Barbara Ingram School for the Arts
January 2026
BISFA NEWSLETTER
The BISFA newsletter will go out once a month.
Information for the newsletter is needed by the 20th of the previous month.
🎥 Must Watch!
Check out our fantastic new promotional film for BISFA, created by our recent Master Class artist, Thad Reid. Please share it widely!
SCHOLARSHIP AND AWARD APPLICATIONS
Stay tuned!
UPDATES
Arts Exploration - Winter Session 6th and 7th Grade Students
March 14, 2026
March 28, 2026
April 11, 2026
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
SUPPORT THE BISFA ACADEMIC TEAM!
The BISFA Academic Team will be competing at Smithsburg High School on Saturday, February 28th from 9:00 a.m. —1:00 p.m.
We would love for students and staff to come out and support them
BISFA Student Magazine
Submissions are needed for the BISFA student Magazine.
UPCOMING DATES
01/09/26 - High School Dance Showcase Goucher College
01/09/26 - CGDA to Magfest
01/14/26 - Creative Writing Winter Reading - 6:30 PM - MD Theater Ballroom
01/16/26 - End of 2nd Marking Period, 2 hour early dismissal
01/21/26 - Creative Writing - Encyclopedia Reading - 6:00 PM - Maryland Theater
01/22/26 - Vocal Honor's Recital - 7:00 PM BISFA Ballroom
01/23/26 - 01/24/26 - Maryland State Thespian Competition
February
02/05/26 - Junior Vocal Recital - 7:00 PM - BISFA Dance Floor
02/07/26 - All County Band Concert - 7:00 PM - North High
02/13/26 - 2 hour early dismissal
02/20/26 - BISFA Choir Performs at MMEA Convention - Baltimore Convention Center
02/20 - 02/22/26 - Maryland All State Senior Ensembles - Baltimore Convention Center
02/25/26 - Instrumental Festival Preview Concert - 7:00 PM - Maryland Theater
02/26/26 - USMH WCPS Art Exhibition Awards Reception - 6:30 to 7:30 PM - USMH Hospitality Center
02/28/26 - SUPPORT THE BISFA ACADEMIC TEAM! - The BISFA Academic Team will be competing at Smithsburg High School - 9:00 a.m. —1:00 p.m.
March
03/02/26 - Culture of Excellence
03/10/26 - HS Orchestra Festival - HCC Kepler Theater
03/11/26 - HS Choir Festival - HCC Kepler Theater
03/12/26 - Visual Arts Dept. - Spring Field Trip - The Walters Art Museum and AVAM - Baltimore, MD
03/13/26 - Junior Dance Concert - 7:00 PM - Smithsburg High
03/18/26 - HS Band Festival - North High
03/25/26 - Creative Writing Spring Reading - BISFA Dance Floor
03/26/26 - Maryland International Film Festival BISFA Student Screening - MD Theater Ballroom
03/27/26 - Visual Arts Dept. - Senior Exhibition Opening - 6:00 - 8:00 PM - HCC Kepler Theater
April
04/01/26 - End of Marking Period 3, 2 hour early dismissal
04/09/26 - Vocal Dept. Sophomore Recital - 7:00 PM - BISFA Dance Floor
04/17/26 - Visual Arts Dept. - Spring Exhibition Opening Reception - 5 - 6:30 PM - BISFA Gallery
04/18/26 - Hadestown - Teen Edition - 7:30 PM - Maryland Theater
04/19/26 - Hadestown - Teen Edition - 2:00 PM - Maryland Theater
04/22/26 - New Student Orientation - Maryland Theater
04/23 - 04/26/26 - Dance Dept. to Disney
04/25/26 - Hadestown - Teen Edition - 7:30 PM - Maryland Theater
04/26/26 - Hadestown - Teen Edition - 2:00 PM - Maryland Theater
04/29/26 - Theater NYC Field Trip
May
05/01/26 - 2 hour early dismissal
05/01/26 - Creative Writing Neo Futurist - 6:30 PM - TBD
05/02/26 - Swinging in the Park
05/05/26 - Spring Guitar Recital - 7:00 PM - BISFA Dance Floor
05/07/26 - Vocal Spring Choral/Piano Concert - 7:30 PM - Trinity Lutheran Church
05/08/26 - Photo Cinema Senior Show - 5:30 - 7:00 PM - 2nd Floor VG Building
05/08/26 - Visual Arts Dept. - Senior Photography Exhibition - 7:00 PM BISFA Foundation Office
05/08/26 - Senior Dance Concert - 7:00 PM - HCC
05/14/26 - Vocal Dept. Freshman Solo Recital - 7:00 PM - BISFA Dance Floor
05/15/26 - Spring Dance Recital - 7:00 PM - Maryland Theater
05/15/26 - Junior/Senior Theater Showcase - 7:00 PM - Black Box Theater
05/16/26 - Junior/Senior Theater Showcase - 7:00 PM - Black Box Theater
05/19/26 - Creative Writing Senior Reading - 6:00 PM - Maryland Theater Ballroom
05/19/26 - Instrumental Large Ensembles Concert - 7:00 PM - Maryland Theater
05/21/26 - Theater Freshmen/Sophomore Showcase - 7:00 PM - BISFA Black Box
05/21/26 - Vocal Department Celebration - 7:30 PM - BISFA Ballroom
05/22/26 - Visual Arts Department Awards Ceremony - 1:15 - 4:00 PM - WCMFA
05/26/26 - Graduation Rehearsal - 9:00 Am - Maryland Theater
05/26/26 - BISFA Awards Ceremony - Maryland Theater
05/27/26 - Graduation - Maryland Theater
06/03/26 - Creative Writing - Summer Reading - 6:30 PM - BISFA Dance Floor
HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR
HADESTOWN TICKETS!
CELEBRATIONS!
All State Choir
THIRTEEN Vocal Dept. students were selected by audition for the 2026 Maryland All State Choirs. Please join us in congratulating the following students…
⭐ Senior Mixed Chorus
Hannah-Lydia Kamseuh
Maria Webb
Nyima Zember
KenNell Austin
Alternate
Winnie Okai
⭐ Senior Treble Chorus
Willow Howell
Annika Rosario
Amelia Schwarzenegger
⭐ Junior Mixed Chorus
Jocelyn Bentz
Khloe Bethea
Lilly Van Metre
Madeline Wilkins
Angel Mbugua
Congratulations 2026 Teacher of the Year Nominations!
Congratulations to the following BISFA Teachers for being nominated for the 2026 Teacher of the Year
Christopher Benford
Keon Billings
Kristen Green
Erin Speak
PICTURES
January Culture of Excellence Meeting
Celebrations
HOLIDAY
Caroling in the Square
FUNDRAISERS
Stay tuned...
VISUAL ARTS
Mr. Geiman: geimatod@wcps.k12.md.us
Ms. Merchant: merchbra@wcps.k12.md.us
Mr. Sheredy: shereste@wcps.k12.md.us
Mr Youngblood: youngma@wcps.k12.md.us
CREATIVE WRITING
Creative Writing Links
DANCE
THEATRE
Stay informed!
Ensure all guardians receive important notifications from Mr. Ryan and the Theater Liaisons this year by:
- Emailing theaterliaison@gmail.com requesting we add parent/guardian to our distribution list
- Texting @bisfat to 81010 to join Mr. Ryan's Remind class.
- Texting @7hc9k6 to 81010 to join Theater Liaison Remind class.
VOCAL MUSIC
THIRTEEN Vocal Dept. students were selected by audition for the 2026 Maryland All State Choirs. Please join us in congratulating the following students…
⭐ Senior Mixed Chorus
Hannah-Lydia Kamseuh
Maria Webb
Nyima Zember
KenNell Austin
Alternate
Winnie Okai
⭐ Senior Treble Chorus
Willow Howell
Annika Rosario
Amelia Schwarzenegger
⭐ Junior Mixed Chorus
Jocelyn Bentz
Khloe Bethea
Lilly Van Metre
Madeline Wilkins
Angel Mbugua
ACDA Honor Choir
Congratulations to BISFA Vocal sophomore,
Jillian Burton, who will represent BISFA and the state of Maryland at ACDA Eastern Honors Choir, held in Providence, Rhode Island.
DECEMBER
Senior Recitals
Upcoming Events
January
6-7 Vocal Juries (during the school day)
22 - BISFA Vocal Honors Recital 7:00 pm BISFA Dance Floor
24 - Vocal Dept. Auditions 2026-2027 (snow day Feb. 7)
31 - Junior Piano Recitals
If you haven’t already, please access these important resources…
Vocal Dept. Handbook
Mrs. Melissa J. Mackley - Vocal Department Chair macklme@wcps.k12.md.us
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Fundraisers
We will be planning some amazing fundraisers over this year, more details to come soon!
We will need parent volunteers, too! Watch for emails or posts from Sign Up Genius and Sign Up!!
Stay Connected
Callie Hart
240.367.0146
Hello and a warm welcome from the Instrumental Music Department at BISFA!
I’m Callie Hart, of OOMPa – The Organization of Musical Parents and this is my second year as a BISFA Parent.
OOMPA is now a 501 (c) 3 organization and able to accept tax deductible donations.
Contact Ms. Callie Hart if you have any questions about making a Donation of any kind!
Reach out to Callie Hart if you are interested in joining the OOMPa Board!
COMPUTER GAME DESIGN AND ANIMATION
💡 Department Updates
The CGDA department is working on developing a mentorship program to begin in February in partnership with Williamsport Elementary. BISFA students will provide mentoring to a student interested in a future in CGDA.
CGDA students will be going to Magfest in January.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND CINEMATOGRAPHY
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091540342023 or search for BISFA Photo & Cinema.
Instagram: bisfaphotocinema
Hashtags: #bisfaphotoandcinema
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0bxskGbkSpWu1xyGtUutmw
PARENT GUILD
Parent Guild 2025-26
Denise Hunt: HuntDe@wcps.k12.md.us
Robert Hovermale: HoverRob@wcps.k12.md.us
Co-Presidents
Heather McCauley-Fitz: lafickle@yahoo.com
Ally Sirbaugh: allys@barbaraingramfoundation.org
Treasurer
Foundation Members
Rachel Thomas: RachelT@barbaraingramfoundation.org
Ally Sirbaugh: allys@barbaraingramfoundation.org
Visual Arts:
Kristi Bachtell: kristib71@hotmail.com
Stacy Morris: rasberrypetal1@gmail.com
Theater:
Jennifer White: midwifejenwhite@gmail.com
CGDA:
Tara Jenkins: tarakjenkins@gmail.com
Photo / Cinema:
Heather McCauley-Fitz: lafickle@yahoo.com
Vocal:
Inez Schwarzenegger: inez.schwarzenegger@gmail.com
Instrumental:
Karri Dawson: kamajada01@gmail.com
Heather Hall: heatherbarsu@gmail.com
Stephanie Halling: Stephanie.halling@gmail.com
Kelly Harman: Kann1217@aol.com
Creative Writing:
Lindsey Meekins: newmrsmeekins@gmail.com
Dance:
Leah Putterman: Leah.putterman@gmail.com
Shaquita Taylor-Fleming: s.taylorfleming@gmail.com
What is the Parent Guild?
The Parent Guild:
Connects parents to teachers & students
Creates a successful unity between all departments for our students, staff and parents
Helps to support departmental programs through fundraising with the assistance of The Barbara Ingram Foundation.
Provides sign-ups for Thanksgiving & Easter Baskets
Hosts Teacher Appreciation Week in May
Sells BISFA Gear
Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 5:15 PM - all parents are welcome.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, February 11, 2025 5:00 pm