Arts
The Arts @ SA
Stage, Studio, Shop, and Beyond
The arts aren’t an afterthought in our college preparatory curriculum; they are a critical element of the student experience. Whether students are experienced artists or novices, they will have the chance to engage in arts classes that build skills useful across disciplines: designing, prototyping, giving and receiving critique, collaborating, and exploring creativity. Every student is required to take one year of arts courses during their time at SA, but many take arts courses every year.
With courses in Visual Art, Theater, Vocal and Instrumental Music, and Visual Thinking, as well as a thriving performance program, arts education at Sonoma Academy is an integral part of our academic program and our school culture.
2026-2027 Performances
Each year, we hold two theatre productions (usually a musical and a collaboratively produced play through the Production & Design Studio course), two choral and chamber ensemble concerts, two jazz and rock band concerts, and a number of student-led One Acts and Open Mics!
Fall Musical: Hadestown
Thursday, November 12 through Sunday, November 15, 2026
Winter Choir Concert
Thursday, December 10, 2026
Dance Showcase
Thursday, March 4, 2027
Spring Jazz and Rock Concert
Thursday, May 6, 2027
Spring Choir Concert
Thursday, May 21, 2027
Spring Play: Twelfth Night
Thursday, May 13 through Sunday, May 16, 2027
Fall Musical: Hadestown
Thursday, November 12 through Sunday, November 15, 2026
Winter Jazz and Rock Concert
Wednesday, December 9, 2026
Winter Choir Concert
Thursday, December 10, 2026
Dance Showcase
Thursday, March 4, 2027
Spring Jazz and Rock Concert
Thursday, May 6, 2027
Spring Choir Concert
Thursday, May 21, 2027
Spring Play: Twelfth Night
Thursday, May 13 through Sunday, May 16, 2027
We believe that exposure to the arts is an inherent part of education, and therefore, expose students to a variety of artists and styles that are not typically shown in Sonoma County through exhibits, guest lectures, demonstrations and community art projects.
Since the school opened in 2001 we have shown a diverse group of artists from all over the world including: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tibet, Sweden, Germany, England, France, Russia, Mexico, Japan, Bosnia, the Philippines, Iran, and Cuba as well as local Bay Area artists.
Since the school opened in 2001 we have shown a diverse group of artists from all over the world including: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tibet, Sweden, Germany, England, France, Russia, Mexico, Japan, Bosnia, the Philippines, Iran, and Cuba as well as local Bay Area artists.
Through our McNeely artist-in-residence program, we are able to bring artists to stay for a period of time to work with the school community. Learn more here.
Explore Our Arts Programs
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Theater Arts
Theater Arts
Whether they take a theater course, audition for a musical, direct a student production, or work behind the scenes, our students have many opportunities to take the stage. -
Music
Music
Student musicians can sing with a choir or ensemble, jam with the Jazz Band or Rock Band, play live music for a stage play, or study music in the classroom. -
Visual Art
Visual Arts
Student artists can explore art traditions and techniques ranging from puppetry to painting, photography to ceramics, sculpture to set and costume design. -
Dance
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Studios
The Studios
Think it, draw it, prototype it, and build it in the Studios. With a wood shop, robotics lab, digital media lab, and audio/visual production space, the possibilities are endless.
Visual & Performing Arts Faculty & Staff
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Kira Bombace
Kira Bombace
Vocal Music Teacher -
Hillary Younglove
Hillary Younglove
Art Department Chair & Teacher
"...the arts are embraced here in a way that allows each student—and the community as a whole—to creatively evolve and try new things.” -
Jenifer Coté
Jen Coté
Theater Director
Jen believes that theater should make you think about the world and question humanity. -
Daniel Reiter
Daniel Reiter
Music Teacher
From learning to play the drums as a child, to guitar, bass and keyboard as a teenager, Daniel has had a lifelong passion for music... -
Eric Moes
Eric Moes
STEM & Visual Arts Teacher
“Teaching is the hardest job, but it’s also the most rewarding. It’s 90 percent planning and 100 percent improv!” -
Spencer Nilsen
Spencer Nilsen
Digital Media CoordinatorAfter running his own music production company for several years, Spencer pivoted into education... -
Tayla Nielsen
Tayla Nielsen
Dance Teacher -
Darren Duarte
Darren Duarte
Fabrication Studios Lead
“I love introducing kids to the process of imagining, planning, and problem solving.” -
Amber Greer
Amber Greer
STEM & Visual Arts Teacher
Math and Art are my yin-yang balance. I guess the lesson is that you're allowed to change your mind. My college major and my graduate degree are very different... -
Catherine Daley
Sonoma Academy Is...
...the only private, independent, college preparatory high school in Sonoma County. On our beautiful campus nestled at the base of Taylor Mountain in Southeastern Santa Rosa, our students are able to explore their interests and passions in a rigorous and inspiring environment that develops a lifelong love of learning and prepares them for college and beyond.
Sonoma Academy admits students of any race, color, religion, ethnicity or national origin, citizenship, gender or gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or disability, to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity or national origin, citizenship, gender or gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and tuition assistance programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
