OVERVIEW
Canyon Ridge provides a diverse arts experience for students. Students across all grades have the opportunity to grow in their skills in art and music with the help and guidance of teachers who are highly proficient in these content areas. In Canyon Ridge’s art program, students are encouraged to dive into their creativity to build art in various mediums and to incorporate their personal interests into projects they can be proud of. This includes elective courses in architecture, 3D arts, and fiber arts among others. In music, students experience music and movement, project based learning, and are encouraged to strive to become music students of excellence through choral and band ensemble participation. Music electives include digital soundtrack design, Musical Theater, Band, Choir, STEM instrument design, and many more. Every student can use their creativity to be the best artist they can be.
PROGRAMS OFFERED
Music Program
Greetings! My name is Mr. Hammersmith and I’m the Music & Choir Teacher at Canyon Ridge School! Music is an important part of my life and I enjoy educating others to find their love for music. It’s a critical part of our education and creates a well-rounded student enhancing their creativity and expression. I grew up and received my education in Colorado. I received my Bachelor of Arts at Colorado State University in Music Education and my Master of Arts Degree at Adams State University in Music Education. I perform as a vocalist and instrumentalist on a variety of instruments. In my spare time, I compose and arrange music. I’m also a private studio instructor educating students on all Woodwind & Brass Instruments, Piano, and Vocal. When I’m not teaching or playing music, I spend time with my family, cook, travel, tour, and volunteer. My goals as an educator is to provide a safe and structured learning environment that provides numerous opportunities for performances, growth, and development in the music field.
Art Program
Hello! My name is Mrs. Freeman, and this will be my second year teaching art at Canyon Ridge School. I am excited to continue growing as an art teacher and building relationships with artists in all the grade levels. I have 22 years of experience teaching 2nd-5th grade, and I am so excited to continue the endeavor of teaching art to our kindergarten through 8th graders! As a proud Colorado native, I earned both my undergraduate degree and Master’s of Arts in curriculum and instruction from Adams State in Alamosa, Colorado. My husband and I have a 12-year-old son who attends Canyon Ridge, and also have an energetic four-year-old shepherd/lab mix named Kylo. We enjoy camping, traveling, watching sports, and renovating houses together. I also enjoy creations from Board and Brush and painting ceramics with friends and family. Because we are a STEAM school, I am excited to expand upon bringing choice-based art education into the studio. My goal is for artists to learn these three things: What do artists do? The child is the artist. The art room is the child’s art studio.
Band Program
I'm Dr. Alex Manners, the band director at Canyon Ridge, Western Peaks, and Asante. I'm originally from the Kansas City area, and I used to teach elementary and high school band for six years in Missouri. This is my ninth year teaching in Dysart, making it my fifteenth year overall. Before moving to Surprise, I earned a doctorate in music on the French horn at ASU. I play horn professionally in several groups around the Valley: Symphony of the Southwest, the West Valley Symphony, and the Phoenix Brass Collective, as well as occasionally filling in with groups like The Phoenix Symphony. I also teach French horn outside Dysart at Glendale Community College, GCU, at Mountain Ridge High School, and as a private lessons teacher. In my spare time, I'm a diehard fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals, Missouri Tigers, and Sporting Kansas City, and I enjoy running as a hobby. I enjoy spending time with my wife Daniela, our son Jacob, and our dog, Sydney.