Lower School Arts

In Dance & Movement classes, students discover the fundamentals of movement, including the basics of ballet, modern dance, and creative choreography. Instruction places equal emphasis on disciplined technique and imaginative expression, allowing each child to gain grace and confidence while exploring their creativity. From learning proper ballet posture to inventing their own dance sequences, children develop body awareness, coordination, and joy in movement. This balanced approach ensures that every student builds a strong technical base in dance and feels empowered to express themselves through motion.

Our theatre journey begins in Fourth Grade with the annual Winter Play – a cherished Albany Academy tradition that ignites students’ passion for the stage. Each year, our Grade 4 class produces a play with a script written by Upper School students, bringing their ideas and stories to life in a truly one-of-a-kind production. This event is made even more special by the collaboration between Lower and Upper School: Upper School students often join in the production, providing mentorship and creating a wonderful sense of community across grade levels. Through the Winter Play and other drama activities, our young actors learn the art of performance and storytelling, develop public speaking skills, and step into the spotlight with confidence.

In Visual Arts, Albany Academy’s youngest learners are encouraged to unleash their imaginations while mastering fundamental art concepts. Students explore the building blocks of art–from experimenting with color and shapes to understanding perspective–in a supportive studio environment. Guided by dedicated art teachers, children work with various media (drawing, painting, sculpting and more) to translate their ideas into creations they can be proud of. This early immersion in visual arts not only develops fine motor skills and artistic technique, but also nurtures creative thinking and an appreciation for artistic expression. Every Lower School student learns to view the world through a creative lens and gains the confidence to express their unique vision through art.

Our Lower School music program opens the door to a world of sound, rhythm, and melody, giving children a global perspective on the language of music. Using the renowned Orff approach to music education, students engage with music through hands-on exploration: they play Orff percussion instruments (such as xylophones and metallophones), strum ukuleles, clap out rhythms on drums, and lift their voices in song. Music classes blend joyful practice with fundamental theory, so that as students sing and play, they are also learning to read music and understand concepts like rhythm, pitch, and harmony. This immersive exposure to music from around the world nurtures each child’s musical ear and teamwork skills as they perform together in class ensembles. In addition to regular music classes, we offer exciting opportunities for budding performers to shine: third and fourth graders may join the Lower School Chorus, and fourth graders can take part in the Fourth Grade Band. Participation in chorus and band allows students to further refine their skills, experience the camaraderie of ensemble performance, and build confidence by showcasing their talents at school events.