Christ Episcopal Church and its Ventana School have added two exciting new leaders. The attached article describes their backgrounds and how they will impact the church and school. With questions, contact: Sara Boadwee (church member – volunteer) [email protected] 650-964-7288 or The Rev. Malcolm Young Christ Episcopal Church 1040 Border Road Los Altos 650-948-2151
CHRIST CHURCH AND ITS VENTANA SCHOOL ADD LEADERS
Los Altos’s Christ Episcopal Church and Ventana School have added two new leaders who embody its mission to nurture minds and hearts. Nicole Bien joins the staff as the first Head of School, bringing both educational and business strengths to the seven-year-old Episcopal school. Eric Tuan, a recent Stanford graduate with impressive credits as a conductor and composer, will lead the church choir.
Ventana School will benefit from Bien’s deep commitment to education. A graduate of Columbia Business School and Yale, Bien built businesses for G.M. and Yahoo before beginning doctoral research in education. She says it was her experiences as a volunteer tutor, English language teacher, and board – combined with her perspective as an Education Pioneer Fellow focusing on education reforms – that showed her she could apply her skills to make an impact in this vital area.
Bien joins Robin Jurs, the Preschool Director, and Elisa Merrifield, Assistant Head of School, in leading the school’s “child-directed and project-based” learning. Bien is excited to take the progressive school to a new level, and eventually “to share,” making it a model for schools interested in educating the whole child
Tuan offers multi-talents as a conductor, performer and composer. While still a student, his compositions were performed by the professional chamber choir Volti and by the acclaimed Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir. He also transcribed and directed performances of two newly discovered Renaissance works. The tenor will continue to perform with several professional ensembles.
Tuan’s experience studying and singing in Oxford, England, immersed him in the Anglican/Episcopal choral tradition, which he has come to love. “The great thing about the Episcopal church is the rich tradition of music,” he said.
Tuan plans to offer a concert series, expand the choir and start a youth choir. People interested in joining need no experience, just a willingness to learn and a desire to sing.
For more information on Ventana School or on applying for a limited number of 2012-13 openings, or for 2013-14 programs, visit www.ventanaschool.org For more information about the church’s choral program, email [email protected].
