courses of summer 2026
Sparta
summer arts workshop
2026
The 2026 offerings
for THE summer ARTS WORKSHOP
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
The Classes from SAW 2026
PERIOD ONE (9:00 - 9:45)
Percussion Studio (For All Percussionists)
Brass/Woodwind Studio (For All Wind Players)
Collective Composition (Grades 5-12)
Mixed Choir (Grades 5-12)
The Art of Discovery (5-12)
Exploring Robotics and Coding (Grades 5-12)
PERIOD TWO (9:45 - 10:30)
Intermediate Concert Band (Grades 5-7)
Intermediate Orchestra (Grades 5-7)
Broadway/Theater Workshop (Grades 5-12)
The Paint Studio (Grades 5-12)
Engineering Design and Innovation (Grades 6-12)
Sew Much Fun (Grades 6-10)
PERIOD THREE (10:30 - 11:15)
Advanced Band (Grades 8-12)
Advanced Orchestra (Grades 8-12)
Solo Vocal Studio (Grades 5-12)
Paint and the World (Grades 5-7)
Geocaching Adventure: Navigating the Outdoors (Grades 5-12)
Creative Cooking (Grades 5-7)
PERIOD FOUR (11:15 - 12:00)
Jazz Band (Grades 7-12)
Guitar Studio (Grades 5-12)
Piano Studio (Grades 5-12)
Ready, Set, Draw (Grades 5-12)
Rocket Science: Build and Launch (Grades 5-12)
Progressive Cooking (Grades 7-10)
Percussion Studio (For All Percussionists)
Brass/Woodwind Studio (For All Wind Players)
Collective Composition (Grades 5-12)
Mixed Choir (Grades 5-12)
The Art of Discovery (5-12)
Exploring Robotics and Coding (Grades 5-12)
PERIOD TWO (9:45 - 10:30)
Intermediate Concert Band (Grades 5-7)
Intermediate Orchestra (Grades 5-7)
Broadway/Theater Workshop (Grades 5-12)
The Paint Studio (Grades 5-12)
Engineering Design and Innovation (Grades 6-12)
Sew Much Fun (Grades 6-10)
PERIOD THREE (10:30 - 11:15)
Advanced Band (Grades 8-12)
Advanced Orchestra (Grades 8-12)
Solo Vocal Studio (Grades 5-12)
Paint and the World (Grades 5-7)
Geocaching Adventure: Navigating the Outdoors (Grades 5-12)
Creative Cooking (Grades 5-7)
PERIOD FOUR (11:15 - 12:00)
Jazz Band (Grades 7-12)
Guitar Studio (Grades 5-12)
Piano Studio (Grades 5-12)
Ready, Set, Draw (Grades 5-12)
Rocket Science: Build and Launch (Grades 5-12)
Progressive Cooking (Grades 7-10)
ART - ROSALIE VALLARIO
Ready, Set, Draw - Grades 5-12
This is a class for students who simply like to draw stuff. Basic Drawing techniques will be explored and materials will be provided for an optimal drawing experience. Sketching is about being free, free to draw what you see - just let your pencil do the work for you.
Paint and the World - Grades 8-12
Appreciate the traditions of cultures from around the world while using a paint brush and lots of paint. We will be learning about different artists and art movements like Impressionism and pop art. This class is recommended for students who want to expand their painting skills and art history knowledge .
The Paint Studio - Grades 5-12
Discover the art and beauty of using paint. Experiment with different types of paint while learning about color theory, shading, and composition. Have fun painting landscapes , seascapes and pet portraits. This class is recommended for beginners just starting on their art journey as well as the more advanced artist looking to strengthen their craft.
The Art of Discovery - Grades 5-12
Discover the art and design possibilities found in the world around us.
Experiment with different media and techniques while having fun. We will be working with markers, paint, oil pastels, color pencil and much more.
BAND - JOSEPH LOMBARDO and STEPHEN O'TOOLE
Percussion Studio - Grades 5-12
Explore the world of percussion techniques at various levels with Mr. O’Toole, percussion specialist! Learn about various exercises and useful skills that will help bring your percussion skills to the next level.
Woodwind/Brass Studio - Grades 5-12
Get closer to mastering your wind instrument for band! This class will help you sharpen your skills as a wind player and help make you an all-star performer.
Intermediate Band - Grades 5-7
Play your instrument with band kids just like you! Experience the world of band during the months of summer for students just starting their musical journey.
Advanced Band - Grades 8-12
Explore music with other experienced band students! Learn new pieces that are rewarding and fun to play with students from all around.
Jazz Band - Grades 7-12
Learn how to play your instrument in a different style with your friends! In this class you will learn more about how to play jazz and improvise with others.
VOCAL MUSIC / THEATER - ELIZABETH FORTUNATO AND DANIELLE HAUCKE
Mixed Choir - Grades 5-12
Experience the joy of singing together in a large ensemble! All ages and experience levels are welcome. In this class, we will focus on harmonizing in 2-3 parts, and cover some of the basics of important choral singing, breathing, and performance techniques. We will be performing together at our final arts evening!
Piano Studio: Beginner-Intermediate
All Ages - Limit of 10 students
Beginners and more experienced students are both welcome in this workshop! Learn the basics of how to play the piano, or strengthen your technique and work towards a performance. Keyboards are provided, but over the ear headphones are strongly recommended. Solo or duet performance opportunities for the final concert!
Solo Vocal Workshop - Grades 5-12
Explore new and popular solo vocal repertoire! This course is a workshop on different singing techniques specific for solo performance. We will be working towards solo performances at our final arts evening!
Broadway Workshop - Grades 5-12
In this class, students will learn dramatic expression, acting, and theater basics.
Singing is not required, but musical theater vocal instruction will be provided to students who would like to sing as well!
ORCHESTRA - WILLIAM THOMAN
Collective Composition - Grades 5-12
The Collective Composition class gives our young musicians an opportunity to be creative and experiment with recording tools. Each musician will write and perform original melodies on their instrument (and with others!) Topics discussed include song form, basic music theory and notation. Students will also be able to work with music composition software to help bring their artistic visions to life.
Intermediate Orchestra - Grades 5-7
An orchestra for beginning/intermediate string players that focuses on the fundamentals of reading and performing music. Basic concepts like dynamics, bowings, and rhythm will be reviewed.
Advanced Orchestra - Grades 8-12
An orchestra for advanced string players with years experience. This orchestra will look at classical repertoire, as well as music from different genres, and perform using techniques that challenge players to manage music that includes a range of dynamics, tempos, key signatures, and styles.
Guitar Studio - Grades 8-12
Guitar Studio is for all types of musicians. No matter if you sing, or if you are an instrumentalist, playing guitar is one of the most enjoyable instruments to learn. That includes acoustic and electric guitarists! In our class, we will look at some of the greats that shaped how the guitar is played today. Other topics covered include basic chord shapes, strumming patterns, and simple songs that you can perform with friends!
Enrollment Limited to 12 Students
COOKING/SEWING - ELISABETH KAPUSCINSKI
Creative Cooking
Recommended for Chefs - Grades 5-7
Limit of 20 Students
This class emphasizes the creative aspect of cooking (as if it wasn’t creative enough). This class will allow you to play with your food, and how great is that? As Julia Child once said, “no one is born a great chef, one learns by doing…” And, since when is art so delicious? You can answer that question by enrolling in this class. Bon Appetit!
Progressive Cooking
Recommended for Chefs - Grades 7-10
Limit of 25 Students
Everyone likes food, so it’s a good thing when we know how to cook it. The more we know about cooking, the more interesting the food becomes. And the more interesting the food, the more we like to eat it. It’s a “delicious” (not vicious) cycle. If you enroll in this class, find out what the possibilities are, and how food plays its part.
Sew Much Fun
Recommended for Students - Grades 6-10
Limit of 20 Students
This course will cover basic sewing skills on a sewing machine. (Machines are supplied by SMS) Projects will vary, and project choices are based on past experience, complexity, trends, and student interest. Enroll in this class if you want to gain an appreciation of sewing as a creative and practical skill / process.
STEM - PATRICK CHODKIEWICZ
Exploring Robotics and Coding - Grades 5–12
Dive into the world of robotics and coding in this hands-on course! Students will learn the basics of building and programming robots using platforms like LEGO® Mindstorms and VEX Robotics. Through engaging projects, participants will develop problem-solving, teamwork, and computational thinking skills. Beginners will focus on foundational concepts, while advanced students can tackle complex challenges like autonomous navigation and sensor integration.
Engineering Design and Innovation - Grades 6–12
Discover the principles of engineering in this creative and interactive course. Students will explore the engineering design process by brainstorming, prototyping, and testing solutions to real-world problems. Topics include structural design, energy systems, and environmental sustainability. Using tools such as CAD software and 3D printers, students will bring their ideas to life while fostering creativity and critical thinking.
Geocaching Adventure: Navigating the Outdoors - Grades 5-12
Embark on an exciting treasure hunt using GPS technology in this hands-on geocaching course! Students will learn the basics of navigation, map reading, and coordinates while exploring the
outdoors. They will discover hidden caches, solve riddles, and develop teamwork and problem-solving skills. Perfect for beginners and nature enthusiasts alike, this course combines technology and outdoor exploration to spark curiosity and foster environmental awareness.
Rocket Science: Build and Launch - Grades 5-12
In this hands-on course, students will design, build, and launch small-scale rockets using kits or household materials. They'll explore the science behind rocket propulsion, aerodynamics, and Newton's laws of motion through interactive experiments and outdoor testing. This course fosters curiosity about space exploration while developing practical engineering and teamwork skills.
Ready, Set, Draw - Grades 5-12
This is a class for students who simply like to draw stuff. Basic Drawing techniques will be explored and materials will be provided for an optimal drawing experience. Sketching is about being free, free to draw what you see - just let your pencil do the work for you.
Paint and the World - Grades 8-12
Appreciate the traditions of cultures from around the world while using a paint brush and lots of paint. We will be learning about different artists and art movements like Impressionism and pop art. This class is recommended for students who want to expand their painting skills and art history knowledge .
The Paint Studio - Grades 5-12
Discover the art and beauty of using paint. Experiment with different types of paint while learning about color theory, shading, and composition. Have fun painting landscapes , seascapes and pet portraits. This class is recommended for beginners just starting on their art journey as well as the more advanced artist looking to strengthen their craft.
The Art of Discovery - Grades 5-12
Discover the art and design possibilities found in the world around us.
Experiment with different media and techniques while having fun. We will be working with markers, paint, oil pastels, color pencil and much more.
BAND - JOSEPH LOMBARDO and STEPHEN O'TOOLE
Percussion Studio - Grades 5-12
Explore the world of percussion techniques at various levels with Mr. O’Toole, percussion specialist! Learn about various exercises and useful skills that will help bring your percussion skills to the next level.
Woodwind/Brass Studio - Grades 5-12
Get closer to mastering your wind instrument for band! This class will help you sharpen your skills as a wind player and help make you an all-star performer.
Intermediate Band - Grades 5-7
Play your instrument with band kids just like you! Experience the world of band during the months of summer for students just starting their musical journey.
Advanced Band - Grades 8-12
Explore music with other experienced band students! Learn new pieces that are rewarding and fun to play with students from all around.
Jazz Band - Grades 7-12
Learn how to play your instrument in a different style with your friends! In this class you will learn more about how to play jazz and improvise with others.
VOCAL MUSIC / THEATER - ELIZABETH FORTUNATO AND DANIELLE HAUCKE
Mixed Choir - Grades 5-12
Experience the joy of singing together in a large ensemble! All ages and experience levels are welcome. In this class, we will focus on harmonizing in 2-3 parts, and cover some of the basics of important choral singing, breathing, and performance techniques. We will be performing together at our final arts evening!
Piano Studio: Beginner-Intermediate
All Ages - Limit of 10 students
Beginners and more experienced students are both welcome in this workshop! Learn the basics of how to play the piano, or strengthen your technique and work towards a performance. Keyboards are provided, but over the ear headphones are strongly recommended. Solo or duet performance opportunities for the final concert!
Solo Vocal Workshop - Grades 5-12
Explore new and popular solo vocal repertoire! This course is a workshop on different singing techniques specific for solo performance. We will be working towards solo performances at our final arts evening!
Broadway Workshop - Grades 5-12
In this class, students will learn dramatic expression, acting, and theater basics.
Singing is not required, but musical theater vocal instruction will be provided to students who would like to sing as well!
ORCHESTRA - WILLIAM THOMAN
Collective Composition - Grades 5-12
The Collective Composition class gives our young musicians an opportunity to be creative and experiment with recording tools. Each musician will write and perform original melodies on their instrument (and with others!) Topics discussed include song form, basic music theory and notation. Students will also be able to work with music composition software to help bring their artistic visions to life.
Intermediate Orchestra - Grades 5-7
An orchestra for beginning/intermediate string players that focuses on the fundamentals of reading and performing music. Basic concepts like dynamics, bowings, and rhythm will be reviewed.
Advanced Orchestra - Grades 8-12
An orchestra for advanced string players with years experience. This orchestra will look at classical repertoire, as well as music from different genres, and perform using techniques that challenge players to manage music that includes a range of dynamics, tempos, key signatures, and styles.
Guitar Studio - Grades 8-12
Guitar Studio is for all types of musicians. No matter if you sing, or if you are an instrumentalist, playing guitar is one of the most enjoyable instruments to learn. That includes acoustic and electric guitarists! In our class, we will look at some of the greats that shaped how the guitar is played today. Other topics covered include basic chord shapes, strumming patterns, and simple songs that you can perform with friends!
Enrollment Limited to 12 Students
COOKING/SEWING - ELISABETH KAPUSCINSKI
Creative Cooking
Recommended for Chefs - Grades 5-7
Limit of 20 Students
This class emphasizes the creative aspect of cooking (as if it wasn’t creative enough). This class will allow you to play with your food, and how great is that? As Julia Child once said, “no one is born a great chef, one learns by doing…” And, since when is art so delicious? You can answer that question by enrolling in this class. Bon Appetit!
Progressive Cooking
Recommended for Chefs - Grades 7-10
Limit of 25 Students
Everyone likes food, so it’s a good thing when we know how to cook it. The more we know about cooking, the more interesting the food becomes. And the more interesting the food, the more we like to eat it. It’s a “delicious” (not vicious) cycle. If you enroll in this class, find out what the possibilities are, and how food plays its part.
Sew Much Fun
Recommended for Students - Grades 6-10
Limit of 20 Students
This course will cover basic sewing skills on a sewing machine. (Machines are supplied by SMS) Projects will vary, and project choices are based on past experience, complexity, trends, and student interest. Enroll in this class if you want to gain an appreciation of sewing as a creative and practical skill / process.
STEM - PATRICK CHODKIEWICZ
Exploring Robotics and Coding - Grades 5–12
Dive into the world of robotics and coding in this hands-on course! Students will learn the basics of building and programming robots using platforms like LEGO® Mindstorms and VEX Robotics. Through engaging projects, participants will develop problem-solving, teamwork, and computational thinking skills. Beginners will focus on foundational concepts, while advanced students can tackle complex challenges like autonomous navigation and sensor integration.
Engineering Design and Innovation - Grades 6–12
Discover the principles of engineering in this creative and interactive course. Students will explore the engineering design process by brainstorming, prototyping, and testing solutions to real-world problems. Topics include structural design, energy systems, and environmental sustainability. Using tools such as CAD software and 3D printers, students will bring their ideas to life while fostering creativity and critical thinking.
Geocaching Adventure: Navigating the Outdoors - Grades 5-12
Embark on an exciting treasure hunt using GPS technology in this hands-on geocaching course! Students will learn the basics of navigation, map reading, and coordinates while exploring the
outdoors. They will discover hidden caches, solve riddles, and develop teamwork and problem-solving skills. Perfect for beginners and nature enthusiasts alike, this course combines technology and outdoor exploration to spark curiosity and foster environmental awareness.
Rocket Science: Build and Launch - Grades 5-12
In this hands-on course, students will design, build, and launch small-scale rockets using kits or household materials. They'll explore the science behind rocket propulsion, aerodynamics, and Newton's laws of motion through interactive experiments and outdoor testing. This course fosters curiosity about space exploration while developing practical engineering and teamwork skills.
