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www.FredParent.NET 15 Sponsored Material Join us for the live conversation on Want to hear more about Fredericksburg Academy and get a glimpse of the campus? Then you can't miss our Facebook Live interview this month! Be sure to follow our social media platforms for details. a sk t h e e x p e rt Q: Tell us about the performing arts opportunities for your students. Zach Santulli: All of my students have at least three concerts a year. For most of these concerts they do two performances: one for the students and staff, and one for their families and the public. Typically, two of those performances are con- certs that feature all students pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, while the third concert is grade level specific, like the First Grade Harvest Celebration that happens in November. Q: How do you work with students who may not have had extensive performance opportunities, or a French program, at their previous schools? Zach Santulli: It's not as hard as it sounds actually. Though we increase the level of overall complexity, as my students get older, there will always be a need for parts at all levels of complexity. Sometimes the most important part of a song is the least complex. Thus, a new student with very little experience might actually be playing the most important part in a song! Abi Ibarra: The wonderful thing about teaching French to children at such a young age is that their brains are wired for language acquisition. They're also not as afraid to make mistakes like older stu- dents or adults might be. Therefore, new students are usually able to jump right in without taking too much time to "catch up" with their peers. For new students in third through fifth grades, at the begin- ning of the year I meet with them once a week, so that they can learn some of the basics that their classmates have already mastered. Facebook: @fredericksburgparent / Twitter: @FredParent / Instagram: @fredparentmagazine Q: Why do you enjoy teaching at Fredericksburg Academy? Zach Santulli: I love adapting my teaching to my individual students. I love the creativity and flexibility that I am allowed because it satisfies me as a musician to constantly change, and also because it allows to me better craft what I am doing to what my students want and need. Abi Ibarra: I love that I get to work with my students over the span of several years. Seeing their progress is so rewarding. The col- leagues with whom I work feel like family to me now. I love the strong sense of community at our school and the administration is very supportive. Discover. Engage. Imagine. The Lower School is a community, and children are our center. - Patty estes, head of the Lower School " "