NHSAEF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, all-volunteer organization. It supports and promotes the arts education program at Northwood High School in Pittsboro, NC. Fundraising efforts provide Teacher Grants for the ongoing work of the department. The Carlin Camp Fund supports students' summer arts activities and Annual College Scholarships recognize graduates' achievements in the visual and performing arts. Since its inception in 2007, NHSAEF has presented more than $80,000 in scholarships and grants.
In addition to fundraising, NHSAEF provides promotions assistance, advocacy, and hospitality at NHS arts events. Members volunteer expertise and resources, assist faculty, and serve as consultants, chaperones, and mentors. Contact us to get involved!
Coursework, honor societies, competitions, concerts, extracurricular clubs, events and field trips provide comprehensive, standards-based learning experiences for NHS students. Northwood has offered classes in four arts disciplines (visual arts, music, theatre arts, and dance) for more than 50 years. An early National Endowment for the Arts grant brought dance to NHS in the 1970s. That visionary effort gives Northwood the distinction of being the oldest, comprehensive, public high school arts education program in North Carolina.
Northwood has chapters of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts, the International Thespian Society, the Tri-M International Music Honor Society, and the National Art Honor Society. In 2013, NHS received the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts School of Excellence Award. It is one of five NC schools to receive the honor for Outstanding Achievement in Arts Education and one of only two high schools. In April 2018, NHS received the SupportMusic Merit Award from the NAMM Foundation as part of their National Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) program. In the following 4 years, the entire CCS system has received the BCME award each year.
VISUAL ARTS
Arts Education Department Chair Leslie Burwell received her bachelor’s in psychology with a minor in art and theatre at the University of South Carolina. Leslie taught theater at Zebulon Elementary Arts Magnet. She received her Arts Education Degree at Meredith College in 1991.
She began teaching Visual Arts at NHS in 2002. She
VISUAL ARTS
Arts Education Department Chair Leslie Burwell received her bachelor’s in psychology with a minor in art and theatre at the University of South Carolina. Leslie taught theater at Zebulon Elementary Arts Magnet. She received her Arts Education Degree at Meredith College in 1991.
She began teaching Visual Arts at NHS in 2002. She is a National Board Certified teacher in Art for the young and adult learner. She served as a member of the NC Governor's Teacher Network in 2015. She was selected as Northwood's Teacher of the Year and Chatham County Teacher of the Year for 2015 and 2016. She traveled to South Africa in 2016 as Go Global NC Borchardt Fund Awardee. In 2017, she attended the first Alumni trip with Go Global NC to Morocco.
Burwell is the proud mom of two NHS Alumni ! Rebecca is a program director at Oberlin College in Ohio. Daniel works in NYC in Compliance for Bank of America. She spends free time with her husband Lee, traveling, hiking, and gardening.
CHORAL MUSIC
Originally from San Diego, Michael Cohn received both his MFA and BA in Classical Piano Performance at the University of California, Irvine ’21 and University of California, San Diego ’17 respectively. Piano is his main instrument, but he also has a love for jazz which led him to play the saxophone, clarinet, and flute growing
CHORAL MUSIC
Originally from San Diego, Michael Cohn received both his MFA and BA in Classical Piano Performance at the University of California, Irvine ’21 and University of California, San Diego ’17 respectively. Piano is his main instrument, but he also has a love for jazz which led him to play the saxophone, clarinet, and flute growing up. Favorite composers include Brahms, Beethoven, Clara Schumann, and Antonin Dvorak, although his musical interests are not solely focused on classical music. He also enjoys alternative and classic rock, especially the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Who and Weezer. Cohn has been teaching music since 2012 during his freshman year of college. His teaching is solely student-centered, with a focus on making music fun and engaging, while diving deeply into skills and technique along the way.
Growing up, he spent most of his time delving into the world of music, or competitively swimming, where he competed at the collegiate level at UCSD. In June of 2022, he moved to NC with his wife, Rachel so she could begin med school at UNC-Chapel Hill. Now in his free time, you can usually find him outdoors, hiking, cycling, running or swimming.
DANCE
Kristen found her love of dance during her time as a student here at Northwood High. She went on to attended East Carolina University where she received a bachelor’s degree in Dance Education. This is her 11th year teaching at Northwood and she could not be happier to share her dream job with such an amazing and supportive arts depar
DANCE
Kristen found her love of dance during her time as a student here at Northwood High. She went on to attended East Carolina University where she received a bachelor’s degree in Dance Education. This is her 11th year teaching at Northwood and she could not be happier to share her dream job with such an amazing and supportive arts department. When she is not teaching dance, Kristen enjoys spending time with her husband Stephen and her children, Grady and Charlie Jo.
THEATRE
Kayla Sharp has taught theatre at Northwood High School since 2013. She graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Theatre Education K-12. She is a member of the Appalachian Consortium of Theatre Teachers (ACTT) and North Carolina Theatre Arts Educators (NCTAE). Kayla has directed over 15 productions at Northwood
THEATRE
Kayla Sharp has taught theatre at Northwood High School since 2013. She graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Theatre Education K-12. She is a member of the Appalachian Consortium of Theatre Teachers (ACTT) and North Carolina Theatre Arts Educators (NCTAE). Kayla has directed over 15 productions at Northwood and facilitates the improvisation teams and the International Thespian Society (ITS).
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Hagan Zoellers comes to Northwood after teaching and performing as a professional musician in the Midwest. He directs the Marching Chargers, the Symphonic Band, the Concert Band, and the Jazz Band.
Originally from London, KY, he completed his studies at the University of Louisville, the University of Cincinnati College–Co
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Hagan Zoellers comes to Northwood after teaching and performing as a professional musician in the Midwest. He directs the Marching Chargers, the Symphonic Band, the Concert Band, and the Jazz Band.
Originally from London, KY, he completed his studies at the University of Louisville, the University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music, and The Ohio State University. Before coming to Northwood, he taught students of all ages privately and as part of the instructional staff at successful band programs in Kentucky and Ohio. He also serves as an arranger and show designer for marching bands in the Triangle area.
Hagan has performed with the Cincinnati (formerly Fillmore) Wind Band, the University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music Wind Symphony, and the University of Louisville Wind Ensemble. He is a member of NAfME, Phi Mu Alpha, The Society for Music Theory, and The American Musicological Society.
Copyright © 2022 NHSAEF - All Rights Reserved. Tax ID #26-1304244
NHSAEF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, all-volunteer organization. Gifts support student scholarships and teacher grants for Northwood arts education.
NHSAEF is a proud member of ArtsNC, the statewide advocacy organization for the arts and arts education.
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