 | Specialized Workshops, taught primarily by Newark Academy faculty, offer students a variety of opportunities to expand their intellectual and artistic horizons. These workshops allow students to step outside traditional academic coursework to discover and deepen new skills and passions. There are no prerequisites for the specialized workshop courses.
Newark Academy Jazz Institute / Grades 7-12 NEW
The Newark Academy Jazz Institute's mission is to educate and inspire young people to be confident, creative, and expressive individuals through jazz music. Students new to jazz, as well as experienced young jazz musicians, are welcome to sign up for our two-week session. Students will be introduced to improvisation, practice techniques, jazz repertoire, theory, and ensemble playing.
June 24-July 5; 1:00-4:00 pm
Tuition $500
Instructor: Julius Tolentino, Jazz Director, Newark Academy; Director, Large Ensembles, Jazz House Kids; Illinois Jacquet Jazz Educator of the Year, 2013
Portfolio Seminar / Grades 8-11 NEW
This course is designed to offer the serious art student the ability to pursue a variety of mediums with the expressed purpose of creating a portfolio of pieces. During the two-hour class, students will work in drawing, painting (including oils), and mixed media, while receiving feedback and assistance from the instructor. Students may enroll in this course for less than the full six weeks, however, they must enroll for a minimum of two consecutive weeks. Tuition will be pro-rated for this six-week Specialized Workshop.
June 24-August 2; 1:00-3:00 pm
Tuition $675
Instructor: Jay Torson, Teacher, Visual Arts, Newark Academy
Improv Workshop / Grades 6-8 NEW
Spontaneity and imagination are the cornerstones of this course where students learn the basics of improvisational comedy. Through a series of fun exercises and theater games, students will gain confidence on stage as they learn the fundamental skills required to perform comedic scenes without a script. Students will learn to work collaboratively with others as they build skills that can be translated to other kinds of theatrical work.
July 8-12; 1:00-4:00 pm
Tuition $250
Instructor: Elaine Brodie, Chair, Arts department; Teacher, Visual Arts and Theatre, Newark Academy; Director, McGraw Gallery; Member, Nutty by Nature improv troupe
Introduction to Philosophy / Grades 10-12 NEW
In a society marked by economic instability, citizens often focus on the study of education in math and science rather than the liberal arts. In this course, we will talk about the critical role that studying philosophy can play in the development of ethical-minded critical thinkers. We will also survey five major areas of philosophy — Ontology (What exists?), Epistemology (What can we know?), Ethics (How should we behave?), Aesthetics (What is beautiful?), and Existentialism (What is life’s meaning?). Important thinkers in each of these categories will provide readings for consideration.
July 8-12; 1:00–4:00 pm
Tuition $250
Instructor: Richard DiBianca, PhD, Newark Academy Upper School Principal;
Teacher, IB Philosophy, Theory of Knowledge, Philosophy Seminar
Great Ideas Seminar / Grades 8-9 NEW
In this seminar, students will receive training in critical thinking, dialectic, listening, and the art of inquiry as they practice Socratic-style learning. The catalysts for most lessons will be excerpts from the “great” philosophical books of the Western and Eastern canon. Before they know it, students will be engaged in conversation with others like Plato, Confucius, Lao Tzu, Descartes, Euclid, and Einstein in the enduring quest for understanding life’s big questions.
July 15-19; 1:00-4:00 pm
Tuition $250
Instructor: Richard DiBianca, PhD, Newark Academy Upper School Principal;
Teacher, IB Philosophy, Theory of Knowledge, Philosophy Seminar
Model United Nations Institute / Grades 8-12 NEW
Students attending this one-week institute will learn research and debate skills while gaining a greater awareness of global affairs through intensive Model United Nations training. Students will be coached in position paper research and writing, debate rules and speaking skills, resolution writing, and strategies to win the committee over. Those who already have Model UN experience through their high school club will benefit from advanced skills and strategy training. Skype interviews with career UN staffers and an abbreviated 3-hour simulation at the end of the week will round out the institute.
July 15-19; 1:00-4:00 pm
Tuition $250
Instructor: Derek Kanarek, Newark Academy Math Department Chair; Model United Nations Advisor; Teaching fellow, Education Leadership, Teachers College, Columbia University
Cartoon and Comic Book Art / Grades 8-12 NEW
In this course, students will immerse themselves in the world of cartooning and comic art. Students will study the history of those mediums and examine the techniques of various artists of note. Students will learn both traditional paper and pen and modern computer-based techniques in order to produce a portfolio of their own cartoons and comic books. Considerable time will be spent critiquing the work of other students.
July 22-26; 1:00-4:00 pm
Tuition $250
Instructor: Ted Gilbreath, Humanities Teacher, Newark Academy
Leadership in the 21st Century / Grades 8-12 NEW
This one-week seminar uses case studies, activities, and testimonials from successful leaders from diverse fields to help students explore what makes a great leader in today's world. We will study classic models of leadership and then consider how to blend and update these models for success in our complex, dynamic world. Students will hone communication and collaboration skills through role-play activities and team challenges. Taught an age-appropriate level, this course gives students practical skills and new ways of thinking about leadership and collaboration with the ultimate goal of preparing them to excel in teamwork and leadership in their school, sports team, or community.
July 22-26; 1:00-4:00 pm
Tuition $250
Instructor: Derek Kanarek, Newark Academy Math Department Chair; Model United Nations Advisor; Teaching fellow, Education Leadership, Teachers College, Columbia University
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| | 2013 Application and Medical Forms
To apply to the Newark Academy Summer Specialized Workshops program, please download and print the Summer Session application and medical form. Both forms must be filled out and returned to Newark Academy with the $35 (non-refundable) application fee. All tuition balances are due on or before May 1. Applications received on or after May 1 must include the $35 application fee and the full tuition.
Please send forms and fees to:
Newark Academy-Summer Session
91 South Orange Avenue
Livingston, NJ 07039
Phone: 973.992.7000 ext. 217 |
Specialized Workshops Faculty  Elaine Brodie
- Teacher of Visual Arts and Theater, Newark Academy
- Director of Middle School Play
- Director of McGraw Gallery
- Teacher, The New Jersey School of Dramatic Arts
- Member, Nutty by Nature improv troupe
Elaine Brodie holds a a Master of Fine Arts degree from The Tyler School of Art at Temple University, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts rom the Hartford Art School of the University of Hartford. She also holds a degree from The Action Theater Conservatory. She is the Chair of the Newark Academy art department, teaching, visual arts and theater. Brodie also directs the annual Middle School play as serves as director of the McGraw Gallery.
In addition to her responsibilities at Newark Academy, she teaches acting and improvisation classes to teens and adults at The New Jersey School of Dramatic Arts. Brodie is a longtime member of New Jersey’s premiere improve troupe, Nutty by Nature, performing regularly around northern New Jersey. |
 Richard DiBianca
- Teacher of IB Philosophy, Theory of Knowledge, Philosophy Seminar
- IB School Consultant and Accreditation team member
Dr. DiBianca holds a PhD from the University of Chicago; an MA from St. John’s College in Maryland; and a BA from Colgate University.
He is the Newark Academy Upper School Principal, as well as a veteran teacher of IB Philosophy, Theory of Knowledge, and Philosophy Seminar. Dr. DiBianca' was also the recipient of Harrisburg Academy's Randolph St. John Teaching Award. |
 Theodore GilbreathTed Gilbreath is Newark Academy's director of Athletics, and has been a member of the humanities faculty at NA since 2005. A graduate of Penn State University with a degree in painting and drawing, Gilbreath has long used art and political cartoons in class to paint a more vivid picture of the past. In 2011, Gilbreath began teaching The Pen is Mightier than the Sword, a political cartooning class. |
 Derek Kanarek
- Director of Global Speaker Series
- Model United Nations Advisor
- Teaching Fellow: Education Leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University
Derek Kanarek teaches mathematics at Newark Academy and serves as the Mathematics Department Chair. He also coordinates the NA Global Speaker Series and advises the Model United Nations Club, drawing on his experience as a staff member at eight collegiate conferences at Rutgers University.
Kanarek is also a doctoral student and teaching fellow in Education Leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University, and his research and teaching focus on developing school leaders and building effective organizations.
Kanarek holds an an Ed.M. in Educational Leadership Studies from Teachers College; a Masters of Teaching from James Cook University (Australia) in secondary school math and IPT education; and a BS in Computer Science and BA in Communication from Rutgers University. |
 Julius Tolentino
- Award Winning Jazz Director - Newark Academy, Jazz House Kids
- Illinois Jacquet Jazz Educator of the Year, 2013
Saxophonist Julius Tolentino has been part of the New York jazz scene for over 15 years. He has played with numerous small groups and big bands including Louis Haye’s Cannonball Adderley Legacy Band and Quartet, Eric Reed’s Sextet, Jeremy Pelt’s Quintet, the Illinois Jacquet Big Band and the Count Basie and Duke Ellington orchestras. His debut cd “Just the Beginning” on the Sharp Nine label peaked at #8 on the jazz charts. As a Vandoren, P Mauriat and RS Berklee artist he has conducted regional jazz bands and has been a guest artist/clinician for numerous summer jazz programs and colleges.
Tolentino has served as NJAJE Region I President and is currently the Jazz Director at Newark Academy and the Director of Large Ensembles at Jazz House Kids. His accomplishments as an educator have included a trip to the Essentially Ellington Finals in 2012 (Newark Academy), First Place "Conglomerate Big Band" at the Charles Mingus Competition in 2011 and 2012; and First Place at the NJAJE State Finals from 2010-2012. Tolentino was recently awarded the Illinois Jacquet Jazz Educator of the Year award. |
 Jay TorsonJay Torson has been teaching Visual Arts to grades 6-12 at Newark Academy for more than a decade. He also serves as head coach for the varsity girls soccer team at NA.
Torson is an active artist. He has shown in several shows around the state and does private commissions as well. He received his BA from Principia College and his master’s degree in Painting from SUNY New Paltz. |
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