Viewpoint’s commitment to well-being was on full display on Monday, April 13, during the third annual Wellness Day, as Upper School students stepped away from their daily routines to reset.

The day featured dozens of sessions, each offering a different entry point into wellness, from movement and mindfulness to creative expression and social connection, led by Director of Student Wellness Rebecca Heller in collaboration with faculty, staff, and student leaders.

“Wellness Day was intentionally designed around student choice, because we know there is no one-size-fits-all approach to well-being,” said Heller. “When students are given the opportunity to explore coping strategies that resonate with them, they build self-awareness, confidence, and lifelong skills. Helping students discover what supports them best is a critical part of preparing them to be resilient, healthy, and world ready.”

One of the day’s most popular offerings was goat yoga in the Ecolet, where students rolled out their mats as playful goats wandered through the session, adding an unexpected twist and plenty of laughter.

During the event, students explored ways to recharge through guided meditation, sound baths, journaling, and hands-on experiences like baking and crocheting. 

Other sessions focused on building practical skills, including supporting friends, strengthening communication, and navigating social dynamics with greater awareness. Students also had opportunities to get moving through workouts, basketball, and other outdoor activities.

Together, the day’s wide range of offerings gave students the opportunity to explore what well-being looks like for them in meaningful and personal ways.

Viewpoint’s Music Department marked the month of March with two Middle and Upper School concerts, bringing student musicians from the band and choral programs to the Carlson Family Theater.

On March 16, the Spring Band Concert featured a wide range of ensembles, including the Combined Beginning Middle School and Sixth Grade Band, Middle School Concert Winds, Upper School Wind Ensemble, The Four and a Half, and Middle and Upper School Jazz ensembles. 

The program opened with selections such as “Golondrina” by Jorge Vargas and “Red Comet” by Michael Oare. The Middle School Concert Winds performed “Ijó Ajoyo” by Duroje Gwamna and “Pastel Sunset” by Heather Hoefle, along with “The Throne Room” from Star Wars, arranged by Johnnie Vinson. The Upper School Wind Ensemble presented works including “Baba Yetu” and “Sir Duke,” arranged by Jay Bocook, with additional selections conducted by seniors Noah Fournier ’26 and Romy Harari ’26. The program also featured a flute duet by Ellen Su ’28 and Colin Brun ’26, as well as student-arranged works. The concert concluded with performances by the Middle School Jazz Lab and Upper School Jazz Ensemble, featuring selections such as “Basically Basie,” “Black Orpheus,” and “I Love You More Today Than Yesterday.”

The concert series continued on March 18 with the Sixth through Twelfth Grade Choral Concert. The program featured performances by Voices Now, Viewpoint’s unique performance group of Upper School singers, Sixth Grade Choir, Middle School Vocal Ensemble, Upper School Concert Choir, and Combined Choirs. 

Voices Now opened the evening with “It’s Your Thing” by The Isley Brothers, arranged by Voices Now director Bill Brendle, followed by “Both Sides Now” by Joni Mitchell. The Sixth Grade Choir performed “Bhombela,” a traditional Zulu piece with student rhythm leaders, and “Sing to Me.” The Middle School Vocal Ensemble performed “The Old Mill” and “I Sing Because I’m Happy,” while the Upper School Concert Choir presented selections including “Lacrimosa” from Mozart’s Requiem and “Fire (from Elements)” by Katerina Gimon. The concert concluded with a combined choir performance of “Happy Together,” bringing all vocalists together for the finale.

As the spring semester continues, our musicians will take part in Arts Fest on Saturday, May 30, a culminating celebration of the arts at Viewpoint. The event will feature student work from across all divisions, including visual art, film, theatre, dance, and musical performances.

Two Viewpoint Seniors have earned national recognition for their work behind the camera. Andrew Neville ’26 and Ben Chesed ’26, students in Viewpoint’s Documentary Filmmaking class, were recognized in the 2026 C-SPAN StudentCam Competition, a contest that challenges students to create short films exploring public policy issues. This year’s theme commemorated the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence.

Neville was awarded Third Place in the High School Western Division for his documentary, “The 2025 Calabasas Landfill Controversy,” which examines the conflict surrounding Los Angeles County’s disposal of Palisades fire debris in the Calabasas landfill and its impact on nearby communities. 

Chesed received an Honorable Mention for his film, “New College Athlete,” which explores how name, image, and likeness (NIL) policies are reshaping college athletics. The documentary features interviews with former USC football players and NFL athletes Matt Leinart and LenDale White, who reflect on how the system has evolved since their time in college.

Both films were selected among 150 winning entries nationwide. In addition to his recognition from C-SPAN, Neville’s work was also featured in the Los Angeles Daily News.

“I’ve run on the trails adjacent to the Calabasas Landfill for over ten years,” he said. “As a longtime local resident, I feel a responsibility to protect the environment in which I’ve grown up.”

Chesed, who has long followed college athletics, was drawn to the complexity of NIL policies and their rapid impact on the sports landscape.

“I wanted to make something that actually explains what’s going on, not just repeat what people already hear,” he said. “NIL creates real opportunities, but also raises questions about fairness and the future of college sports.”

The StudentCam Competition invites thousands of students from across the country to engage with complex civic issues through documentary filmmaking, highlighting the importance of student voice in addressing real-world challenges. Both students received cash prizes and plan to reinvest them in Viewpoint’s film program.

Congratulations to Neville, Chesed and the Viewpoint film program on this achievement.

Viewpoint’s dancers took the stage on Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14 for the annual Spring Dance Concert, delivering an evening of performances that showcased both range and artistry in the Carlson Family Theater.

Celebrating connection and the power of storytelling through dance, the concert highlighted the growth and accomplishments of students across Lower, Middle, and Upper School. The program featured a wide range of styles, including Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Jazz, and Ballroom, offering something for every audience member.

Co-artistic directors Gabrielle Brown and Justine Fink led the production, which reflected months of collaboration, creativity and dedication. Across two acts, audiences experienced a diverse lineup of works, from high-energy pieces like “1999” and “Let’s Go” to more introspective performances such as “Only Human,” “Real” and “Home.” The program also featured standout student choreography and solo performances, highlighting the individuality and artistic voice of each dancer.

“Although our dancers bring varying levels of experience, they are united in their passion and work ethic,” Brown said. “It has been inspiring to watch their growth and confidence throughout the process.”

“This concert celebrates both the grit and passion poured into every routine,” Fink added. “Behind each performance are countless hours of work, trust and collaboration.”

The concert also featured costume and lighting design that enhanced each performance. Dance ensembles included Viewpoint Dance Company, Upper School Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Middle School Dance Company, and Lower and Middle School dancers.