From their earliest days at Tehiyah, our students learn to appreciate many forms of art and to experience the joy of creating. Our music program emphasizes making music as a way of learning about theory and different genres. Students learn to read music by playing the xylophone, recorder, and assorted rhythm instruments. Singing is a cornerstone of the program, which includes performing in one of our two choirs. Our art program allows students to work in a variety of media and provides instruction in art history and the elements of design, exposure to local art resources and opportunities to exhibit their work in the community. Drama enriches our entire curriculum. Teachers incorporate skits and plays across the disciplines in all grades. For student in grades 3 through 8, a more formal drama program is available, culminating in annual productions, including the much anticipated middles school play each spring.
Visual, Performing and Digital Arts Department Faculty
Elizabeth Addison
, ext. 113
Visual and Digital Media Arts
Elizabeth Addison started teaching computer skills and art at Tehiyah Day School in 2001. A Chicago native, Ms. Addison earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from Northwestern University where she also served on the renowned Daily Northwestern’s staff as Art editor and cartoonist. Ms. Addison was launched into a successful graphic design and advertising career immediately following college. Ms. Addison has taught art to adults and children for 10 years and served as the After-school and enrichment classes coordinator for Berkeley Arts Magnet School prior to teaching at Tehiyah. Throughout, Ms. Addison has pursued her craft as a visual artist. She is an award winning printmaker.
“The artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the place; from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider’s web.” - Pablo Picasso
My intention is to have a joyful, creative environment and bring out the strengths in every young artist. Children can learn to appreciate art at a very young age through guided projects as well as experimentation. I integrate basic art concepts and techniques with engaging art projects every week.
Katja Cooper
, ext. 144
Music
From Berkeley, CA, Katja Cooper originally trained on violin and then switched to percussion during her studies at the International School of Amsterdam and at the Rainbow Academy in Holland. In 1986, Katja moved to Israel pursuing a musical career as a performer, workshop leader, recording artist, and accompanist for prestigious modern dance companies. She absorbed the culture and music styles of the Middle East as well as studied with expert ex-patriots from Brazil, Spain, North, West & South Africa, and Cuba. She joined forces with local and international artists as well as regularly performed on Israeli national television and radio with the top-charting pop artist Rami Kleinstein. As of 2001, Katja has traveled for seminars in Spain and, upon invitation, participated in music projects in Peru, Holland and Switzerland before resettling in the East Bay Area. She’s an accompanist for the UC Berkeley dance department and performs with various bands. She taught in the Oakland Public School district while playing regularly for congregations, Jewish ceremonies and JCC events before she became involved with Tehiyah in 2006.
Karen Finch
, ext. 256
Drama Teacher
Karen Finch hails from London, where she earned her BA Hons degree from The University of London, and trained as an actor at the Central School of Speech and Drama. After moving to San Francisco, she earned her California Teaching Credential at San Francisco State University, and formed two Bay Area theatre companies: Angel Heart Acting Workshops (theatre classes for kids) and The Actor's Collective, with whom she is an actor and producer. Karen has been the drama director at Tehiyah since 1997, directing the Middle School plays and teaching improvisation to grades 3-8. Karen recently added a new string to her bow by becoming a certified yoga instructor.
Janet Lipkin
, ext. 215
Visual Art
“If I could say it in words I wouldn’t paint.” This quote from Edward Hopper strongly expresses Janet’s philosophy in teaching art. All children are creative and have a strong visual language. It is Janet’s goal to expose children to all media, teach some art history and provide a lot of room for discovery and experimentation. Children learn to look at an appreciate works of art. Janet has been teaching art to adults and children for the past 35 years. This is her 14th year at Tehiyah.
Janet Lipkin graduated from Pratt Institute with Honors in 1970. Janet is one of the founders of the ARTWEAR movement in the United States. Her Artwear is in the permanent collections of many museums. She is exhibited nationally and internationally. In 1975 she received a Fulbright-Hays Scholarship to study the textiles of Ghana, Africa.
