Four actors visited CJ as part of the school’s new initiative, the Pro Artist Speaker Series.
While all living in California for their careers, the actors were all in the Dayton area earlier this month for a family event. Liam Cronin and Kieran Cronin are the brothers of CJ drama and choir teacher, Caitlin Bennett. The Cronin brothers’ significant others, Angela Henderson and Stephanie Bignault, also came to speak with the students.
The performing arts department's first concert of the 2018-2019 school year will be on Thursday, October 11 at 7 p.m. in the CJ Auditorium.
All are invited to attend this free event featuring the Concert Choir, Concert Band, Eagle Pride, Hands in Harmony, String Ensemble and Pop A Cappella Choirs.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
CJ's fall production, A Murder is Announced, will show three times in November:
Friday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 18 at 2 p.m.
Posted October 9, 2018
Only elite musicians are chosen to be a member of the Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. For the 2018-2019 season, three CJ students were selected for this opportunity.
Libby Blackshire ‘20 (trumpet), Lily Davis ‘21 (cello) , and Anna Mussin Phillips ‘21 (flute and piccolo) have been playing their respective instruments for several years. They each had different reasons behind their motivation to participate in the orchestra..
The CJ performing arts department received a record number 23 DayTony's at the annual award ceremony on Thursday, May 31.
"The DayTonys are a great way to celebrate our accomplishments this year, and always remember how proud we are of all of our cast and crew members,” said choir and drama teacher Caitlin Bennett! “We tackled two very challenging productions this year, and I think this recognition celebrates the excellence of these productions as a whole.”
CJ Adult/Designer/Director Awards were:
Adult Design and Technology Merit Award
Students interested in expanding their musical genres will take the stage as the newly formed CJ Jazz Ensemble. The group, led by Eagle Pride and band director Luke Grieshop, will perform on Saturday, May 26 at 2 p.m. at Hannah’s restaurant.
“I was thinking about having the jazz concert in the auditorium, but realize a place like Hannah’s makes it a live scene and that’s what jazz is about,” Grieshop said.
Four students have spent this school year so far preparing for one night on the stage. The students in the Advanced Acting & Directing class will present the full-length play Miracle On South Division Street by Tom Dudzick on Tuesday, April 17 at 7 p.m. in the CJ Auditorium. Admission is free.
Mallory Castonguay ‘19, Katie Coyle ‘19, Ashley Gerhard ‘18 and Angelo Moore-Knight ‘18 are not only acting in the production, but also had key roles in directing and choosing the play.
This summer, current and graduate members of the CJ a cappella group, Vega, harmonized again as part of a new a cappella group, Lyra. The group came together for the Midwest Semifinal of the International Championship of A Cappella Open.
Members of the Eagle Pride band and color guard have several new things to look forward to this fall - new uniforms, a new show, and a new director who is already looking ahead to the future of the program.
Luke Grieshop was announced as the new director of Eagle Pride in May. Grieshop, a graduate of the University of Dayton, will also serve as music teacher at Our Lady of the Rosary School.
"I'm very excited and eager to be here," Grieshop said. "There have been so many changes recently and it's a proud time to be a part of the marching band."
Angelo Moore-Knight '18 took his talents to California this summer after being selected for the A Cappella Academy.
"It was such an honor to be a part of something so huge," Moore-Knight reflected. 
The camp was held at Mount St. Mary’s University in Los Angeles from June 29-July 9.
At the end of the 2016-2017 school year, performing arts students, teachers and supporters came together and celebrated a successful year which included the reopening of CJ's renovated auditorium. Additionally, several students were recognized with superlative awards.
