Arts

Signature Performances on a Professional Stage

Our students participate in a variety of signature events that bring their learning to life on a professional stage in The Mandelstam Theater.

World Culture Performance (Pre-K4 to 5th Grade)
Each grade studies a specific country and presents a full-stage performance inspired by traditional music and dance.

Spanish Poetry Recitation (Pre-K4 to 5th Grade)
Students memorize and perform a Spanish-language poem on stage. This experience celebrates language learning and builds public speaking confidence.

Original Spring Musical (Kindergarten to 5th Grade)
Students in Kindergarten through 5th grade perform in a full-scale, original TMS musical. Each production is written specifically for our school and performed in our professional theater.

End-of-Year Gymnastics Showcase (Pre-K4 to 5th Grade)
Students demonstrate their strength, discipline, and teamwork in a vibrant, choreographed display of gymnastic skills.

Music: Sound, Rhythm, and Expression

From Pre-K4 through 5th grade, students explore music in ways that build skill, creativity, and confidence.

In the early years:
Students explore rhythm and sound using percussion instruments. They learn about instrument families and how sounds work together in an ensemble.

As they grow:
They begin music theory and practice on instruments like keyboards, xylophones, bucket drums, and ukuleles.

By 5th grade:
Students form their own rock bands, arrange songs together, and perform for our community during the Festival of World Cultures.

Band of the Week:
Each week, students dive into the work of a different artist or group. Some are familiar, others are unexpected. Think Tchaikovsky, Kool & the Gang, Panjabi MC, Juan Luis Guerra, Oasis, or even Ronnie Ronalde, the British whistling legend.

It is fun, surprising, and opens kids’ ears to the diversity of sound.

Through it all, students build:

• Creativity and collaboration through group work and performance

• Musical skills like rhythm, pitch, and music reading

• Cultural awareness by exploring global styles and genres

• Confidence by sharing their voice on stage and in the classroom

Visual Art: Every Child is an Artist

We believe creativity should be nurtured, celebrated, and never outgrown. Our visual arts program is designed to help students build a lifelong connection to creative expression.

From Pre-K4 through 5th grade, students visit our dedicated art studio each week. They explore materials, experiment with techniques, and bring their ideas to life.

In the studio, students:

• Work with watercolors, pastels, clay, and other media

• Learn artistic vocabulary and foundational techniques

• Study the work of both classic and contemporary artists

• Use our on-campus kiln to fire and complete clay projects

Art connects with our World Culture studies.
Each grade creates artwork inspired by their assigned country. These projects help students explore global traditions and express what they have learned through visual storytelling.

Visual Art at TMS builds:

• Creative Confidence by encouraging students to trust their ideas and enjoy the process

• Artistic Exploration through a wide range of tools and materials

• Cultural Awareness by connecting with art from around the world

• Critical Thinking through observation, reflection, and interpretation

We want our students to see themselves as lifelong artists. They should feel empowered to think creatively, express their ideas visually, and take pride in making something uniquely their own.

Dance: Movement with Meaning

At The Mandelstam School, dance is more than performance—it’s a powerful way for students to express themselves, strengthen their bodies, and build vital connections between movement and learning.

Dance begins in Pre-K4 with creative movement, where students explore rhythm, body awareness, and spatial relationships in a playful, nurturing environment. As they grow, girls participate in ballet as part of their gymnastics training, developing coordination, grace, and discipline through classical technique.

All students—boys and girls—spend time in our dance room learning choreography for two major annual performances: the Festival of World Cultures and the spring musical. These rehearsals offer more than just artistic expression. Learning choreography activates multiple areas of the brain at once—boosting memory, sequencing skills, concentration, and pattern recognition. It also reinforces the mind-body connection, helping students develop a stronger sense of timing, balance, and muscle control.

Through dance, students learn to listen closely, collaborate, and express ideas nonverbally—skills that support not only the arts but academic learning as well.

Dance at TMS fosters:

Mind-Body Connection – Coordinated movement strengthens neural pathways and enhances focus and spatial awareness.
Confidence & Expression – Students discover new ways to communicate and shine on stage.
Cognitive Growth – Memorizing choreography sharpens memory, sequencing, and attention to detail.
Teamwork – Students work together to create meaningful and dynamic performances.