The performing arts department took on a total turnover by replacing three teachers, including Mr. Lubin, former band teacher, Ms. Stanley, former theater teacher and Mr. Rodriguez, former choir teacher. Although they will be missed dearly by LACES students, we have three new teachers to welcome, including Mr. Cunningham, Ms. Chi, and Ms. Luhr who are all starting out in the Performing arts department.
Mr. Cunningham, a friend of Lubin’s, is our new band teacher. Lubin informed Mr. Cunningham about the job opening as well.
“Me and Mr. Lubin were actually pretty close. We went to undergrad school together. My last year at Florida A&M was his first year there. We marched in the same section, I was the trumpet leader. So yeah we knew each other for about 10 years now.” said Cunningham.
In addition to attending school together Cunningham and Lubin performed for the artist HER together.
“I’ve performed with Beyonce, during her 2018 Coachella performance. I’ve also performed with HER in the 2020 Grammys, which was the same day Kobe Bryant passed away. That performance was actually with Mr. Lubin,” said Cunningham.
Cunningham has already had experience in the teaching department. This isn’t his first time teaching. Cunningham previously taught in Granada Hills Charter in 2018 for three years.
“I taught band. Orchestra, and Keyboard there for 3 years.” said Cunningham.
These grand performances and roles led him back to pursue teaching. Cunningham has five classes: Beginning Orchestra, Intermediate Orchestra, Advanced Orchestra, Advanced Band, Jazz Band, and a Music Tech class. The biggest change for Cunningham has been becoming responsible for not just himself, but also for his students.
“Now as a teacher you know, you’re responsible for over 200 students across all the different classes and not just responsible for their learning but also for their safety.” Cunningham said
In the future, Mr. Cunningham is looking forward to his student’s growth throughout the year.
“When you hear them on the first day and then you hear them on the last day or at their last concert that’s the thing I look most forward to is just seeing how much they progress.” Mr Cunningham said.
Ms. Chi is the new choir teacher. She joined LACES last semester, and she is looking forward to this school year. She sings and plays the piano for her class. Although singing is a big part of her career as a choir teacher, Chi also enjoys listening to music.
“I actually like listening to music more than I actually like to be the person singing.” Chi said, “I tend to like classical music more but I’ve gotten more into jazz in the recent decade I guess. I do like popular music as well, but as I’m getting older, I’m appreciating jazz more.”
At five years old, Ms. Chi played the piano and continued pursuing music throughout high school by playing in the marching band with different instruments. So she truly does have a lot of dedication, love, and continuity for music. Chi also taught at Palms Middle School for 25 years.
Comparing the students at LACES to her past students, Chi said,“They really care about their grades and a lot of them really want to learn.
“This wasn’t always the case with students at the 2 schools I’ve been at before.” She describes students as “refreshing”.
Taking a look into the future, Chi hopes that “this year the choir program will grow to the point where I can get more kids coming back for a second year in choir.”
She also said “I am looking forward to the concerts because I think the kids will be proud of their work because they work for months and then finally present it.”
Chi explains that choir is trying to expand their program. Chi emphasizes that there are no requirements for a beautiful or strong voice, The only main fundamental to join choir is the ability to sing and work as a team.
The new theater teacher, Ms. Luhr, was a previous substitute teacher for theater last year. Teaching was a mid-life career change for Luhr, but, she decided to come back this year as a permanent teacher because she already had grown fond of the school.
In the teaching environment, Luhr is very adventurous.
“I would say that the other thing to know about my background is that I do have a background as a teaching artist and I’ve taught senior citizens. But prior to COVID, I mostly worked with kids in foster care or in the juvenile justice system.”
After teaching kids in the juvenile justice system she said she really found her calling. , “I realized I loved teaching and wanted to do it full time in a public school, with a theater program.” said Luhr.
When conducting her class, Luhr does acheck in and check out to see how students are feeling that day. Students also have rules or agreements to follow every class.
“Listen and be Present, Participate-Play the game we’re playing, Support your ensemble, and This is a NO PHONE ZONE.” Luhr said.
Luhr is looking forward to the fall plays and has great expectations and goals for students.
“I really am hoping we can build our shows into shows that are sort of recognized within the school theater community as being high quality and maybe even reach Jerry Herman Competitive Level which is an award that goes to high school musicals” said Luhr. ν
