Arts & Music

We were made by a Creator, and when we create, we reflect His nature. The Arts program at Maranatha is a vibrant celebration of that truth.

From the first stroke of a paintbrush to the final bow on stage, we invite students to explore the beauty of God’s world through music, theater, and visual arts. We believe excellence in the arts is a form of stewardship. We provide the space and resources for students to refine their craft, find their voice, and share their gifts with our community. It is a place where imagination takes flight, grounded in the One who imagined it all.

Lower and Upper School Opportunities

Each lower school student has an art class with a specialist once a week. These classes focus on specific art fundamentals, art history, and creating art in a process-oriented and problem-solving manner.

Within the upper school, students are given opportunities to choose art electives from drawing, painting, ceramics, printmaking, sculpture, textile arts, graphic design, and photography. Students not only produce work but also analyze and evaluate art history.

Theater

The Performing Arts are a vehicle of public expression which imitates life and integrates the Divine. This is achieved through theatrical and musical productions.

Thespians perform in two productions over the course of the year. Past shows include The Lion King Jr, Fiddler on the Roof, Oklahoma, The Little Mermaid, High School Musical, Sleeping Beauty Briar Rose, and more. Each performance showcases our students’ talents, thrilling parents and staff who, at times, were unaware of these gifts that were seemingly hidden in these scholars.

Past Performances

 

Click on a poster to see performance pictures!

 

Music

Students are taught not only to prepare but also to analyze and interpret a composer’s or writer’s works to an audience.

Musicians at Maranatha have many options to show off their talents and enhance their passion. Choir, Concert Band, Pep Band, Jazz Band, and Chapel Band offer students many different options. In addition, private lessons can be taken right on campus.

Music Lessons

Music lessons have been show to improve study skills, hand-eye coordination, brain function and self esteem. Through music lessons, students will be challenged to set goals, evaluate their progress and share their achievements with others. Instrumental lessons help develop a lifelong appreciation and enjoyment of music.

You don’t have to drive to piano, violin or guitar lessons any more! Students register per academic school year.  Weekly 30 or 45-minute lessons may be offered before, during, or after school, and are worked around the MCA school calendar. Lesson spots are limited and are taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

• The price varies by the length of lessons and instrument.  Please contact the instructors individually for more information.
• It is important that a student have access to a quality instrument for daily practice.  Please speak to the instructors about instrumental needs and expectations.

 

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Piano

Carmen Huisinga lives with her husband in Coon Rapids, MN, and has three grown daughters. Mrs. Huisinga graduated with a Certificate of Piano Pedagogy from St. Catherine University in St. Paul, completed Level 10 of Toronto, Canada's Royal Conservatory of Music, and attained a diploma in Music Therapy from Capilano University. She is a member of Minnesota Music Teachers Association and Music Teacher’s National Association. Mrs. Huisinga has taught piano lessons at MCA since 2011.

Cell Phone: (763) 528-3894

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.carmenhuisinga.com

 

Krista Lundblad graduated from Bethel University with degrees in piano performance and sacred music, and has been teaching piano lessons at MCA since 2001. She is a member of the Association of Professional Piano Instructors, Minnesota Music Teacher’s Association, and Music Teacher’s National Association. She currently lives in North Branch with her husband and two sons.

Cell Phone: (651) 341-5172

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.lundbladpianostudio.com

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Guitar

Ben Noble is a Minneapolis-based guitarist and guitar teacher. He has taught students from beginner to advanced proficiencies for the past 9 years. He graduated from Bethel University in 2013 with a degree in guitar performance. Ben has studied extensively with Minneapolis-based guitarist David Crittenden (Minneapolis Guitar Quartet.) He currently performs as a solo act at a number of churches and with various singer-songwriters across the Twin Cities.

Cell Phone: (303) 565-9595

Email: [email protected]

 

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Violin and Viola

Heidi Sawyer holds a degree in violin from Luther College and a Master’s degree from Western Illinois University. She has extensive teacher-training in the Suzuki method and has been teaching since 1985. Heidi also teaches at her home studio and at the University of Northwestern. She is the Assistant Concertmaster of the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra and frequently freelances around the Twin Cities. When she is not playing violin or teaching, Heidi loves to read, bake and spend time with her husband and two daughters in St. Anthony.

Cell Phone: (612) 281-4716

Email: [email protected]

Visual Arts

Maranatha’s art program is dedicated to creating visually literate students who create high-quality art within a distinctively Christian environment. Housed within the STEAM center, the art department develops the student’s whole spirit, soul, and body. With a large variety of electives and art mediums, the art specialists aim to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to respond to an ever-changing world in the aesthetic realm that will prepare them for higher education and a lifetime in the visual arts.