The Arts

At FASNY, a deep appreciation for the arts is nurtured from the very beginning, with a curriculum that evolves and expands each year to inspire creativity and artistic growth.

Arts programs build critical cognitive, emotional, and social skills that enhance academic performance across all subjects. Students engaged in the arts develop stronger problem-solving abilities, improved critical thinking, and enhanced creativity that benefits them throughout their lives. FASNY's comprehensive visual arts, music, and drama programs from nursery through grade 12 demonstrate how artistic education transforms learning and prepares students for real-world success.

Visual Arts

The Visual Arts program creates a transformative journey from Nursery through High School, beginning with foundational motor skills, color exploration, and creativity in our youngest learners. The curriculum builds through Pre and Lower school, adding enhanced vocabulary, design principles, diverse mediums, and critical thinking through art critiques and discussions that promote self-esteem and visual literacy. Students learn about the great masters and styles of art and create their own pieces inspired by artists like Van Gogh, Miro, Seurat, or this year’s Famous Artist, Alexander Calder. As they get older, students refine their abilities through advanced techniques and cross-curricular projects, developing a deeper skill set and artistic knowledge. At the highest level, High School students pursuing art specialize in particular media and showcase their talent year-round, both at FASNY and in the community, like the Mamaroneck Artists Guild. In all divisions, the visual arts year culminates in a vibrant art show that showcases students' talents and the evolution from basic skills to artistic expertise.

Music

The bilingual music program begins in Pre School with music integrated into classroom activities and annual concerts that introduce young learners to rhythm, melody, and performance in both languages. Students in the Lower School attend weekly music classes, learn to play the recorder, and can join the popular Lower School Chorus. Additionally, fourth and fifth graders have the opportunity to participate in the Lower School Musical, like The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Willy Wonka, Jr. As the curriculum progresses in Middle & High School, classes incorporate music theory and explore the history of various musical genres, including jazz and classical music. Our older students, too, have the opportunity to shine in the chorus, the secondary school musical, or even the FASNY Rock Band. Throughout all levels, teachers nurture students' individual musical development, including supporting instruments they study outside of school. The music program as a whole creates a comprehensive bilingual musical experience that grows in theoretical knowledge, historical understanding, and performance opportunities.

Performing Arts

From the classroom to the stage, drama and the performing arts build a comprehensive theatrical education from Pre School through High School, beginning with early performances like the Kindergarten production of "La grenouille à grande bouche" that develop language skills, public speaking, and collaboration. As the program progresses in the older years, students explore a variety of genres and disciplines like Greek theater, improvisation, physical comedy, or the always popular stage combat. The drama curriculum relies heavily on a cross-curricular mindset, studying great works from Shakespeare, or a 6th grade analysis and performance of Molière, bringing the classics to life with a modern perspective. Performances and roles across all divisions are varied and exciting, like the 2 person show “The Last Five Years Musical” featuring Allie B ‘25 and Benjamin A ‘26, or the Language Showcase at the Middle School where students perform pieces in both languages, and even the incredible behind the scenes crews that bring the sets, stages, lights, and music to life night after night.