Visual Arts
Students enrolled in the Visual Art program at LFAS will experience a wide range of materials, techniques and processes ranging from traditional to experimental. Drawing and mark-making form a major part of the program along with painting, printmaking, mixed-media, sculptural work, and textiles. Art history is also taught at each grade level and is integrated into key units of study. Visiting artists and guests are also invited into our studios to share their expertise and enrich the program.
In addition to building strong technical skills in a variety of media and techniques, students in our program learn to develop their thinking and problem solving skills in relation to their art making. As the years advance the students explore themes, ideas and concepts that are both engaging and personally relevant. As a result, art critiques and the ability to discuss personal ideas and art works play an increasingly significant roll in the senior program.
All Visual Art students in the program have the opportunity to participate in a number of exhibitions that take place annually in the Mary Pratt Gallery within the school. Depending on the grade levels involved students learn how to hang and advertise exhibitions, title works and write artist statements.
Students who are interested in pursuing visual art in post-secondary schools in fields as diverse as architecture through animation, fine arts and a variety of design fields are encouraged to enroll in our Advanced Placement programs at the grade 11 and 12 levels. In these courses students learn how to prepare a powerful portfolio to gain both admission to their schools of choice around the globe along with earning scholarships to help fund their artistic dreams. Becoming a member of our extensive and diverse Visual Art Alumni is both a responsibility and a privilege, providing opportunities to network and gain support from a creative community of artists and designers.
Be sure to visit the Mary Pratt Gallery page.
In addition to building strong technical skills in a variety of media and techniques, students in our program learn to develop their thinking and problem solving skills in relation to their art making. As the years advance the students explore themes, ideas and concepts that are both engaging and personally relevant. As a result, art critiques and the ability to discuss personal ideas and art works play an increasingly significant roll in the senior program.
All Visual Art students in the program have the opportunity to participate in a number of exhibitions that take place annually in the Mary Pratt Gallery within the school. Depending on the grade levels involved students learn how to hang and advertise exhibitions, title works and write artist statements.
Students who are interested in pursuing visual art in post-secondary schools in fields as diverse as architecture through animation, fine arts and a variety of design fields are encouraged to enroll in our Advanced Placement programs at the grade 11 and 12 levels. In these courses students learn how to prepare a powerful portfolio to gain both admission to their schools of choice around the globe along with earning scholarships to help fund their artistic dreams. Becoming a member of our extensive and diverse Visual Art Alumni is both a responsibility and a privilege, providing opportunities to network and gain support from a creative community of artists and designers.
Be sure to visit the Mary Pratt Gallery page.
Photography
Photography majors learn how to communicate visually. This hands-on intensive course exposes students to the power of photography as a visual communication tool, as a means of self expression, and a vehicle for social commentary. Students learn technical and compositional aspects of photography using digital and analogue tools. We explore our world through the lens by venturing on several field trips throughout the year to (at least once per month). By the end of Photography 12, students will be expected to produce a well developed photographic portfolio.
Photo major students will learn the following:
Photography 12 Elective
"Photographs can reach eternity through the moment". - Henri Cartier-Bresson.
In Photography 12, students will create a body of thoughtful, creative work presented in a well-organized portfolio. The student will be self-directed creating projects and producing works specific to their interests in the medium. Students will become more competent with darkroom processes, mixing chemicals, developing film, printing and enlarging B/W and colour images, and become more proficient with digital processes. There will be an in-class critique every two weeks. Photography 11 Elective
"A photograph can hold just as much as we put into it, no one has yet approached the full possibilities of the medium." - Ansel Adams
Photography is an excellent way to capture the moment and hold memories. It is the contents in the family album. The photograph is the essence of human history. Upon completing photography 11, the student will be able to identify and compose a successful photograph, learn how to use the camera in a creative and confident manner as a way to document life and as a vehicle for artistic expression, understand and develop both B/W and colour film, be more familiar with darkroom processes, print and enlarge images, and learn how to scan and manipulate images in Adobe Photoshop.
Photography 10
"A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you the less you know." - Diane Arbus
Photography 10 is an exploration of the visual world around us as we collect memories, thoughts, and ideas by capturing light. In class students learn how to use and operate cameras, from point and shoot to manual cameras composition, symbolism, concepts, and issues. Students are introduced to a wide spectrum of the medium from darkroom to digital. Upon completing photography 10, the student will be able to identify and compose a successful photograph, learn how to use the camera as creative tool to document life and as a means for artistic expression. Students will learn more advanced photographic concepts and processes from film to digital processes.
Photography 9
"One must stand still and open one's eyes, to truly see the spirits that move amongst us!" - J. Wayne Kaubach Photography is an excellent way to capture the moment and hold memories. It is the contents in the family album, and the essence of human history. Upon completing photography 9, students learn how to use the camera as creative tool to document the world around them. Students will learn photographic concepts and processes from digital to film processes: they will understand basic properties of light, composition, and darkroom processes from developing B/W film o enlarging images, and have proficiency with computer imaging.
Photo major students will learn the following:
- Composition and Design
- Digital and Film Camera Operations
- Exposure, Depth of Field and Shutter Speed
- Black & White Darkroom
- Colour Darkroom
- Studio Photography
- Photoshop - Image Manipulation
- Photographic History
- Portraiture, Landscapes, Still Life, Photojournalism
- Experimental, Theme Based and Conceptual Photography
- Ideas, Communication, Symbolism and Imagery
- Visual Literacy, Media Literacy, Technology Literacy
- Post-Secondary and Photography Careers
- Portfolio Development
Photography 12 Elective
"Photographs can reach eternity through the moment". - Henri Cartier-Bresson.
In Photography 12, students will create a body of thoughtful, creative work presented in a well-organized portfolio. The student will be self-directed creating projects and producing works specific to their interests in the medium. Students will become more competent with darkroom processes, mixing chemicals, developing film, printing and enlarging B/W and colour images, and become more proficient with digital processes. There will be an in-class critique every two weeks. Photography 11 Elective
"A photograph can hold just as much as we put into it, no one has yet approached the full possibilities of the medium." - Ansel Adams
Photography is an excellent way to capture the moment and hold memories. It is the contents in the family album. The photograph is the essence of human history. Upon completing photography 11, the student will be able to identify and compose a successful photograph, learn how to use the camera in a creative and confident manner as a way to document life and as a vehicle for artistic expression, understand and develop both B/W and colour film, be more familiar with darkroom processes, print and enlarge images, and learn how to scan and manipulate images in Adobe Photoshop.
Photography 10
"A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you the less you know." - Diane Arbus
Photography 10 is an exploration of the visual world around us as we collect memories, thoughts, and ideas by capturing light. In class students learn how to use and operate cameras, from point and shoot to manual cameras composition, symbolism, concepts, and issues. Students are introduced to a wide spectrum of the medium from darkroom to digital. Upon completing photography 10, the student will be able to identify and compose a successful photograph, learn how to use the camera as creative tool to document life and as a means for artistic expression. Students will learn more advanced photographic concepts and processes from film to digital processes.
Photography 9
"One must stand still and open one's eyes, to truly see the spirits that move amongst us!" - J. Wayne Kaubach Photography is an excellent way to capture the moment and hold memories. It is the contents in the family album, and the essence of human history. Upon completing photography 9, students learn how to use the camera as creative tool to document the world around them. Students will learn photographic concepts and processes from digital to film processes: they will understand basic properties of light, composition, and darkroom processes from developing B/W film o enlarging images, and have proficiency with computer imaging.
Music
Collaborating...
is our way to prepare in...
We learn the mechanics of music to compose...
In concerts, festivals, tours and records we...
Classes and Electives offered:
Play Sample 1 | Play Sample 2 | Play Sample 3
is our way to prepare in...
- listening to each other
- sharing our efforts
- discussing ideas for improving
We learn the mechanics of music to compose...
- music for class projects
- music for our ensembles
- music to record
In concerts, festivals, tours and records we...
- sing or play a phrase with intensity and excitement...together
- harness the hours of preparation into a few minutes to share with the audience
- communicate our music beyond our community, province and country!
Classes and Electives offered:
- Junior Choir (8-10)
- Senior Choir (10-12)
- Chamber Choir (10-12)
- Vocal Ensembles
- Instrumental Music
- Recorder Ensemble (Intermediate)
- Junior Concert Band (8-10)
- Senior Concert Band (10-12)
- Orchestra (Junior and Senior)
- Chamber Ensembles
- Vocal Jazz
- Junior Jazz Ensemble
- Senior Jazz Ensemble
- Jazz Combos
Play Sample 1 | Play Sample 2 | Play Sample 3
Drama
The Theatre Department's high school program is designed to encourage students to discover and nurture their imaginations as both creative actors and innovative collaborators. Students follow a sequential program that introduces a variety of contemporary and traditional acting techniques while nourishing the writing and directing of their own original productions.
From Grade 8 to 12, students produce, act and create: original thematically-based anthologies, adapted novels to script, edited or adapted Shakespeare, a professionally written one-act, a play-built tour show as well as writing their own one-acts in Grades 11 and 12. Students are continually working towards audition-quality monologues and scene work that draw from both classical and contemporary works in preparation for contests, film and theatrical auditions as well as college and university applications.
Drama students graduate with a fundamental understanding of the history of theatre, from Greek to Canadian contemporary, as well as a practical understanding of theatre production, including stage management, lights and sound design, fly rigging, front of house and promotion.
Students are required to attend professional theatre as a co-curricular activity as well as participating in annual workshops with the professional theatre community. We are extremely fortunate to have many clinicians eager to work with our students.
From Grade 8 to 12, students produce, act and create: original thematically-based anthologies, adapted novels to script, edited or adapted Shakespeare, a professionally written one-act, a play-built tour show as well as writing their own one-acts in Grades 11 and 12. Students are continually working towards audition-quality monologues and scene work that draw from both classical and contemporary works in preparation for contests, film and theatrical auditions as well as college and university applications.
Drama students graduate with a fundamental understanding of the history of theatre, from Greek to Canadian contemporary, as well as a practical understanding of theatre production, including stage management, lights and sound design, fly rigging, front of house and promotion.
Students are required to attend professional theatre as a co-curricular activity as well as participating in annual workshops with the professional theatre community. We are extremely fortunate to have many clinicians eager to work with our students.
Dance
Grade 8 Dance:
The Grade 8 Dance Major course will provide a transition from recreational class to the more intensive technical and choreographic training at the Grade 9-12 level. Students take Dance class 6 hours a week. The dance techniques of modern, ballet and jazz will be studied, as well as student composition and choreography. Dancers study technique and alignment through warm-up exercises, discussion, writing and testing. Movement phrases learned in class vary from slow adages to fast, dynamic, rhythmic phrases. Compositions and choreography units concentrate on the Elements of Space (general/personal space, pathways, formations, levels, directions, focus). The dancers are also introduced to conditioning classes focusing on strength and flexibility. Students perform in the February Faculty Performance and have the option to audition their choreography for the December and May Student Choreography Performance.
Department: Secondary Dance Grade 9-12
This program emphasizes the study of Modern Dance technique, choreography, history and performance. The program is supplemented with classes from LFAS faculty and guest artists with specialties in capeoeria, jazz, tumbling, flamenco, ethnic dance, yoga, Pilates and contemporary choreographers from the Vancouver dance community.
Modern Technique class will focus on refining the students' control of the principles of movement (alignment, flexibility, strength, balance, centering and breath) through the study of various modern and contemporary dance techniques. Ballet technique and concepts are used in class however movements explored emphasize 360° of space (including floor work, inversion of the body and circular use of torso). Dynamics, focus, stage presence, performing energy, clarity of execution, working as a group, effective translations of the composition are elements that enhance performance. These elements are analyzed and practiced during class and formal performances. Students are given the opportunity to view both live and recorded dance performances followed by class discussions and individually written critiques.
Anatomy is also integrated into the Dance class. Students learn the muscular and skeletal systems of the human body and their importance in dance training, injury prevention and rehabilitation. Units in nutrition and the creation of individualized strength and flexibility conditioning programs give students information required to maintain a healthy relationship with dance.
Electives Offered:
Choreography
The focus of the choreography class is on exploring the creative process and its application to dance. Students work individually and as a member of small and large ensembles exploring time and space, choreographic forms, motif and development, social issues and improvisation. Students have opportunities to work with other art disciplines in collaborative projects. Choreography students apply choreographic tools explored in class to create works for the student choreography performance in December and May.
Esprit de Corps : Esprit de Corps is a Secondary Dance Company of advanced Dance students in the Grade 8-12 Dance Major Program. After completing an audition process, including a dance class and interview, 15-20 students are selected to work together as a performance ensemble rehearsing Tuesday and Thursday after school. Esprit performs both faculty and guest choreography in Dance Department performances and attends the National Festival for High School Academies every second year. Hip Hop/Jazz : Students are introduced to the history of hip-hop while learning movement based on rhythm and body isolations while demonstrating control, power and precision. Basic jazz vocabulary, technique and concepts are introduced. The class includes warm-up, skill development and combinations.
Stretch and Strength : Identifying muscle groups and applying principles of stretching and strengthening in order to increase flexibility and/or strength. Listed below are examples of units studied: Aerobics (Cardiovascular Endurance), Pilates, yoga, weight training, physioball routines, stretching, and theraband exercises.
Musical Theatre : This course is the opportunity for all students to explore their secret passion for putting it all together.singing, acting, and dancing. Working with songs, text and choreography from the contemporary musical theatre repertoire, students will perform in a variety of contrasting scenes appropriate for their age and ability. Students will also have the freedom to explore experimental compositions that involve all three theatrical disciplines.
The Grade 8 Dance Major course will provide a transition from recreational class to the more intensive technical and choreographic training at the Grade 9-12 level. Students take Dance class 6 hours a week. The dance techniques of modern, ballet and jazz will be studied, as well as student composition and choreography. Dancers study technique and alignment through warm-up exercises, discussion, writing and testing. Movement phrases learned in class vary from slow adages to fast, dynamic, rhythmic phrases. Compositions and choreography units concentrate on the Elements of Space (general/personal space, pathways, formations, levels, directions, focus). The dancers are also introduced to conditioning classes focusing on strength and flexibility. Students perform in the February Faculty Performance and have the option to audition their choreography for the December and May Student Choreography Performance.
Department: Secondary Dance Grade 9-12
This program emphasizes the study of Modern Dance technique, choreography, history and performance. The program is supplemented with classes from LFAS faculty and guest artists with specialties in capeoeria, jazz, tumbling, flamenco, ethnic dance, yoga, Pilates and contemporary choreographers from the Vancouver dance community.
Modern Technique class will focus on refining the students' control of the principles of movement (alignment, flexibility, strength, balance, centering and breath) through the study of various modern and contemporary dance techniques. Ballet technique and concepts are used in class however movements explored emphasize 360° of space (including floor work, inversion of the body and circular use of torso). Dynamics, focus, stage presence, performing energy, clarity of execution, working as a group, effective translations of the composition are elements that enhance performance. These elements are analyzed and practiced during class and formal performances. Students are given the opportunity to view both live and recorded dance performances followed by class discussions and individually written critiques.
Anatomy is also integrated into the Dance class. Students learn the muscular and skeletal systems of the human body and their importance in dance training, injury prevention and rehabilitation. Units in nutrition and the creation of individualized strength and flexibility conditioning programs give students information required to maintain a healthy relationship with dance.
Electives Offered:
Choreography
The focus of the choreography class is on exploring the creative process and its application to dance. Students work individually and as a member of small and large ensembles exploring time and space, choreographic forms, motif and development, social issues and improvisation. Students have opportunities to work with other art disciplines in collaborative projects. Choreography students apply choreographic tools explored in class to create works for the student choreography performance in December and May.
Esprit de Corps : Esprit de Corps is a Secondary Dance Company of advanced Dance students in the Grade 8-12 Dance Major Program. After completing an audition process, including a dance class and interview, 15-20 students are selected to work together as a performance ensemble rehearsing Tuesday and Thursday after school. Esprit performs both faculty and guest choreography in Dance Department performances and attends the National Festival for High School Academies every second year. Hip Hop/Jazz : Students are introduced to the history of hip-hop while learning movement based on rhythm and body isolations while demonstrating control, power and precision. Basic jazz vocabulary, technique and concepts are introduced. The class includes warm-up, skill development and combinations.
Stretch and Strength : Identifying muscle groups and applying principles of stretching and strengthening in order to increase flexibility and/or strength. Listed below are examples of units studied: Aerobics (Cardiovascular Endurance), Pilates, yoga, weight training, physioball routines, stretching, and theraband exercises.
Musical Theatre : This course is the opportunity for all students to explore their secret passion for putting it all together.singing, acting, and dancing. Working with songs, text and choreography from the contemporary musical theatre repertoire, students will perform in a variety of contrasting scenes appropriate for their age and ability. Students will also have the freedom to explore experimental compositions that involve all three theatrical disciplines.