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Mindfulness Fosters Harmony of all Kinds in Beginning Band

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Wizard of Oz
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Home > Fine Arts Programs in Our Schools

Fine Arts Programs in Our Schools

FHFA News

Staff Highlights: Jeff Robke, Band Director Northern Middle and High School

Posted: March 27, 2023

18th year in Forest Hills, enjoy making great music and connecting with people.  

Staff Highlights: Caitlyn Tetreault Art Teacher Central Middle

Posted: March 22, 2023

This is my fourth  year in teaching. I just love to create both on my own and with others. I love seeing others excited about making things and creatively problem-solving. I can’t think of any other job I would love as much as this one.

Forest Hills Foundation generosity impacts music education

Posted: March 13, 2023

  The Forest Hills Foundation has granted Collins Elementary 28 soprano ukuleles and a ukulele storage cart as part of the 2022 fall grant cycle. 2nd through 4th-grade students are learning to play the instruments in class! They are applying concepts of harmony and melody to their playing of chords and plucking string along with […]

Staff Highlights: Pam Kriekard, Choir Director Central Woodland/Central Middle/Northern Middle

Posted: March 13, 2023

This is year 26 for me at FHPS! I’ve taught elementary, general music, brass instruments, one on one interventions, and of course, CHOIR!

Being fully present: Mindfulness fosters harmony of all kinds in beginning band class

Posted: March 13, 2023

  These articles feature Michelle Benjamin our 6th-grade band director at Central Woodlands and Nothern Trials. Michelle discusses her approach to teaching beginning band. https://www.schoolnewsnetwork.org/2023/03/10/being-fully-present/

Staff Highlights: Lonny Stanton, Elementary Art Teacher Northern Trails/Central Woodlands

Posted: March 8, 2023

I have had the privilege of being an art educator for the last 17 years. I am a graduate of Michigan State University and grew up near the campus in Okemos, MI. My husband and I have three children and we love to spend time playing sports, creating art, and going to our favorite place, […]

Staff Highlight: Paul Boelkins Band Director 6th Grade/Eastern Middle/High School

Posted: February 28, 2023

Paul Boelkins Band Director 6th Grade/Eastern Middle/High School   I am currently enjoying my 39th year of teaching, the last 35 of them having been spent in Forest Hills. I began teaching at Northern Hills Middle School in 1988 and moved to Eastern when it opened in 2004. I love sharing and making music with […]

Staff Highlight: Judi Stroh Knapp Forest Elementary Music

Posted: February 24, 2023

Married to an elementary teacher. Son and daughter who are both married. Two Mini Goldendoodles named Nellie and Zoey. I love theater, movies, camping, gardening, and reading. This is my 34th year of teaching elementary music. Graduate of Central Michigan University and graduate-level work done at both Western Michigan University and Grand Valley State University. […]

Re -Scheduled Central High Band Concert

Posted: February 24, 2023

The FHC Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble concert will be rescheduled for Monday, February, 27th in Forest Hills Central Auditorium at 7:30 PM.

MSBOA District 10 Solo and Ensemble

Posted: February 7, 2023

Congratulations to the following students who earned a division one rating this past weekend at MSBOA district 10 solo and ensemble at Wyoming High School. Central High Rebecca Maddox – Violin. Abby Schnelker – Violin. Lilyann McMartin & Rosie Custudio-Prasarnsith – Cello/Violin duet. Ethan Moon & Joseph Song – Violin/Cello. Summer Wu & Abby Schnelker […]

Staff Highlight: Sarah Bruha

Posted: February 7, 2023

Sarah Bruha, Elementary Arts Teacher Central Woodlands/Pine Ridge   I am in my 10th year of teaching and I love that I am able to help young artists discover their creative potential! I love problem-solving, creating new things, and learning all about the world around us with my young artists. I have always wanted to […]

Staff Highlight: Laurie Boomers Thornapple/ Pine Ridge Music

Posted: January 31, 2023

Laurie Boomers, Elementary Music Thornapple/Pine Ridge. I have been teaching either privately, as a substitute teacher, or in a school for a total of 30 years. 16 of those years have been with Forest Hills Public Schools. My main instrument is the violin and I continue to play with the Calvin Community Symphony. I enjoy […]

Staff Highlight: Jenn Gregory Art Teacher Ada Vista Elementary

Posted: January 23, 2023

Jenn Gregory is currently teaching k-4 art at Ada Vista Elementary! She’s been with the district for 7 years. Every day she empowers kids to find and develop their own creative voice.

Congratulation to Sullivan Lower

Posted: January 23, 2023

Forest Hills Central sophomore trombone player Sullivan Lower was a member of this year’s MSBOA All-State Jazz Ensemble. The band played this past weekend during the Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Sully was one of four trombone players picked in the entire state of Michigan. Congratulations Sully.

Staff Highlight: Lian Robinson, Eastern Orchestra Director

Posted: January 13, 2023

Lian Robinson Orchestra Director Eastern 6th/Middle and High School This is my first year at Forest Hills Eastern and I am so excited to get music back into students’ lives! Music is a great way for students to let their guard down, be creative, and connect with like-minded musicians. When we are playing music, students […]

Michelle Benjamin to present at the 2023 Michigan Music Conference

Posted: January 5, 2023

Michelle Benjamin, our 6th-grade beginning band teacher at Central Woodlands and Northern Trails, will be presenting this year at the 2023 Michigan Music Conference at DeVos place in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, January 21st at 10 AM. The title of the presentation is Mindfulness for Beginning Band. Description: Realistic and useful techniques to focus […]

FHC Marching Band performs at Ford Field

Posted: November 28, 2022

Congratulations to the FHC Marching Band for their performance during the game and halftime of the 2022 MSHAA state football finals this past Friday in Detroit.

Congratulations to Josephine Fredlund

Posted: November 18, 2022

Congratulation to Josephine Fredlund! Josephine will represent FHPS this January as a member of the Middle School All-State Orchestra, an honors ensemble sponsored by MSBOA (Michigan School Band & Orchestra Association). Josephine auditioned along with hundreds of students across Michigan and was selected as one of the 16 violists accepted in this ensemble.  The rehearsals […]

FHN Theatre presents: Shrek the Musical

Posted: November 16, 2022

A show for the whole family! Catch Shrek the Musical at the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center on November 17-19, 2022 at 7pm with a matinee on November 19 at 3pm. Tickets are $14 for adults, and $10 for students. Purchase tickets at fhfineartscenter.com

FHN Choir Students will perform at MSVMA in January

Posted: November 14, 2022

Congratulations to the following students that were named to the MSVMA All-State Vocal Jazz Choir.  These nine students were selected from an extremely difficult video audition.  The choir has a max of 20 singers. An unprecedented 45 percent of the all-state qualifiers are all from Forest Hills Northern. They will perform at the MENC State […]

FHC theatre “CLUE” Livestream info link

Posted: November 11, 2022

Fall Play Clue Livestream info link Fall Play Clue dates/times: $8.00 tix General Admission sold at lunches and at the door. The running time of the show is 1:15. Thurs 11/10- 7:00 PM with a Livestream option at 7:00 PM as well:  https://fhfac.anywhereseat.com/channel.phpLinks to an external site. Friday 11/11- 5:00 PM  Slice of pizza & pop for FHC students immediately […]

Eastern High school Theatre department presents “ANNE OF GREEN GABLES” November 3rd-5th

Posted: November 2, 2022

Eastern High School is performing  ANNE OF GREEN GABLES  November 3-5 @ 7:00 p.m.  at the FHE Auditorium. Come see this endearing tale of Anne as she becomes a part of the Cuthbert family and the Avonlea community! This show is family-friendly and a step back in time to the early 1900’s. ***Show your Staff ID […]

Forest Hills Central High School Theatre Fall play presents “CLUE” November 10th -12

Posted: November 2, 2022

Performance Dates; Nov. 10, 11, and 12th, @ 7 pm at Forest Hills Central Auditorium. The cost is $8 for General Admission per ticket.

Happy Halloween from the Northern Singers

Posted: October 31, 2022

Please welcome to our Fine Arts teaching staff

Posted: October 25, 2022

Brittany Brink Elementary Music Collins and  Pine Ridge Elementary Hello! I am Brittany Brink, the new music teacher this year at Collins and Pine Ridge Elementary! This will be my sixth year teaching music and I cannot wait to meet all of you. I am coming from Belding Area Schools, and while I loved my […]

View any concert Live at the Fine Arts Center

Posted: October 24, 2022

If you are unable to make the concert live, you can view the event by simply clicking on this link. Live from the FAC

Northern Singers Tribute to John Williams on his 90th Birthday.

Posted: June 3, 2022

Forest Hills Central Ranger Marching Band From Disney

Posted: February 8, 2022

This past week, 100 students from the Central High Ranger Marching Band spent several days in Orlando Florida, participating in Disney’s Magic Music Days.  The Band was the featured performers in the parade at the Magic Kingdom on Thursday.   On Saturday, the group participated in a music workshop on how to perform and record Disney […]

Please join us for our concerts from anywhere

Posted: October 8, 2021

Hello, Our students and music staff could not be happier to once again be performing in front of a live audience. Quite honestly nothing is more rewarding and fulfilling to the student than that interaction. However, we know that there are still some extenuating circumstances, or family who may be out of the area which […]

Upcoming Fine Arts Events

March 23, 2023
  • Forest Hills Central presents " The wizard of Oz"

    March 23, 2023 - March 25, 2023  


    Please join us for this exciting musical. Saturday, March 25th will also have a matinee performance at 3 pm.

    Add to your Google Calendar

March 24, 2023
  • Forest Hills Central presents " The wizard of Oz"

    March 23, 2023 - March 25, 2023  


    Please join us for this exciting musical. Saturday, March 25th will also have a matinee performance at 3 pm.

    Add to your Google Calendar

March 25, 2023
  • Forest Hills Central presents " The wizard of Oz"

    March 23, 2023 - March 25, 2023  


    Please join us for this exciting musical. Saturday, March 25th will also have a matinee performance at 3 pm.

    Add to your Google Calendar

March 27, 2023
  • Ada Elementary Music Program

    March 27, 2023  7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

    Forest Hills Fine Arts Center, 600 Forest Hill Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA

    All 1st through 4th Graders Ada Elementary Music Program

    Add to your Google Calendar

March 28, 2023
  • CW/CMS/CHS Spring String Fling

    March 28, 2023  7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

    Forest Hills Fine Arts Center, 600 Forest Hill Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA

    CW/CMS/CHS Spring String Fling 7PM @ FAC

    Add to your Google Calendar

April 11, 2023
  • Northern Trails Musical

    April 11, 2023  7:00 pm - 7:45 pm

    Forest Hills Fine Arts Center, 600 Forest Hill Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA

    Northern Trails Musical

    Add to your Google Calendar

April 12, 2023
  • Northern Trails Musical group 2

    April 12, 2023  7:00 pm - 7:45 pm

    Forest Hills Fine Arts Center, 600 Forest Hill Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA

    Northern Trails Northern Trails

    Add to your Google Calendar

April 17, 2023
  • Pine Ridge/Collins Musical

    April 17, 2023  7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

    Forest Hills Fine Arts Center, 600 Forest Hill Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA
    Add to your Google Calendar

April 19, 2023
  • Ada Vista 3rd and 4th Grade Music Program

    April 19, 2023  6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

    Forest Hills Fine Arts Center, 600 Forest Hill Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA

    Ada Vista 3rd and 4th Grade Music Program

    Add to your Google Calendar

YouTube Links

  • Forest Hills Northern Virtual Choirs Playlist

Concert Live Streams

Please visit fhfineartscenter.com for all our live streams and recordings

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Fine Arts Programs in Our Schools

photograph of John DeStefanoJohn DeStefano
Director of Fine Arts in the Schools
Assistant Principal, Central High School

(616)493-8700
jdestefano@fhps.net

photo of Sara StadelSara Stadel
Secretary
(616)493-8700
sstadel@fhps.net

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Contact the District

Forest Hills Public Schools
6590 Cascade Rd. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Phone: (616) 493-8800
Fax: (616) 493-8519

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