THE ARTS

Theatre Arts

Drama Production
Instructor: Daniel Dickinson
Participate in the spring drama production – no experience necessary. Play to be announced. This class requires discipline, interest, and a desire to perform before an audience. There are mandatory evening rehearsals during the final weeks of rehearsal. The production will run for 3 consecutive weekends in April/May 2012 (Friday/Saturday/Sunday). (Class is worth 2 – 5 credits.)

Beginning Drama
Instructor: Daniel Dickinson
Students will learn basic acting skills through scene work, exercises, and theatre games. This class is ideal for those with no drama experience.

Film

Ethical Lensing
Instructor: Michael Coe
In this class we will watch and discuss documentaries that explore the theme of subversion. Some of the films will be entertaining while others might break your heart. Hopefully, all of them will inspire us to take action and make this world our own. These films will give us some much-needed mental ammunition to fire back at the proverbial “man” that keeps us down. I am excited to have the opportunity to share with you my passion for groups such as the Wobblies (America’s original working class movement), the guerilla subvertising of artists such as Banksy, and the devotion of animal rights activists such as Ric O’Barry. Students who wish to attend this class should be prompt and available.

Other Perspectives: Exploring the Human Experience through Documentaries
Instructor: Arin Mirelle
In this class we will explore the world in which we live through documentaries which illuminate different cultural perspectives of human experience. As we attempt to make sense of life and our place within it, it is crucial to be exposed to other perspectives and ways of life that may challenge and expand our existing beliefs about ourselves and the world. We will watch documentaries that illuminate voices that are under-represented, if represented at all, in U.S. culture (i.e., perspectives from indigenous cultures around the world, disabled communities, transgender communities). Other components of this class will include discussion and reflective writing.

Music

Beginning & Intermediate Guitar
Instructor: Rory Jelinski
Students will learn chords, scales, and simple songs at the beginner’s level. Students with no musical experience are welcome to take the beginning class. Students at the intermediate level will learn songs in a variety of genres, as well as more advanced chords and scales. Intermediate students are encouraged to bring in their own music and to learn to play by ear.

Coping Scales
Instructor: Rory Jelinski
This introductory music theory class will cover the properties of sound, the elements of music, clefs, rhythm, reading sheet music, ear training, and the circle of fifths, among other things. Students will learn to break down classical and popular music from the musician’s perspective and to understand its significance in our personal lives. There are no prerequisites for this class.

The First Time I Met the Blues
Instructor: Harry Gold
This is an introductory guitar course for students with an interest in music. We will start by listening to some blues songs from different artists each week and move into playing with the same styles. Students will learn basic blues progressions. This course will teach students to play music from different eras in blues, tracing bits of its history in the process.

Riot Grrrls: This is the Sound Revolution
Instructor: Rory Jelinski
The Riot Grrrl movement was about DIY culture, punk rock, and feminist activism. We will explore Riot Grrrl themes and history through music, zines, and discussion. Students will learn about the original bands, and will research a band that has been influenced by the movement. We will also create Riot Grrrl-inspired art, including poetry, lyrics, visual art, and songs. The course will culminate in a collaborative zine. Boys as well as grrrls are welcome to take this class.

Visual Art / Mixed Media

Art Production
Instructor: Daniel Dickinson
Students work independently on art projects of their choosing; the only requirement is that students MUST work on producing an art project during each class meeting — inactive or non-producing students will be dropped. Students should work towards creating art that they can display or sell at the annual Remedy Salon student art show in March.

Mixed Media Art
Instructor: Kristin Lamoureux
Students will learn how to use mixed media techniques to create 2- and 3-dimensional art. Students will work on a number of different projects (individual and group), while learning about composition, line, and texture. Some of the projects students will be working on include printmaking, artist trading-cards, and a candy mosaic portrait.

Open Art
Instructor: Michael Coe
We will be focusing on visual works, such as mixed-media sculpture and painting. If you are a returning student and have an unfinished project, you may continue to work on that. I will have some great project ideas set aside for those days when you cannot think of what to do next.

Stencils
Instructor: Michael Coe
In this art class, we will focus on two ways to reproduce your images multiple times! Thinking about composition and about positive and negative space, we will create stencils and make prints on paper and t-shirts, using spray paint and textile ink.

Photography

Black & White Photography
Instructor: Kristin Lamoureux
Students will learn a number of aspects of black and white photography, including taking photos and developing them. Students will be required to complete assignments in and out of class. Each student is required to submit a print for the Remedy Salon Arts Festival in March. Students will complete 3-4 projects over the course of the semester. No camera or experience required.

Creative Writing (classes can be worth English credit)

Dramatic Writing
Instructor: Robert Coffey
Students will learn the basics of writing dramatic material, working on their own or in writing teams. While the initial focus of the class will be on writing effective shorter material like scenes, students are welcome to be ambitious and write larger works if they want. This class will accommodate both playwrights and screenwriters. Since class time will typically be taken up with reading aloud and discussion, students will need to be able to write on their own outside of class.

Free-writing
Instructor: Valeria Harris
In this class we’ll explore a variety of writing styles, including journaling and poetic expression. Each class will introduce a suggested topic or writing style. We’ll have time and space to write during class, and will also share our writing with each other.

Metaphor Mashing
Instructor: Harry Gold
This is a course in poetry. (It’s better than a diary because, if people find it, they will have no idea what you mean.) At the start of each class, students will interpret a quotation from a poem. They will also free-write. (Writing prompts will be given if inspiration is needed.) Students will give and receive feedback on some of their work.

LIFE SKILLS

(fulfills 1- semester requirement)

Dreams, Passion and Visions
Instructor: Casey McCarroll
All you need is a seed and the willingness to nurture it. Are you interested in getting a really awesome internship? Or landing a great summer job? Or taking time to research other possibilities after Holden? If you have a dream, passion, or vision — the bolder the better — that you want to begin pursuing, then this class is for you. We will get clear about intentions, set goals, make a plan, and, with the support of the group, begin to take the action needed to help those seeds take root.

PE

(each class fulfills 15 hours of Holden’s 30 hour per semester requirement)

Free-style Dance and Music
Instructor: Sara Ouimette
This class is about free expression through music and movement. You do not have to know how to dance, and we will not be learning any particular kinds of movement. This class will consist of moving freely or dancing for 40 minutes, with a 10 minute meditation, discussion, or closing circle at the end. Students are encouraged to bring and share music. All students must participate in the movement, there will be NO talking or touching during the dancing, and just watching is not okay. Prepare to release tension and stress, connect more deeply with yourself, and have tons of fun!

Post-Apocalyptic Survivalist Strength Training
Instructor: Rikki Edelman
Want to get stronger, more agile, and develop your muscles? Want to be quick and gain more energy? Want to do it at your own pace in a non-competitive environment? Then this is the class for you. We will be doing yoga, jump rope, obstacle courses, sit-ups and push-ups in our own styles and at our own paces. The only goal is to improve your own strength and stamina at your own pace. Everyone who makes a regular effort will receive credit. Comfortable clothes and shoes that allow for free movement required.

Yoga and Mindfulness
Instructor: Valeria Harris
Cultivate your spiritual warrior! This class introduces us to the physical practices of Hatha Yoga, as well as mindfulness and meditation techniques. Descended from the Indian warriorship tradition, yoga gives us greater strength and flexibility. This class is designed to increase our connection with our bodies and strengthen our connection to the present moment. No experience required, but comfortable clothing that you can move in is a must.

SCHOOL ENERGY

(fulfills Holden’s 1 semester School Energy requirement)

School Energy
Instructor: Casey McCarroll
Take this class if you want to help with some “home improvement” projects! Each week is different and exciting! Join us in learning how to build shelves, paint walls, and hang art.

Student Council
Staff Leader: Kristin Lamoureux
Required for students elected to Student Council
The student body elects the Student Council each fall for the school year. The Student Council creates and gives input on school community and energy projects; helps welcome new students; gives input to staff on crisis issues as appropriate; and interviews students and reports on the state of the community to directors. Student Council members must be available for Monday afternoon meetings from time to time. This is a great opportunity to learn and to demonstrate leadership. Any student is welcome to attend the weekly Student Council meetings.

Student Teacher Seminar
Instructor: Renee Beck
Required for students teaching a class
In this class, students will be supported and guided as they facilitate a class one hour per week for an entire semester.

SELF-EXPLORATION

Leadership and Facilitation
Instructor: Alex Perrotti
The focus will be doing experiential exercises and games as a group and with partners. The exercises are drawn from workshops developed by civil rights activists and are used in conflict areas and communities all over the world to help people let down their “masks” and learn to communicate and connect in a genuine way. We will also learn some of the techniques of Theater of the Oppressed, which originated as part of a revolutionary movement during the 1950’s in Brazil. These exercises are designed to raise consciousness of the ways we are held back by societal messages that have become part of us.

Meditation
Instructor: Alex Perrotti
Each class will include a couple of short meditation sessions followed by discussion and reflection. We will try a variety of methods from the great wisdom traditions of the world, including breath meditation, mantras, visualizations, guided imagery, and body contemplation. We will also experiment with more contemporary techniques of meditation, some of which will be done in pairs and may even include eating chocolate!

Exploring the Unconscious and the Unknown
Instructor: Sara Ouimette
This class will challenge students to explore mysterious or mystical thoughts, ideas, feelings, images, and experiences. We can discuss the meaning of dreams, symbols, art, music, or whatever comes up in class. Students will be encouraged to think about philosophy and spirituality, and what they currently do or do not believe in. All viewpoints must be treated with respect. Most of this class will consist of discussions, but we may also watch movies, make art, journal, or do short meditations.

Inside Out: Personal Exploration Through Creative Expression
Instructor: Arin Weiss
In this class, we will explore mediums of creative expression (writing and visual art) as a means for discovering and uncovering our own voices. We all have something to share from our unique perspectives and life experiences. In a society where we are constantly bombarded with external stimulation, what wants to come forth from within you? What inside of you wants to be heard? What makes you come alive? Each class will have a theme to evoke and inspire contemplation and investigation, making space for, and giving expression to, that which lies within. The emphasis in this class is on your personal process rather than production.

Tarot
Instructor: Renee Beck
Tarot is a tool to give you different perspectives on what’s going on in your life, in the hope of creating more choice. This is not fortune-telling. We’ll do mini-readings based on the needs of students each week.

Check-In
Instructors: various
Talk about your weekend, problem solve, discuss life’s ups and downs, and receive and provide support for each other in a weekly, Monday morning group.

Sober Check-in
Instructor: Jenn Polse Payne
Students meet Monday mornings and Friday afternoons to provide and get support around sobriety. It is a time to check in about the weekend and to have a space to talk about the difficulties and rewards involved in being sober. Students who are struggling with sobriety, having a successful journey through sobriety, or want support around use, are welcome to attend. You must commit to coming each week on Mondays. Friday afternoon is a drop-in group.

Addiction Studies 101
Instructor: Charles Slomovitz
This course is an examination of biological, psychological, and sociological issues relevant to addiction. Addiction Studies will provide basic core knowledge and theories about addiction, treatment, and public policy. Curriculum will include handouts, cinema, and group process.

MISCELLANEOUS ELECTIVES

BYU Classes Support
Instructors: Jason Leach & Daniel Lemke
Students receive one on one support with their BYU coursework and a guided intro into Online Classes. Students enrolled in a BYU course through Holden are required to take two hours per week.

World Events WTF!?
Instructor: Alex Perrotti
So much is happening in the world both near and far. We see the images and read the headlines, but how are we supposed to feel about it all? This class will be an open forum to explore thoughts, feelings, and ideas for change related to current news events. Together we will think about how to relate to intense and difficult news events without becoming jaded or overwhelmed. We will also explore themes of empowerment and how to engage with the system. This class may count for US or World Studies credit.

Games
Instructor: Sara Ouimette
This class is all about having fun together! We will play all kinds of games from board games like Monopoly and Cranium to games like Charades. We can even play physically active games like “Red Rover, Red Rover.” Students are free to bring in their own games, make requests, and create new games throughout the semester.

Holden Farms: Growing Food, Herbs and Landscapes
Instructor: Rikki Edelman
In this class, we will sprout seeds, plant, care for, harvest, and eat fruits and vegetables from Holden’s garden. We will also design a space for plants that attracts butterflies, birds, and beneficial insects and that is relaxing and beautiful. Come and get your inner farmer on! This class may count for elective Science credit.

Homework Labs
Instructors: various
Students receive help with homework, organization, and basic skills in these small classes.

REQUIRED FOR ALL HOLDEN STUDENTS

Community Meeting
Leaders: various
This is a student-run meeting that includes all Wednesday staff and deals with issues (both positive and negative) concerning the community.

Advisories
Leaders: various
The only times students are divided up by grades, advisories are used for graduation tracking, supporting the required yearly projects, helping with independent credits, and providing general academic support.

Clean-Up Crew
Instructors: various
Assigned to a weekly group, students help clean up the school.

STUDENT-TAUGHT CLASSES

Teaching a one-hour-per-week class fulfills the Holden school energy requirement. Student-taught classes are worth 1/2 credit per semester (more for the teacher).

Cooking
Student Instructor: Farah Dinga
Students will learn about techniques, ingredients, and flavor combinations. Cooking projects will happen about every other week, and the majority of dishes will be ‘California French’-influenced.

Pokémon Class
Student Instructor: Ben Matera
In this class, we will watch the original Pokémon series, play the games, and discuss Pokémon. Students will learn about the origin of Pokémon and the people who made them. There will also be Pokémon card tournaments.

LUNCHTIME DROP-IN

Yearbook (Wednesdays)
Instructor: Kristin Lamoureux
Students who join yearbook will have an opportunity to find a program for the yearbook, design layout and pages, give input on the theme, create surveys, etc. Holden does not have a set yearbook format, so this is open to your creative input. We are looking for students who want to be very involved as well as for those who only have a little time to help. We meet Wednesdays during lunch. Take one or both semesters!