F.A.D.E.

Fine Arts Diploma Endorsement
(F.A.D.E.) Program

The Fine Arts Diploma Endorsement (F.A.D.E.) program is unique to the Bishop McNamara High School Community. This program serves to refine students' talent and skill, cultivate a community of respect, appreciation, and understanding of the arts, and acknowledge students' dedication to the Fine Arts throughout their high school career.

Students who graduate with the Fine Arts Diploma Endorsement receive a notation on their transcripts, a special certificate at the Senior Honors Convocation, and a F.A.D.E. Honor Cord to wear at graduation.

The F.A.D.E. Program requires specific Fine Arts coursework as well as attendance and participation in school and community performances and art exhibits. The students are also required to attend the BMHS Guest Artist Series; each Colloquium features artists of various art forms. During their senior year, students of F.A.D.E. will share their individual talents with one another, the underclassmen members of the F.A.D.E. Program, and members of the BMHS community at the F.A.D.E. Senior Showcase.

Throughout the three years enrolled in the program, students take time to meet artists of all backgrounds, experience performances and exhibits of all genres, and learn from teachers and peers at BMHS, broadening and enriching their fine arts experience.

For program Requirements - go to BMHS Fine Arts Diploma Endorsement Program Requirements

Class of 2027: Please click here for the application! Deadline: Sept. 10.

2024 - 2025 Guest Artist Series Dates

Syncopated Ladies - September 3, 2024

Syncopated Ladies

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

6:30 PM

Fine Arts Theatre, Bishop McNamara High School

Chloe and Maud are a sister dancing, choreographing, and producing duo. Both Internationally recognized tap dancers and graduates of Columbia University in Film, Emmy Award Nominated Chloe, and her sister Maud Arnold are creating opportunities to elevate and celebrate the Art of Tap Dancing through Film, TV, and live events.

Their work has taken them worldwide, to over 30 countries. Chloe's choreography was recently featured in Jerry Seinfeld's Unfrosted on Netflix, Apple TV+ musical film Spirited starring Ryan Reynolds, Will Ferrell and Octavia Spencer, as well as over 80 episodes of The Late Late Night with James Corden. Maud's choreography was featured in Hulu's hit Theatre Camp starring Ben Platt.

Chloe along with the support of Maud, founded Syncopated Ladies, a Female Tap Dance Band widely known for their viral videos. With Chloe and Maud paving the way and carving out Syncopated Ladies’ own place in the industry, they have garnished over 100 million views online from their music videos to appearances on The Talk, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Ellen, Good Morning America, CNN's New Year's Eve, Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas to All, Bel Air, and So You Think You Can Dance. They have received praise from Beyonce, Whoopi Goldberg on The View, Shonda Rhimes, Janet Jackson, as well as many other celebrities and news outlets around the world.

Click here for more info!

Kahina Haynes - October 21, 2024

Kahina Haynes

Monday, October 21, 2024

6:30 PM

Mona Center, Bishop McNamara High School

Kahina Haynes, Executive Director of The Dance Institute of Washington since 2016, is a passionate arts activist and the visionary architect behind one of Washington, D.C.’s leading models for advancing equity in community health, development, and achievement outcomes. Utilizing an innovative and holistic systems approach, The Dance Institute of Washington uses it platforms to educate, create, and advance practices to address longstanding disparities in the dance industry. Following the untimely passing of the Institute’s Founder Fabian Barnes, Haynes led a strategic revitalization of the organization which saw a breadth of new radical program designs, the award of a groundbreaking federal funding appropriation of $1 million from the U.S. Congress, and a multi-year facilities renovation to outfit the flagship site to expand on its 44,000-family reach.

Prior to her Executive Director role, Haynes worked in organizational development and process evaluation and strategy for a number of philanthropies and multi-laterals including the United Nations (Bureau for Development Policy at UNDP), the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, SafeKids Worldwide, the World Bank Group, and the U.S. Department of State. Haynes was recently recognized by the National Black Voices for Black Justice Fund as a 2022 awardee for work in addressing structural and systemic racism and is also the recipient of the David Bradt Non-profit Leadership Award (2021). She holds a B.A. from Princeton University with a Minor in African American Studies and a concentration in Dance, as well as an MSC from Oxford University in Evidence-based Social Intervention.

The Kennedy Center, &Juliet - December 18, 2024

&Juliet

Wednesday, December 18 2024

7:30 pm

The Kennedy Center

Students will attend a performance of the musical &Juliet at The Kennedy Center. This vibrant production reimagines Juliet’s life if she chose a new beginning instead of tragedy, exploring her journey with a fresh, modern twist. It promises to be a delightful and entertaining romantic comedy that you won't want to miss!

Afro Blue - January 23, 2025

Afro Blue

Thursday, January 23, 2025

6:30 PM

Fine Arts Theatre, Bishop McNamara High School

Formed in the spring of 2002, Afro Blue, the dynamic vocal jazz ensemble from Howard University, has performed to wide critical acclaim. Singing music similar to the styles of Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, The Manhattan Transfer and Take 6, while adding their own unique sound, Afro Blue continues to maintain a standard of excellence from year to year. Their repertoire is an eclectic mix of musical styles including traditional and contemporary jazz favorites, modern jazz and R & B influenced original material, Spirituals, and Gospel.

Afro Blue has a rich performance history having reached the top four on The Sing-Off, NBC-TV’s a cappella group competition; joined the legendary Bobby McFerrin in selections from his Grammy - nominated VOCAbuLarieS album as part of the D.C. Jazz Festival; and appeared in concert multiple times with world-class jazz pianist and Howard university alumna, Geri Allen. Afro Blue has been featured on NPR in a segment of All Things Considered, a Tiny Desk Concert, and an hour-long Christmas special titled “An Afro Blue Christmas,” which airs on Public Radio stations nationally during the holiday season.

F.A.D.E. Senior Showcase - February 6, 2025

F.A.D.E. Senior Showcase

Thursday, February 6, 2025

6:30 PM

Fine Arts Theatre, Bishop McNamara High School

This presentation will feature our current senior members of the F.A.D.E. Program as they showcase their primary focus in the arts. This is a wonderful evening to celebrate the hard work, dedication, and talent of our senior class. Enjoy a wonderful evening of Art, Dance, Music, and Theatre.

Thea Washington - February 20, 2025

Thea Washington

Thursday, February 20, 2025

6:30 PM

Mona Center, Bishop McNamara High School

Thea Washington is a Baltimore native and a prominent Casting Director, Producer, and Consultant in the Baltimore, DC, and VA metropolitan area, specializing in film, television, commercials, and new media. Her expertise has led her to work with
prestigious networks and platforms, including HBOMAX, Netflix, Marvel, and Apple TV, contributing to the diversity and richness of content across the industry.
As a member of the Casting Society of America (CSA), Thea has made significant strides in her field, particularly in her hometown, where her work on HBOMAX's "We Own This City" stands out as a career highlight. Collaborating with esteemed colleagues like Grant Wilfley and Allison Hall, Thea played a pivotal role in creating over 3,000 job opportunities for background actors in Baltimore, reflecting her deep commitment to her community and her passion for nurturing local talent.
In addition to her professional achievements, Thea is a dedicated mom and fiancée, balancing her career with her personal life with grace and commitment. She is an active member of the Arts & Culture Council for Mayor Brandon and Baltimore City and is the visionary behind the "Shining Stars" program, which opens doors for young Baltimore City Public School students to explore the film industry.
Passionate about empowering women, the next generation of filmmakers, and people of color both in front of and behind the camera, Thea's work is a testament to her dedication to creating inclusive, diverse opportunities in the creative sector. Her motto of leading with kindness and casting with integrity encapsulates her approach to her profession, underscoring her influence and legacy in the industry as a figure of inspiration and leadership.

Fine Arts Calendar

Guest Artist Series

The Fine Arts Department is proud to present this series of guest artists each year. We invite visual artists, dancers, instrumentalists, singers, actors, and/or other artists to come and perform for and talk with our community. This series also serves as our Fine Arts Diploma Endorsement Program Colloquia.

This series is open and free to all members of our community. Each evening will consist of a performance, presentation, and/or discussion, followed by a question and answer period for our community.