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Barbara Ingram School for the Arts

January 2026

Barbara IngramSchool 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.

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🎥 Must Watch!

Check out our fantastic new promotional film for BISFA, created by our recent Master Class artist, Thad Reid. Please share it widely!

Barbara Ingram School for the Arts (BISFA) Promotional Video

SCHOLARSHIP AND AWARD APPLICATIONS SCHOLARSHIP AND AWARD APPLICATIONS

Stay tuned!

UPDATES 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

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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.

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UPCOMING DATES UPCOMING DATES

BISFA Event Calendar
Subscribe to the BISFA Event Calendar to stay up to date on school events.
January

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 HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR

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HADESTOWN TICKETS! HADESTOWN TICKETS!

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MD Theater Box Office - Get Tickets!

CELEBRATIONS! CELEBRATIONS!

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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 PICTURES

January Culture of Excellence Meeting

Celebrations

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HOLIDAY

Caroling in the Square

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FUNDRAISERS FUNDRAISERS

Stay tuned...

VISUAL ARTS VISUAL ARTS

Visual Arts
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Visual Arts January Newsletter
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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

Creative Writing
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CREATIVE WRITING SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES

Instagram


Facebook

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Creative Writing Links

The Phantom

DANCE DANCE

Dance
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THEATRE THEATRE

Theatre
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Stay informed!

Ensure all guardians receive important notifications from Mr. Ryan and the Theater Liaisons this year by:

  1. Emailing theaterliaison@gmail.com requesting we add parent/guardian to our distribution list
  2. Texting @bisfat to 81010 to join Mr. Ryan's Remind class.
  3. Texting @7hc9k6 to 81010 to join Theater Liaison Remind class.

VOCAL MUSIC VOCAL MUSIC

Vocal Music
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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

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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

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Vocal Department Calendar

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

Vocal Google Calendar

Vocal Department Website

Mrs. Melissa J. Mackley - Vocal Department Chair macklme@wcps.k12.md.us

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INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

Instrumental Music
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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

OOMPa @ BISFA Facebook

BISFA Facebook

BISFA Instagram

BISFA Instrumental Instagram

Callie Hart

oompaatbisfa@gmail.com

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!

Sign Up For Parent Emails - Instrumental Department

COMPUTER GAME DESIGN AND ANIMATION COMPUTER GAME DESIGN AND ANIMATION

Computer game Design and Animation
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💡 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 PHOTOGRAPHY AND CINEMATOGRAPHY

Photography and Cinematography
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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

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

BISFA FOUNDATION BISFA FOUNDATION

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BISFA Foundation Grants Program
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Hearts for the Arts
Donate Now
Annual Donation to the Foundation. Click to contribute.
Check out the Barbara Ingram Foundation Website!

CAREER COACH CORNER CAREER COACH CORNER

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Click to Make an Appointment
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