Music & Dance

EXPRESSION through voice, movement, and SOUND

Music and dance, perhaps more than any other art form, are creative disciplines that hold a uniquely influential place in today’s culture. They are some of the most accessible artistic mediums yet they have a deep and rich global history tracing back thousands of years. Through opportunities such as a cappella, ensemble music, dance team, and i.Sight students grow in discipline and confidence through collaboration, choreography, production, composition, and performance. As with all PACARTS courses and cocurriculars, students are mentored and encouraged in the creative process in the context of a supportive, fun, and visionary community.

A Cappella

Pacifica’s award-winning a cappella ensemble, Wolf PACappella, is led by USC alum and Grammy-nominated artist Tehillah Alphonso. The program was founded in 2019 and gives students a place to hone their vocal and performance skills. The company celebrated a 1st place win at the 2022 ICHSA West semifinals, landing them a spot on stage to compete at the ICHSA finals in New York City where they garnered a 4th place win. Closer to home, the group performs at many Pacifica gatherings including homecoming, commencement, the annual gala, and more. The group also proudly produced their first EP titled “Before You Go” featuring 8 songs and the voices of 22 current and former troupe members.

For current updates follow Wolf PACappella on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

Read about Wolf PACappella’s EP, “Before You Go” on our blog, and find it on all major streaming platforms!

Dance

Pacifica’s dance program offers students instruction in various styles of hip-hop (including old school, house, waacking, and kpop styles), ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and musical theater. Through our dance course, students develop an understanding of the many purposes and capacities of dance—how one can use their body to become one with music, create shapes, and convey emotions, ideas, and stories. Equipped with this knowledge and experience in a wide variety of styles, students are then given time to improvise, discover, and develop their own personal dance style, learning how to choreograph, and eventually creating their own piece.

The department hosts the annual Winter Music & Dance Concert every year, displaying the best student and faculty choreography, and the rich talent pool of dancers. The showcase is open to all student dancers, choreographers, or collaborators, whether they are enrolled in PACARTS dance classes or not.

Instrumental Music

Pacifica’s instrumental music program offers a unique music making experience from the typical high school band or orchestra program. With a strong focus on small ensemble playing and developing individual musicianship, the program challenges students to engage with a variety of musical ideas, styles, and practices. Some of our chamber groups include jazz combos, percussion ensemble, rhythm band, and chamber group. Beyond performance, there are opportunities for students to learn about music technology, composition, and world music, as well as writing original music for plays, films, and our popular end-of-year art festival, iSight.

Read more about alumnus and music teacher, Mr. Fierro, on our blog.