The power of music to transcend borders was evident during the recent Upper School Ensembles performance tour through Italy. Over the course of this spring break journey, the group gave three hour-long performances in stunning historic venues, toured breathtaking landmarks, and immersed themselves in Italian culture. Here’s a look back at their unforgettable experience.

Performances in Iconic Venues

The musical journey took the ensemble to three incredible locations:

• St. Paul’s Within the Walls, Rome – A stunning neo-Gothic church.
• Chiesa di San Filippo Neri, Florence – A Baroque-style church known for its remarkable acoustics.
• Cremona Solidale, Cremona – A retirement community in the heart of Italy’s violin-making capital.

Each concert was a special moment, allowing the students to connect with audiences through music and share their passion in some of the most inspiring settings.

Exploring Italy’s Treasures

Beyond their performances, the group had the chance to tour three cities, soaking in their history, art, and traditions.

Rome: The Eternal City

Their time in Rome was packed with awe-inspiring sights and once-in-a-lifetime experiences:

• Guided tours of the Roman Forum and Colosseum, bringing history to life.
• A visit to the Vatican Museum, where they saw the Sistine Chapel.
• They carried a cross through the Holy Door into St. Peter’s Basilica—a rare experience, as the door only opens during the Jubilee every 25 years, next in 2050.
• Sightseeing at the Victor Emmanuel II Monument, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, and Piazza Navona.

Florence: The Heart of the Renaissance

In Florence, art and culture took center stage:

• A walking tour through the city’s highlights, including the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and Baptistery.
• A visit to the Academy of Fine Arts, home to Michelangelo’s David and some of the earliest pianos ever made.
• A hands-on cooking class, where students crafted their own fresh pasta.

Cremona: The City of Violins

The final stop was the enchanting city of Cremona, famous for its violin-making legacy:

• Visits to luthier shops, where students witnessed master artisans crafting exquisite string instruments and even had the opportunity to assist in the process.
• A tour of the Museum of the Violin, where they were treated to a private recital on a 1734 Stradivarius violin—a truly mesmerizing moment.
• Exploring the Cremona Duomo, home to Italy’s tallest brick bell tower. Some even climbed to the top!

From performing in historic churches to discovering the artistic and culinary wonders of Italy, this spring break tour with the Upper School Ensembles was an experience the students will never forget!

This year, we are thrilled to celebrate six talented CCES students who were accepted into the South Carolina Music Educators Association (SCMEA) State Elementary Honor Choir! Fourth graders Elsa Boerner, Caroline Buchanan, Caroline Cox, Parker Lyle, Jack Schaumber, and Terrance Zhang earned this prestigious honor after being nominated from our Lower School Choir.

Leading up to the event, these young musicians dedicated themselves to learning a diverse and challenging repertoire. Their hard work culminated in a weekend of intense rehearsals, where they joined 250 students from across the state for a total of eight hours of practice. Under the direction of Dena Byers, they took the stage on Saturday afternoon, delivering an inspiring performance for an audience of parents, teachers, and music educators.

The Honor Choir experience coincided with the SCMEA Conference in Columbia, making it an unforgettable opportunity for our students to grow as musicians while representing CCES. Congratulations to these dedicated singers on this incredible achievement!

Since 1923, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards have recognized the vision, ingenuity, and talent of our nation’s youth— young artists and writers, filmmakers and photographers, poets and sculptors, video game artists and science fiction writers— and provided opportunities for creative students to be celebrated.

Hundreds of thousands of works are submitted at the regional level, with more than 2,000 public, private and home-schooled students receiving national recognition. CCES competes in the Southeast Region at Large, which extends from Washington, DC to the Caribbean. This year, we had eight CCES students who earned awards, including 2 Gold Key, 4 Silver Keys, and 2 Honorable Mentions. Our Gold Key winners will be entered in the National Contest.

Congratulations to the following students:

Gold Key: The very best works submitted to Region-at-Large programs. Gold Key works are automatically considered for national-level recognition.

Banks Horton ’27 for Photography 
Sophia Malave ’27 for Digital Art

Silver Key: Distinguished work submitted to Region-at-Large programs demonstrating achievement.

Christopher Kanos ’28 for Photography
Darren Lin ’28 for Poetry
Charlie Lowrance ’28 for Photography
Ryan Von Wyl ’27 for Photography

Honorable Mention: Accomplished works submitted to Region-at-Large programs showing great skill and potential.

Charlotte McKillop ’28 for Photography
Campbell Miller ’28 for Photography
 

Twelve Upper School Choir students traveled to Florence, SC, on January 24-25 to participate in the SC American Choral Directors Association High School Honor Choirs. After a competitive audition process in the fall, these students were selected from a large pool of singers across the state.

The students spent two days rehearsing before performing at the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center. Under Dr. Julie Yu (Oklahoma City University), six students (Kinsley Bitner, Lindsey Bowie, Celina Brotherton, Anna Bruner, Izzy Kimmell, and Skylyr Yearby) performed in the SSAA Honor Choir, singing pieces in Latin, Korean, and English. Another six students (Ben Brownlee, Luke Brownlee, Alex Greene, Fitz Keller, Julian Monsell, and Gavin Nichols) performed in the TTBB Honor Choir under Dr. Jefferson Johnson (University of Kentucky), singing in English, Latin, and Bemba.

A special congratulations to Luke Brownlee, who earned a solo in the final TTBB piece, Cornerstone!

Bravo to all our talented singers!

On November 7th, three talented Upper School students were honored with Fine Arts Scholarship Awards during the All Saints and Arts Chapel service. These awards celebrate students who have demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication to the arts, continuing a legacy of creativity and excellence.

The Chris Ferrell Scholarship Award was established to honor the memory of Chris Ferrell ’89. This award recognizes one or more members of the sophomore, junior, or senior class who have demonstrated outstanding gifts and performances in the Fine Arts. This year, we were delighted to have Chris’ mom, Ms. Ann Ferrell, in attendance to present to the recipients of this year’s award, Luke Brownlee ’25 and Olivia Lu ’25.

Luke Brownlee received his award from Upper School Theater Teacher, Reed Halvorson, who praised Luke as a “devoted, confident artist able to move the masses just with the use of his God given voice.” Mr. Halvorson urged us to prepare not only to hear, but to truly feel the depth of Luke’s incredible talent in the upcoming Upper School production of Les Miserables this spring. Luke’s friend and classmate, Anna Bruner ’25, also spoke on his behalf. She fondly recalled watching Luke bring characters to life in past Upper School musicals, from Roger in Grease and the Beast in Beauty and the Beast. Anna praised Luke’s dedication to honing his craft as well as “never hesitating to lend a hand to underclassmen or help a classmate run lines.”

Olivia Lu received the second Chris Ferrell Scholarship Award, presented by Jenny James, Middle/Upper School Band Teacher. Ms. James highlighted Olivia’s excellence in both the visual and performing arts as well as her integral service as a crew member for the Upper School musicals. She praised Olivia's leadership, noting that while she may be quiet, her impact is invaluable in every endeavor she takes on. Olivia’s friend and classmate, Lara Sieverling ’25, also reflected on her exceptional dedication to the arts, from her contributions to the music department and Beauty and the Beast to her significant role in the IB Art program. Lara celebrated Olivia not only for her artistic talents but for “the great friend she is—someone who brings a little extra creativity and joy to everything she touches.”

The Richard Buckley Jacques Award, established in honor of Richard Buckley Jacques ’07, was next. Richard, a beloved member of the Christ Church community, was known for his humor, adventurous spirit, and passion for the arts, particularly in digital design. This award, given for the fourth year in a row, honors an Upper School student who demonstrates exceptional talent in digital media, including photography, film, web design, or other forms of digital art.

Robert Howell ’26 was presented this year’s Richard Buckley Jacques award by Upper School Digital Media Teacher, Owen Riley. Mr. Riley described Robert as an exceptional photographer as well as a “leader by example, known for his sense of humor, positive attitude, and care for others.” Robert’s friend, classmate, and football teammate, Judd Windham ’27, spoke on his behalf, highlighting Robert’s adaptability, attention to detail, creativity, and collaborative spirit—qualities that make him both a talented photographer and football player. He praised Robert’s approach to life, noting his “determined attitude and hardy smile.”

These Fine Arts Scholarship Awards provide an opportunity for CCES to recognize and celebrate the artistic gifts of both current students and those who came before them. Congratulations to this year’s awardees—Luke Brownlee, Olivia Lu, and Robert Howell—whose talent, dedication, and contributions to the arts continue to inspire our community.

Since 1923, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards have recognized the vision, ingenuity, and talent of our nation’s youth— young artists and writers, filmmakers and photographers, poets and sculptors, video game artists and science fiction writers— and provided opportunities for creative students to be celebrated.

Hundreds of thousands of works are submitted at the regional level, with more than 2,000 public, private and home-schooled students receiving national recognition. CCES competes in the Southeast Region at Large, which extends from Washington, DC to the Caribbean. This year, we had a record number of CCES students who earned medals, including 7 Gold Key, 3 Silver Keys, and 8 Honorable Mentions. Our Gold Key winner will be entered in the National Contest.

Congratulations to the following students:

Gold Key: The very best works submitted to Region-at-Large programs. Gold Key works are automatically considered for national-level recognition.

Maryn Baych ’27 for Photography

Beau Brashier ’27 for Photography

Matthew Covington ’24 for Photography

Sam Gallivan ’24 for Photography

Alex Klapperich ’24 for Photography

Bates Mann ’24 for Photography

Owen Reamer ’27 for Photography

Silver Key: Distinguished work submitted to Region-at-Large programs demonstrating achievement.

Millie Holekamp ’27 for Photography

Jeremiah Knuckles ’27 for Photography

Jackson Linz ’25 for Photography

Honorable Mention: Accomplished works submitted to Region-at-Large programs showing great skill and potential.

David Dixon ’26 for Photography

Kendall Foster ’27 for Photography

Caroline Mitchell ’25 for Photography

Immanuel Neira ’25 for Photography

Charlotte Nessmith ’25 for Photography

Rylee Strohmaier ’25 for Photography

Frannie Teague ’26 for Photography

Lila Wills ’27 for Photography

On Tuesday, CCES 4^th Graders had a blast exploring Greenville’s diverse arts scene, sponsored by our wonderful CCES Arts Guild. The morning began at the Greenville Center for Creative Arts, a visit hosted by alum and current CCES parent, Craig Ragsdale ’99, who shared his studio space and spoke to students about how his love for nature greatly influences his artwork. Dorothy Shain ’08 also stopped by and shared about her artistic journey, which was greatly influenced by her art teachers at CCES. She explained some of her projects, how she utilizes so many different forms of media, and how art has given her so many new and exciting projects – like painting a barn in Texas!

Next, the students visited the Sigal Music Museum, orchestrated by David Sims, former Director of the Arts at CCES and current Museum Director at Sigal. Students heard from Chris Stack, Marketing Director at Sigal, who gave a demonstration of instruments from around the world and how technology can change instruments. Dr. Thomas Strange, Curator at Sigal, also spoke with students, discussing the evolution of keyboard instruments and emphasizing the unique history of music.

After lunch, the 4^th grade visited the South Carolina Children’s Theatre. Students took a backstage tour with Betsy Bisson, learning more about the history and workings of the theatre building. They participated in workshops with Anna Bowman and Traysie Amick, working on movement and vocal skills for the stage!

It was a full day, learning more about the local Greenville arts scene. Thank you to all the organizations who made this enriching experience possible!

There are many wonderful characters in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast – Belle, Gaston, Cogsworth, Lumiere, and the Beast himself, to name a few – but it is arguably the rose that holds the entire plot together. Silent yet menacing, the rose with its falling petals, is a constant reminder that our characters are moving ever closer towards their doom.

So last spring, when the Arts department announced that Beauty and the Beast would be the US Musical in 2024, Director Reed Halvorson, immediately knew that one of his main tasks would be to figure out how to bring the enchanted rose to life.

Enter Chris Lipp.

After a casual conversation over lunch, Chris - beloved CCES Upper School Technology Instructor - offered to help Reed and the Arts department with any animation needs they might have. Reed didn’t hesitate. They needed an enchanted rose, programmed with the ability to have petals falling throughout the production. Despite having zero knowledge of the story of Beauty and the Beast and little prior theatre exposure, Chris too did not hesitate. He did what he has always done at CCES -- he jumped in, excited to figure it out.

From the start, Chris was brainstorming ways to get a student involved, and Nathan Salamin ’24 immediately came to mind. Nathan has taken a number of technology classes with Chris over his four years and was going to be in his spring Robotics class. Chris wanted to make it Nathan’s semester project, but the early February deadline was going to make it a tight turnaround. The two were undeterred, spending many E periods and lunch breaks working on the rose to get it ready in time for Tech Week.

Together with Reed, they discussed a number of designs, and settled on the idea of electromagnets. The final rose utilizes eight small magnets to hold petals to the stem of the flower, with a control panel that sits under the podium. Using a remote control off stage, the crew would be able to release a single petal at particular times during the show. Nathan took the lead on coding, which runs on the central processor in the control board, while Chris helped with wiring. Nathan says that it took a lot of “trial and error,” but the process taught him how to code more efficiently as well as the technical skills needed for the wiring. Once they figured out how the rose would work, they set about designing what it would look like

The challenge was creating a rose that not only held all of the magnets, but looked as natural as possible. According to Nathan, it was “not an easy project,” but the end product was worth it. He felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment once he saw how well it worked on stage. In a fun twist of events, Nathan, who has been a member of the stage crew in a number of musicals over his high school years, was able to be the person running the remote control backstage during the final productions.

It’s safe to say that Chris also had a blast working on this project, with all the hard work paying off with a seamless install (with the assistance of Mr. John King, CCES Technical Director) and perfect functionality once the wiring was complete. In addition to seeing the final product in action at the Faculty Preview, Chris was also able to finally learn how Beauty and the Beast ends! Having never seen the film or play, Chris had wondered: “Does the Beast die?” “Does the last petal fall?” (Spoiler alert, it’s a happy ending!)

Congratulations to our cast and crew for three phenomenal shows and a big thank you to Nathan and Chris for helping bring this central theme to life with innovation and creativity.

On Monday, February 12, Lower School art teacher Marilyn Mullinax invited a special guest to her class – our very own Amy Wang who teaches Chinese in the Middle School. In celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year, Ms. Wang spent the day with students, teaching them to use Chinese bamboo brushes, natural mineral ink, and rice paper to write Chinese characters.
 

“I have been participating in the guest artist program since 2018 , which is an annual project centered around Chinese culture and traditional Chinese handicrafts,” she says. In addition to Chinese brush calligraphy, she hopes to give students a greater understanding of the Chinese Lunar New Year, Chinese folk customs, and more. 

“As a first-generation Chinese immigrant and a Chinese language teacher, I feel a natural sense of responsibility to promote Chinese culture,” says Ms. Wang. “Through this project, I hope to provide our Lower School students with an opportunity to learn about Chinese culture. And maybe it will inspire more students to choose to study Chinese as their second foreign language when they come to the Middle School one day.”