Grade 12 - Arts Program

William Academy is a coeducational independent school for students from Grade 5-12. At William Academy, we strongly believe in educating the whole child and in inspiring creativity, innovation and self-expression. Our arts program allows for students to grow as an artist and find their own voice. With access to music rooms, dance studios, performance spaces, sculpture rooms and multi-media labs, William Academy can help prepare you for a post-secondary education in the arts.

As an arts school, William Academy also has a University preparation program specifically designed to help prepare students for the audition process at various Arts Universities such as OCAD (Ontario College of Art & design), Sheridan College, York University, Brock University, Carleton University, and the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design among others.

William Academy offers a full range of classes in the arts alongside more traditional course offerings. Students are free to select courses from mathematics, sciences, humanities, business as well as the courses listed below.

Dance: In dance courses at the Grade 11 and 12 level, students continue to learn in, about, and through dance. The medium of expression is movement; the instrument is the human body. Dance education goes beyond the study of a repertoire of movements to offer an understanding of the principles and concepts that govern and define the art. Dance transforms images, ideas, and feelings into movement sequences through innovative choreographic insights. Learning in dance requires a balance of knowledge and skills, and a synergy between intellect, ability, and emotion. Engagement in dance can provide a context for understanding world issues and exploring a variety of cultures. The study and practice of composition provide students with the essential building blocks that support lifelong interest in, appreciation of, and curiosity about dance. Genres include modern, jazz and dance composition.

Drama: At the Grade 11 and 12 level, drama students extend their understanding and interpretation of dramatic texts, forms, characters, and theatrical productions. They incorporate a variety of dramatic elements and conventions in their performances and productions. Students engage in increasingly effective social interactions and collaboration as they create, perform, and analyze drama. In these courses, students will experience being performer, audience, playwright, technician, designer, and critic.

Students use the elements of drama (role/character, relationship, time and place, focus and emphasis, and tension) to create works that are related to their personal interest and experience. In doing so, they integrate technology to enhance the impact of drama works and to help convey mood, create tension, and communicate a message.

Media Arts: Media arts incorporates a variety of materials, techniques, tools, technologies, and skills from various arts disciplines including dance, drama, music, and visual arts. Elements are also drawn from the contributing arts: for example, line, colour, and texture from visual arts; space, time, and energy from dance; rhythm (duration), harmony (pitch), and dynamics from music; and character, place, and tension from dramatic arts. The technologies and processes used and adapted to create media art may be traditional, including, but not limited to, photography, film, photocopy art, analog and electro-acoustic sound, classical animation, and video/television. The technologies and processes may also be digital: computer software, digital imaging and graphics, digital sound recording and sonic sculpture, two- and three-dimensional animation, multimedia production, holography, and web-page design.

Music: Music study at the Grade 11 and 12 level enhances students’ understanding and appreciation of music through the development of practical skills and creative work. Students extend their creative problem-solving skills, individual and cooperative work habits, and knowledge of themselves and others. They develop a sense of personal responsibility and connections to their communities, and explore future careers. Units in music include: vocal, instrumental music, music composition and history.

Visual Arts: Visual arts courses at the Grade 11 and 12 level focus on studio work and critical analysis of a wide range of art works. Students apply the elements and principles of design with increasing skill and creativity to produce art works that communicate emotions or comment on issues. They apply their skills using an array of media, including alternative media, and current technologies, to create two- and three-dimensional art works for a variety of purposes. Units in visual arts include printmaking, sculpture, painting, ceramics, film/video and alternative media.