The Thacher School

Our approach to the Arts at Thacher is much like our approach to everything else: We provide students with the foundational tools and true support they need to take chances and discover their own voices.

Every student takes at least two years of arts courses. It starts in their ninth grade year with a rotating introduction to studio arts, performance studies, and music. It continues with more specialized courses, providing a deeper exploration of technique and process while continuing to cultivate creativity, expression, and spontaneity.

Students regularly have the chance to perform and exhibit their work on campus and off, opening up opportunities for dialogue and discussion about individual works. Above all, the Thacher community emphasizes respect for varied perspectives and critiques.

Academic offerings in the arts are complemented by dynamic opportunities beyond the classroom, including plays, musicals, dance training and performances, student-run productions, independent study projects, and more. Additionally, artists and performers with expertise in various mediums visit campus regularly for presentations, performances, and workshops with students.

Academics at Thacher

List of 9 members.

Mr. Gregory Haggard

Chair of the Arts Department and Director of the Music Program

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University of California, Los Angeles - BA
University of California, Los Angeles - MA

Bio
With a heart-and-soul love of melody and harmony, Gregory brings his talent to Thacher from Hollywood, where he worked as a composer and music director. This UCLA graduate now serves as chair of the Arts Department and its musical director, and he teaches all the curricular music classes, from Music Appreciation to AP Music Theory (for which he is a national reader). Greg particularly enjoys collaborating with students on the school musical, for which he is musical director. He also oversees and rehearses with students doing independent projects in music or music performance.

When Extra-Day Trips come around, Gregory happily heads for the hills. Two of his favorite spots are the Pine Mountain Lodge in the Sespe and Rae Lake in the Sierra. To enrich camping trips, Gregory developed the Thacher School Song Book, a portable collection of campfire songs.

An advisor to junior boys, he lives on campus with his wife, Tami, and their two daughters.
Mr. Evan Avery

Director of the Chamber Ensemble and the Jazz Ensemble

University of North Texas - BA
University of Southern California - MA

Bio
Born and raised in Southern California, Evan developed a passion for music at an early age. Although trumpet is his primary instrument, he has developed his piano and percussion skills as well. After earning his bachelor's degree in music from the University of North Texas, Evan spent several years as a professional trumpet player, music arranger, and orchestrator in Los Angeles. He continued his education at USC, where he earned his Master’s degree in Jazz Studies. Evan spent three years as the director of bands at the Buckley School, and then twenty-three years at Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences, serving as chair of the Music Department and working with jazz and strings students. Evan is thrilled to be living in Ojai with his family, working with amazing young musicians, and advising sophomore boys.
Mr. John Bueti

Wood Design Teacher

Extension 261

Bio
John Bueti graduated from North Bennet Street School, the oldest woodworking school in the country; then, after working with others in the field, launched his own woodworking business in the Boston area. In the winter of 2001-02, John joined Thacher’s Fine Arts program as an Artist-in-Residence specializing in Wood Design—a move that set the stage for the Bueti family’s relocation to Ojai from Concord, MA. For several years now, John has teamed up with Bo Manson as a master craftsman and teacher in Thacher's Wood Design program, guiding many students through the intricacies of this particular art form. When not assisting students with their projects, John continues his work as a custom furniture maker in the wood shop.
Ms. Gianna Burright
Ms. Megan Hooker

Ceramics Teacher and Independent Project Coordinator

University of California, Santa Barbara - BA

Bio
Born and raised in the area, Megan graduated from UCSB with a bachelor’s degree in global studies with an emphasis in Africa. She has spent time exploring countries around the world by foot, bike, and surfboard. Megan teaches ceramics and works in the horse department. Her love of working with clay began over a decade ago, and the transformative relationship between clay and fire keeps her perpetually enthralled. She grew up riding and finds much joy in instructing freshmen students in the barns and co-leading horse packing trips in the Sespe and in the Sierras. In her spare time, Megan pursues her craft at her home studio and enjoys the outdoors as much as possible. Megan lives in downtown Ojai with her dog Roo and her two cats Ranger and Pip.
Ms. Grace Lowe

Assistant Director of Admission

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New York University Tisch School of the Arts
Goddard College - Bachelor of Arts

Bio
Grace Lowe CdeP 2011 returned to her home state of Minnesota after studying at the New Studio on Broadway (NYU Tisch School of the Arts) and Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She graduated from Goddard College with a bachelor’s degree in urban geography and had the privilege of working with the City of Minneapolis and Intermedia Arts on passing the Blueprint for Equitable Engagement – an initiative to enact social change through inclusive neighborhood engagement and the arts. Grace works in Admission, and advises in Casa.
Ms. Elizabeth Mahoney

Visual Arts Teacher and Riding Instructor

Skidmore College - BA

Bio
CdeP 1988

Upon graduation from Skidmore College and prior to coming to Thacher, Elizabeth was a working artist exhibiting her paintings in galleries throughout Southern California. She also worked as a freelance photographer and designer, further enhancing her artistic background. She has brought these skills and her passion for the arts to Thacher as a teacher of AP Studio Art and photography.

Elizabeth is also Director of English Riding Program at Thacher with a very qualified background. She has over 20 years of riding experience and was a member of Skidmore's National Collegiate IHSA championship team. After completing her collegiate riding career she also ran her own English riding show barn, training and riding horses on the A circuit.
Mr. Lisandro Malissia

Theater Technical Director, World Language--Spanish Instructor

Bio
Born and raised in Argentina, Lisandro grew up with a healthy respect for how to live in harmony with the land. He studied medicine at the University of Cordoba. While attending his internship, he realized his passion for music and made a career change into the world of sound and recording arts, leading him to open a recording studio and host his own radio program, as well as mix sound for a plethora of live venues. Lisandro’s passion for music and sound eventually led him to documentary film-making, which opened the doors to a fantastic journey to over 25 countries around the world. On his international adventure, he met his lovely wife, a California native and Ojai local. They settled in Upper Ojai six years ago to raise their two daughters. Next to music, his deepest passion is his family and his community, which is why he has chosen to work at The Thacher School—to be close to home and in the heart of a community that supports the development of its young people. In his spare time, he enjoys camping, swimming, live music and theatre, and any opportunity he gets to add new places to his extensive list of travels.
Mr. Bo Manson

Wood Design Teacher, Rock Climbing Instructor

University of Virginia - BA
University of Virginia - MEd

Bio
Over the past thirty years, Bo has discovered a way to blend his vocation and his avocations, bringing his love of woodworking, rock climbing, and camping into his work at Thacher. Accordingly, he teaches Wood Design, an Arts Department elective focused on the design and construction of heirloom-quality furniture. He also heads the Rock Climbing Program, and leads Outdoor Program camping trips throughout the Sespe and Sierra. Drawing on his professional experiences as a boat builder in San Diego, California, and Melbourne, Australia, Bo instructs students in the design and construction of fine furniture. In addition, he has introduced generations of Thacher students to the demands and rewards of rock climbing. “Whether we summit or retreat,” Bo says, “we always feel tremendous satisfaction in knowing that we have challenged ourselves, worked together as a dedicated, supportive group, and returned to campus safely.” Bo also designs and builds furniture for clients, both on and off campus. Bo and his wife, Julie, raised their four children on the Thacher campus. All four are Thacher graduates and now have children of their own. Bo hopes that some of his grandchildren might attend Thacher someday.