Spotlight on...Performing Arts
January 7th, 2026
Dear Park Community,
This past fall, many of our performing arts students shined brighter than ever! In November, students in Grades 7-12 put on an amazing 3-night performance of Puffs!, bringing energy, emotion, and professionalism to the stage in a way that captivated the entire audience. The visual arts students created an amazing backdrop for the stage to set the scene, along with creating a record number of props utilized during the performance, including 3D printed wands! Soon after, students in Grades 5-12 delivered an absolutely outstanding autumn assembly, performing with skill, heart, and a level of musical artistry well beyond their years. Their achievements in both events reflect not only their remarkable talent, but also the dedication and teamwork that define our school community.
Students who participate in the fall play at Park begin rehearsing in September, and under the guidance of our Drama Director, Maria Jacobi, they spend a considerable amount of time on character preparation, where each student creates a detailed background for their assigned character. They take evidence from the text, use their imagination, and then move into the physicality of their character in order to appropriately react with the truth of one’s character. We affectionately call our actors the “Park Players”, and after the production of Puffs!, many of the Park Players participated in the New York Thespian one-act competition. They performed a hip-hop musical called "No Spoilers" that some of the kids premiered in summer 2025 at Park. Melanie ‘26 won Superior Lead Actor for her big final scene, while Nova ‘26 was awarded Superior Supporting Actor, as the judges felt she stood out in every scene playing multiple characters. In March, students in Grades 3-12 will participate in the musical Anastasia, The Musical Youth Edition, and we expect to sell out five planned shows.
The performing arts community at Park would not be complete without a variety of PreK-Grade 12 music classes including band, chorus, music history and theory, and more. Bethany Ward is our Vocal and Music Teacher and Choral Director. She has vocal directed In Good Company Productions since 2014. Bethany also sings in one of Buffalo’s top choirs, Vocalis. John Bacon joined us this fall as our Instrument and Ensemble Instructor. A drummer, percussionist and composer, John is one of the most sought after musicians in the Western New York region and regularly collaborates with top musicians in the area. He is the leader of several projects including the bands JBQ, Star People and The Morgan Street Stompers. He is a collaborator in the Buffalo Jazz Composers Workshop. John Troy will also join Park for the second half of this year as an Instrument Instructor. John first developed interest in classical/concert music under William Eicher, & jazz/theory studies under Dave Schiavone. While continuing his education at Fredonia University, John explored classical saxophone studies under Wildy Zumwalt, and jazz saxophones under Bruce Johnstone. John advanced his studies, attending Purchase Conservatory, under the tutelage of Eric Alexander and commercial doubler Mark Vinci, completing his Bachelors of Arts in jazz studies (woodwinds). |
Our music department educators work with students in all divisions: lower, middle, and upper school. Across grade levels, our music students are enthusiastic, engaged, and feel comfortable expressing their ideas and and suggestions. In recent years, the number of performances has increased dramatically. Lower school students perform in their own winter concert for Grandparents and Special Friends Day, and Ms. Ward and Ms. Jacobi combine forces and produce a spring musical specifically for Grades 3 and 4. Mr. Bacon and Ms. Ward will also collaborate so that lower, middle, and upper school students combine practice and performances in the second semester in an effort to foster cross-divisional opportunities and promote participation in upper school ensembles. The belief that music allows for students to engage the creative side of their brain emotionally, and through public performances, guide our talented instructors when working with our students.
I had front row seats to both the play and the autumn assembly this fall, and I felt overwhelming pride and hope both times: pride, because the values we nurture here at Park - honestly, respect, responsibility, and kindness - came alive, even when unprompted, and hope, because seeing our students perform and support each other was evidence that young people can create positivity, and that is a really great feeling. The Performing Arts Department at Park provides students with various opportunities to perform in a nurturing, supporting environment. Our music instructors are guiding Park students to take with them what they learn and bring it into everyday life so that it has a lasting impact on the way they listen to music and participate in the arts!
Warmest Regards,
Lisa M. Conrad
Head of School
