique opportunity to workshop with Drew Peterson, critically-acclaimed international concert pianist and former D-E student. D-E 360° Director Dr. Sherronda Brown echoed these words of gratitude and spoke to the enduring legacy of the String Society program and its positive impact on all involved. CHEERS to a stellar String Society 2025 program!

Now that our 2024-2025 school year is in the books, we want to thank all of our incredible alumni for their continued connection and support! We’re especially excited to welcome the Class of 2025 into the alumni community, to celebrate the arrival of our incoming Head of School, Dr. James Calleroz White, and to look ahead to another exciting year filled with new milestones and opportunities for alumni engagement. Alumni are a vital part of the D-E story—our past shapes our future, and your impact continues to power what makes D-E so special. And there’s still time to make a difference! Our fiscal year ends Monday, June 30. Every gift—no matter the size—supports the programs, faculty, and opportunities that define the D-E experience. Make your gift today by clicking the link in our bio.

D-E celebrated its teachers and staff recently, during the annual Faculty & Staff Lunch under the big tent on Leggett Field. D-E 360° campers kicked off the festivities with a drumming performance, led by Middle School Music Teacher Jean-Marie Collatin, ahead of opening remarks from Interim Head of School Preeti Fibiger P ’24, who thanked all of those at the school who have put in 10, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 years of service.  Ms. Fibiger also presented The Blackwell Award to Science Teacher Andrea Bautista, The Carskadon Award for Teaching Excellence to English Teacher Diane Christian, the Williams Award for Creative Excellence to PreK 4 Teacher Nicole Taranto, and The Geralyn Kossmann Award to Transportation and Calendar Coordinator Jackie Simon. The next year’s Leggett Umpleby Series speaker was subsequently announced: English Teacher Fred Daly will present “The Arc of Shakespeare Tragedy,” which will address the playwright’s ongoing relevance. Then, D-E retirees World Language Department Chair Bill Biondolino, Music Teacher John Littlefield, Lower School Nurse Maureen Krane, and 8th Grade Advisor Liz Traub were honored. Each retiree had comments made about them in memorable ways, including the performance of a Paganini string duet from Annaliesa Place and Diego Garcia. (And save the date: Having served D-E for 40 years, Ms. Traub will also be honored with a classroom dedicated in her name at the October 2025 Alumni Reunion.) As part of her personal remarks, Ms. Fibiger gave thanks to the school community for their continued support as she fulfilled her transitional role. She also implored those gathered to “think about what you accomplished this year” and expressed gratitude to them for “always showing up in the service of our students.” We couldn’t agree more—and wish all our faculty and staff an amazing summer!