Loiderman’s Performing Arts Magnet Program

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have any feedback on this school/program?

[Anonymous]

My child was accepted last year. Do you have any specific questions?

- the commute gets tiresome, but they do put our carpool information. You have to arrange yourself.
- they do offer electives that most middle schools do not - dance, choreography, theater, and more. But they also have standard electives like Spanish, French, band, chorus, lights camera literacy, etc
- the school Day is structured differently. Instead of having class everyday, it’s every other day. This gives the teachers larger blocks of time to teach.

[Anonymous]

I'm curious of the quality of the Performing Arts curriculum. Are the recitals/plays, etc actually good? Are the kids talented? Because it's not an application-based program, I wonder how they deal with a mix of talent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious of the quality of the Performing Arts curriculum. Are the recitals/plays, etc actually good? Are the kids talented? Because it's not an application-based program, I wonder how they deal with a mix of talent.

My daughter was in dance. The beginners class that she was in had a mix of kids that had talent & wanted to be there, and kids did not give a damn. They were frantically trying to learn the dance the week of the recital. If your child is advanced in drama or dance, make sure that you do not miss try outs in order to get into a higher level of instruction. We missed them, and honestly my daughter was nervous, so she probably wouldn't have wanted to try out. She could have easily been placed in the advanced group (and really she's average, but she practices on her own and enjoys dancing). Some of the advanced classes had nice dances, and I did enjoy the dance concerts, but they certainly aren't headed to any famous dance troupes anytime soon.

Ultimately we did not return for 7th grade, but your experience may be different.

[Anonymous]

I don't have a child there, but I do know many kids in the program who are also involved in the local theater scene. They are terrifically talented, so I can say that at least some of the kids there are head and shoulders above your average middle schooler in terms of talent.

[Anonymous]

My kids work professionally in theatre, and we only know of one Loiderman kid who worked, and that was like 8 years ago. Not to say that there isn't a Loiderman kid or two out there working, be mine have worked at most major venues and haven't heard of any. Most kids working in pro theatre in this area train with extra curricular programs or with coaches.

I would see if i could find bios for the teachers, if I were you. Where did they train? What degrees/experience do they have? What successes have their students achieved?

I was wary of the talent/training/drive disparity that comes from a lottery program. I think success and great experiences are still possible with some variety of talent and training, but the possible lack of passion/drive could really drag things down. If you had a sense of the teachers' credentials, that might help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids work professionally in theatre, and we only know of one Loiderman kid who worked, and that was like 8 years ago. Not to say that there isn't a Loiderman kid or two out there working, be mine have worked at most major venues and haven't heard of any. Most kids working in pro theatre in this area train with extra curricular programs or with coaches.

I would see if i could find bios for the teachers, if I were you. Where did they train? What degrees/experience do they have? What successes have their students achieved?

I was wary of the talent/training/drive disparity that comes from a lottery program. I think success and great experiences are still possible with some variety of talent and training, but the possible lack of passion/drive could really drag things down. If you had a sense of the teachers' credentials, that might help.

Loiderman is not really targeting the kids who can afford expensive private programs and coaches. Loiderman is for artsy middle and lower class kids who would not have access to so many arts electives otherwise. I have no knowledge of the local professional theatre scene, but I do know Loiderman graduates at Duke Ellington School for the Arts (an audition-only program) and I know talented kids at Einstein who are Loiderman graduates. The founding director of the Strathmore Children's Chorus was a Loiderman teacher (I'm not sure if he is still in both positions).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids work professionally in theatre, and we only know of one Loiderman kid who worked, and that was like 8 years ago. Not to say that there isn't a Loiderman kid or two out there working, be mine have worked at most major venues and haven't heard of any. Most kids working in pro theatre in this area train with extra curricular programs or with coaches.

I would see if i could find bios for the teachers, if I were you. Where did they train? What degrees/experience do they have? What successes have their students achieved?

I was wary of the talent/training/drive disparity that comes from a lottery program. I think success and great experiences are still possible with some variety of talent and training, but the possible lack of passion/drive could really drag things down. If you had a sense of the teachers' credentials, that might help.

Robyn Paley, a Loiederman theatre teacher, earned a Tony nomination as co-producer of Farinelli and the King. https://news.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/staff-bulletin/tell-me-something-robyn-paley/

[Anonymous]

Robyn Paley is awesome! I wouldn't send my kids to Loiderman because I have dreams of seeing them on Broadway -- I think the school choice has to be much more holistic than that. But I know Robyn and she works her heart out for the kids at Loiderman.

[Anonymous]

Loiderman is not a pre-professional program. It is a pull magnet program to increase economic diversity at a school with a high FARMS rate by offering arts electives not offered elsewhere. The kids taking theater will earn a highschool credit in 8th grade and be able to take theater II as a freshman in highschool. I know a few families at the school, and they all seem to like it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids work professionally in theatre, and we only know of one Loiderman kid who worked, and that was like 8 years ago. Not to say that there isn't a Loiderman kid or two out there working, be mine have worked at most major venues and haven't heard of any. Most kids working in pro theatre in this area train with extra curricular programs or with coaches.

I would see if i could find bios for the teachers, if I were you. Where did they train? What degrees/experience do they have? What successes have their students achieved?

I was wary of the talent/training/drive disparity that comes from a lottery program. I think success and great experiences are still possible with some variety of talent and training, but the possible lack of passion/drive could really drag things down. If you had a sense of the teachers' credentials, that might help.

Yeah, this is an apples-to-oranges comparison. MOST kids interested in theater don't have thousands to drop at AT's pre-professional program, or the flexibility to commit to a rehearsal schedule at Ford's Theatre for A Christmas Carol.

You are comparing the most privileged sliver of DCUM to a public middle school program.

[Anonymous]

hi, can any current/recently former Loiderman families comment on the other academic subjects? I'd love for my child to have more arts opportunities through the Loiderman magnet program than are available at the home school, but not at the expense of other academic subjects. How is the balance, what are the teachers like? Any broader comments on middle school magnet programs is also appreciated--I'm new to this and curious to understand how specialization might affect other areas. For example, do math/science magnets still have a strong humanities curriculum? Thanks for any help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids work professionally in theatre, and we only know of one Loiderman kid who worked, and that was like 8 years ago. Not to say that there isn't a Loiderman kid or two out there working, be mine have worked at most major venues and haven't heard of any. Most kids working in pro theatre in this area train with extra curricular programs or with coaches.

I would see if i could find bios for the teachers, if I were you. Where did they train? What degrees/experience do they have? What successes have their students achieved?

I was wary of the talent/training/drive disparity that comes from a lottery program. I think success and great experiences are still possible with some variety of talent and training, but the possible lack of passion/drive could really drag things down. If you had a sense of the teachers' credentials, that might help.

Yeah, this is an apples-to-oranges comparison. MOST kids interested in theater don't have thousands to drop at AT's pre-professional program, or the flexibility to commit to a rehearsal schedule at Ford's Theatre for A Christmas Carol.

You are comparing the most privileged sliver of DCUM to a public middle school program.

Not really. Just trying to keep expectations realistic. The assertion was made that Loidermann kids work professionally. Just saying that I have not seen that. Also, as a sidenote, it is possible to train without dropping a ton of money. Tricky, but possible. We do it. It doesn't have to be through ATMTC, and if you like them, they do have some scholarships for some of their programs. But, my point wasn't about how to work in theatre, just that I wouldn't expect Loiderman's program to result in it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids work professionally in theatre, and we only know of one Loiderman kid who worked, and that was like 8 years ago. Not to say that there isn't a Loiderman kid or two out there working, be mine have worked at most major venues and haven't heard of any. Most kids working in pro theatre in this area train with extra curricular programs or with coaches.

I would see if i could find bios for the teachers, if I were you. Where did they train? What degrees/experience do they have? What successes have their students achieved?

I was wary of the talent/training/drive disparity that comes from a lottery program. I think success and great experiences are still possible with some variety of talent and training, but the possible lack of passion/drive could really drag things down. If you had a sense of the teachers' credentials, that might help.

Yeah, this is an apples-to-oranges comparison. MOST kids interested in theater don't have thousands to drop at AT's pre-professional program, or the flexibility to commit to a rehearsal schedule at Ford's Theatre for A Christmas Carol.

You are comparing the most privileged sliver of DCUM to a public middle school program.

Not really. Just trying to keep expectations realistic. The assertion was made that Loidermann kids work professionally. Just saying that I have not seen that. Also, as a sidenote, it is possible to train without dropping a ton of money. Tricky, but possible. We do it. It doesn't have to be through ATMTC, and if you like them, they do have some scholarships for some of their programs. But, my point wasn't about how to work in theatre, just that I wouldn't expect Loiderman's program to result in it.

Please share your ideas about how to train without spending a lot of money! I know that ATMTC has scholarships, but they are probably intended for very low income students. DD has participated in community theatre before, and that is a lovely opportunity, as it is free. We funnel our small funds into voice lessons, as singing is a hobby that can last a lifetime (and a trained voice is so lovely to listen to).

[Anonymous]

LMS is not a professional training school, although many students do participate in community theater, and some audition and get into Duke Ellington. It has a great drama program, and DD loved being able to take drama classes all 3 years. Both teachers are fantastic, and Ms. Paley has some great theater connections that have enabled students to attend and go back stage at Broadway shows. There is a partnership with Highwood Theater and the National Players at the Olney Theater that enable them to have professional help with productions, and can serve as a gateway into productions at both of these theaters. Students learn not just acting, but stagecraft, lighting, sound, and other technical aspects of theater in a way they could never learn it at another middle school.

The dance department is also very good, but students should audition into the highest level possible. There are students in the beginning level classes that have absolutely zero interest in dance, and the can really bring the other students down.

I have limited experience with the music and visual art program, so I can't really comment on those. DD was challenged in most of her classes, particularly world studies and Spanish. Other teachers vary just as in any school. The do not have tons of homework in general, but that was helpful since DD was often in productions and dance classes after school.