How the DSHA Fine Arts Department has Shaped my DSHA Experience

5/20/2020

As the DSHA Angelaires check into Director of Theatre, Choirs, and Liturgical Music Jerry Becker’s virtual class each day, they are presented with a check-in question. Becker recently asked the girls about the role of arts as part of their overall education at DSHA.

Riley Connelly, DSHA ’21

The arts at DSHA have truly changed my life. Walking into musical auditions before freshman year, I was a terrified mess, totally lacking any sort of self-confidence. The DSHA theatre program freshman year not only taught me so much about performing, but it also taught me to believe in myself. The support from the upperclasswomen and the directors was incredible, and their belief in me and encouragement really pushed me as a performer. I can say with full confidence I have come a long way since freshman year as a performer.

Starting my sophomore year, I became an Angelaire, which has been one of the best experiences of my life. I have learned so much about musicality and harmony singing, but above all I have learned what it means to be part of a community. Angelaires was my rock sophomore year when everything else seemed so out of focus. I always knew the girls were there if I needed anything, which pushed me to open myself up to others.

Since then, I have grown to be more confident in myself, and more willing to be outgoing. Angelaires provides me with such a diverse group of friends, people I probably would not have found without Angelaires. We are all so different, but we are united under one common goal: to make beautiful music. Experiencing the passion all the other girls have pushes me to be the best singer I can be every single day.

The arts have pushed me to be the best version of myself, and for that I will be forever grateful.

Ellen Fricker, DSHA ‘20

My participation in the fine arts at DSHA has developed me into a bold, confident young woman. Since freshman year, I have become more secure in my identity as a young woman by expressing myself freely onstage and in choir. I have become a more creative thinker and have become more willing to take risks, which has translated into my personal and academic life.

But, more importantly, the DSHA fine arts program has given me a family and a home for the past four years. It is through Angelaires and my participation in the musicals that I have met some of my closest friends, other creative young women whose friendships sharpen me into a better version of myself. It has given me a support network that I can lean on when I am struggling and feel alone.

Riley Halpern, DSHA ’21

I have found some of the closest friends I have ever had through DSHA theatre and Angelaires. I have laughed, cried, sang, slept in piles on the floor, and lived life with the girls I’ve met through the arts here.

I’ve learned so much — beyond music theory and acting technique, I’ve learned to work under pressure, accept change, balance a heavy workload, and that I want to do musical theatre for the rest of my life.

The arts at DSHA have given me so much, and I will forever be grateful.

Makayla Hughes, DSHA ’21

I think the arts have played an important role in my overall education. They are a relief from our core subjects and gives us an opportunity to explore and grow in what we love.

The arts are also something that binds the world together. Despite our differences whether that be language, distance, or even religion, we all can appreciate different kinds of arts (i.e. music, paintings, photos etc.). Being able to explore the different arts makes the world more united and us more in touch with each other which is really important, especially during times like these.

The arts allowed me to step out of my shell, and that pushed me to step out of my shell in the classroom as well. Having support and encouragement to try new things from the people I share the arts with lets me know that I am capable of whatever I put my mind to. That transfers over to the classroom and makes me more determined to push myself to take that AP class or study a little bit longer.

The values and experiences I get from the arts makes me a better student and an overall better person.

Elayna Pasqua, DSHA ‘22

At DSHA, participating in the arts has taught me to believe in myself in the face of all doubt, fear, or other discouraging factors. I have learned to value myself and to encourage myself to take risks, because if I believe in myself, chances are those risks will pay off.

These skills translate easily into all other aspects of education because success takes hard work, and in my opinion, the best source of motivation is the firm belief that you can accomplish something well.

Hailey Quinette, DSHA ’20

During my time at DSHA the arts have been where I lived. I tried music, theatre, and a few visual arts too. Those experiences are where I met my friends; pretty much all of the people I am close to.

I think this is because the arts bring people together because of the emotion in it. Sure, you can bond over biology and math equations, but the arts are all about feeling and sharing that with one another, creating bonds that will last.

To hear the Angelaires’ rendition of We Are One Body, recorded this spring, click here.

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Back to Voices of DSHA

- Director of Theatre, Choirs, and Liturgical Music Jerry Becker and the Angelaires
- The Angelaires recorded "We Are One Body" remotely. The video was shared with students on Easter Sunday.