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Step Into the Spotlight: Broadway Camp at BASIS Independent Brooklyn

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Calling all young performers! This summer, let your child’s star quality shine at our exciting Broadway Camp program led by our beloved performing arts faculty member, Ms. Markel. 

Summer is the perfect time for kids to explore their passions, develop new skills, and make unforgettable memories. If you have a budding performer at home, we’re thrilled to announce an extraordinary opportunity that’s sure to make their summer spectacular: 

“Step Into the Spotlight” Broadway Camp at BASIS Independent Brooklyn! 

Program Details 

When: August 18-22, 2025 (Monday through Friday)  
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 
Where: BASIS Independent Brooklyn 
Grades: 5th to 8th  

A True Broadway Experience 

Get ready for an unforgettable summer where young stars shine! For one magical week, campers will be immersed in the exciting world of musical theater, guided by our seasoned performing arts instructor, Ms. Markel. Each day brings new adventures in: 

  • Singing: Learn proper vocal techniques and belt out show-stopping numbers 
  • Dancing: Master fun choreography designed for all skill levels 
  • Acting: Develop character work and stage presence 
  • Performance Skills: Build confidence through solo and group musical numbers 

Why Choose Broadway Camp? 

This program is perfect for everyone—from dedicated theater enthusiasts to curious newcomers just dipping their toes into the performing arts. Our supportive environment ensures that every child: 

  • Builds confidence and self-expression 
  • Makes new friends who share similar interests 
  • Develops teamwork and collaboration skills 
  • Experiences the joy and magic of musical theater 
  • Creates lasting memories in a fun, engaging setting 

The Grand Finale 

The week culminates in a special camper performance where students will showcase everything they’ve learned! This is a wonderful opportunity for parents, family, and friends to see the amazing progress made in just one week. Watch as your child steps into the spotlight with newfound confidence and skills! 

Meet Your Instructor 

Ms. Markel brings her passion and expertise to the program, creating a nurturing environment where every camper can thrive. With experience in directing, choreography, and vocal coaching, she guides students through all aspects of musical theater performance. 

Ms. Markel joined BASIS Independent Brooklyn nearly eight years ago after establishing the drama program at BASIS Scottsdale, where she has taught middle and high school theatre classes for seven years. Ms. Markel has studied with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s education programs. Ms. Markel previously trained and worked as a singer and actor in Colorado, Montana, and Arizona. 

Register Today! 

Spaces fill quickly for this popular summer program! Don’t let your child miss this chance to experience the thrill of Broadway right here in Brooklyn. 

Step Into the Spotlight Broadway Camp: Where young performers discover their star quality! 

Find out more about our summer programs, and register today: https://basisindependent.com/schools/ny/brooklyn/student-life/summer-programs/ 

The New Works Arts Festival and Spring Showcase: A Celebration of our Fine Arts Department

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This week BASIS Independent Bellevue hosted the annual New Works Arts Festival and Spring Showcase! This event is meant to celebrate our Fine Arts Department and creativity of our students in grades 2 – 8 through dramatic works, musical performances, and the visual arts. The event was four evenings of planned artistic showcases, allowing students to explore their own creative voices and present their perspectives to our community.

Our Fine Arts Subject Expert Teacher, Ms. Carter, teaches grades 2 – 4 in Performance Arts, Music and Visual Art, giving her the unique ability to work with these students across several artistic disciplines. Since the beginning of the school year, Ms. Carter has been working with our primary students on body percussion and control. This skill has allowed students to develop more focus and mindfulness in the classroom, and has been especially helpful in preparing for their Spring Showcase performance. In January, students began using their body percussion skills to rehearsal the musical they would perform in March. Students in grades 2 and 3 were ensemble cast members, singing and dancing during the show, while students in grade 4 were assigned lines and learned blocking techniques on the stage. It came together beautifully!

“Giving the students the opportunity to blend theater, music, and the visual arts created a flow for me to be able to recognize their individual strengths, help direct their energies, and learn what each grade level was truly capable of. Working with these kids brings me such joy because I get to see them set aside their inhibition and come to life. They’re not afraid to be goofy, but and even the ones that are, learn quickly to break down those walls. I love the way they work together. We are a family in that classroom and I think the performance showed that.” – Ms. Carter

In grades 5 – 8, preparation for the New Works Festival began all the way back in August when students in drama classes learned that they would be asked to craft and perform their very own script, adapted from a piece of literature. This required students to look at themes of text, character and story development, and even write their own scripts. This cross-curricular method allows students to rely on skills learned from classes like Classics, English, and Literature and Composition.

Our Drama Subject Expert Teacher, Mr. Mullens, agrees that the integration of Humanities in our curriculum is crucial to the ongoing holistic growth of our students:

“Our students are highly academically motivated, which can mean that they are often very focused in their learning of academic content. In the drama room, I have the pleasure of seeing students truly enjoy the learning process in a non-traditional way. While we incorporate valuable skills, it is also a time for them to laugh, be silly, and bring levity into their day. It’s so important for our students to have these moments of ownership over their creativity, while having a lot of fun.” – Mr. Mullens

Each night kicked off with a visual arts showcase, highlighting art made by students in grades 2 – 8 throughout the course of this year in their classes with Subject Expert Teachers Ms. Carter and Ms. Dreskin. Families were able to enjoy refreshments and begin the evening by appreciating the work of our students.

The gallery of student artwork was on display for all four days of the festival!

Night One – The Spring Showcase

Students in grades 2 – 4 came together to present a musical performance. In grades 2 and 3, students were mice and princesses, while our grade 4 students each dressed up as a fairy tale character of their choice. The theme of the musical focused on building character and kindness.

Night Two – The New Works Festival

On Night Two, Grade 5 Oxygen students performed three adaptations from their chosen works with musical accompaniments, highlighting the flute, piano and vocals!  Student performers stayed in their performance spaces, while the audience was rotated throughout the campus to see each of the shows in the theater room, amphitheater and music room.

Night Three – The New Works Festival

On Night Three, the Chamber Music Club hosted a pre-show while families enjoyed refreshments and viewed the gallery of art that surrounded them. Then, Grade 5 Nitrogen students performed their three adaptations while the audience rotated through each show in the theater room, amphitheater and music room.

Night Four – The New Works Festival

On the final night of the event, our grade 6 – 8 students enrolled in the drama elective courses performed their adaptations of literary works. These students collaborated with the grade 8 Creative Writing class for peer mentorship and support in their writing. The results were resounding. They even had a special guest appearance by our Social Studies SET and basketball coach, Mr. De Monnin! The middle school students performed their three adaptations while the audience rotated through the theater room, amphitheater and music room.

From start to finish, this event was almost completely student-led, from the writing of the productions, to acting and performing their words. Even our stage crew each night were student volunteers from the National Junior Honor Society!

“I love that the adults are standing back and letting this be as student-led as possible. It’s a pleasure to watch them taking agency over their work and see the months of effort finally coming to fruition. “– Mr. Mullens

We would like to extend a huge thank you to all of those involved in making this even a success, specifically our Operations Team, Ms. Dreskin, Mr. Mullens, and Ms. Carter. The work that was required to pull off this event was immense and it is greatly appreciated by our students and community!

Shark Tank Sparks Innovation at BASIS Independent Manhattan

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Hey Sharks… Welcome to BASIS Independent Manhattan!

What does a TV show where stuffy millionaires scour the cerebral seas for tasty new ideas have to do with students at BASIS Independent Manhattan? Turns out, the Shark Tank formula is the perfect intersection between drama, English, and engineering, three subjects that our elementary school students happen to excel in.

Gearing up for our very own Shark Tank

When we announced the annual, interdisciplinary Shark Tank project at our private school on the Upper West Side, the grade 4 students were thrilled. They quickly began to scheme up idea after idea to pitch. But there was still a lot that needed to happen before our little entrepreneurs would be ready for the big day. Our top-ranked teachers got right to work.

Starting on the STEM side, students used the engineering design process to brainstorm and develop their inventions. Engineering Subject Expert Teacher Ms. Delaney explained how this unfolded in her class: “The first step was to guide students through drafting detailed blueprints to transform their ideas into reality. Once we identified their most innovative designs, the class collaborated to create working prototypes they were excited to pitch to the Sharks.” 

Shark Tank display of photos and inventions

Moving along to English, this is where students wrote persuasive essays with a strong hook, crucial supporting details, and a concise conclusion. Ms. Lauten (English Subject Expert Teacher, Gr. 4–5) said, “It was important that students understood the connection between their writing and their upcoming Shark Tank presentation, By using these components of a persuasive essay, it was a smooth process pulling out the strongest elements to craft a compelling oral pitch.”

Time for the last leg of the project! In drama students honed their public speaking skills. Ms. Boscolo (Drama Subject Expert Teacher) worked with them on projection, posture, eye contact, and enunciation. She went on to say, “These skills not only enhance public speaking, performing, and presenting, but they also boost individual self-confidence.” It was evident students learned that a solid presentation could make all the difference between sealing the deal or walking home empty-handed.

Learning to manage those pre-pitch jitters

As the looming day drew closer, students’ nerves increased. Here are a few ways our expert teachers supported students throughout the process:

  • Talked about using a growth mindset to approach challenges with resilience and confidence.
  • Focused on learning from feedback and seeing setbacks as opportunities for growth.
  • A special lesson led by our School Counselor emphasized the value of maintaining a positive attitude and believing in one’s abilities.
  • Teachers gave students strategies to help them stay calm under pressure, using their emotions as motivation for success rather than a reason to give up.

The Big Day

One by one, our young entrepreneurs proudly stood to pitch their ideas, all of which were incredible. Here are a few highlights:

  • “Tweet,” by Morgan, is a pencil case that has games, music, and lots of other things attached to it. Morgan explained how Tweet can make life more fun and give us easier access to technology.
  • Ryder pitched “The Lingle Bingle,” a powerful, cheap, GPS tracker that can work anywhere in the world.
  • “The Reminder Watch,” pitched by Ella, is a watch that glows and vibrates whenever the wearer has forgotten something. And the best part? The Reminder Watch comes in many different shapes and patterns. 😊 Each of our students pitched something that we were proud of.

Success for all

BASIS Independent Manhattan takes great pride in being a top-ranked liberal arts school. We also understand the importance of balancing rigorous academics, such as STEM, with joyful learning. Through interdisciplinary and real-world lessons, like the Shark Tank project, we prepare our students to be inquisitive, solution-oriented collaborative problem solvers.

We are proud of our young entrepreneurs for thinking outside the box and showcasing their innovations!

We invite you to learn more about our Wildcat community at one of our upcoming admissions events. Interested in joining us for the 2025-2026 school year? Our rolling application cycle is now open — apply here!

Young Author Spotlight: Seleema A., Grade 5

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In a testament to the flourishing Humanities Program at BASIS Independent Fremont, several students have recently achieved the remarkable feat of becoming published authors. This week, we had the privilege of sitting down with Seleema A., a grade 5 student from our Lower School, to delve into her inaugural venture into the world of publishing. Join us as we explore her journey, creative process, and gather valuable insights for aspiring student authors.

Tell us about your story and what inspired you to write it.

My story is called “Tales of a 5th Grade Soccer Champion,” and it’s kind of based on a true story. It’s about a girl who was inspired by my experiences playing soccer. A girl in her class keeps saying that she is not good at soccer and teasing her, and she has an upcoming game against this classmate that is really important. So, she gets really nervous but goes through with it and plays her best because deep down, she has known all along that she really is good. She just had to dig down and bring up her confidence, and in the end, she won! I decided to write this story because it has a good message, and it happened to me, so it was quite natural to write about.

Do you have a favorite character? What makes them so special to you?

I like the main character – she’s based on me, but she’s also different in a lot of ways. She’s a little different from me in some ways and similar in others. The fact that she gained her confidence so quickly is something that it’s a little different from me. I can gain confidence, but it can take a while. I could use her journey to explore and not just write everything that happened to me. I could change it up a little.

It helped when I wrote about her. It helped me to realize in real life that what that person was saying about me was wrong. I was a good soccer player, and I tend to do really well. The main character is a very competitive person, and sometimes, that can bring out the best in you. You shouldn’t be afraid and always stand up for yourself with confidence.

Did you face any challenges while writing your story?

The word restriction was the main thing that I struggled with. Sometimes, if there’s a limit to the number of words that I can use, it’s hard for me to put everything that I have in my mind into words. This limit was 100 words, so it was a challenge. But I like being challenged, especially in writing. I was hesitant at first. I was like, ‘Oh, it’s only 100 words,’ but it was actually something that worked out, and I really enjoyed it in the end.

How did you think to submit your story for publishing? Did you get any special encouragement from mentors or teachers in your life to try to publish your story?

My mom is always encouraging me to find new competitions to submit to because I’m always up writing. When I found this competition, I decided to enter it. My parents are always very encouraging and supportive when I’m writing. A lot of my Humanities and English teachers at BIF also helped me to get into writing and really enjoy it.

How did you feel when you heard that your story had been selected to be published in a real-life book?!

I honestly didn’t think that I was going to be chosen, and I was really excited because I always wanted to be actually published. To see that it’s actually there in a real book that you can buy and people will read felt really nice. I felt like I could make a difference and actually publish my own books one day.

Do you have any special memories from your classes or teachers here at BIF about learning to write stories?

I think I started writing in first grade, but I really got serious when I had a great second grade teacher, Ms. Mishra. We were online for half the year because of COVID, but we had a historical fiction writing assignment that I really enjoyed. I think that’s where my passion for writing really started to come out. Ms. Mishra sure helped me a lot.

Mr. K Wagner has helped me a lot. We had a lot of writing in fourth and fifth grade with him as our teacher. He always helped with my writing, especially on things like our Native American and descriptive essays.

In third grade, Mr. Acevedo assigned us a great mythology unit where we got to write about Greek Gods, and I found that really exciting. I’ve always liked characters that are heroic or brave – I’ve always liked reading and writing about them. I got some ideas for some of my books and stories from them!

What would you say to other young students who aspire to be authors?

I would say, first and foremost, never give up. It’s good to have ideas and sometimes change those ideas into something that can be even better. But if you have an idea that you think is good, stick with it, and you can create something really nice out of it. I remember when my friend and I were in second grade. We started a book together. All of our friends who were writing together took a break, and we ended up stopping for a really long time. Then, this year, my friend picked up that book again, and she turned it into something so much better!

Even if you think your story isn’t perfect, don’t let that stop you. There are always more opportunities. One contest isn’t going to make or break how much you love writing. I think young authors out there have to keep on going and never give up. Always believe that you can do your best and be the change. I just want to say to all the authors out there: never give up, and always remember that your writing can change the world.

Seleema’s story serves as an inspiration for budding authors within the BASIS Independent Fremont community and beyond. Her advice for aspiring student authors is rooted in the encouragement she received from her teachers and peers. She emphasizes the importance of embracing creativity, persisting through challenges, and cherishing the guidance provided by mentors within the Humanities program.

BASIS Independent Fremont’s Humanities Program continues to foster a community of young, talented authors who dare to dream and achieve greatness. Seleema A.’s journey stands as a shining example of the program’s commitment to nurturing creativity, critical thinking, and effective communication skills. As we celebrate her accomplishments, we eagerly anticipate the future literary endeavors that will undoubtedly emerge from the inspiring environment at BASIS Independent Fremont.

BASIS Independent Fremont is a grades TK-12 private school based in Fremont, California, providing students with an internationally benchmarked liberal arts and sciences curriculum.

Celebrating Our Global Heritage: A Look at International Day

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International Day at our BASIS Independent Fremont Lower School is an inspiring and vibrant celebration attended by over 800 enthusiastic students, staff, and family members. This special event brought together our diverse community to honor and showcase the rich cultural tapestry of our world, featuring representations from 12 countries across every continent. From singing in a multitude of languages to sharing fascinating tales of global heroes, the day was a beautiful reflection of our commitment to valuing the arts, people, and diversity.

Valuing the Arts
The highlight of BASIS Independent Fremont Lower School’s International Day was the incredible artistic expression of our students. They took to the stage with captivating dramas, delving into the heart of different cultures and bringing their stories to life. Each performance was a journey into a new world, filled with unique customs and traditions. The melodies of over a dozen languages filled the air as students sang songs from their represented countries, creating a harmonious blend of global music. Our school’s corridors turned into an art gallery, displaying vibrant art pieces that represented each country’s essence. These creations were not just displays of talent but also of deep respect and understanding of the diverse cultures that make up our world.

Valuing Each Other
At the core of International Day is the celebration of people who have shaped the cultures of the world. Students embarked on a journey of discovery, learning about significant figures from their chosen countries. They created engaging projects, from biographies of historical heroes to tales of mythical beings, each telling a story of human achievement and imagination. These projects were shared with other students and parents, fostering a sense of connection and admiration for the people who have contributed to our global society.

Valuing Diversity
The essence of International Day is the celebration of diversity. It is a day when the vastness and variety of the human experience are on full display. From cultural contributions and scientific accomplishments to the unique landscapes and languages of different regions, the event was a vivid reminder of the richness of our world. Music from different continents echoed throughout, and discussions about the diverse ways people live, think, and create fostered a deeper appreciation and understanding among our community.

International Day was more than just a day of celebration; it was a meaningful exploration of the world’s cultures, a testament to our school’s commitment to multicultural understanding and respect. As we move forward, the memories and lessons from this day will continue to inspire us to embrace and celebrate the diversity that makes our world so wonderfully complex.

We look forward to each year’s International Day, where we will once again come together to celebrate our global heritage and the unifying beauty of our diverse world.

Learn more about student life at BASIS Independent Fremont here.

BASIS Independent Fremont is a grades TK-12 private school based in Fremont, California, providing students with an internationally benchmarked liberal arts and sciences curriculum.

2023 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

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Congratulations to the 2023 winners of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. We wanted to celebrate the inspiring student work from BASIS Independent Brooklyn this year by sharing the work with our community. Students have created visually stunning and meaningful imagery, and we wanted to share many of the pieces honored by Scholastic in the hopes of inspiring others. We are proud to see them brilliantly uphold the BASIS Independent Brooklyn standard for setting the bar high for our school community and rising to meet those goals. 

“Our students’ hard work has led to great outcomes,” commented Head of School Josh Harmon. “I’m proud of their creativity and the execution that earned them their awards. Thank you to our teachers for inspiring and guiding our students to express themselves and capture their unique perspectives.”

Overall across BASIS Independent Brooklyn, 13 students were recognized with awards in the 2023 Scholastic Art & Writing Competition. A full list of students honored follows:

  • Olivia B. ‘27 – Honorable Mention (Drawing & Illustration)
  • Katey B. ‘23 – 2 Gold Keys (Photography)
  • Laila G. ’24 – Silver Key (Digital Art)
  • Samantha G. ‘24 – Honorable Mention (Photography)
  • Mateo K. ‘25 – Honorable Mention (Drawing & Illustration)
  • Avi L. ‘24 – Gold and Silver Key (Photography)
  • Yorgo M. ‘27 – Gold Key (Photography)
  • Alex R. ‘24 – National Silver Medal, Gold Key, and 2 Honorable Mentions (Drawing & Illustration)
  • Yuna S. ‘24 – Silver Key (Digital Art)
  • Arthur S. ‘27 – Honorable Mention (Photography)
  • Beckham V. ‘26 – Honorable Mention (Photography)
  • Isaac W., ’24 – Honorable Mention (Photography)
  • Maren W. ’23 – 2 Silver Keys (Photography)

Art Awards
On top of the regional accolades, this year Alex R. ’23 was honored with a National Silver Medal in recognition of exceptional work in drawing and illustration. His award-winning work was displayed in the national exhibit that toured the country. 

“Alex is a wonderfully talented artist,” said Ms. Heather Corbett, Fine Arts Subject Expert Teacher. “He had a solid background in realistic drawing coming into class this year and has worked to expand his comfort zone by exploring 5-point perspective in colored pencil, portraits in acrylics and landscapes in watercolors. He is generous and encouraging with his peers and thoughtful in his approach to both his work and the work of his classmates. I am very pleased to have been able to get to know and teach him this year.” 

Alex R. ‘S National Silver Medal Drawing:

“Congratulations to this year’s winners,” said Mr. Opirhory, Fine Arts Subject Expert Teacher. “Their dedication to the arts and unique vision represents the best of our community. With art ranging from photography to digital art, and drawing they continue to impress.”

Proud of his students, Mr. Opirhory provided background on each one that we wanted to pair with their recognized entries. All of his students awarded Gold and Silver Keys follow alphabetically.

“Katey Brickner’s contributions to the arts at BASIS Independent Brooklyn have been extensive through the years.  Her artistic merit is immense.  She works in a variety of mediums and it’s great to see her gain acclaim for her photography.  These images are a direct reflection of her creativity, emotional intelligence, and dedication to skill.”

Katelyn B.’s Gold Key Photograph “Veil of Silence”: 

Katelyn B.’s Gold Key Photograph “The Web Whisper”:

“Avi Lockner has excelled at capturing stark and vivid imagery.  His photography set such a unique mood with his use of contrast and composition. Dark in tone, they confront us with their underlying ideas.”

 Avi L.’s Gold Key Photography “Works”:

“Yorgo Malafis is a newcomer to photography yet he’s created a number of wonderful works in a short time. He has an eye for iconic and structured imagery and accentuates order in urban environments.”

Yorgo M.’s Gold Key in Photography “The Wall”:

“Yuna Stechert Is an amazing draftsperson/painter. Her talent working with figurative narratives improves with each piece. She works with oil, acrylic, gouache, and watercolor with an attention to detail and a solid understanding of what makes a great image.”

Yuna S.’s Silver Key in Digital Art “Fleeting Happiness”:

“Maren Williard’s photographs are a spectacular look into the idiosyncrasies of life. This is done so succinctly by juxtaposing the roles of children and adults in a comedic and introspective fashion.” 

Maren W.’s Silver Key in Photography “Eve’s Temptation”:


Maren W.’s Silver Key in Photography “They Grow Up So Fast”:

Dean of our High School Program Mr. Goldman was proud to share that Laila G. ’23 was awarded a Silver Key for her layered and deeply-historical work created as part of his AP U.S. History class. Dean Goldman shared that it is an “impressive synthesis work, encompassing multiple centuries, and asserts her answer to the question ‘What is the Story of America?'”

Laila G.’s Silver Key in Digital Art “The Pursuit of Happiness”:

Our students continue to inspire us. We are extremely proud of them, their intelligence, artistic vision, and – most of all – their potential. 

Unleashing the Power of Creativity: Celebrating the Fine Arts at our Inaugural Festival

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The excitement was buzzing as students, faculty, staff, and parents gathered together to celebrate the fine arts through the New Works Festival hosted in April. The New Works Festival was a thrilling and dynamic week-long event that celebrated the creativity and innovation of our student artists, and our Fine Arts department. The festival provided a platform for artists to share their creativity and talent.

Developed by our Fine Arts Team including, Mr. Escobar, Music Subject Expert Teacher, Mr. Mullens, Performing Arts Subject Expert Teacher, and Mr. Narmita, Visual Arts Subject Expert Teacher, the New Works Festival showcased original pieces of art, short plays, and musical compositions.

“The New Works Festival gave students a chance to create their own work and use their own voice in the work they do,” said Mr. Mullens, Performing Arts Subject Expert Teacher. “This festival provided our Mountaineers the opportunity and outlet for creative and critical thinking skills.”

Music Subject Expert Teacher, Mr. Escobar

“This festival provided an excellent opportunity for students of all grades and experience levels to showcase their talents,” shared Music Subject Expert Teacher, Mr. Escobar.

Mr. Escobar held auditions for students to play a piece they loved and were comfortable with in a solo setting. This format allowed students to learn what it is like to audition and rely solely on themselves and their confidence to perform. Mr. Escobar had more than 50 students audition to participate in the festival. From these auditions 18 students were selected to perform either their audition piece or a new piece of music.

In preparation for the festival, Mr. Escobar met once with each student for individual rehearsals. Students were encouraged to practice at home for their performance as well. Each night during interludes we heard from multiple pianists, vocalists, and more!

Mr. Escobar said, “The New Works Festival was an important representation of our Fine Arts Department because we made history! During our inaugural year we came together as a department to showcase the amazing things are students are capable of and it was a huge success. Students shared that when it was all said and done they were proud of themselves and their peers performances, while parents shared they enjoyed all aspects of each evening.”

Performance Arts, Subject Expert Teacher, Mr. Mullens

Students in Grades 2 – 4, were provided script frames, with the order in which characters spoke however the lines for each character were left blank. Students worked together in groups to use their imagination to fill in the blanks and build a cohesive script, all the while developing their characters.

In Grades 5 – 7, students had a blank slate. Students collaborated together in groups to develop a short story from scratch including identifying a location, time period, characters, lines, story themes, and more. They focused on character development and were allotted a time of five to ten minutes for each short play.

Students worked on stage craft after school alongside their parents, and grandparents, which created a wonderful atmosphere and memorable community moments. The New Works Festival also included a well-organized Stage Crew who ensured a seamless transition between plays, musical performances, and art gallery presentations each night of the festival.

“Students developed their collaboration skills by working in pairs and groups and these interpersonal skills are invaluable in the world today,” said Mr. Mullens, “Giving students the opportunity to stand in front of an entire audience teaches students how to communicate their original ideas in an effective way, which is a critical skill to develop.”

Visual Arts Subject Expert, Teacher Mr. Narmita

Students from Mr. Narmita’s Grades 6 – 7 elective Visual Arts class prepared weeks in advance to prepare original art pieces that correlated with dramatic performances each evening. During this preparation period, students first had to understand the stories being told on a basic level. They then collaborated as a class in a round table discussion to brainstorm a variety of ways visuals could be created to connect with each story. From there each individual student had the artistic freedom to create a visual using the medium and materials of their choosing.

“I wanted to give creative freedom to the students in this process to empower them to make informed artistic decisions and follow through with those choices,” said Visual Arts Subject Expert Teacher, Mr. Narmita. “While this festival was extremely collaborative in nature, students ultimately had autonomy in the creation of their project, which allowed them to trust themselves and make the art classroom their home. From this experience, students have a greater understanding of interdisciplinary subjects and how things can partner together.”

The New Works Festival was an outstanding celebration of the Fine Arts and brought together our school community in a truly memorable way.

Fine Arts Subject Expert Teachers BASIS Bellevue

“How collaborative, wonderful, hardworking and how dedicated as a group,” Mr. Mullens expressed. “It was spectacular to put our minds together and create a space for the students.”

Students are already looking forward to next year’s festival discussing performance ideas with our Fine Arts Subject Expert Teachers!

BASIS Independent Bellevue, a private school, opened with Grades 2 – 7 to start and will add a grade level each school year as we expand to a full middle and high school (Grades 5 – 12).

Visual Arts Students Honored for 31 Day Inktober Challenge

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Visual Arts Subject Expert Teacher, Mr. Narmita, launched the popular Inktober challenge this school year for his Grades 5 – 7 art students.

To celebrate the completion of the challenge our Mountaineer students participated this past week in an exclusive Inktober 31 Day club induction ceremony. Members received a certificate, poster, and pin. Altogether 34 students completed this challenge. Congratulations Mountaineers!

Inktober drawings from BASIS Independent Bellevue students.

Inktober is a 31 day drawing challenge that takes place during the month of October. Artists from around the world participate in this fun and active challenge, which was created by Jake Parker. During Inktober, students are provided a different word each day to prompt one ink drawing. Participants have the option to use black ink, pen, or marker. Words used this Inktober included farm, gargoyle, and scurry.

Mountaineer Claire F. (Grade 7) receives her Inktober pin and certificate.

“It’s not a competition, it is a challenge to improve student’s drawing skills, and make drawing a regular habit in the day,” says Mr. Narmita. “The hardest thing about art is getting started! Inktober and the daily word helps students get started on something and use creative freedom.”

Visual Arts Subject Expert Teacher, Mr. Narmita.

Mr. Narmita also taught students several book binding techniques such as stitching. Students then hand stitched books of all 31 drawings to showcase.

Student’s book of 31 Inktober sketches.

Student’s book of 31 Inktober sketches.

“Inktober was a way for me to improve my skills,” says Claire, Grade 7. “It was a good experience to challenge myself and the daily word prompts helped me to get out of my comfort zone.”

Students, and even some of our Mountaineer parents who enjoying drawing, are already looking forward to next school year’s Inktober challenge.

Watch Mr. Narmita create the Inktober banner!