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HomeNewsArchivesNot for Profit: St. John School of the Arts Offers New Programs

Not for Profit: St. John School of the Arts Offers New Programs

Kristen Carmichael-BowersA trio of new programs at St. John School of the Arts promises to expand horizons for island residents.

"All of these groups are open to people with zero experience,” choral instructor Kristen Carmichael-Bowers said.

The St. John School of the Arts Combined Choir welcomes school children from ages seven to 11 for all St. John public and private schools as well as those who are home schooled. The youths will sing songs from Disney, pop, broadway, world music, and a “tiny bit of madrigal singing.”

The students will meet from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. Fridays. The class, which is sponsored by the local government’s Parks and Recreation Department, is free. However, there is a $10 fee for insurance. Registration runs $10 for returning students and $25 for new students.

The St. John a Capella Ensemble is for youths ages 11 to 18. This group will meet from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Carmichael-Bowers said the singers will learn to sing without the accompaniment of musical instruments, and in some instances, will sing as instruments.

The cost for each class runs $14. School of the Arts director Kim Wild expects there to be 27 classes.

The St. John Women’s Ensemble is open to girls and women from age eight through senior citizen, but those younger than 15 need to attend with an adult. Members will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Carmichael-Bowers hopes to establish a sister chorus to the Brattleboro, Vt., Women’s Chorus.

“And do exchanges,” she said.

Women’s Ensemble classes run $20 a class. Wild anticipates there will be 27 classes.

Carmichael-Bowers moved to St. John Aug. 31 from Vermont with her husband after a long career teaching music in New England. In addition to teaching private lessons, she taught at Brattleboro Music Center, North Stage, the Putney School, the Vermont Academy, and Smith College.

She holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from Smith. Her focus was vocal pedagogy, which is the art and science of voice instruction.

With daughters Keira, 23, now living in Denver, and Bridie, 20, working as an instructor at ZOAR Outdoor in Charlemont, Mass., the time was right to make the move to St. John, she said. She previously taught occasional classes at Gifft Hill School and was in touch with St. John School of the Arts director Kim Wild.

Carmichael-Bowers, 47, said she approached Wild about doing classes on St. John through the School of the Arts.

“I asked for a job,” she said.

A New Jersey native who spent most of her life in Vermont, she said she misses New England’s changing seasons. That said, she’s settling in nicely to life on St. John. Of course, there have been some bumps in the road, such as the cistern in their rental house developing a leak.

“We ran out of water and it killed the pump on the third day here,” she said.

She said she’s learning patience and the ability to let go of any expectations.

When she’s not teaching music, she and her husband like to spend time at the beach.

“I love to swim and snorkel,” she said.

More information on Carmichael-Bowers is available on her website at http://www.kristencarmichaelbowers.com/.

To sign up for classes, stop by the School of the Arts. It’s located on the street behind Julius E. Sprauve School. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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