It’s a privilege to be an artist. It’s particularly a privilege to be an artist knowing we were made in the likeness of God, the greatest artist of all. At Chapelgate, the individual artist is trained to trust his or her vision, and then that vision is celebrated because it is uniquely God-given, thereby making each project absolutely epic: inspired by the Lord; created for the Lord; enjoyed with the Lord. What could be better? It makes even Monday mornings around here bearable!

The bands at Chapelgate Christian Academy flex strings, lungs, digits, lips, and toes in order to orchestrate their way towards excellence. Music involves active engagement and focused discipline, and we know from research that this translates not only into true artistry but into serious academic endeavors and accomplishments. Each and every member of our bands are treasured for his or her God-given talent…a talent sometimes “shy,” but with coaxing and prayer, it becomes unleashed in a torrent of beautiful sounds. What else can we possibly hope for our musicians, but to please our Lord with a joyful noise made up of the modern day timbrels, lyres, harps, trumpets, tambourines, and cymbals…instruments (and musicians!) good enough for any tabernacle.

Here at CCA, we strive to provide a cultural balance for our students with opportunity to experience the arts and specifically the CCA choirs. The CCA choirs have embraced students from all backgrounds. Some come with little or no singing experience while others come having had private lessons and competition experience. It is a wonderful occasion for students to blend their previous experiences in the comfort of a Christian atmosphere of encouragement. Students are able to immediately be part of a group where friendships are developed, leadership opportunities are established, individual and group vocal ability and musicianship is bettered through instruction, practice and teamwork. Our CCA choir students have celebrated success performing locally at Chapelgate’s winter and spring fine arts performances as well as at local schools, nursing homes, and CCA’s own musicals and other local theater venues. Students have also performed at Carnegie Hall, with All State Chorus and received notable scores at music festivals and Music in the Parks. Members of the CCA choirs develop the elements of music which include ear training, theory, history, and performance etiquette all while experiencing a variety of music literature

Storytelling has been a part of vast civilizations since ancient times. With no amplification other than one’s own strength of voice and stage presence, actors and teachers have commanded audiences’ attention for thousands of years. It was a way to teach the illiterate and entertain the masses. Even our Lord got in on the fun. Alas, today’s audience is decidedly illiterate when it comes to the Kingdom of God and, at Chapelgate, one of the goals of the theater department is to not only teach our audiences how to “act” in the Land of Promises, but teach our aspiring “act”-ors as well. In the doing of it, we believe we can help reclaim the culture for Christ. But there is no point doing it unless we produce an excellent and competitive product, one that rivals the world’s productions. Chapelgate thespians are up for the task; they don’t shy away from the difficult or the contemporary, and they shine in the spotlight. And why not? There’s only One in our audience.

We can’t think of a better way to tell you about the dance program at Chapelgate Christian Academy than with the words of C. S. Lewis. Our bodies move to the multiple disciplines of ballet, jazz, tap, musical theater, modern, contemporary, hip hop, ballroom, and worship dance. Our students not only learn technique and composition, but will find themselves choreographing for themselves and others. Our talented students just might waltz, shimmy, samba, jitterbug, twist, fox-trot, or hop, skip, and jump. Why? Because at CCA, art is a verb, and is there a better way to shout “hallelujah!” than through the spring of one’s toes?!