Music

Harmony, Rhythm, Melody, Style - Make Music at KUA

Singing a capella, playing in classical, jazz, or rock ensembles, creating digital tracks, KUA students have many opportunities to express themselves musically. Students make music in formal and informal ensembles, record and create their own digital media, and study privately with professional instructors.

Unique to KUA, students do not have to choose between academics, athletics, and the arts; our ensembles meet after the academic day and are open to all. Whether a novice or experienced musician, several annual Music Department concerts provide students with opportunities to perform.

The Upper Valley also provides access to an array of musical events and concerts. Students can experience world-class performances at the nearby Hopkins Center at Dartmouth College, Northern Stage, and other concerts and music festivals in the area.

Explore Music Courses

Passionate about the Arts?

Learn more about the Arts Scholar Program

Arts Faculty

List of 10 members.

Kay McCabe

Arts Department Chair, Dance Teacher

603-469-2130

kmccabe@kua.org
Bio

Kay has taught dance at Kimball Union Academy since 1995. Prior to that, she danced professionally in New York, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. She has been a member of the David Gordon Pick-Up Company, Susan Foster and Dancers, and Richard Bull Dance Theatre and has had the pleasure of performing throughout the United States and Europe. A talented teacher and innovative choreographer, Kay inspires her students. She is as happy to work with novices who are exploring their interest in dance as with trained ballerinas and accomplished dancers. The performances she choreographs and directs always entertain and delight her audiences.
Darrell Beaupre

English Teacher, Art Teacher

603-469-2000

dbeaupre@kua.org
Bio
A Kimball Union alumnus, Darrell is a veteran of independent schools, having taught at Fay School, Rectory School, New Hampton School, Cardigan Mountain School, and Tabor Academy’s summer program.

Darrell took a sabbatical from teaching to serve as the main caregiver of his children while also building and setting up his own furniture-making business, raising purebred Dexter and Lowline Angus cattle, and serving on the Meriden Volunteer Fire Department.

Darrell lives in Meriden with his wife, Amy, and their two children, Molly and Conor.
Christine Britton

Costume Designer and Instructor

cbritton@kua.org
Bio
Christine has extensive professional background in costume design and construction for Theatre, Dance & Film. Her designs have been seen in over 75 productions and her costume creations in many more. Her experience ranges from school productions and community organizations to regional and Broadway productions, as well as TV and feature films.

Foothills Theatre, Wood & Poplyk Costume Design, Fenwick Theatre at College of the Holy Cross, Trinity Rep, Worcester Forum Theatre, Massachusetts Children’s Theatre, American Repertory Theatre, Costume World, Inc, Costumes By Illusion and Providence College Blackfriars Theatre are just some of the institutions, theatres and professional costume houses where she has worked.

Christine has lived in Meriden since 1996. She has provided custom dressmaking and alterations services thru her company, Amethyst Designs, for the past 28 years.
Ursula Fries-Herfort

Learning Center Teacher, Ceramics Teacher, Taylor Gallery Director

603-469-2136

uherfort@kua.org
Bio
Prior to taking on the ceramics program at KUA in the fall of 2007, Ursula was involved as a teacher’s assistant and monitor at the renowned League of New Hampshire Craftsmen pottery studio in Hanover for several years. She also brings to KUA her experience as a studio potter and is a juried member of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen. Her work has been featured in numerous shows, foremost the Taylor Gallery, and is represented in local galleries. She has also done private commissions. Ursula has a passion for throwing on the wheel and decorating the surfaces of her pieces, and she loves sharing this with her students. She moved to the United States from Germany in 1998 and lives in Meriden with her husband and two children.
Philip Montenegro

Spanish Teacher, Visual Arts Teacher

pmontenegro@kua.org
Stephen Rogers

Academic Information Systems Manager, Theater Technical Director

603-469-2346

scrogers@kua.org
Bio
Stephen, KUA class of 2004, works with all things technology, bringing a wide range of knowledge to both the Technology and Arts Departments. Acting as a resource for students, faculty, and staff, he works to integrate and simplify technology across campus. He also works as the Technical Director for the Theatre, building and designing sets, lighting, and sound. He graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 2008 with a BA focused on computer science. Stephen is an advisor and a dorm parent and lives on campus with his wife Christine Clisura and their tiny terrier Taffy.
Julie Haskell

Dean of Faculty, Art Teacher

(603) 469-2112

jhaskell@kua.org
Bio
Julie is a visual art teacher at Kimball Union Academy, teaching Advanced and AP Studio Art classes, Drawing, Painting, Landscape Painting, Printmaking, and AP Art History. She also runs the after-school Art Activity program and is the curator of the Taylor Gallery. Julie worked at KUA for eight years and has returned for her ninth year after living and working in Maine for the past two years. She now divides her time between Maine and Meriden and lives in MacLeay House with her daughter, Emma. Julie is also a working artist who spends summers and free time creating and exhibiting her own paintings. She especially loves painting images of the rural landscape and the Maine coastline.
M. Hunter Ulf AIA

Chief Operating Officer, Visual Arts Teacher

603 469-2158

hulf@kua.org
Bio
As a licensed architect, Mr. Ulf has worked with KUA since 2003 assisting in the design of many of the school’s more recent capital projects, including the Barrette Campus Center and the Miller Bicentennial Hall. After graduating from the University of Colorado with a degree in Environmental Design, his professional career included architectural positions in Boulder, Colorado and Boston before founding UK Architects in Hanover, NH in 1992. He has assisted in architectural planning and design projects with a number of independent schools around the region. He served as president of the Vermont and New England chapters of the American Institute of Architects, and then as the New England Regional Director on the American Institute of Architects National Board of Directors.
Kevin White

Music Teacher, Theater Teacher

603 469-2131

kwhite@kua.org
Bio
Kevin was born and raised in Rockford, Illinois, although his family has found themselves moving around the United States since he graduated high school. Following his years at Guilford High School, he attended Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in musical theater.
After leaving Illinois, Kevin spent ten years living in New York City, where he found his love for teaching. He began his career at a studio in Brooklyn called “Acting Out!” where he coached middle school students who were auditioning for New York’s elite performing arts schools. A few years later, he found himself in a teaching and music directing position in the musical theatre conservatory at the New York Film Academy. As an actor, Kevin has performed in many shows around the United States as well as internationally. Most recently he was seen all over the world belting out the top hits of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons with a group called “Oh What a Night!” As music director, Kevin has worked professionally in several top theaters across the country including the Upper Valley’s own, “Northern Stage.”
In February of 2017, Kevin served as musical director for the Kimball Union winter musical, “Rent,” and is thrilled to be back as full-time faculty having moved to KUA with his fiancé, Dallyn.
David Weidman

Assistant Head of School, Theatre Director

603-469-2118

dweidman@kua.org
Bio
Born and raised in India, David attended boarding school in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains from age 5. He has completed nine years of post-high school education, holding several undergraduate degrees and an MFA. David was Chair of the Arts Department and Director of Theater at the Academy for 16 years, during which time he accrued more than 100 directorial and acting credits.

He has been a House Parent in 7 out of 10 KUA residences, and now lives close to campus in a timber frame home that he and his spouse built. He is delighted to be working in the academic offices and is enjoying the professional growth and development it provides.

TRANSLATE

Kimball Union Academy

Meriden, New Hampshire 03770

603-469-2000 · 603-469-2040 (fax) · info@kua.org

Founded in 1813, Kimball Union Academy is one of the oldest private boarding high schools in New Hampshire and the country. KUA blends the best of the New England boarding tradition with an innovative, modern educational program for a diverse group of day and boarding students from across the country and around the world. Located in Meriden, New Hampshire in the heart of the Upper Valley, Kimball Union is minutes from Dartmouth College and has direct access to Boston and New York.