Fine Arts
Here at Christ School, we believe that Fine Arts are an integral part of every boy’s education. The Fine Arts are vital in developing a core of aesthetic judgment, as well as emphasizing and engaging the highest levels of learning.
We hold fast to the concept of a “Renaissance Man,” as it provides the template for a well-rounded and vibrant curriculum for the 21st century. A variety of opportunities abound in theater productions and art and music classes. The inner artist, actor, and musician await to be discovered and developed by a talented and caring faculty of experienced professionals.
News from the Arts Department
Meet the Faculty
Music has always been essential to the education and development of boys at Christ School. St. Joseph’s Chapel comes alive each year with notes sang or played by Greenies.
This tradition spoke to James Cassarino, who has been Organist, Choirmaster, and Chair of the Fine Arts Department since 2019. Mr. Cassarino recently completed a 20-year tenure as Professor of Music and Music Department Chair at Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont.
While at Green Mountain College, Mr. Cassarino helped create and oversee a vibrant program that included course work in music and performing opportunities in both instrumental and choral ensembles. He also served as Music Director and Organist for Trinity Episcopal Church in Rutland, Vt. Mr. Cassarino previously filled those same roles for St. Mary’s Church in Newport, R.I., as well. His educational background includes degrees in music and in theology from Castleton (Vt.) University, Ball State University, St. John’s University, and the University of Wales.
Mary Dillon has presided over Christ School's Theater Department since 2001. Audiences have enjoyed close to 40 plays directed by her during that time. She is not afraid to innovate either.
It was Mrs. Dillon's idea to introduce Winter Film as an after-school option to Greenies starting with the 2018-19 school year and Broadcast Journalism was added for 2020-21.
Mrs. Dillon teaches World Literature, Honors World Literature, Journalism, Film as Literature, and English as a Second Language (ESL). She is the faculty advisor for The Stump student news organization, which includes a print newspaper as well as streamed newscasts.
Mrs. Dillon is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas and the Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College. She has directed five productions for the Montford Park Players in Asheville.
Erin Price gets delight out of seeing how far imaginations can go in the Kennedy-Herterich Art Studio.
She has applied a lifelong love of art to 13 years of teaching up and down the east coast. Her courses at Christ School are Art, Advanced Art, and AP Art History.
Ms. Price received her B.A. in Studio Art with a minor in Saxophone Performance from Presbyterian College. She then attended The School of the Art Institute of Chicago where she completed post-bachelor courses in Painting and Graphic Design. Later, Mrs. Price received a masters in Art Teaching in Art Education from Lander University and Masters of Library and Information Science from USC-Columbia.
In addition to creating art and teaching, Mrs. Price enjoys spending time with her husband and son.
