Student Enrichment

Course: As spring returns to the CFS campus, we will become eco-detectives to explore the plant, insect and animal communities who share the land with us. Through exploration, play, story, creativity and nature lore we will learn more about who lives around us, from beneath our feet to high above our heads. Through close observation, investigation, measurement and analysis, we will discover how the land provides habitat and food, and how we share the web of life with our wild neighbors. We will plant seeds of stewardship as we create a pollinator garden together.

Schedule: Wednesdays | 3:20-5:00 pm

• April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
• May 6

Tuition: 155

Instructor: Susanna McIlwaine grew up creating tiny urban gardens as a child and crewing on the Hudson River educational sloop Clearwater. These experiences as a teenager planted seeds of love and caring for nature which led to helping start and serve on river basin, conservation and urban agriculture organizations, an urban community and foodbank garden, and a native plant conservation garden. A long-time educator from pre-K to college and adult, she has a graduate degree in environmental conflict and decision-making and worked with communities and NGOs in the US and Europe. Susanna has worked with practical applications of natural systems in sewage treatment. A Virginia Master Naturalist, she is working on her NC environmental education professional certification and joining her local Master Naturalist program. She is deeply appreciating the opportunity to serve as a substitute and Extended Day/Learning teacher at CFS. Teaching children is a deep calling at this time of her life. 

Course: Explore how art can help protect the planet! In this enrichment class, we will transform discarded materials (bottle caps, paper tubes, plastic cups, etc.) into unique sculptures, collages, and mixed media artworks while learning about the importance of reducing waste. Together, we’ll find creative ways to turn “trash” into “treasure” and make art which conveys a message about protecting the environment.

Schedule: Thursdays | 3:20 pm - 5 pm

• April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• May 7

Tuition: 155

Instructor: Dana Palmer is an art teacher and visual artist from Durham, NC. She holds a BFA in Art Education (K-12) and an MA in Special Education, both from Appalachian State University. Dana is passionate about nurturing growth mindsets in her classroom and helping students discover their unique strengths through artmaking. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in nature and being with her friends and family.

Course: During this enrichment course, athletes will focus on skill building through drills, improving general basketball “IQ”, and the value of teamwork and sportsmanship. We will break down the basics such as passing, shooting, ball-handling and defense, working on one skill each session and always ending with a friendly scrimmage or games of knockout. By the end of the six weeks, the goal is that the students will be able to identify various defensive and offensive strategies, perform skills with increased precision and confidence, and have a deeper understanding of what it means to be part of a team. Most importantly, we will have lots of fun sharing and engaging in something we all enjoy!

Appropriate for all experience levels, but students should have a genuine interest in the sport.

Schedule: Fridays | 3:30 pm - 5 pm

• April 3, 10, 17, 24
• May 1, 8

Tuition: 145

Instructor: Miranda is a CFS alum and Triangle native who is thrilled to bring her love of sports to our enrichment programs. She works as a real estate agent for Weaver Street Realty, but in the past year, has found herself drawn to the school in a very meaningful way, acting as a regular substitute teacher, coach and member of the Extended Learning staff. She loves the many different facets she gets to experience in her current roles. 

Miranda has many passions and likes to try new things. She recently discovered her love of role playing games, and has long been an avid board gamer. Reading and writing are some of her favorite pastimes, particularly fantasy and mythology. She is a die hard Harry Potter fan (among many other fandoms), a former athlete and current CFS coach (both volleyball and basketball), and a general seeker of fun and adventure.

Course: This hands-on beginners class is for students who are curious about how string instruments work and what it takes to learn to play one. Each class is anchored by a hands-on lesson on the instrument Basic concepts (high-low; fast-slow) come alive through movement, singing and playing. We will start with with the bow, experiencing the power of creating different sounds, rhythms, emotions on the open strings. Familiarity with bowing creates the scaffolding for the left hand, using 5 note songs.

Over the weeks, campers will discover stories and tunes of familiar songs and explore our own variations and rhythms to these tunes. 

Schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays | 3:30 - 4:30 pm

Nine classes on:

• June 25, 30
• July 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23

Tuition: 550

Instructor: Barbara Jelkmann McCauley received her musical training in classical guitar, violin, and viola at the conservatory in her hometown of Bremen, Germany and at the University of Heidelberg. In the US, she continued to study viola and classical guitar at Texas' Del Mar School of Music and at Cornell University, where she did an interdisciplinary major on the relationship of language and music.

Barbara has worked across ages as a certified Kindermusik teacher for the very young; string teacher (viola, violin, and classical guitar) in schools and colleges; and choir director. She's performed as a violist in orchestras, in recitals, and in the pit of musicals and church services, and served as an adjudicator for schools in various states.

She came to Durham in part at the invitation of former CFS parent Dorothy Kitchen, founder of the Duke University Strings School (DUSS) and mother of world-renowned Borromeo String Quartet violinist Nicholas Kitchen. Barbara has taught at DUSS and continues to teach individuals and ensembles at Emerson Waldorf School.

She says, "The children will tell you that I love to play and hang out, but that I am a stickler when it comes to work! My goal is to teach life as well as strings. I want to instill solid fundamentals in each student so that they can follow the musical direction that keeps them excited to learn and play."

Course: Rounds provide the first experience in ensemble playing. From “Are You Sleeping” to “Pachelbel’s Canon” – there is an endless variety of rounds and canons. They are fun to play, solidify counting and other basic skills, teach listening and ensemble (team) playing. We will warm up each time with ‘scale rounds’. The goal of the class is to play a “Quodlibet”, a medley of four rounds played individually but also all at the same time. We begin with a review of basic playing skills and then focus on four rounds that make a quodlibet. (Depending on the interest or skill level of the group, the group may consider other selections). 

Prior experience required: Adult bow-hold, string crossings, counting and keeping basic rhythms. Play D major scale fluidly and in tune, low 2nd finger. Contact extendedlearning@cfsnc.org by May 25, if you have no prior experience with violin/viola but would like to join.

Schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays | 4:30 - 5:30 pm

Nine classes on:

• June 25, 30
• July 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23

Tuition: 550

Instructor: Barbara Jelkmann McCauley received her musical training in classical guitar, violin, and viola at the conservatory in her hometown of Bremen, Germany and at the University of Heidelberg. In the US, she continued to study viola and classical guitar at Texas' Del Mar School of Music and at Cornell University, where she did an interdisciplinary major on the relationship of language and music.

Barbara has worked across ages as a certified Kindermusik teacher for the very young; string teacher (viola, violin, and classical guitar) in schools and colleges; and choir director. She's performed as a violist in orchestras, in recitals, and in the pit of musicals and church services, and served as an adjudicator for schools in various states.

She came to Durham in part at the invitation of former CFS parent Dorothy Kitchen, founder of the Duke University Strings School (DUSS) and mother of world-renowned Borromeo String Quartet violinist Nicholas Kitchen. Barbara has taught at DUSS and continues to teach individuals and ensembles at Emerson Waldorf School.

She says, "The children will tell you that I love to play and hang out, but that I am a stickler when it comes to work! My goal is to teach life as well as strings. I want to instill solid fundamentals in each student so that they can follow the musical direction that keeps them excited to learn and play."

Course: We will dive into a piece of music and use it as a tool to discuss important playing and practicing skills. Each day is devoted to one skill or aspect of practicing, interpreting, and final preparation of a piece. This class uses a collaborative and hands-on approach. 

You come away with a better understanding of where you are as a musician, personalized guidance for going forward, and a piece you can add to your repertoire. 

Thanks for filling out this Google form if you are interested and the instructor will reach out to you for a conversation before you enrolling. Students should be able to play 2 octave G major scale, dotted rhythms and slurs before the class. 

Schedule: August 10-14 | 9 am - 12 pm 

Tuition: 300

Instructor: Barbara Jelkmann McCauley received her musical training in classical guitar, violin, and viola at the conservatory in her hometown of Bremen, Germany and at the University of Heidelberg. In the US, she continued to study viola and classical guitar at Texas' Del Mar School of Music and at Cornell University, where she did an interdisciplinary major on the relationship of language and music.

Barbara has worked across ages as a certified Kindermusik teacher for the very young; string teacher (viola, violin, and classical guitar) in schools and colleges; and choir director. She's performed as a violist in orchestras, in recitals, and in the pit of musicals and church services, and served as an adjudicator for schools in various states.

She came to Durham in part at the invitation of former CFS parent Dorothy Kitchen, founder of the Duke University Strings School (DUSS) and mother of world-renowned Borromeo String Quartet violinist Nicholas Kitchen. Barbara has taught at DUSS and continues to teach individuals and ensembles at Emerson Waldorf School.

She says, "The children will tell you that I love to play and hang out, but that I am a stickler when it comes to work! My goal is to teach life as well as strings. I want to instill solid fundamentals in each student so that they can follow the musical direction that keeps them excited to learn and play."