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Fine
Arts: Band, Choir, Visual Arts, and Drama
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Mr. Bob Gorham - Band and Strings...
Mr. Bob Gorham teaches instrumental music (band and strings)
from 4th grade through 12th grade. His classes include the
high school Wind Ensemble, middle school Concert Band, sixth
grade Junior Band, 'zero hour' jazz band and string classes
beginning with the 4th grade.
In addition to the two major community concerts performed
each year on the Life Center Campus, groups perform at school
events and chapels, Seattle Center, Leavenworth, Olympia State
Capitol, retirement centers, and local events such as Festival
of Trees. Life Christian students also compete in area solo
and group contests. The high school Pep Band and DrumLine
(our enthusiastic percussion ensemble), are known for adding
lot's of spirit to the football and basketball seasons.
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Mr. Gorham came to Life Christian after a
30 year career with Tacoma Public Schools. Coaching students
from an openly Christian perspective these past 10 years
at Life Christian have been invigorating. Working with a
dedicated staff with supportive leadership keeps a person
on the growing edge. He received his Bachelor's degree in
Music Education from Seattle Pacific University, a Masters
of Arts from UCLA, and Administration Credentials from Western
Washington University. Mr. and Mrs. Gorham lives in Tacoma
and have three grown children, and two grandchildren.
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Denise Geesey-
Lower School Music ...
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Her High School and Middle school classes also perform throughout
the year at chapels and for the public in full scale plays
and choir field trips.
Musical Theatre is Mrs. Gaukel's specialty, having earned
a MFA in Musical Theatre Performance from the Cincinnati Conservatory
of Music. She really enjoys teaching singing, acting and dance
, and she is in charge of the yearly high school Musical.
All in all, she is a very busy lady, and loving every minute
of it!
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Mrs. Susan Gaukel - Choir and Theatre...
Mrs. Susan Gaukel teaches High School and Middle School Choir,
and Middle and High School Theatre Arts. She also teaches
the middle school journalism class that puts out the "Eagle
Eye" Newspaper. She came to Life Christian after living,
studying and performing in such cities as Philadelphia, Cincinnati
and New York City. She loves to share her passion for music
and theatre with her students. She lives in Tacoma with her
husband and daughter, and loves the beauty of the Northwest
as compared to the "cityscapes" she is used to.
Mrs. Gaukel's choirs perform in three major concerts per year
at Life Center, in addition to several smaller performances
in Tacoma and Seattle. The Chamber choir (which includes an
all girls a capella group called "Perfect Harmony"
and a male a capella group called "One Accord")
also competes each year at the Commencement Bay Region High
School Vocal Solo/ Ensemble Contest.
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Mr. Dennis Hanson - Art..
Mr. Dennis Hanson was born and raised in Tacoma. After
graduating from Mount Tahoma High School, he earned a degree
in Art Education from Pacific Lutheran University, and a Masters
degree in Curriculum and Administration from Gonzaga University.
He taught Art in the Franklin Pierce School District for 33
years. He did his teacher internship at Washington High School,
then taught at Keithley Jr. High, Washington High School,
and Keitley Middle School (after it changed from a Jr. High).
He has coached for 32 years. (boys' baseball all 32 years,
boys' football for 19 seasons, boys' basketball for 15, girls'
fast pitch for 13, and girls' basketball for one season).
During these busy times he really enjoyed the relationships
he developed with the students "outside" the classroom.
After retiring from the State Public School System last year,
Mr. Hanson felt blessed to have found an Art position at Life
Christian School and Academy.
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He currently teaches 6th through 12 grade Art.
His students present two major art shows each year and compete
in area art contests. He is very impressed with the effort
and quality of work the students are putting forth, the smaller
class sizes, the very supportive faculty and administration,
and the strong Christian emphasis that runs through the "veins"
of the school. It's always challenging to make a switch in
life, but he is finding that he has new energy and enthusiasm
and is excited to experience new horizons.
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