Arts and Design
Through student choice, our PK-12 arts and design program is guided by our belief that arts and design foster expression, communication, skill development, and cultural awareness for ourselves and those we connect with. We are a diverse group of artists, designers, performers, and creatives who see collaboration as a tool to explore the human condition and the world around us.
We aspire to view situations from a variety of perspectives and inspire our community to embrace empathy, creativity and contribute to a better future.
ES Arts
Elementary School Arts
You will witness creativity around every corner at AAS. Our team of highly qualified specialists ensure that students are able to extend their creative thinking and expression through a range of Visual and Performing Arts. Our inspiring new Rila Renaissance Centre also provides students a wonderful space in which to perform, design, create and get to grips with some amazing technology.
The AAS approach to the arts is highly practical and our students always work toward sharing their creativity at public events. They practice, rehearse, refine and reflect (as artists do) in order to show their best work.
We always perform, we always exhibit, we always recite; this becomes instinctive for AAS Arts students.
Music
The Anglo-American School has a well-balanced Elementary School Music program which is based on a combination of Orff-Schulwerk and Kodály approaches. Technology is also used as a tool to strengthen and enhance the scope of student learning. Through active participation in singing, playing instruments and movement, children learn about music’s range of forms, styles and traditions.
The Music program encourages students to explore their potential by providing opportunities for development of musical, artistic and performance skills. It also emphasizes concentration, creativity and cooperation.
As is our philosophy in the Arts at AAS, each period of study culminates in an exciting range of performances for the school and community.
In addition to the regular program, co-curricular choices include The Elementary School Choir and a Private Instrumental Program (keyboards, guitar, violin, drums and other instruments).
ES Visual Arts
MS Arts and Design
MS Visual Arts
In Visual Arts, students create, design and communicate through art, while learning to observe, reflect and appreciate different techniques and gain different skills in drawing, painting, selecting materials, using collage, rubbing, constructing, modeling and printing. They are also introduced to the visual elements of line, shape, color use, pattern, rhythm, texture and volume.
As is our philosophy in the Arts at AAS, each period of study culminates in an exciting exhibit for the school and community. A visit to an art gallery is organized during the year and students are occasionally invited to exhibit in local galleries.
Theatre
There are opportunities in Drama and Theatre throughout the AAS Middle School curriculum.
All middle school students explore Theatre through dedicated workshops and rehearsals, which always culminate in public performance. Our main foci are the skills of movement, the use of voice and the ability to work in an ensemble; skills for life!
As is our philosophy in the Arts at AAS, each period of study culminates in an exciting range of performances for the school and community.
In addition to the regular program, additional choices include the Drama Skills Elective (for those aiming to become more accomplished actors) and the Speech & Debate Team (which competes regularly in international competitions).
Music
During Middle School Music, students explore the possibilities of making music while learning to play a musical instrument – piano or guitar. This journey takes them from World Music to Jazz and Blues to Pop and Rock.
Middle School Band runs as an elective class for grades
7 / 8 and offers further chances for development of the instrumental skills necessary for chamber ensembles.
As is our philosophy in the Arts at AAS, each period of study culminates in an exciting range of performances for the school and community.
In addition, our Middle School Choir is open for students from Grades 5-8 and is an ever-present at annual CEESA Choir Festivals. Our private instrumental program (PIP) also runs after school for interested students. The PIP instructors are experienced professionals who follow the AAS core values.
Digital Design
Digital arts in the middle school focuses on video production. Students are introduced to the fundamentals of storytelling. A pre-production process of choosing a video treatment, storyboarding, camera angles and movements. Production using various technologies to create video footage. Concluding with the post-production processes of video editing and special effects.
As is our philosophy in the Arts at AAS, each period of study culminates in an exciting exhibit for the school and community.
Design & Technology
A different aspect of Design and Technology is addressed each trimester with 3D Design and Cardboard Construction, Microcontrollers and Electronics and finally Robotics.
Design and Technology embraces a learning culture that encourages cross-disciplinary efforts (drawing on mathematics, science, computing and some art) ,peer-to-peer teaching and learning, and the importance of both hard and soft skills. One of the aims of the Design and Technology electives is to provide students opportunities to develop into confident and capable individuals through the process of making, peer learning and problem solving.
Dance
Discover the joy of movement and self-expression in our dynamic Dance Elective courses! These classes offer students an opportunity to explore various dance styles, including creative movement, hip-hop, and modern dance techniques, while developing flexibility, coordination, and strength.
Through engaging lessons, students will delve into the elements of dance—body, action, space, time, energy, and relationships—using them as tools for both choreography and improvisation. They will have the chance to create their own original dance pieces, collaborate with peers, and refine their technical skills.
In addition to physical practice, students will explore the history of modern dance, researching influential choreographers and movements that have shaped the art form. The class also incorporates discussions on physical health and its connection to mental well-being, helping students understand how movement can be a tool for self-care, confidence, and emotional expression.
This elective is open to all students, regardless of experience or technical level. Whether they are beginners or experienced dancers, they will have the opportunity to grow, express themselves, and develop their unique artistic voice in an inclusive and supportive environment.
HS Arts and Design
- High School Arts & Design Technology
- HS Music
- HS Theatre & Performing Arts
- Literary Arts
- HS Visual Arts
- HS Dance
High School Arts & Design Technology
Creativity abounds in the High School. Our talented instructional team of highly qualified specialists enable students to develop and extend their creative thinking and express themselves through a range of Visual and Performing Arts. The Rila Renaissance Centre is inspiring and provides students with an amazing space in which to perform, design, create and get to grips with some incredible technology.
The AAS approach to the arts is highly practical and our students always work toward sharing their creativity at public events. They practice, rehearse, refine and reflect (as artists do) in order to show their best work.
We always perform, we always exhibit, we always recite; this becomes instinctive for AAS Arts students.
HS Music
The High School Music elective class (Grades 9 / 10) gives opportunities to be creative, take risks and to “dive” into various musical experiences. Students develop instrumental skills necessary for ensemble and solo performance, together with knowledge of how to create a well-balanced concert program. The annual ‘HS Benefit Gig’ is one of the stages where they share their talents and find meaningful community connections.
Using traditional methods of musical composition, together with exploring the possibilities of music technology in our classes, students release their authentic album after visiting the professional recording studio and learning about the basics of Music production.
Our High School Choir is open for students from Grades 9-12 and is an ever-present at the annual CEESA Choir Festival. A private instrumental program (PIP) also runs after school for interested students. The PIP instructors are experienced professionals who follow the AAS core values.
HS Theatre & Performing Arts
In High School, students work with greater independence and are challenged to devise their own theatre and perform more complex works.
Using a variety of explorative strategies, such as cross-cutting, marking the moment, hot-seating, narration and improvisation, students devise a lively public performance, presented at the end of a 3-day annual theatre festival. As these new tools are mastered, students practice organisational skills alongside their imagination and creativity by working extensively towards a major school production. The year culminates with a short-film project using scripts written by our partners in the Creative Writing elective.
In IB Theatre, students continue making and performing theatre with increasing complexity as they develop their knowledge of world theatre and its key practitioners. Not only must they become able performers, they should also regard themselves as practitioners, amassing a body of evidence to show their development as directors, designers, technicians and researchers.
There are additional acting opportunities in HS Speech & Debate club, which competes regularly in international competitions.
Literary Arts
LUX Светлина, is a literary arts magazine which features the creative talents of our high school writers and artists. Student editors from Grades 9-12 work with faculty advisors to select pieces for the magazine, which is published each spring.
For the past seven years, Lux has received an Award for Excellence from the National Council of Teachers of English, receiving the Highest Award in 2017 as one of the top 26 high school literary arts magazines.
HS Visual Arts
Visual Arts, students investigate and record the world around them. They create, design and communicate through art. They learn to observe, reflect and appreciate art.
Students explore different techniques and gain different skills in drawing, painting, selecting materials, using collage, rubbing, constructing, modeling and printing. They are also introduced to the visual elements and processes of line, shape, color use, pattern, rhythm, texture and volume.
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Graphic Design
Digital arts explores the principles of design through project-based activities. A Design cycle guides the projects through identifying a needs, creative design development and product evaluation. Illustration, layout and photography are explored, culminating in the creation of the AAS yearbook.
As is our philosophy in the Arts at AAS, each period of study is completed with an exciting exhibit for the school and community.
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Design & Technology
Students work on a combination of teacher determined projects and student proposed projects related to resistant materials, electrical systems, some programming, and control and monitoring. The Design Cycle is applied to their use of studio time.
When planning projects the elements of User, Purpose, Functionality, Design Decisions, Innovation and Authenticity must be considered.
Sharing out of learning and project progress is a critical component and will be scheduled regularly both in person and via a learning blog.
HS Dance
Discover the joy of movement and self-expression in our dynamic Dance Elective courses! These classes offer students an opportunity to explore various dance styles, including creative movement, hip-hop, and modern dance techniques, while developing flexibility, coordination, and strength.
Through engaging lessons, students will delve into the elements of dance—body, action, space, time, energy, and relationships—using them as tools for both choreography and improvisation. They will have the chance to create their own original dance pieces, collaborate with peers, and refine their technical skills.
In addition to physical practice, students will explore the history of modern dance, researching influential choreographers and movements that have shaped the art form. The class also incorporates discussions on physical health and its connection to mental well-being, helping students understand how movement can be a tool for self-care, confidence, and emotional expression.
This elective is open to all students, regardless of experience or technical level. Whether they are beginners or experienced dancers, they will have the opportunity to grow, express themselves, and develop their unique artistic voice in an inclusive and supportive environment.