Visual Arts
Elementary students in grades JK-5 have a weekly art class where they grow in their knowledge of artistic elements, artistic techniques, and culturally-significant artists. Students have opportunities for creativity and self-expression within a safe environment that welcomes mistakes and learning from them.
Art is also offered as an optional elective for middle school students in grades 6-8. The curriculum builds off of the elementary art curriculum and gives students the opportunity to refine their artistic skills.
Music & Drama
Students at every level engage in music and drama as mediums of worship and creative expression. It is the purpose of the Worship & Performing Arts (WPA) Department that students become creative and confident communicators who build better relationships – with God, self, and others.
Music
Preschool through 5th grade students have weekly music class where students practice and improve in creative expression, musical literacy, and performance skill. Students learn to use their voices and bodies in worship to God within community. They also gain confidence in being on stage for worship, concerts, plays, and musicals.
Drama
Drama is offered as an optional elective for middle school students in grades 6-8. This class is a popular and unique opportunity for students to build their public speaking skills and grow in community with their peers.
Band & Choir
Students in grades 5-8 have several opportunities to pursue their musical interests and hone their skills. Course offerings from the list below are subject to change. Contact us for ensembles that will be offered this year.
Beginning Band
This band is an introduction to instrument study. It requires no prior band experience and is optional for all 5th grade students. Instruction includes instrument care, sound production, practice habits, tone production, music literacy, and performance skills.
Concert Band
This band provides an opportunity for students to increase and challenge their instrument skills. Instruction includes scales, sight reading, music theory, concert etiquette, and performance skills.
Chapel Band
This ensemble is open to all middle school students looking to take an active role in leading worship. Try-outs are required as a form of placement. Instruction includes instrumental/vocal techniques, music theory, and the purpose of worship. Responsibilities include preparing and leading music for the middle school chapels as well as assisting in the setup and clean up of chapels.
Jazz Band
This band provides the highest level of musicianship at SJCS. Try-outs are required for this band and are held in the first two weeks of the school year.
Choir
This ensemble is open to all middle school students and requires no prior choir experience. Instruction includes breath support, proper signing posture, tone production, part-singing, concert etiquette, and performance skills.
Contact
Eli Plares
Music Teacher
Professional Biography
I attended Vanguard University of Southern California in Costa Mesa, California, where I received my Bachelors of Music in Jazz Studies in 2020. During my time at Vanguard, I had opportunities to not only perform with various music groups, but also to teach music to students in both private and group settings. Shortly after graduation and amidst a global pandemic, God opened the door for me to teach a Zoom jazz masterclass for some of the SJCS band students, which turned into an offer to become the band director at SJCS.
Personal Biography
I am a San Jose native and, apart from my four years in Southern California, have called San Jose home for my whole life. I have called my church, Mount Pleasant Christian Center, home for my entire life as well. When I am not playing or teaching music, I enjoy everything the outdoors has to offer, whether it be camping, running, hiking, or going to the beach.
Christian Philosophy of Education
“Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty heavens! Praise Him for His mighty deeds; praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with lute and harp! Praise Him with tambourine and dance; praise Him with strings and pipe! Praise Him with sounding Cymbals; praise Him with loud clashing Cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 150 ESV).
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,” (Colossians 3:23 ESV).
These two sets of verses sum up what I believe to be my job as a Christian music teacher. Psalm 150 shows us that as musicians, we are to use our God-given gifts to bring Him praise. Paul also encourages us in Colossians to, “work heartily, as for the Lord.” As fun as it is for young musicians to bang on a drum or honk on a saxophone, the Bible tells us to use AND develop our gifts and talents for the glory or the Lord.
Catherine Miller
Music Teacher
Professional Biography
My adventures in teaching began in the preschool classroom, where I was happily at home developing curriculum, stories, and classroom layouts to best serve the learning needs of little humans. Through a series of God-orchestrated shifts, I was called upon to utilize my experience in children’s ministry and musical theater, and my teaching focus was redirected towards Worship and Performing Arts. Since 2008 it has been my honor and joy to work in a variety of educational settings, exploring creative expression, music, and theatrical storytelling with students ages two through fourteen.
Personal Biography
A native to San Jose, I am the mother of four amazingly creative kids, with three grown and one at home. In addition to music and theater, I admire a variety of artistic mediums, and have recently joined a writing group.
Christian Philosophy of Education
Every human bears the image of God, and is compelled, therefore, to innovate and imagine. We are designed to be designers, created to create, and are thus compelled to commune with our Creator, and one another -via the creative arts. Song, movement, visual design, storytelling... these are the defining languages of humanity.
Music is one of the most flexible and accessible of these. It is a language that is, at once, commonplace and miraculous, inherent and divine. It belongs to all, and can be articulated as poignantly by a child with a bucket and a stick as by Yo-Yo Ma with his cello. Music engages body, sense, and soul. It activates the mind, and frees the spirit.
While creative expression through music and the arts is our natural inclination, the achievement of musical literacy (aka: full, joyful use of the language) is acquired by objective aim. And it’s during childhood that fluency can be attained best; much in the same way a child attains fluency in his or her native tongue -- through submersion, mentorship, and regular use.
As a Worship & Performing Arts teacher, it is my job to –
- Provide an atmosphere overflowing with creativity, worship, and song
- Break down the ‘language’ into developmentally attainable building blocks
- Provide abundant opportunity for children to work with their ‘blocks’ (explore, exercise, and enjoy them), and put them to use communicating, celebrating, and declaring God’s praise
Barbie Rosato
Art Teacher
Professional Biography
I have always loved working with kids and am excited to share my passion for art with students. I was a nanny and preschool teacher before having my own kids. For the past six years, I taught TK-5th Art and Art History at Castlemont Elementary. I have also been the Kids’ Ministry Director at my church for five years.
Personal Biography
I have been happily married to my best friend, Brandon, for sixteen years. We have two fantastic kids, Finley and Ellie. They keep us busy all year with sports, mainly baseball and softball. I love being a mom. I enjoy cooking and baking. Feeding people is one of my favorite things to do.
Christian Philosophy of Education
We serve an amazingly creative God, and I am excited to share with SJCS students not only how creative they are but how God designed them to be uniquely creative. Everywhere we look, we see God's creativity.