Middle School: Grades 6–8

When media arts teacher Danny Schmidt was in high school, he didn’t dream about making films.

“I always appreciated visual arts, and the teachers in those programs—I liked using that part of my brain—but I had a mind for science,” he remembered.

So as an undergraduate, Danny chose to study geography and computer science at the University of Utah, ultimately earning a bachelor’s degree in earth science. He then began looking into graduate school, starting his search with what he called the “obvious options” tied to his undergraduate field of study. While searching, he discovered Montana State University’s master of fine arts in science and natural history filmmaking, a program that trains students with backgrounds in science, engineering, and technology as creative filmmakers.

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“That sounded really fun,” Danny remembered, and like a great way to combine his love of science with his continued interest in the visual arts. He enrolled in the program and fully jumped into learning the art of filmmaking.

After graduation, Danny began working as a director, producer, and cinematographer on projects across film styles: non-fiction television, web content, and, what he may be most passionate about, documentaries. Looking through Danny’s portfolio, it’s clear his work—which has appeared at film festivals around the world and can be seen on PBS, Disney+, and Netflix—is made up of projects he cares about.

“I’m not making a film about something I don’t have an investment in,” explained Danny. That’s because he works on films for years at a time and knows the vicarious toll that telling human stories can take. By choosing topics that resonate with him, Danny ensures he’ll have the drive he’ll need to move his projects forward—and that he’ll create work that touches audiences.

It’s no surprise, then, that Danny's projects have received numerous accolades over the years. Most recently, Path of the Panther, on which he worked as a cinematographer and consulting producer, won the national Emmy for Outstanding Nature Documentary. (Danny has also won regional Emmys for the PBS films Indian Relay and Finding Traction.)

Path of the Panther follows people dedicated to protecting the endangered Florida panther and its shrinking habitat. As cinematographer, Danny traveled to the Florida Everglades a dozen times to capture the lives of panthers and the essence of their home, which, as more and more people move to the state, is being encroached upon. The goal of the feature-length documentary, one of a series of National Geographic films about native Florida wildlife, was to highlight the biodiversity of swampland through the perspective of panthers. As a result of these films, conservation efforts, including legislation to protect the Florida Wildlife Corridor, have become a reality. So while the Emmy recognition is really gratifying, Danny is also proud of the project’s larger impact.

We make these films because we care about the world. ...
By teaching, I multiply my efforts of putting this medium to good use to make change.—Danny Schmidt, Middle School and Upper School media arts teacher

“We make these films because we care about the world,” he said.

And because Danny cares about making an impact on the world through film, he’s chosen to empower the next generation of young filmmakers as a teacher. He’s a firm believer that anyone can make documentaries, and he enjoys helping students push past the art form’s steep learning curve so they can create work they’re proud of and share their voices with a larger audience.

“By teaching, I multiply my efforts of putting this medium to good use to make change,” he said.

At Rowland Hall, which is expanding media arts as part of our strong visual and performing arts program, Danny is putting his expertise to work, aiming to make the school’s program top-notch among independent schools nationally. This year alone, the program is offering classes in media arts, media literacy, and podcasting in the Middle School, and media arts and documentary film production (levels I and II) in the Upper School. It will expand to include classes in advanced post-production and cinematography in 2025–2026.

“Danny's vision for the program and some of the work his students are already doing with his guidance align beautifully with our strategic priority goals,” said Upper School Principal Ingrid Gustavson. She added that, in addition to working with his own students, Danny collaborates with colleagues across disciplines to showcase the power of film as a tool for communication, collaboration, building understanding, and taking action, all of which amplify student voices.

“The medium lends itself well to student-designed projects, creative problem-solving, and documentation of our immediate, as well as wider, community, for the purpose of highlighting timely issues and compelling stories,” Ingrid continued.

Indeed, by investing in media arts, Rowland Hall is benefiting students in numerous ways, beginning by helping them see themselves as storytellers with valuable perspectives. One way Danny builds this understanding is by having students pick the subjects they’re most interested in for their projects. This allows them to discover and tap into their personal passions and become confident in their storytelling abilities.

“It’s empowering for students to take a big cinema camera and tripod, walk confidently down the hall, and start filming a story and capturing reality as they see it, not as someone else does, or as they’re told,” explained Danny.

Filmmaking can help shape empathetic and ethical global citizens. Through the process, students are asked to slow down, to really look at the world around them, to ask questions about what they care about, and to build empathy.

It also democratizes filmmaking, a powerful medium that was once tightly controlled. Today, Danny said, students can flip the script, telling stories about what they want, the way they want. It shows them their voices matter and have influence, while helping them better understand the media they themselves consume and the power that media can have. And it helps shape them as empathetic and ethical global citizens. Through the filmmaking process, students are asked to slow down, to really look at the world around them, to ask questions about what they care about, and to build empathy. “It’s really impactful on students to make films about themselves and others,” said Danny.

Ninth grader Will Weisselberg, who was initially worried about the challenge of making films, said his media arts classes have built his confidence and taught him a lot about himself—particularly when it comes to his commitment to the process and his passion for his work.

“I think this passion comes from the idea of sharing my perspective on things I'm interested in,” he said. “I can put effort and time into things I care about.”

Will’s even considering filmmaking as a career and said he’s grateful he’s had the chance to learn from a teacher who believes students can make a real difference.

“Danny Schmidt is by far one of the best teachers I have ever had,” said Will. “He teaches with such passion and commitment, and truly cares about how we learn and the kinds of films we make.”

And for Danny, who has long been aware of the school just up the street from his house, joining Rowland Hall’s faculty has been a welcome addition to his impressive career, allowing him to make an impact on a learning community whose values align with those that have driven his filmmaking.

“I knew at Rowland Hall I would have not only the resources, but students that would take the medium seriously,” he said, “not to mention the integrity of people who care a lot about making change in the world.”

People

When determining this year’s dance concert theme, middle and upper schoolers knew one thing for certain: they wanted to focus on community.

The process of choosing a dance concert theme begins in the spring with brainstorming sessions designed to narrow the dancers’ focus. As the group began thinking about the 2025 concert, it quickly became clear that, whatever was chosen, they wanted to break away from the messages of polarization and disagreement that seemed to be all around them. Later, as teachers Sophia Cutrubus ’18 and Grace Riter ’18 reviewed the dancers’ brain maps, they saw such a focus on connectivity that they decided on the theme, Where We Meet.

After students returned to campus in August, Sophia and Grace tasked dancers with choosing topics that fit under the Where We Meet umbrella. Then, before beginning choreography, students were asked to go into the community and conduct interviews that explored the connection between their chosen topics and real people’s lived experiences.

“We wanted them to be curious about their community, and to make an effort to connect with and see someone else’s humanity, perspective, and story, and elevate that, even if it’s not what they expected,” explained Sophia.

These topics led dancers in a variety of directions, producing a concert that will delight viewers as they, too, are invited to explore the many ways our human experiences meet.

Check out the above video for a sneak peek of Where We Meet and to hear from the dancers behind the performance. And please plan to join us for Where We Meet, on Friday, February 7, and Saturday, February 8, at 7 pm in the Larimer Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are not required for entry, but a donation of $10 per attendee is suggested.

Arts

This year, Rowland Hall’s celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. focused on the theme Justice & Joy: Cultivating the Beloved Community. Designed to prompt reflection and foster solidarity towards action, the event allowed the community to imagine a beloved future where everyone can be themselves in multifaceted ways.

The celebration kicked off on Wednesday, January 15, with a community event featuring actor, writer, and singer Carleton Bluford, and a performance by Trash Panda Drum Group. Carleton spoke about how his work connects to this year’s theme, and how joy is the energy that allows justice to emerge, as well as sang a song from Ragtime, his favorite musical.

Dr. King’s articulation of the beloved community emphasizes the necessity of individuals uniting across differences to build a trusting, loving, and better world for all.

On Thursday, January 16, students engaged in activities around storytelling, dance, and music, led by Carleton Bluford and Salt Lake Capoeira. Students deepened their understanding of joy and connection through shared movement and music, and explored how they can envision and shape more inclusive futures.

Faculty workshops were also held on Wednesday and Thursday to deepen learning around the theme.

On Monday, January 20, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, students and families engaged in community-based service projects at Tracy Aviary’s Nature Center at Pia Okwai and Crossroads Urban Center’s downtown food pantry, and joined the University of Utah’s MLK Day March & Rally.

Thanks to all who participated in this important work around Dr. King’s vision of becoming the beloved community through love, understanding, and solidarity. We encourage each person to carry forward the spirit of these gatherings, remembering that our dreams of and for the future necessitate listening to one another’s stories, being in relationship with each other, and working toward a shared future.

Community

As we kick off a new year, we want to take just a moment to look back on some of the incredible Rowland Hall happenings in 2024.

Below, we’re sharing five of the most exciting stories we published in Fine Print last year—examples of the incredible students, teachers, and moments of learning that exemplify the Rowland Hall experience. Check them out, if you haven’t already, or revisit them for a feel-good reminder of what makes Rowland Hall such an exceptional place.

Advanced Research Classes Immerse Students in Real-World Questions, Further Rowland Hall’s Strategic Vision

Ever since the Upper School rolled out Advanced Research classes, our community has been buzzing. These exciting classes allow students to dive deeply into subjects, develop theses, and conduct research alongside experts. They also prove that students of any age can find solutions to real-world problems. (Bonus: be sure to check out the follow-up to this story, AR Biology Students Published in ‘Cancers’ Scientific Journal, to see how far one class’s work has gone.)

Rowland Hall Debate, One Step Closer to World Domination

For years, Rowland Hall debaters have shined locally (they currently hold their fourth consecutive state title) and nationally. Now, they’re making a name for themselves on the global stage. In October, top teams traveled to Taiwan for their first-ever international tournament, held at the Taipei American School.

Student-Created Wings of Inclusion Conference Brings Together Utah High Schoolers, Inspires Leadership

After being energized at the national Student Diversity Leadership Conference in 2023, a group of Upper School students chose to dedicate much of 2024 to organizing their own conference for Utah high schoolers. Held at the Lincoln Street Campus in September, our students’ Wings of Inclusion Conference aimed to create belonging for all Utah students, and to develop tomorrow’s leaders. 

2024 Convocation Speakers Share Joyful Moments, Encourage Community to Create and Spread Joy

Rowland Hall’s 2024–2025 theme, Joy, was unveiled to the community at Convocation in August. As part of that annual gathering, three students and one alum shared their own reflections on joy with their peers and the larger Rowland Hall community. They discussed what joy means, the forms joy takes, how to look for joy in your life, and how to create joy for others.

Upper Schoolers Teach Money Smarts to Lower Schoolers

It’s always an exciting day when cross-divisional learning happens! One especially joyful collaboration took place this fall, when students from the Upper School’s Business & Finance and Entrepreneurship classes came to the McCarthey Campus to teach personal finance lessons to first and third graders.

Community