Art

   Mary Aalbue is an accomplished educator and theatre professional dedicated to nurturing creativity and learning through the arts. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from the University at Buffalo. She was awarded for her outstanding research during her academic tenure in London, focusing on culture and theatre. Building on this foundation, Mary pursued a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre at Long Island University. She continued to expand her expertise with an Advanced Certificate in Educational Theatre from Adelphi University and obtained her NYS Certification in Theatre PK-12.

Currently, Ms. Aalbue works as a Theater and Reading teacher at BHSMS and serves as head of the art department, She is honored to have been recognized as an Arthur Miller Fellow and collaborated with the NYU Verbatim Performance Lab. Ms. Aalbue has been instrumental in creating the BHSMS theatre program from the ground up. Both the curriculum and the vibrant artist community in our school owes much to her vision and commitment. People with her innovative approach have greatly influenced the students to get out of their comfort zone and plunge into their creativity.

By including her work with the Metropolitan Opera Access program, Ms. Aalbue has also worked to introduce students to new forms of art. Therefore, it is evident that such activities have helped enhance their artistic outlook and appreciation of different forms of culture. Moreover, her effective organization of theatre excursions has developed students’ interest towards arts, giving them the opportunity to see shows on Broadway. A testament to her dedication to student success, Ms. Aalbue helped one of her students apply for the MoMA Teens Program, resulting in the student’s artwork being displayed at the Museum of Modern Art. This accomplishment not only highlights her commitment to nurturing talent but also showcases the possibilities that arise from her guidance.

Ms. Aalbue is also an active participant on the MOSL committee, where her insights contribute to the continuous improvement of our school’s assessment practices. She fosters strong relationships with her students, creating a safe and encouraging environment that allows them to express themselves, as demonstrated in the successful production of the first school play.

Ms. Aalbue’'s commitment to education extends beyond traditional classrooms. As a Theatre Counselor at Camp Winnebago and an Actor Educator with Children’s Stage Adventures, she directed productions and conducted workshops that inspired creativity and confidence in young performers throughout New England. She has instructed students in Acting, Musical Theatre, Improv, and Shakespeare studies. She also held roles such as Education Coordinator at C2 Education and Assistant Children’s Director at Sid Jacobson JCC, contributing to the development and nurturing of youth theatre programs.

In addition to her academic and professional accomplishments, Ms. Aalbue  holds certifications in College Counseling from the National Association for College Admission Counseling and in Trauma-Informed Resilient Schools from Starr Commonwealth. Passionate about arts education and dedicated to empowering students through theatre, Ms. Aalbue continues to explore new avenues to enrich learning and foster a love for the performing arts in young minds.

Margo Carlovich

Margo Carlovich is an artist and art educator with an interest in a wide variety of artistic mediums and disciplines including drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, fiber arts, collage, photography, graphic design, and digital media. Her lifelong love of art turned into a passion for arts education while attending conservatory style studio classes at LaGuardia Arts High School in Manhattan. She continued her education at Binghamton University where she earned a BA in Studio Art with a concentration in Drawing and a minor in Education. Carlovich later earned her MA in K-12 Visual Arts Education at Hunter College where her teacher training helped her develop her educational approach that focuses on social-emotional learning, project-based learning, and culturally responsive curriculum. 

Carlovich hopes to continue integrating the arts into BHSMS’s school culture through providing our students a variety of art experiences, skill-based instruction, extracurricular art activities (Art Club) ,trips, and events.

  Max Keisling is an educator and musician devoted to using student expertise and experience in his class. He earned a Bachelor of Music at Ithaca College with a concentration on voice. Max’s primary interests are music production and modern band. A devoted enjoyer of music, Max builds a curriculum around cultivating a lifelong love of music. He believes in taking student musical knowledge and incorporating it into his curriculum. This belief led him to obtain a Master in Education Policy from Teachers College. Max builds his classroom around student choice and Project Based Learning. 

Professionally, Max plays keyboard and sings backup vocals in Preachermann and The Revival. He and his band perform throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. Starting in August, Preachermann and The Revival will have two monthly residencies at the Shrine of Harlem and the Williamsburg Music Center until 2025.

A believer in communal music making, Max offers an open invitation for musical family/community members to come in and share their art with the students of BHSMS. Please reach out if you would like to come in. 

There are many ways to get involved in the music program at BHSMS. If you have any experience or want to learn more, find Max and introduce yourself.