Creativity and self-expression are essential components to a Lakeview education and the Fine Arts Department is uniquely placed in both the academic and co-curricular life of the school. We offer courses in painting and drawing, sculpture and ceramics, photography, and digital arts. In addition to courses and performance opportunities in theater, speech, drama, chorus, string orchestra, and band. Lakeview offers on-campus private music instruction in piano, strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Designed to awaken and challenge every student’s desire to create, the Fine Arts Department is guided by practicing artists who love to teach. The artistic work of our students is an integral part of our community and every Lakeview student is involved through our award winning programs.
Joe Harris is Lakeview Academy's Fine Arts Director. Previously, he taught 6th grade music, 7th and 8th grade drama, and public speaking for the Middle School. He studied theatre and acting in Brenau University's BFA program, which is a part of the collaboration of the Gainesville Theatre Alliance, and has worked professionally as a theatre and film actor in Atlanta, GA.
Lower School music and drama teacher, Heather Beverly, holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Shorter College in communications and theater. She has been employed by Walt Disney World and brings vast music and theatre experience to the lower school.
Cece Conrath is a graduate of Auburn University with a double major in language arts and English and minors in theatre, speech, and journalism. She has been a theatre educator in Georgia since 1990 and at Lakeview Academy since 1998. Cece has directed and/or choreographed over 180 productions, has been a troupe director for more than 30 years, and sponsors Lakeview Academy's Troupe 3630. She's a member of the Georgia Thespians Chapter Board, The GHSA Committee for Fine Arts, The International Thespian Honor Society, The National Educational Theatre Association, Georgia's Outstanding Theater Educator, Georgia Thespians Hall of Fame Inductee, and Lakeview Teacher of Excellence. She directs the Upper School drama program, coaches the literary team, and helps with the other performances and school events.
Rane Hoge has been at Lakeview for two years, teaching 6th grade music, 7th and 8th grade drama, and directing the middle school play and assisting with the high school ManeStage productions. She studied theatre and acting in Brenau University's BFA program, which is a part of the collaboration of the Gainesville Theatre Alliance and has taught theatre classes at Flowery Branch High School.
Originally from South Korea via Libya, Sehoon Oh studied visual art at Davidson College (B.A./Phi Beta Kappa) and the University of Georgia (M.F.A). He completed the teacher certification program at Georgia State University. His artworks have been exhibited nationally and internationally and are collected by various organizations and individuals. He has been teaching at Lakeview since 2010 and previously taught at the Westminster Schools.
Hyeseon Suen earned her Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance at Hanyang University in South Korea. She was a part of the United College Orchestra in Seoul and was frequently showcased as a soloist for various community and university functions. Since arriving in Georgia in 1989, Ms. Suen has been actively performing, directing, and teaching with the Korean Presbyterian Church of Atlanta in various capacities: choir director, member of the Women’s Choir, guest soloist, and active member of various local Chamber Orchestras. She has been teaching strings for thirty-eight years and is currently a guest player with the UNG Orchestra. She has been teaching strings at Lakeview Academy for 13 years. Several of her students have won national accolades at the National Federation of Music Club (NFMC) festivals and have been awarded opportunities to perform with the Georgia All-State Orchestra. Ms. Suen is currently the KCPC Youth Orchestra Director as well as the Director of the Agape Mission Orchestra and is a member of both the GMEA and GMC.
Lakeview Academy is a private, coeducational day school for students in preschool through 12th grade, located in Gainesville, GA minutes off I-985/Hwy 365.