Arts

An expansive arts program gives students opportunities to discover and hone their talents onstage, behind the camera, and everywhere in between. These modes of creative self-expression help students actualize their identities, and celebrate the range of ideas and feelings of each individual.

List of 3 items.

Music

The music curriculum encourages students to enjoy music through singing, playing instruments, and moving to music. Students are exposed to Jewish and American music, as well as music of other cultures. Students participate in special grade programs that incorporate music and learn to appreciate the art of performance, including our schoolwide Stephen Gottlieb CityJam.
Theater

The Hillel Day School Drama Production consists of students in grades 5 through 8. These students learn about the different aspects of theatre including music, choreography, set construction, backstage help, and acting. The musical, which typically takes place in March, is enjoyed by family, friends and the entire student body. Students participating in the drama production learn teamwork, communication skills, self- confidence, and the importance of taking pride in an artistic project.

The drama experience gives eighth graders an opportunity to learn about being in a musical. Students learn the applicable music and choreography and are also able to audition for lead parts, or to work backstage or onstage for a complete production experiences. All eighth grade musical participants with lead roles attend the musical mini classes.
Visual Arts

From a Dale Chihuly-inspired sculpture to a tesselation of shapes fitted together, Hillel is home to revolving exhibits thanks to a robust arts program that meets the interests of students of all ages. Students become immersed in the history of art as they work on projects in a variety of mediums, an experience that is enriched by field trips to the Detroit Institute of the Arts, our own Sights & Sounds gallery stroll featuring works that relate to all disciplines at Hillel, and even pop-up after school art classes that relate to the Jewish holidays.

Students learn how they can explore their Jewish identity through art, making mezuzot, Purim costumes for laser-cut dolls, and family shields that draw upon their own family lore. The art room is also a place where older and younger students can come together to work on mutigrade construction projects, honing skills in creativity and collaboration.

-Jacob D. Brown, Alumnus

“Hillel gave me the opportunity to take a music class at a very early age – learning basic music theory, reading sheet music, and keeping a beat. As a result I am currently in the process of performing in my second lead role in a musical, learning how to play all forms of music (both guitar and vocals) from classical to hard rock and even learning how to repair and create custom guitars. All of this began from a seed planted by the wonderful Arts Department of Hillel Day School.”