King’s Performing Arts Program Inspires Students Through Professional Mentorship

King School’s Performing Arts program welcomed two distinguished guest artists in September, enriching classes ahead of the fall performance season. Middle school students worked with musician and educator Hubert Chen and upper school students participated in a masterclass led by “Hamilton” actor and dancer David Guzman.

During his class visits, Chen, a faculty member at the Kinhaven Music School in Vermont and an accomplished performer with appearances ranging from Carnegie Hall to international tours, worked with students on left-hand technique, focusing on shifting and vibrato.

The visit provided helpful insight for performing arts teacher Colin Benn, who previously worked with Chen at Kinhaven.

“Hosting guest artists in class gives me the opportunity to sit and play in one of the sections and observe my ensemble from within,” said Benn. “It gives me a different perspective and teaching strategies for the music that I am teaching.”

Guzman led the first in a new series of masterclasses for upper school students in the King Theater Society. He shared his journey to becoming a Broadway performer and gave insight into his daily life.
Currently performing as John Laurens and Philip Hamilton in “Hamilton” on Broadway, Guzman also led the students through a dance combination to the song “My Shot.” The routine emphasized the style, precision, and storytelling that define one of theater’s most celebrated productions.

“Theater is such a broad field that no single person can be an expert in every facet,” said Performing Arts teacher Andrew Wildman-Foster, who is coordinating the masterclass series. “By curating a lineup of masterclasses for the King Theater Society, students have the chance to learn from professionals whose expertise reaches beyond my own. They meet artists who’ve carved out unique paths in the performing arts, and in doing so, they expand their vision of what’s possible, what passions they might pursue, and how their own story can take its place in the larger fabric of art and commerce in America.”

These visits reflect the depth and ambition of a program that prepares students to engage with the arts at the highest levels. From early foundations in music and drama to advanced masterclasses, international performance opportunities, and college-level mentorship, King’s Performing Arts program offers a comprehensive, conservatory-caliber experience. By connecting students with working professionals and real-world artistry, King affirms its belief that the stage is not just a place to perform, but a platform for discovery, discipline, and lifelong creative pursuit.