Fine Arts

At Orangewood Christian School, we believe that God has given each of our students unique and wonderful talents. It is our goal to help our students discover and develop these talents, giving them many opportunities to use these gifts, while establishing a life-long appreciation of the Arts. Students have the opportunity to develop their talents in the Visual Arts (Art, Video Production, Computer Graphics, and Photography), Choral and Instrumental Music, and Drama.

Our Fine Arts instructors are gifted in their own right, and passionate about sharing their love of the Arts. Our goal is that our students will strive for excellence while using their gifts as an act of worship unto God.

Fine Arts Faculty

Laura Nelson Kelly

Laura Nelson Kelly serves as Orangewood's Fine Arts Director, and the Choral Director for 5th - 12th grade music students. She brings many years of teaching experience in both public and private schools. Laura holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Florida State University. Laura's High School Choir students travel to New York each year to perform in a Broadway show at Lincoln Center produced by Manhattan Concert Productions.  Laura is a three-time quarter-finalist in the Grammy for Music Teachers competition. In addition to teaching, Laura enjoys singing, performing, and writing music. 

Please contact her at lkelly@ocsrams.org

Hugh Rechner

Hugh Rechner serves as the Instrumental Music teacher at Orangewood Christian School. Hugh comes to us from Yellowknife, N.W.T in the Arctic region of Canada. He received his undergraduate degree from North American Baptist College in Edmonton, Alberta, and his Master's in Theology from Wheaton College. In addition to teaching, Hugh is an accomplished drummer, and worked in ministry as a Worship and Arts Pastor for 17 years.

Please contact him at hrechner@ocsrams.org
 

Brittney Hamilton

Brittney Hamilton serves as the Kindergarten through 6th grade art teacher at Orangewood Christian School. Brittney holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Computer Art from The Savannah College of Art and Design.  Brittney has a strong interest in pastels, life drawing, painting, art history, drafting and color theory. Brittney has enjoyed working at Orangewood Christian School and finds it a great honor to inspire children to have a better understanding and passion for art.

Please contact her at bhamilton@ocsrams.org

Michelle Brightman

Michelle Brightman serves as the Middle and High School Theatre teacher. She also directs three OCS mainstage productions each year. Michelle received her degree in Theatre Education from Oral Roberts University, and spent the first half of her career as a professional actor and television host. Michelle is happy to be at OCS inspiring students to strive for excellence in the arts.

Please contact her at mbrightman@ocsrams.org

Liz Hogan

Liz Hogan comes from a background in the creative world. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Columbus College of Art and Design in Ohio, a Master’s degree in Studio Art from Azusa Pacific University in California,  then went on to work with the creative teams at American Greetings and Anthropologie.

Liz has experience in Illustration, Graphic Design, Studio Art (drawing, painting, sculpting), Gallery and Museum work, Product Development, Packaging, Branding, Interior Design, Photo Styling, and Merchandising, and has worked with Marketing Reps, Buyers and International Vendors. She loves painting, drawing, building, sculpting…the list goes on! 

But she especially loves helping others to understand and navigate the Visual Arts world, especially from a Christian perspective. Art is a universal language capable of communicating one's strongest ideas and emotions. Used well, this language can inform and bless humanity and the Body of Christ.

Please contact her at lhogan@ocsrams.org
 

Christy Hayner

Christy loves making and teaching art. Originally from northeast Georgia, She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Asbury College in Wilmore, KY with a focus in painting and a Master of Fine Arts from New York Academy of Art in Manhattan in painting and the human figure. She taught art at a public school in Brooklyn, NY for 7 years before moving to Florida in 2021. 

She loves the human figure and is continually amazed by God's craftsmanship and artistry in how he created all of creation and particularly in how he created man in his own image. “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.” She is amazed that God has gifted his creatures with the ability to create and to appreciate beauty. Through the art-making process, we bring him glory and proclaim his handiwork. She loves seeing the creativity of her students throughout the year and witnessing the ways God stretches and grows each one. She continues making her own artwork including drawing, painting, printmaking, and paper mache sculpture. 

Please contact her at chayner@ocsrams.org

Laurie Groves

Mrs. Laurie Groves returns for her second year at OCS as one of the Music teachers for our Lower School.  She graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in Music Education and taught for 2 years in Colorado before coming to Florida to perform for the Disney Company.  In addition to that, she spent twenty years as the Vocal Director at Northland Church, working with hundreds of children and adults, ranging in age from 5-80 years young.  

She is married to Steve Groves, who serves the Lower School in Audio for many of our school functions and productions. They are the parents of Hannah Jo, who is a “lifer” at OCS, having attended all the way from Kindergarten through high school graduation.

Please contact her at lgroves@ocsrams.org

Melissa Macnab

Mrs. Macnab is originally from Indiana, and moved to Florida after high school.  She graduated from Stetson University in 2012 with a degree in Music Education. She can play many instruments, but clarinet and  piano are her main instruments.  Mrs. Macnab is in her 10th year as a music teacher, and her 2nd year at Orangewood Christian School.  In addition to teaching classes, she also gives private lessons after school. She very much enjoys getting to work with such wonderful children and families, and teaching music as an expression of praise and worship.

Mrs. Macnab is an active musician, serving on the Board of Directors for Volusia Community Symphony, as well as performing with a local wind ensemble and a clarinet orchestra. Mrs. Macnab is also active with the Worship team at City Sanctuary Church in Deland, and occasionally can be seen at the piano at other local churches as a substitute.

Mrs. Macnab and her husband have two children together, Micah and Selah, who are both attending OCS this year.  When she is not making music, she enjoys gardening and baking/cooking. She also loves painting and working with her hands.  

Please contact her at mmacnab@ocsrams.org