CoSA Communique
A Monthly Newsletter from Coronado School of the Arts
Welcome to Coronado School of the Arts -October 2020
Greetings CoSA Families!
It's hard to believe we're already well into the month of October! Even though we still find ourselves on the opposite sides of screens, we have so much happening in CoSA that we can't wait to share with you all. Check out our upcoming events schedule for opportunities to support our students' hard work and celebrate their creativity by attending our upcoming virtual events.
Sincerely,
Catherine Burling
Director, Coronado School of the Arts
October 2020
Oct 12 Fall Holiday, Schools closed
Oct 12 SD Performing & Visual Arts College Fair (Virtual Event)
Oct 28 DigArts Horror Night: Creepy Circus
Oct 31 Halloween
November 2020
Nov 1 Fall Back, Time change
Nov 3 Election Day
Nov 11 Veterans Day, Schools closed
Nov 12 MTD: Songs for a New World
Nov 13 MTD: Songs for a New World
Nov 14 MTD: Songs for a New World
Nov 19 CoSA Talk & Tour (Virtual Edition)
Congratulations CoSA!
Coronado School of the Arts earns Arts Schools Network Exemplary School Designation.
"Talented, creative, focused, and determined. These are the students who seek a high school that understands their needs and nurtures their blossoming arts skills. They find that school in Coronado School of the Arts (CoSA). CoSA applies a selective admissions process, with the result that admitted students are surrounded by other young learners who share their passion for the arts. CoSA embraces, encourages, and empowers artistic creativity and academic excellence!"

"CoSA is tackling challenges in distance learning with creativity."
CONSERVATORY UPDATES
Classical & Contemporary Dance
The CoSA Dancers continue to train with weekly classes in Modern, Ballet, Jazz, and Contemporary Jazz. In Dance History and Criticism, we are in the 1930s and getting to know modern dance pioneers such as Isadora Duncan, Martha Graham, and Doris Humphrey. In Composition and Improvisation, we are studying the element of Space. Mini choreographic studies have been produced on body-part initiation, levels, and the kinesphere in axial versus locomotor movement. Faculty and student choreographers are working on new projects that will premiere in our digital dance concert, The Space Between Us, in December.
Gina Sorensen,
Dance Conservatory Chair

Digital Arts (Animation, Filmmaking, Game Design and Graphic Design)
CoSA DigArts has been working hard on this year's upcoming virtual Horror Festival happening on Wednesday, October 28th from 6-8pm. Every fall the four strands of DigArts, Animation, Filmmaking, Game Design, and Graphic Design come together to establish a scary theme for the event. The students are divided into small groups where each comes up with various themes and presentations about their chosen idea. The students then pitch their ideas to the rest of the conservatory and everyone casts a vote. This year our top themes were Creepy Circus, Psychedelic Dreams, and Psychotic Episodes. The voting was close but ultimately Creepy Circus was the winner! For further information check out our promos on Facebook, @cosadigarts, and YouTube.
Poster below Created by CoSA Graphic Design Student Bella Hodges.
Riana Bucceri,
DigArts Conservatory Chair

Instrumental Music
CoSA Instrumental Music continues online learning. Students are currently studying Baroque music history, particularly the types of music composed, and the instruments that were used during that period. In their Showbiz class, they have been busy learning to write live performance contracts, artist biographies, and have just begun a college search project looking for an ideal music program for their interests. Jazz students are learning jazz standards and recording parts individually which will ultimately be compiled into a full track. Brass ensemble students are working on a Bach invention which will also be recorded. Finally, woodwind ensemble is working on solo repertoire, and small ensemble pieces by Mozart and Neihaus which they plan to record as well.
Matt Heinecke,
IM Conservatory Chair
Musical Theatre & Drama
The Musical Theatre Conservatory has been very busy acting, singing, and dancing!
The Freshmen and Sophomores had an amazing workshop with professional actress Allison Spratt Pierce on specifics of self taping for auditions.
The Juniors and Seniors also had an amazing workshop with Barbarella Fokus about filming prescreens for college auditions.
We are currently working on two performances:
The Repertory Company will have a zoom performance on December 10. From instructor Katie Sapper: "The shoe always fits the glass slipper…right? This semester, REP Co. explores the cliches we know and love, from the Breakfast Club to the Bachelor and everything in between, and turns them on their head. Join our virtual performance December 10th to see original scenes written by, directed by, and starring the 2020 REP Co."
The Fall Musical, Songs for a New World will be filmed and available for streaming on demand Nov. 12 - 22. Please see details in the section below.
Barbara Wolf,
MTD Conservatory Chair
Theatre Production, Design and Management
Tech theatre students were recently asked how they would convert a garage into a theatre performance space. They were also given the opportunity to design a site specific production that could take place anywhere in the world. Other class highlights include creating all documentation that a stage manager needs to keep track of when working on a show. We are now approaching the end of this six week unit. Next, we are moving on to themed entertainment and architectural lighting in the spirit of the Halloween season. See some sample student work below.
Curtis Mueller,
Theatre Production, Design and Management chair




Visual Art
8 minute Eyes...we spent 3 weeks tracking our left eye daily in our sketchbooks...observing changes in emotional quality and experimenting with expressive styles...5 minutes sitting looking deeply into our eyes...and 3 minutes drawing from imagination. A great way check in to connect with ourselves during these times.
From this exploration...we dove deeper into a concluding life drawing project with a choice of a portrait, figure or childhood photograph...bringing out emotional quality and development of style.
Students applying to college are preparing their portfolio goals and timelines. Underclassmen are learning the stages of painting through the anatomical study of feet. From design to muscle structure to value lay-in washes, palette organization, color matching and the difference between a first pass, second pass and third pass to complete their works of art. So proud of all their efforts and creativity!
Karrie Jackson,
VA Conservatory Chair



CoSA DigArts presents: CREEPY CIRCUS!
CoSA Musical Theatre & Drama presents: Songs for a New World
It's about one moment. It's about hitting the wall and having to make a choice... or take a stand... or turn around and go back. These are the stories and characters of today, the Songs for a New World. The first musical from Tony Award winner, Jason Robert Brown (Parade, Bridges of Madison County), this moving collection of powerful songs examines life, love and the choices that we make.

CoSA presents Fall Talk & Tour
A pre-recorded edition of our first open house of the Admission season will be posted to our website www.CoSASanDiego.com for prospective applicants and their families. Please spread the word about this event within your circles and social media.


As Project Director, Karrie Jackson is completing the Curation of a District wide Arts Integration Curriculum and Instruction Resource with Units collaboratively developed by CUSD Teachers and Arts 4 Learning Teaching Artists, funded by DoDEA Grant.
Currently, she is accepting a limited number of private clients for online Creative Coaching. Visit www.kare4art.com for updated information and current artwork.COSA ALUMNI NEWS
CoSA Alumna Dominique Chapman returns from NYC to launch Crown City Dance
Read about Dominique's journey from her days in the CoSA Classical & Modern Dance conservatory to the University of Oregon's coveted "Emerging Artist Award", to making the Broadway cast of Moulin Rouge, and the launch of her new dance program in Coronado.
Click on the content block below to link to Samantha Bey's full article "A Body in Motion" featured in the Crown City Magazine, October 2020 issue.
Congratulations Dominique, we are proud of you!
Dominique Chapman | Chapman on CoSA Dance Faculty chair Gina Bolles Sorensen: | Dominique with Amoeba cast. |
Communication & Useful Links
- Teachers use PowerSchool to communicate with students and parents. Please check PowerSchool on a regular basis in order to monitor student progress and celebrate successes. Please email your teachers through PowerSchool. PowerSchool and Parent Vue System Log In Instructions
- Please familiarize yourself with the CoSA website to stay up to date on everything happening at CoSA. Information is updated regularly.
- Mr. Schmeichel sends a weekly CHS Principal Update: CHS Smore Newsletter.
- Superintendent Mueller emails regular updates and you can check the CUSD website for current news and information https://coronadousd.net/