Senior Mastery (Grades 6 through 8) groups are intensive. Students make a three-year commitment to an area of study. Mastery groups meet daily and allow students to widen their horizons and learning abilities. By the time students reach the eighth grade, they have the opportunity to exercise leadership in their respective programs. Lessons learned in mastery programs transfer to all other areas of learning.
All students are required to write an essay about why they want to be a part of their first choice mastery. Returning Students: If you were in mastery last year you should also answer the prompt: What did I gain from my mastery and how did I contribute to my mastery last year?
Try-out, audition, and submission requirement details will be updated prior to the beginning of each school year.
Conchita Literary Magazine
Angelica Julio, Daniela Albrecht, Kayla Ubieta
Esencia is a student-produced literary magazine. The class is divided into sections with different duties, schedules, and deadlines. Students in Esencia get a taste of what it is like to be a creative writer, editor, publisher, photographer, or graphic designer, and practice working independently. They also develop a unique bond through collaboration and teamwork. Students go on field trips, celebrate staff birthdays, and work together to complete projects. Conchita Literary Magazine is the springboard for igniting the desire to follow careers in professional writing and art.
Requirements: Interested student writers should have good leadership and organizational skills and be interested in working hard alongside a motivated and dedicated team. Two writing pieces are required for consideration: a three-paragraph essay and a personal piece of literary writing or art to show your past skills (story, poem, etc.) In the essay, tell us about you and why Esencia is the right mastery for you.
Cross Country / Track
Coach Carlos Salvat
Cross Country requires students to run long distances. Students are expected to arrive on time and in proper running attire (regulation shorts, shirt, and running shoes). Students run 2-4 miles daily at different paced intervals to give them a well-rounded and solid foundation as they begin to understand what cross country and track style running consists of. By changing the methods in which students run, the coaches are able to identify each runners’ strengths and best determine their events.
Requirement: Tryout. Wear your regular uniform for the day and bring your PE uniform and sneakers in a bag.
Annual Fee – $375 for the uniform, practice shirts, entry fees, Gatorade, tent and transportation to local meets.
Tryout: Tuesday, August 27th
Conchita Cinema (CC)
Conchita Cinema explores the art of cinema and the technical aspects of film production. Students develop an appreciation for film, as well as the necessary skills to go through the three stages of video production. In pre-production students learn screenwriting, storyboarding and scheduling their shoot. During production, the students bring their storyboards to life by framing shots, and designing the set and wardrobe. Finally, in post-production the students are responsible for editing and sound mixing.
Limited and ever-changing resources available in the school call for the ability to find creative and innovative ways to complete tasks on time. If a student enjoys writing, taking pictures, making videos, and editing he/she can further develop those interests in Conchita Cinema.
Requirements: CC looks for students with strong communication skills who are looking to further develop and enhance these skills. CC students must have a proactive and positive attitude, be able to work individually and in a group, meet deadlines, and be willing to step outside their comfort zone.
Returning students must submit their summer project. New students must submit a summary of a movie they would like to make in the mastery and submit by Thursday, August 31st.
Annual Fee – $110 for materials.
Dance
Danella Bedford
Conchita Espinosa Youth Dance Ensemble (CEYDE) is dedicated to enhancing the dance training in various dance styles. Dance Mastery aims to provide students with the tools needed for performance in the professional world. In today’s dance world, the dancer must be extremely versatile as this art form continues to develop and, therefore, classes focus on ballet and modern technique, with other styles taught whenever possible. Students also study “progressive ballet technique,” which is a specific body conditioning class with the use of various simple equipment. Field trips to performances, workshops, or a combination of both, in or out of town, are an integral part of the training.
Requirements: Pre-Audition Class and Audition. Students in Dance Mastery must take ballet in the Conservatory of the Arts. Students must have a desire and a passion to pursue dance and the ability to work hard and are expected to commit fully to the program, which includes consistent attendance to all conservatory classes, rehearsals, workshops, master classes, competitions, and field trips. Most performances, competitions, and extra rehearsals are NOT during school hours and, therefore, this program requires extra commitment, from both the students but also the parents. There are also extra costs, including, but not limited to, uniform, field trips, master classes and competitions. The cost can vary for each student, but an approximate cost of main events will be discussed in the first meeting at the beginning of the year.
Audition Classes (Mandatory) – Wednesday, August 28th from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. and Thursday, August 29th from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Dancers must bring leotard, convertible tights, jazz shoes, ballet shoes, and pointe shoes (when appropriate), and spankies to the audition. Dancers must wear their hair in a proper ballet bun on all three days.
Music Ensemble
Yirka Ledon and Norman Milanes
Music Ensemble is a Mastery Group for students interested in developing their passion for music. Students should have previous music experience and take at least one hour of private music lessons each week. Music faculty work with students on an individual basis to strengthen their technical skills as musicians, as well through ensemble work. The Music Ensemble prepares several performances each year. Music Ensemble who meet the criteria will be eligible for induction into the Tri- M Music Honor Society.
Requirements: Audition and Interview (by class the week of August 26th – August 30th). Students in Music Ensemble must be enrolled in a Conchita Espinosa Conservatory music class.
Annual Fee – $100 for materials.
STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art and Math)
Christina Rajo and Alejandro Valhuerdi
STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art and Math): STEAM Mastery strengthens students’ abilities to be creative and flexible problem-solvers. With STEAM projects, students learn by inventing, creating, and designing and understanding the true meaning of design. Students work with the laws of science (physics and engineering) and math. Challenges include designing an egg parachute, building a bridge to scale, programming a robot, coding, creating online video games and reverse engineering.
Requirements: Students are expected to explore different ideas, to recognize failures as opportunities for discovery, and to communicate well with others. Resilience is a key factor to success in this Mastery. Short essay submission is required. Write 1-2 paragraphs explaining why you want to be a part of STEAM and submit by Thursday, August 29th.
Annual Fee – $150 equipment fee.
Visual Arts
Karina Vazquez
The goal for the Visual Arts Mastery is to give students knowledge of historical perspectives of art, as well as the classical techniques of each of the movements that studied in class.
Visual Arts classes take a classical approach to teaching drawing and painting, as well as a focus on art history. The program goes beyond arts and crafts; students learn how “to see” in a new way and to view, discuss, and create art masterpieces. Students learn to draw as if hands have become extensions of their eyes. Students learn like Renaissance artists, by studying and copying from the great masters, as well as looking at the world around them and discovering their own artistic visions. Students work individually and in groups.
Once a week, students use technology to research different arts and periods of art. Visits to museums and other art events pertaining to class discussion will occur during the year.
Requirements: Applicants should have a passionate interest in art since students are expected to spend at least 2 hours a week working in their sketchbooks and researching masterpieces. Portfolio submission is required and should include current sketchbook with more than 10 pages completed and 1 original art work (size 8½” x 11”) along with a paragraph or two about the artwork/or interest in art. Name and homeroom should be on the back of the sketchbook and the artwork and submitted to Mrs. Vazquez by Thursday, August 29th.
Annual Fee – $120 for materials.
Voice
Laura de Mare
The CEA Voice Mastery is the official voice of Conchita. In Voice Mastery, students explore various vocal and musical styles. Students will not only grow vocally, but have the opportunity to blossom as performers. Collaborations with Music, Dance, and Conchita Cinema will occur throughout the school year offering many unique and well-rounded artistic opportunities.
The voice mastery participates in official CEA ceremonies, such as First Communion and Graduation and performs in assemblies, the Festival of the Arts, and other CEA and CEC important performances and events throughout the year.
Students meeting the criteria will be eligible for induction into the Tri-M Music Honor Society.
Requirements: Audition (by class the week of August 27th – August 30th)
Yearbook
Meryl Rodriguez Quezada
Legado, our yearbook, is devoted to the captured moments that are turned into memories at CEA. Students work year-round to produce the school yearbook. Staff members collaborate, lead, advise, teach, train, delegate, and solve problems on a daily basis. They generate graphic designs and layouts and work together to make each yearbook unique. They also learn how to use a camera and how to edit and create beautiful pictures. Assigned students are responsible for being present at all CEA functions to take pictures and accurately document all happenings for the yearbook. Yearbook staff will be required to take turns after school to take conservatory and sports pictures when needed.
Requirements: An essay detailing reasons and abilities for being a part of the program is due Thursday, August 29th.
