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Fine Arts & Performing Arts

Truth. Goodness. Beauty.  These are the touchstones of a classical education.  That is why the arts are central in our curriculum – not optional.  Every student, beginning in kindergarten and continuing through the high school, is involved in the performing arts.  We employ six professional artists and musicians in a range of program offerings in art media, music and theater.

Art – Once a week grammar and middle school students spend time in the art room where they are systematically instructed in color charts, history, and a variety of artistic mediums.  In the high school years there are several art courses available for credit and many students pursue independent studies. The art suite provides the facility for work in drawing, painting and three-dimensional art.

Music – All students are required to study music through the tenth grade.  The School of Dialectic and the School of Rhetoric maintain choirs and band, and orchestras, all of which are performative.  They give a major concert each spring.  One of the finest and unique traditions at New Covenant is the Annual Service of Lessons & Carols, given during Advent. Joining with their middle school counterparts, this service includes readings of the story of redemption, highlighted by music, band and orchestral works from the student musical groups.

Theater – Drama instruction begins in the middle school and continues through the School of Rhetoric.  Each year  dramatic productions are staged by Panache, New Covenant Schools drama troupe.

Read more>>>  Why Beauty Matters.
Art instruction begins in the earliest grades, once each week.  The curriculum begins with basic color wheel, drawing, and copying, but continues through painting and three dimensional art. Students in high school take art media and art appreciation courses for credit, and many take independent studies.

From grades K-3 students attend general music classes two to three times per week.  Beginning grade 4, students may join the beginning band.  We help young children choose an appropriate instrument, which they will study throughout their middle school years. New Covenant maintains four sections of band:  Beginning Band in grade 4; Intermediate Band in grades 5/6; a Middle School band for grades 7/8; and a jazz band in the School of Rhetoric for grades 9-12.  Students are expected to rent their own instruments from a local vendor.  New Covenant offers rental for selected larger instruments.

left:  the School of Rhetoric brass section from 2017 rehearses for its spring concert
Choral instruction is offered for middle and high school students.  There are three choirs in the school comprised of students in grades 5/6, 7/8 and 9-12.  Children in grammar school begin learning basic music theory and much of their class time is spent singing and appreciation various periods of music.
New Covenant offers an exceptional orchestra program with violin, viola and cello instruction are offered as early as grade 4.  New Covenant maintains four sections of strings:  Beginning strings in grade 4; Intermediate strings in grades 5/6; a Middle School orchestra for grades 7/8; and a full in the School of Rhetoric for grades 9-12.  Students are expected to rent their own instruments from a local vendor. New Covenant offers rental for cello. left: Joe Nigro directs the combined orchestras in the 2017 Annual Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols at Heritage Baptist Church
The arts are not optional at New Covenant.  They are central.  Our mission includes teaching students about what is good and beautiful, giving them a taste for what to love.  Art and music classes in the Grammar School begin with this end in mind. Grammar school art classes introduce students to the work of artists across the span of history.  These masterworks display a variety of techniques and inspire appreciation.  Students create their own works in response, using a wide variety of media, from paper and pencil to textiles and clay.  Children display their work each spring at the Art Fair. Music classes in grammar school are active and often a little noisy.  Children enjoy singing and moving with simple songs that teach basic music theory, playing rhythm instruments and recorders, and listening attentively to works from great compositional masters. In fourth grade, they choose to play in band or string orchestra, to develop skill with one instrument.  Students delight us with musical presentations at Christmas and in the spring.

Linda Simon is the director of Alumni Affairs.  She has been a part of the New Covenant Schools community since 2007, and brings years of experience and deep personal connection to her role as in this position. As the former Director of Admissions and proud mom of two NCS alumni, she is passionate about fostering lasting relationships between the school and its graduates. Her work focuses on keeping alumni engaged, connected, and involved in the life of the school they once called home.

lsimon@newcovenantschools.org

Kathryn Martin serves as the principal of the School of Dialectic (grades 5-8).  She first joined New Covenant as a volunteer in 1996. After earning her bachelor’s degree in education, she was hired as a fourth-grade teacher in 1998, serving as a lead teacher for eight years. She then transitioned to the middle school, where she taught English and history and spent 15 years as assistant principal. In 2022, while completing her first year in Gordon College’s Master’s in Leadership for Classical Christian Schools program, she became middle school principal. Kathryn continues to teach history and treasures the opportunity to guide students through the formative “age of becoming.”  Kathryn states “New Covenant has enriched my life in unquantifiable ways over the past 28 years, and I am, in many ways, who I am today because of my time here.”

kmartin@newcovenantschools.org

Linda Hackenbracht has served as Director of Finance at New Covenant Schools since 2018. A Virginia Tech accounting graduate and CPA, she began her career with Ernst & Young auditing nonprofit clients before becoming Controller for the Catholic Diocese of Richmond. After moving to Lynchburg, she offered financial counseling to churches and nonprofits while raising four children, all of whom attended New Covenant. Drawing on her nonprofit expertise, Linda has strengthened the school’s financial foundation and is honored to support its mission, inspired by the transformative impact of classical Christian education on her own family.

lhackenbrach@newcovenantschools.org

Dayna Renalds has served as the Director of Development since 2013. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Broadcasting and Journalism from Liberty University and her Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Tennessee.  Before her current role, she worked with the area schools as a speech therapist, bringing her expertise in communication and education to the community.  During her tenure at New Covenant Schools, Dayna has led three successful capital campaigns to expand the campus and played a key role in establishing the school’s scholarship foundation, enabling donors to receive significant tax benefits for their contributions.  Dayna enjoys spending her free time with her five children, three of whom are proud alumni of New Covenant Schools, making memories together.

drenalds@newcovenantschools.org

John Maynard has been serving in the role of Athletic Director at New Covenant since 2020 and is in his sixth year of service. John has been an Athletic Director in North Carolina, South Carolina and now Virginia; a career in the Education/Athletic field spanning 15 years. He has served on Executive Board for the Blue Ridge Athletic Conference and will continue to do so this school year. John graduated from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill in 2009 with a degree in Exercise Sport Science – Sport Administration. He is married to Kelsey Maynard, a fellow educator, and together they have one daughter.

jmaynard@newcovenantschools.org

Tiffany Fulcher is the Director of Parent Relations.  A proud mom of two New Covenant students, Tiffany has been part of the school community for years—first behind the scenes in the office and now helping parents navigate everything from lunch options to uniforms. Tiffany is the go-to person for questions regarding lunches, uniforms, or volunteer opportunities. She enjoys working with the parent community and welcomes questions and feedback.  Her goal is to make the New Covenant experience smooth for everyone in our community.  She also enjoys shopping for bargains in her free time.

tfulcher@newcovenantschools.org

Darren Johnson has served as the Facilities Manager at New Covenant since the summer of 2020.  He earned a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management from Liberty University in 1992, where he was a three-year scholarship athlete on the university’s tennis team.  Darren was employed for 25 years as the Director of Corporate Sales and Head Groundskeeper for the minor league baseball team, The Lynchburg Hillcats. In this capacity he kept the playing field in pristine condition.  He also has experience with operations and customer service in the lawn and garden industry.  Outside of work, Darren enjoys hunting, fishing, and golf. He has been married to his wife, Susanne, for 31 years, and they have two children.

djohnson@newcovenantschools.org

Dr. Erin Uminn is the Principal of the School of Rhetoric (9th-12th). She has served since 2013 when she joined the dialectic faculty to teach literature, writing, history, and Bible, a post she held for 10 years. From 2021-2024 she worked to establish a predictable and supportive structure within a classical, Christian educational framework for students in the School of Dialectic (5th – 8th) as the Student Support Coordinator. This established support later grew into the fully staffed, Marion A. Patterson Center for Paideia. She received her Ph.D. in Education from Liberty University in 2023. Her dissertation included a qualitative research study on classical, Christian educators and how their intentional leisure practices directly informed their teaching and impacted students in the classroom. Dr. Uminn holds the B.S. in Multidisciplinary Studies: English, Psychology, and Education and the M.A. in Human Services: Marriage and Family Therapy. She currently teaches Senior Thesis as an advisor and chair for the senior thesis capstone project.

euminn@newcovenantschools.org

Eliza Olson is the Director of Admissions and holds a Bachelor of Science in Counseling. She and her husband, Nick, have two children at New Covenant. Before joining the staff, Eliza served as the director of a local Classical Conversations community. Having volunteered many hours and being a parent herself, she greatly enjoys connecting with New Covenant’s prospective families. From the moment you schedule a tour, to submitting an application, to beginning your journey as the parent of a new student, Eliza will be there to guide and support you.

eolson@newcovenantschools.org

Andrea Adams is the Office Manager.  Andrea was first introduced to classical Christian education in 2010 while seeking an alternative to public schooling for her children. They attended New Covenant Schools for their middle and high school years, where they were deeply impacted by the school’s Christ-centered, rigorous approach to learning.  Over the years, she volunteered in various capacities at the school, gaining firsthand experience in school operations and community life. In 2020, she joined the staff where she continues to serve by overseeing the day-to-day functions of the office, supporting faculty and staff, and ensuring smooth communication with parents and students. Her role allows her to combine administrative excellence with a passion for fostering a nurturing, faith-based educational environment.  Andrea holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.

aadams@newcovenantschools.org

Bridges Spiva is New Covenant’s second grammar school principal, following the founding principal, Marion Patterson. She has served since 2010 and is in her sixteenth year of service. Mrs. Spiva began her tenure teaching 3rd grade in the grammar school and taught math, science, and Bible in the middle school. Prior to a career in teaching, Mrs. Spiva worked as a probation officer and supervisor with the Department of Juvenile Justice. She holds a BS in Communications, Master of Public Administration, and Master of Leadership in Classical Education. Both of her sons, Wagner (2020) and Waylon (2022) are graduates of New Covenant. Mrs. Spiva and her husband Jay enjoy cheering on the Hokies and spoiling their bulldog, Hazel.

bspiva@newcovenantschools.org

The Rev’d John Heaton is New Covenant’s second headmaster, following the founder of the school, Dr. Robert Littlejohn.  He has served since 1998 and is in his twenty sixth year of service.  He established the school on its permanent campus at Fleetwood Drive in Lynchburg, VA, and led the development of the school through five successful capital campaigns, providing the facilities which now serve more than 450 students through grade 12.  Fr. John is an ordained minister in the Reformed Episcopal Church and has served a parish in his home state of Florida.  He currently serves as the Associate Priest at All Saints Church which meets in the Marie Macdonald Chapel on the campus of New Covenant. Fr. John holds the BA and MA in theology, and the MA in liberal studies.   He teaches intermediate Greek in the School of Rhetoric, and he writes routinely for this blog below.

heaton@newcovenantschools.org

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