Gifted & Talented After School Programs
Registration for Fall 2024 Artistically Gifted & Talented (GTR) after school programs is open for identified students until Thursday, September 12 via this form (en español).
Please check below for a list of available classes.
If you are looking for the page to nominate your student to be identified by the district as Artistically Gifted & Talented (GT), please click here.
Program Overview
For students who have been identified as Artistically Gifted and Talented (GTR), the Charleston County School District offers a slate of after school programs each semester in Dance, Drama, Music, and Visual Art. Class offerings, dates, and locations vary depending on the availability of teachers as well as student interest. Information about these classes and registration forms are shared with families of eligible students in the fall and winter prior to the beginning of each class session.
Classes will meet once a week and run from the week of September 16 through the week December 9 (with the week of November 25 off for Thanksgiving Break). These classes are open to students who have already been identified as Artistically Gifted & Talented. Before registering your student for a class, please note its art area and grade level to make sure that your child is eligible to enroll.
If your child has not been identified as Artistically Gifted & Talented and you are interested in them being nominated/tested, please click here.
Gifted & Talented After School Course Offerings (Fall 2024)
The Fundamentals of Dance
Instructor: Heather Merritt
Location: North Charleston High School
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 4-9, A122
Date/Time: Thursdays, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
The Fundamentals of Dance program is designed to empower gifted and talented students within CCSD by providing them with a platform to enhance and polish their dance technique. Our classes delve into the realms of choreography and creative expression, offering advanced instruction in jazz, contemporary, lyrical, and ballet. Over the span of twelve weeks, this course aims to instill foundational principles that enable young dancers to enrich their artistic language and elevate their proficiency in dance.
Curtain Call Collective
Instructor: Kailin Sweet
Location: West Ashley High School, Room 323
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 9-12
Date/Time: Wednesdays, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
In our engaging sessions, you'll explore techniques to enhance your vocal skills and physical presence, helping you become a more confident performer. Additionally, we'll host playwriting workshops where you can unleash your creativity and bring your stories to life. Whether you're a seasoned actor or just starting out, this class is perfect for anyone looking to express themselves through the art of theater.
Introduction to Puppetry
Instructor: Jill Goodman
Location: Lucy Beckham High School, Room 118
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 4-9
Date/Time: Thursdays, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
During this class, we will explore different styles of puppetry from around the globe. From shadow puppets to something you might see on the Muppets, students are in for a treat!
Masks, Mimes, Melodrama, Modern Musicals, & Movies - Styles of Acting through the Ages!
Instructor: Heather Todd-Schlieper
Location: Buist Academy Gym
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 5-8
Date/Time: Wednesdays, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Learn how to Act & Re-Act in each style of character & performance genres from Stage to Screen courtesy of Ancient Greece to Hollywood!
Unscripted Journeys: Long-Form Improv Workshop
Instructor: Elizabeth Watson
Location: E.B. Ellington Elementary School, Room 101
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 5-9
Date/Time: Wednesdays, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Unscripted Journeys: Long-Form Improv Workshop invites 6th-9th Grade students to dive into the world of improvisation, where they’ll learn to create dynamic stories and characters on the spot. Through fun and interactive sessions, participants will develop teamwork, quick thinking, and the confidence to perform in front of an audience while crafting their own unique narratives.
Charleston Children’s Chorus
Instructors: Justin Watkins & Anna Reid
Location: West Ashley High School, Room 606
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 4-12
Day/Time: Tuesdays, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
The Charleston Children's Chorus consists of vocalists in Grades 4-12 from across the Charleston County School District. In addition to Winter and Spring Concerts, the group often performs at community events, as well.
For questions about eligibility, please contact the Visual and Performing Arts Office at 843-937-6456.
District Jazz Band
Instructor: Jack Pettit
Location: Camp Road Middle School, Room 169 (Band Room)
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 7-12
Day/Time: Wednesdays, 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Band students from across the Charleston County School District are invited to participate in our first ever District Jazz Band! Participants must have at least 1 year of classroom experience on the following instruments to be part of the ensemble:
- Flute
- Clarinet
- Alto, Tenor, or Baritone Saxophone
- Trumpet
- Horn
- Trombone
- Euphonium
- Tuba
- Percussion/Drum Set
- Electric Guitar
- Electric Bass
- Upright Bass
- Piano
For questions about eligibility, please contact the Visual and Performing Arts Office at 843-937-6456.
District Orchestra
Instructors: Ian Errandonea, Dominik Fields, Buddy Huckabee, and Jessica Zhou Seymour
Location: School of the Arts Fine Arts Wing
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 4-12
Day/Time: Mondays, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
The Charleston County District Orchestra consists of three performance ensembles made up of Strings students in Grades 4-12 from across the Charleston County School District:
- Preparatory Orchestra
- Intermezzo Orchestra
- Honors Orchestra
Ensemble members must be on at least a beginner level with one of the following instruments:
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Bass
For questions about eligibility, please contact the Visual and Performing Arts Office at 843-937-6456.
Elementary Orff Ensemble
Instructor: Lillie Jerome
Location: Lambs Elementary School, Room 400
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 4-6
Day/Time: Thursdays, 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
The Elementary Orff Ensemble will be playing popular songs on the Xylophone and other Orff instruments. Students will learn and practice their own parts in the music ensemble.
Steel Drums Class
Instructor: Justin Brooks
Location: R.B. Stall High School, Room B119
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 6-12
Day/Time: Thursdays, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Students will explore the vibrant sounds of Caribbean music, learning to play melodies, harmonies, and rhythms on authentic steel pan instruments. The course will cover basic techniques, group performances, and the cultural significance of steel drums music.
The Artist's Sketchbook (WAITLIST - CLASS FULL)
Instructor: Mimi Tierney
Location: West Ashley High School, Room 603
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 4-9
Day/Time: Thursday, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
The Artist's Sketchbook will explore various skill builders to develop artistic habits in sketchbook making. This class will take a mixed media approach exploring drawing, collage, painting, and printmaking.
Experimental 3D Design
Instructor: Tori Diiulio
Location: Wando High School, Room A106
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 9-12
Day/Time: Tuesdays, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
In this hands-on course, students will embark on an in-depth exploration of chosen materials. Through research, they will uncover the material's stated properties and traditional uses. Students will then push the boundaries of these materials by experimenting with innovative techniques to create unique 3D art pieces. The course culminates in a final presentation, where students will showcase their research findings alongside their original artworks, offering a fresh perspective on the material’s potential in contemporary design.
Fiber Arts Creations
Instructor: Heather Carey
Location: A.C. Corcoran Elementary, Trailer #5
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 4-8
Day/Time: Wednesdays, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
In this course, students will learn how to create art using nontraditional materials. We will cover more commonly known skills such as weaving, hand-sewing, and embroidery art. Students will create art out of yarn, fabric, felt, paint, and more!
Jewelry Making and Metal Techniques (WAITLIST - CLASS FULL)
Instructor: Julianna McRae
Location: St. Andrew's Elementary, Room 111
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 4-6
Day/Time: Tuesdays, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
In this class, students will explore various techniques that can be used to create jewelry or small sculptures. We will use paper, found objects, beads, string, and clay. Students will also practice metal embossing and working with wire.
Mixed Media (WAITLIST - CLASS FULL)
Instructor: Tracy Harler
Location: Goodwin Elementary School, Room 303
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 4-8
Day/Time: Tuesdays, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
We will be using a variety of materials and techniques and learning how we can combine them in creating our artwork. We will use watercolor, pastels, collage and printmaking as well as pencils and colored pencils.
Printmaking - The Basics & Beyond
Instructor: Ryan Kennedy
Location: Haut Gap Middle School, Room 1103
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 5-8
Day/Time: Tuesdays, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Discover the art of printmaking in this hands-on class, which will focus on creativity and experimentation with various printmaking tools and techniques.
The Sculpture Studio (WAITLIST - CLASS FULL)
Instructor: Scobey Thompson
Location: West Ashley High School, Room 602
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 4-8
Day/Time: Thursdays, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Students will look beyond the 2D surface and create artworks using all different kinds of three dimensional materials. We will be exploring hands-on materials such as ceramics, repurposed/recycled materials, sculpey clay, cardboard, paper mache, fiber art, and more. We will also have a trashion (clothes made out of recycled materials) show at the end!
Tackling Textiles Section 1 (WAITLIST - CLASS FULL)
Instructor: Angelica D'Antonio
Location: Lucy Beckham High School, Room 105
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 4-6
Day/Time: Wednesdays, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Please Note: This class is geared toward younger students. Older students (Grades 7-9) interested in this course should sign up for Tackling Textiles Section 2.
This semester in Tackling Textiles, students will work in felt and fabric collage, basket weaving with crochet yarn, and embroidery utilizing hand-beaded embellishments to accent their designs. Our goal will be to accomplish between 3 and 4 projects this semester while learning the nontraditional art of working with textiles!
Tackling Textiles Section 2
Instructor: Angelica D'Antonio
Location: Lucy Beckham High School, Room 105
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 7-9
Day/Time: Thursdays, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Please Note: This class is geared toward older students. Younger students (Grades 4-6) interested in this course should sign up for Tackling Textiles Section 1.
This semester in Tackling Textiles, students will work in felt and fabric collage, basket weaving with crochet yarn, and embroidery utilizing hand-beaded embellishments to accent their designs. Our goal will be to accomplish between 3 and 4 projects this semester while learning the nontraditional art of working with textiles!
Contact Us
Charleston County School District
Visual & Performing Arts Office
75 Calhoun Street
Charleston, SC 29401
General Inquiries
843-937-6423
marjorie_clark@charleston.k12.sc.us
Gifted & Talented Programs
843-937-6456
nicholas_nafpliot@charleston.k12.sc.us
