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Spring 2024 Fine Arts Highlights

10/1/2024

2024 Spring Semester of The Word Magazine

Explore what Dashers accomplished in visual arts, theatre, vocal performance, and instrumental music during spring 2024.

Theatre
Annual Stage Play: Peter and the Starcatcher
From February 29–March 3, DSHA Theatre presented four performances of the stage play Peter and the Starcatcher. The pirate-packed, adventure-filled Peter Pan prequel was perfect for kids and adults alike. The show featured an incredible nautical-inspired set with a pirate-themed playground. The play was directed by DSHA Director of Theatre, Choir, and Liturgical Music Zachary Ziegler, with set design and crew oversight by DSHA Fine Arts Faculty and Theatre Producing Director Amanda Marsala.

Fall Musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Earns Eight Jerry Awards

DSHA's Fall Musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was filled with unforgettable characters, fabulous dances, catchy music, and a stunning set. The all-female-casted production received 18 Jerry Award nominations this fall, with eight wins announced on May 24. Run by the Overture Center in Madison, the Jerry Awards recognize excellence in high school musical theatre across Wisconsin. Congratulations to the following 2024 Jerry Award winners!

Serafina Stephenson, DSHA ’24 | Outstanding Supporting Performance Award
Natalie Hartung, DSHA ’27 | Outstanding Supporting Performance Award
Ella Connelly, DSHA ’24 | Outstanding Supporting Performance Award
Ella Markwald, DSHA ’24 | Outstanding Supporting Performance Award
Sophie Wondrachek, DSHA ’25 | Spirit Award
Director of Theater, Choir, & Liturgical Music Zachary Ziegler | Outstanding Direction
Director of Theater, Choir, & Liturgical Music Zachary Ziegler and Julie Johnson | Outstanding Musical Direction
Lighting Designer Mike Van Dreser | Outstanding Lighting Direction

Visual Arts
AP Art Exhibit
Students enrolled in AP Art: 2D Design each created a portfolio of 20 original pieces around a central theme. Dashers created their pieces with the mediums of their choice including drawing, painting, film, ink, photography, and more. Throughout the month of May, seniors displayed their final work at the AP Art Exhibit in the DSHA Commons and Fridl Family Foyer. The course is instructed by Fine Arts Department Chair & Visual Arts Faculty Nora Larscheid.

"I learned the most about artistic style and time management skills through working on this project. I had to carefully plan out each piece while making sure each one connected to my overall theme. My favorite part of working on each one was learning what mediums I like to use the most including film, photography, and ink.”

—Katie Hyde, DSHA ’24

Scholastic Art Awards
As part of the AP Art course, Dashers had the opportunity to prepare pieces for submission to the Scholastic Art Awards to be juried in various art categories. These prestigious recognitions acknowledge excellence in the visual arts and encourage the artistic endeavors of young people throughout the state of Wisconsin. Three DSHA artists received awards and their pieces were displayed in the 2024 Scholastic Arts Competition and Exhibition at the Milwaukee Art Museum from February 24–April 7.

Vocal Music
Spring Choral Concert

On May 3, the DSHA vocal music students performed a concert rooted in the theme, “Even a tree has more hope! If it is cut down, it will sprout again and grow new branches,” from Job 14:7. The show opened with senior Angelaires Genevieve Baynes, DSHA ’24, and Serafina Stephenson, DSHA ’24, who performed their first rated pieces from the Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) State Solo & Ensemble Festival. Baynes performed “On My Own” from the musical Les Misérables and Stephenson performed “Se tu m’ami” by Allesandro Parisotti. The Concert Choir then opened their set with “All Good Gifts” from Godspell, followed by several songs from a variety of genres. The Angelaires then performed 12 arrangements including hits from a variety of Disney movies, Broadway musicals, and contemporary artists. Both choirs are directed by DSHA Director of Theatre, Choir, and Liturgical Music Zachary Ziegler.

Watch the full Spring Choral Concert here.

WMSA State Solo and Ensemble Festival

During the first weekend in May, vocal music students who qualified at the Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) District Solo and Ensemble Festival performed at the WSMA State Festival.

The Angelaries received a first rating for Show Choir Performance and four individual Dashers received first ratings for the following categories:

Classical Solo | Genevieve Baynes, DSHA '24; Annabelle Leh, DSHA '25; and Seraphina Stephenson, DSHA '24*
Musical Theatre Solo | Genevieve Baynes, DSHA '24; Anna Pienkos, DSHA '25; and Seraphina Stephenson, DSHA '24
Vocal Jazz Improvisation Solo | Genevieve Baynes, DSHA '24

*Nominated for Exemplary Performance Recognition

Competing at WSMA has been one of the most formative vocal experiences that I’ve had the opportunity to partake in. I find it simultaneously challenging and encouraging to showcase different genres and styles of music while receiving constructive feedback from the judges. The practice and technique I’ve learned since being part of DSHA Angelaires has prepared me for experiences like this.”

—Genevieve Baynes, DSHA ’24

Instrumental Music
HandbellPalooza Spring Bellaroo

On May 13, the Varsity Handbells, and two sections of JV Handbells, performed the annual HandbellPalooza Spring Bellaroo. The Varsity Handbells opened with “I’m a Believer” by Neil Diamond and closed with “Mamma Mia” by ABBA. The JV Handbell groups played songs from a variety of genres, from the Beatles to Les Misérables.

Spring Orchestra Concert

The DSHA Orchestra and Divine Strings performed in the Robert and Marie Hansen Family Fine Arts Theatre on May 6. The DSHA Orchestra opened the show with a Taylor Swift medley. The Divine Strings then performed seven pieces including an original work written and composed by Ella Markwald, DSHA ’24, entitled “August.” Markwald wrote and scored the full instrumentation for the Divine Strings including parts for first and second violin, viola, cello, piano, bass guitar, saxophone, and percussion.

Watch the full Spring Orchestra Concert here.

WMSA State Solo and Ensemble Festival

During the first weekend in May, the DSHA Divine Strings received a first rating at the Wisconsin School Music Association State Solo and Ensemble Festival for their “Alternative Pop Performance” and “Unabridged Professional Version” of the Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 by Bach and Waltz #2 by Shostakovich. Additionally, ten individual instrumentalists received first ratings at the festival in the following categories:

Cello Solo | Carolina Islas, DSHA '26
Violin Solo | Sophia Collins, DSHA '26; Ella Markwald, DSHA '24; and Yessica Rodriguez, DSHA '25*
Piano Solo | Gisela Adelson, DSHA '26; Lindsey Hladio, DSHA '24; and Abby Quesnell, DSHA '24
Jazz Saxophone Improvisation Solo | Cecilia Barthel, DSHA '25*
Violin Duet | Sophia Campos, DSHA '24, and Yessica Rodriguez, DSHA '25; Sophia Collins, DSHA '26,* and Maddie Lund, DSHA '24*

*Nominated for Exemplary Performance Recognition

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- Ella Markwald, DSHA ’24, and Maggie Weiner, DSHA ’24, perform in Peter and the Starcatcher.
- Eliana Idzikowski, DSHA '24, takes the stage as Alf, a pirate.
- Jenna Mansfield, DSHA ’26, and Lilly Littrell, DSHA ’24, played Peter Pan's pals.
- Anika Lenci, DSHA ’25; Morgan Vosniak, DSHA ’25; Ella Steiner, DSHA 25; and Margarita Gutierrez, DSHA ’24 take the stage.
- The AP Art Show was displayed in the DSHA Commons.
- Savannah Wertz, DSHA '24, earned a Silver Key Award: Sculpture for her crocheted sculpture "Reef;" Emma Bruckman, DSHA '24, earned a Silver Key Award: Fashion Piece for her work "Woven Together;" and Kate Hyde, DSHA '24, earned a Silver Key Award: Film &amp; Animation for her short film "Soles of Childhood."
- Genevieve Baynes, DSHA '24, performs at WSMA Stat Solo and Ensemble in May.
- Olivia Olson, DSHA ’26; Paula Goetz, DSHA ’26; Olive Foster, DSHA ’26 perform at HandbellPalooza.
- A special congratulations to Yessica Rodriguez, DSHA ’25, whose violin solo won the 2024 State Exemplary Performance Certificate.