Epiphany School's new and improved Music, Drama, and Movement Program helps students discover their joys, passions, and fresh modes of self-expression

“We all have our own special combination of interests, talents, and passions, and everyone learns differently. This program allows students to look inside themselves and understand who they are, what inspires them, and how they can express themselves. It gives them so many opportunities to take risks and develop courage and creativity.”
–Sofia Piel, Music, Drama, and Movement Specialist Teacher

Epiphany School has a rich history of music and performance. Last year, with the hiring of our new Music, Drama, and Movement Specialist Teacher, Sofia Piel, we had the opportunity to expand upon our already fantastic program, which is foundational to an Epiphany School education. We sat down with Sofia to discuss how she evolved the program after the departure of longtime Music and
Performance Specialist Leslie Larkin; how she plans to continue to grow it; and the program’s
positive impact on students across the grades.

What drew you to this role in the first place— what were you were excited about and why
did you know you’d be a good fit?

This is my dream job! I taught theater to children in New Hampshire for many years and I absolutely love the skills and joys we can experience through the performing arts. Working with children brings me so much happiness—they crack me up and have so much curiosity and life, as their natural state
is playing, moving, and singing. I love that this position allows me to create a space for our students to express themselves in creative ways, gain confidence, and develop their communication skills.

Before I took this job, I was the first grade instructional assistant and I loved using scripts and doing reader’s theater with small reading groups. Every day, students would ask me “Are we doing the play today?!” Elementary students LOVE acting and playing characters and being able to express themselves through that form of play, so I was excited to bring even more of this to students’ Epiphany School experience through the new Music, Drama, and Movement Program.

Tell us more about the program.

I work with all grades and every year I build upon their skills in each of three creative disciplines, which are so naturally connected: music, drama, and movement. In pre-k, students start learning simple rhythms, singing their hearts out, and moving in all kinds of creative ways, such as pretending
they are up in the clouds, or octopuses, or bunnies. Pre-k lessons incorporate a lot of imagination, play, and movement! In kindergarten and first grade, I start teaching the basics of theater and students do a lot of improvisational games, read and act out scripts, and express themselves using
their bodies, voices, and faces. And then as students progress through the grades, they continue to build upon their knowledge of music—learning how to read music notes, exploring timbre, tempo, and pitch, and exploring all the wonderful instruments we have in the classroom, such as xylophones,
ukuleles, and all kinds of percussive instruments.

“Students need this space to discover and connect with their personal and creative interests, and making it a regular part of their learning and explorations at school is essential.”
–Sofia Piel, Music, Drama, and Movement Specialist Teacher

When you took on this role, what changes did you make to the preexisting music program, and why?

I was really excited to add more theater, improvisation, and movement to what was already such a strong and essential music program at Epiphany School. The goal in evolving this program was to provide even more creative learning opportunities for our students, so they could gain confidence
in performing, speaking in front of groups, and expressing themselves in whatever unique ways they connect with. We have so many different ways of expressing ourselves, and my students show me new ones every single day!

How have students responded to the new program?

Students really loved the addition of more theater and movement. They are constantly collaborating creatively in small groups—making “tableaus” with their bodies, or silent pictures depicting a scene. It’s so fun to see them figuring out how to work together, using their bodies and their faces to tell a story. Another favorite activity is called “mirrors,” where students face each other and move together to meditative music. These kinds of games give them practice in finding their own voice and expression and collaborating with their peers’ differing ideas and expressions. Last year we also did a unit on the Brazilian martial arts dance capoeira, and the younger students were begging
me to do capoeira in every class! Students have so much fun exploring the music, dances, and movement styles from diverse cultures, and I am excited to add more of this to the program!

Reflecting on the past year, what would you say you are proudest of?

I am proud of how we integrated so much into the Music, Drama, and Movement Program. I worked hard to tailor a dynamic program that allows flexibility to meet student needs, respond to their passions, and reflect their interests, and I feel like I am starting from a solid foundation now
moving into my second year.

We also put tremendous effort into the grade-level performances—myself, the students, and classroom teachers—and I felt like it really showed in the performances we put on for the school and families. I loved that each performance felt very age-appropriate, tuned in to students’ specific developmental needs and skills, and that we were able to incorporate units from their classroom
and lessons from their social-emotional learning.

What can we look forward to in the 2024-25 school year?

I’m super excited about this school year! I hope to incorporate more dance in all grades, and more study of musical genres and artists. Last year’s third graders were totally wowed by the fourth grade’s scripts, and they want to write their own now that they’re fourth graders—so I will be working with them on the elements of scriptwriting.

One very exciting development in the works: I’m planning to introduce a regular “Superpower Hour,” or talent show, where students and staff can have the opportunity to share a song, dance, poem, hula hoop skill, or any performance or skill they are proud of. I would also love to do a schoolwide performance of Epiphany School’s annual Tournament of Books winner, or a collaboration with buddies.

Learn more from the Music, Drama, and Movement curriculum page.