Blog: Why Arts Education Matters: A Parent’s Guide to Academic Success, Leadership, and Character

When parents think about preparing their children for college and life, they often focus on rigorous academics, strong test scores, and extracurriculars that “stand out” on a college application. But one of the most powerful drivers of long-term success is often overlooked: arts education.

Whether it is the rhythm of a drumline, the quiet intention of a paintbrush, or the courage to step onto a stage, students in the arts discover something just as vital as academic mastery. They discover that creative expression unlocks new ways of seeing and understanding. They build confidence, discipline, and resilience, qualities that colleges value and that shape lives rich with meaning, vision, and possibility.

At Father Ryan High School, the arts are a core part of how students grow academically, socially, and spiritually. With 35 arts courses — more than any other high school in Middle Tennessee — and an arts tradition dating back to 1925, our programs are designed to help students thrive. 

In this month’s Irish Insights, we explore how the arts impact student success at every level, share snapshots of our robust program, and our faculty artists and expert educators offer tips on how parents can nurture their child’s creative possibilities.

How the Arts Support Academic Success

Parents often ask: Will participating in the arts help or hurt my child’s academic performance? The research is clear: it helps.

A 2025 Thinking Skills and Creativity study found that creativity predicts standardized test performance beyond GPA and personality traits. Participating in arts programs has been shown to improve overall grades and academic engagement, as evidenced by a npj Science of Learning 2023 study.

But what does that look like in practice? Students in arts programs develop:

• The ability to think creatively and critically to solve complex problems
• Strong time management and self-discipline
• Confidence in public speaking and communication
• Innovative, intellectual risk-taking, the “outside-of-the-box” approach that college professors and future bosses want
• Attention to detail and pride in their work
• The resilience to learn from mistakes and keep improving

These are not just “art skills.” They are the exact skills students need to succeed in honors classes, on college campuses, and in future careers.

Even if your child does not participate in arts classes and activities at school, research shows that all students benefit academically simply by being in an environment where creativity is valued and visible. Last year, a study by the Economics of Educational Review revealed a 6–7% increase in academic performance by students surrounded by student artists.

Schools with robust arts programs often see:

• Higher student engagement and attendance
• Stronger academic performance across the student body
• A more collaborative and supportive community

Building Leadership and Character Through the Arts

Arts education shapes more than what students know. It shapes who they become. In the arts, there is rarely one right answer. Students must make decisions, take risks, and collaborate with others. They learn to listen, adapt, and lead.

Just as importantly, they learn how to give and receive feedback, an essential life skill. “The critique is part of the creative process … learning how to give feedback honestly and constructively is essential,” says John Durand, Chair of the Visual and Performing Arts Department, who has taught art at Father Ryan for 40 years.

A missed note or a difficult critique becomes a moment of growth, not failure. Over time, students build a mindset of perseverance, something every parent wants for their child, and a trait every college and workplace demands.

When students participate in the arts, they develop:

• Empathy and emotional intelligence
• Accountability for their work and their team
• Confidence in their voice and ideas
• The ability to handle challenges and setbacks
• The mindset of reflection, adjustment, and persistence is essential for long-term success in any classroom and in life

Faith, Purpose, and Personal Growth Through the Arts

At Father Ryan, arts education is deeply connected to our Catholic mission to be an experience of the living Gospel while challenging students to reach their spiritual, academic, and personal potential. Students are encouraged to explore creativity through the lens of faith, whether through reflective projects, performances, or teachers’ guidance and mentoring.

Just as important is how students are treated: with respect, encouragement, and care. Treating students as Christ would treat them helps them grow as artists and as compassionate, thoughtful individuals.

 

EXPLORE FATHER RYAN’S ARTS PROGRAM

 

Band and Instrumental Music

Jereme Frey, Visual and Performing Arts Teacher, Band Director
Andrew Bannan, Associate Director of Bands

“Band is a community that connects to the greater Father Ryan population when we perform. There are countless ways a healthy band and instrumental music program impact the overall Father Ryan culture and community. Our performances at athletic events bring alumni together and connect them to the program's tradition and history. We perform for our partner parochial schools and see the excitement on those young faces.” – Jereme Frey

Offerings: Bands include classes for Concert Band and String Ensemble, and after-school bands: Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Band, Rock Band, Marching Band, and Drum Line. Additional classes: AP Music Theory, Bach to Rock - History of Rock Music, Music Tech - Music Production and Recording, Music Theory I, World Music and Drumming Class, and Film & Video Production classes (new in 2025-2026). 

Performances: The Concert Band, String Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Rock Band perform at Christmas at Father Ryan and Sounds of Spring concerts on campus. All groups perform at various adjudicated festivals in the Middle Tennessee area. The Marching Band performs at every home football game. Jazz Band plays off campus at various events.

Leadership and Awards: Every ensemble has section leaders and captains at all grade levels. The Marching Band competes nationally, recently earning 2nd place in DII Pep Band at the 2026 National School Band Championship.

Choir

Julie Cox, Director of Choirs, Associate Director of Theatre, Music Ministry Coordinator, Purple Masque Players Moderator, Stage Director, and Musical Director for School Musicals 

“Students often find a home in choir, theatre, band, and the arts. They might join for a credit, but once they are there, they find that they have a place here.” – Julie Cox

Offerings: Arts Appreciation class and 4 choir classes: the no-audition Mixed Chamber Choir and Women’s Choir classes, and the audition-only Honors Chamber Choir and Mosaic a cappella pop group, which is the former show choir. An a cappella group requires a more challenging skill set and raises the musical bar for students. Theatre classes include Acting class and the audition-only Musical Theatre class. Mrs. Cox is also the moderator of Music Ministry, which is not a class, but an opportunity for any singer or musician at any level to sing or play at school Masses.

Leadership: Each choir has section leaders who help students learn music and create a bond within the section. Once a student has been in a choir for a year, he or she may run for choir president, treasurer, historian, or publicity manager. Leadership helps plan the August choir retreat and other duties.

Performances: On-campus performance opportunities include Christmas at Father Ryan, Sounds of Spring concert, Preview Day, and all football games. Beyond the Father Ryan choirs, students audition and are chosen for Freshman Honors Chorus, Mid-State Chorus, All-State Chorus, and All-National Honors Ensemble. Community performances include Ladies of Charity luncheons, Catholic Business League breakfasts, and concerts at local hospitals. The Father Ryan Singers have frequently performed at Walt Disney World with Disney Performing Arts. Mosaic sang at the Athena Festival last year and, for the second year in a row, qualified for the National A Cappella and Choral Convention in Orlando and earned a main-stage performance.

Dance

Lauri Dismuke, Director of Dance

“The power of the art form of dance is amazing. I teach more than 25% of the girls on campus, and they really support each other, from the star basketball player to the quietest girl in class. In Dance, they are all part of one bigger thing. They are giving and getting feedback respectfully and finding ways to move as a group and to move something forward.” - Lauri Dismuke

Offerings: 6 dance classes with 4 different levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced, and the competitive Dance team. While not restricted to girls-only, the Father Ryan Dance program tends to be all-girls; all students learn dance for the spring musical. Mrs. Dismuke has been the choreographer for the Purple Masque Players' productions for the last 12 years. Next year, she is launching a dance program through Nashville Catholic for middle school dancers.

Leadership: The Dance team has captains. Next year, the team will add a student Chaplain for team prayer and a student Social Media Manager.

Performances: All levels of Dance perform at Father Ryan events throughout the year. The Dance team performs at football, other athletic events, and pep rallies, and competes in state, regional, and national competitions. Next year, there will be a sideline dance team as well for dancers who want to perform only at Father Ryan athletic events. In 2026, the Dance team placed 5th in Jazz and in the Top 12 out of 27 teams in Hip Hop at the Universal Dance Association (UDA) National Dance Team Championship. At the 2025 UDA Nationals, the team placed 3rd in Varsity Intermediate Jazz and 5th in Varsity Intermediate Hip-Hop.

Gadfly, Father Ryan’s Art and Literary Magazine

John Durand, Chair, Visual and Performing Arts
Jessice Lewis, Visual Art Teacher 

Gadfly is the annual Father Ryan publication, which began in the 1960s to showcase student writing and visual art. Submissions are gathered through an open call. Faculty identify strong pieces to ensure a well-rounded magazine that represents the broad range of artwork throughout all the art classes.

“Gadfly provides students with valuable experience in the creative process, editing, and design. It also encourages them to engage with peers across departments, strengthening a sense of artistic community within the school. Gadfly supports Father Ryan’s vision for community by bringing together students from different artistic disciplines, celebrating their voices, and creating a shared space for creative expression.” – Jessica Lewis

Enjoy the 2026 Gadfly here.

Leadership: Students assist with documentation, editing, and digital photography to prepare work for print. Plans include student editorial roles and a digital version.

Visual Arts

John Durand, Chair, Visual and Performing Arts, Visual Arts Teacher, Retiring on June 30, 2026, after 40 years at Father Ryan
Jessica Lewis, Visual Arts Teacher

“Art teaches you to follow a process to completion and how to collaborate. Arts education is also about being there for those kids who thrive in creative environments, for whom art is like a limb that they cannot be without. We must be there for those kids.” – John Durand

“I hope what students carry with them from their arts experience is something deeper than skill. I hope they find the courage to take risks, to create through failure and perfectionism, and to get back up and try again. That they discover art as both a refuge and release, and learn to notice the beauty and magic in bringing something into being from a single spark of inspiration. Above all, I hope that they come to see creativity as a reflection of something greater: a glimpse of God, the ultimate Creator, echoed each time we make something new.” – Jessica Lewis

Offerings: Introduction to Art, Studio Art, semester-long classes in ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, AP 2D Art, AP Drawing, AP 3D Art. Range of mediums: acrylics, oils, watercolors, pastels, charcoal, pencil drawings, scratchboard, printmaking, ceramics, digital art, and more. 

Competitions: Student artists participate in regional and national competitions, develop strong portfolios and studio practices, gain confidence, refine their skills, and explore pathways for their work beyond the classroom. Students consistently win national Scholastic Arts Awards; this year, Rachel Rodriguez ’26 won a Silver Key for her painting. Photographer Ian Davis ’28 won 3^rd place in the 2026 18th Annual Middle Tennessee Regional Student Art Exhibition and Middle Tennessee State Student Art Awards.

​Theatre

Kelli McClendon, Director of Theatre/Purple Masque Players and Center for the Arts Manager  

“Theatre is one of the oldest forms of communication in the world. When you work with others in a creative environment, you must be willing to listen to their ideas. Theatre also teaches empathy and compassion, skills we need in our world.” – Kelli McClendon

Offerings: Father Ryan offers a variety of theatre classes from Acting I and Acting II to Technical Design for costumes, props, scenic design, lighting, and sound principles. Monthly fall workshops to educate students in various areas of theatre (e.g., a puppet workshop in fall 2025 with professional puppeteers in preparation for the puppeteers needed for the April 2026 performance of Into The Woods).

Leadership: Beyond the traditional leadership roles for crew opportunities and the inherent leadership skills needed in a lead role, students can design lights, costumes, and some scenic elements, depending on their desire and skill levels.

Performances: An annual fall play and spring musical are produced by the Purple Masque Players, Father Ryan’s drama club. The 2026 performance of Into the Woods included 59 cast and crew members. Most Purple Masque Players are involved in both the fall and spring productions, either in cast or crew.

 

10 Tips for Parents for Supporting Student Artists

1. “Listen for what lights up your child. They do not have to be the best at it or want to do it in college or professionally. If they find joy in the arts, it can change their whole perspective on life and confidence.” Lauri Dismuke
2. “Water the flowers, not the weeds. Too often, we just focus on the negative of a performance. In my Musical Theater class, I always ask the class when a student finishes singing a song, ‘What did they do well?’ Those are the flowers. Then we work on other things, but if you start with criticism, then they will not hear anymore.” – Julie Cox
3. “There are countless ways to build a career in the arts, more than people often realize. Art is everywhere! It shapes the spaces we live in, the products we use, and the media we experience every day. There are so many accessible and meaningful ways to pursue a creative career. Talk about the connections between their interests and career possibilities.” – Jessica Lewis
4. “Volunteer. There is always a need for parent volunteers.” – Kelli McClendon
5. “Encourage your student to practice and be supportive of it. Private lessons have a significant impact.”– Jereme Frey
6. “Support outside the classroom goes a long way. Visit museums and galleries to help students see what is possible and expand their visual language. Attend local art events or exhibitions.” – Jessica Lewis
7. “Encourage kids to try a variety of things and to go outside their comfort zone.” – Julie Cox
8. “For visual artists who want to improve more quickly, extra practice and instruction matter. Just like athletics, young artists benefit from private lessons, workshops, or summer programs.” – Jessica Lewis.
9. “Be involved. Be at the football games. Be at the concerts. Be at the contests.” – Jereme Frey
10. “Ask questions about the process, like ‘How did you do that? That was an interesting choice you made on stage. Tell me about it.’ Parents should be curious about the journey and not just the destination.” – Julie Cox

 

Learn More About the Arts at Father Ryan

Visit fatherryan.org/arts for program details.

Watch Claire’s video where she shares how being a Purple Masque Player infuses every aspect of her Father Ryan experience.

Interested in learning more about Father Ryan? Visit fatherryan.org/admissions for our digital viewbook, videos, and much more.

Contact Erin (Baltz) Riggs ’00, Director of Enrollment, at riggse@fatherryan.org to discover how our students thrive.