The Harrisonburg High School Fine Arts Academy presents our Senior Capstone:

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN NOW

What & Why

The Capstone

DIS/CONNECT is a nine song multi-genre album written by the senior class of the Fine Arts Academy. Each senior helped compose two or three songs in small groups with one another, which were then compiled to make one album.

The project was inspired by the challenges caused by societal disconnect, and the songs on the album are linked via this theme, though each song differs in genre and specific topic.

Disconnect

Disconnect, in some shape or form, shows up in most every problem in our world. We live in an age of instantaneous communication, yet so often fail to form caring connections. Our generation exists in a world plagued by isolation, apathy, and inaction. Our songs explore the many different forms disconnect takes. In some cases, the problem represents a disconnect from (disconnect from creativity, or disconnect from reality.) In others, the topic is the cause of disconnection (discontent because of technology, or disconnect because of apathy.) And in yet others, the topic represents a space in which disconnect is inherently present (disconnect in politics, or disconnect in current events.)

We alone can’t force people to mend societal disconnect. But, by shedding light on all the many types of disconnect, we can empower listeners to bring intentional thought to these issues.

The Fine Arts Academy

The Harrisonburg High School Fine Arts Academy, developed and implemented in 2013, is an interdisciplinary, collaborative, and experiential learning community that prepares students for a lifelong career, passion, and/or appreciation of creativity through the arts. The curriculum, built around the value of learning and understanding through the lens of the community, is also designed to ensure individual student growth. Critical thinking and advanced problem solving is demanded from each student through their development of creative intensity. The Academy class of 2026 marks the final year of the Fine Arts Academy.

Learn more

Our Team

ABBY BLOSS

Abigail (Abby) Bloss is a young artist and scholar who derives fulfillment from leadership and human connection in her work. She enjoys the opportunity to do this through her many activities and extracurriculars, such as her work as a section leader for the Rock City Regiment, her peer mentorship in United Sound, and her role as Tri-M Music Honor Society Vice President. Abby is happiest when singing, playing her trumpet, acting, crafting, or just being with her closest friends. She believes in prioritizing making the world an equitable place for all, and hopes to work in the future to make education accessible for all students. In person, you will most likely find her in her school’s band or theatre rooms, or onstage in the HHS auditorium. To contact her online though, you can reach to her through email at abbybloss40@gmail.com, or through Instagram at @abbbbby_b.

ELSIE CORRISTON

Elsie Corriston is a high school senior who collaborates with others in all areas of her life, and she enjoys connecting her artistic and scientific knowledge to everything she does. Elsie’s keen eye for details allows her to be a successful editor and provide deep feedback for the peers she works with in her Media and Fine Arts Programs. She spends a lot of her time working towards academic goals at Harrisonburg High School and the Massanutten Regional Governor’s School, but she also finds joy in a lot outside of her academic journey. Elsie loves photography, physical activity, going on new adventures, and spending time with her friends, family, and pets.

ABBY GIBSON

Driven by her creativity, Abby strives to attain her goals authentically, with purpose and imagination. Along with the Fine Arts Academy, she is involved in the HHS Dance Program, National Honor Society, Cross Country, Track, C-Crew, Musical, and takes both voice and dance lessons outside of school. Passion and determination guides everything she does; she doesn't believe in doing things halfway. Whether she’s creating or leading, she pours her whole self into it, through a combination of ambition and adaptability. Her creativity isn’t just an essential aspect of her character, it’s how she views the world, how she turns problems and challenges into opportunities for growth and expression. She strives to think of new, innovative ways to surpass obstacles, something she will continue to integrate into her everyday life.

WREN HAMNER

Wren Hamner is a passionate jack of all trades when it comes to the arts. While they have a special love for the works of Shakespeare, they also have experience in contemporary theater (including musical theater), vocal performance, creative writing, visual art, and dance. Their strand in the Fine Arts Academy is creative writing, but they pride themself on having transferable skills and creativity that spans mediums. Their hyperfixations may come and go, but their artistic ardor is enduring. They are dedicated to being a welcoming presence who helps others feel like they belong no matter the context, and they hope you’ll follow along this year as they work with their Fine Arts Academy colleagues to create the final FAACL capstone.

ELLA HORST

One of my deepest beliefs is that all humans are connected through the arts. Whether that be listening to music with friends, or hanging out at an art gallery. We are surrounded every single day with our past and present through art. There is not a single time in human history that we did not create music that reflects our lives and beliefs, or painted pictures that tried to explain feelings and emotions that words simply could not express. It is my mission in life to continually grow my knowledge of other cultures and ways of life that exist across our planet and the strongest way I have to do that is through the arts. 99% of the time when groups of people meet the first thing they do is pick out the similarities and differences they have. We are constantly dividing ourselves into groups of who we think we should be, but when we really break down being human we are left with simple curiosity and the need to explore and create within the environment we are in. It is so easy to think of people not like us as ¨other¨ when we are all, at the base, the same. I want to create more ways for people to connect with one another and if we continue to support art and music programs, especially in the education systems, around the world I think this will create spaces for people to be together and simply enjoy what there is to be human.

PHOEBE KAUFFMAN

Phoebe Yoder Kauffman is a 18-year-old creative passionate about literature, history, theater, and media analysis. She is an avid writer, whose work ranges from introspective poetry to high fantasy action-adventure. Apart from her own artistic endeavors, she also takes satisfaction in being an organizational mind behind artistic endeavors, such as being a library volunteer or stage manager. Soon to be a high school graduate, she plans to attend college and go into library science for graduate school. Always on the lookout for more knowledge, she hopes to bring her strong academic drive that she had in high school onto whatever path she follows next.

BILLY PERRITT

Billy Perritt is a curious and ambitious student who is always ready to learn more. He is a student who loves to spend time with friends and family, especially his two dogs. He has a passion for music and has grown up with music all his life. Billy plays percussion and violin and has been a part of the drumline, percussion ensemble, symphonic band, and chamber orchestra for four years. His passion for performance extends beyond music to theater and dance, where he has found personal expression and meaningful relationships. Leadership has been a big part of who Billy is, and he has taken up leadership roles in most things he is a part of. He has been a drum captain for three years, his high school’s website editor for two, and a varsity baseball captain for a year. In every role, he cares and is committed to the people and things he is a part of.

ANNIE SNOW

Annie Snow is an enthusiastic high school senior seeking admission to a 4-year college to study either psychology, kinesiology, or hospitality, contributing strong leadership and communication skills, along with a positive and outgoing spirit. She is the oldest sister of 3, she is extroverted and loves collaborating and being around others, and she loves talking; whether that be in a public setting, speaking English or Spanish as a part of the Dual Language program, or having a personal chat with friends. She is the Drum Major for the Rock City Regiment, a performer in the Rock City Musicals, a member of the Fine Arts Academy, part of the National Honors Society, member of the Tennis Team, and takes vocal and dance classes outside of school. She loves being busy, but if you ever see her outside of her activities, she is most likely listening to Christmas music or watching a sweet romantic comedy.

HAZEL THOMPSON

Hazel is a senior at Harrisonburg High School. She is a passionate, thoughtful, and committed teammate in everything she does. Her peers can count on her for a listening ear, support, and authenticity. She strives to be a trustworthy and kind friend to everyone she meets, though she is not afraid to clearly communicate her feelings and concerns when conflict arises. Hazel values honesty, acceptance, and humor among other things. She has many interests, from performing and visual arts, to anatomy and true crime. She hopes to explore the world and its numerous cultures, try out many hobbies, and continue to spend time with her family and friends, during and after college.

SYLVIA YOUNG

Sylvia Young is a creative thinker and advocate of empathy for all. As a senior in her final year of high school, she looks forward to the exciting possibilities ahead. Planning to study industrial design in college, Sylvia hopes to shape and convert ideas into the tangible world. Honestly, she just wants to make cool stuff. Sylvia draws much of her inspiration from music, art, and other people. She finds joy and truth in her faith as well as continued assurance of better days to come! With gratitude, Sylvia tries to be a light for others and spread hope while inciting laughter.

The Album

1 - Feathers on the Ground

“Feathers on the Ground” speaks to disconnect in politics, although not the partisan divide that might spring to mind. Rather, it is inspired by Palestinian poet Marwan Makhoul’s poem “In order for me to write poetry that isn’t political”. The song expands on the message and imagery of the poem to critique political disconnect in those willfully disregard suffering. Further inspiration was taken from artists like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, both musically and message-wise.

(Abby Bloss, Ella Horst, Phoebe Kauffman)

2 - Before We Know It

“Before We Know It” reiterates the actions currently taking place on our planet. It speaks of “selling out,” “cuttin’ down,” and “breakin’ down the land that we call home,” emphasizing humanity’s current disconnect from nature, not seeing themselves as part of it but as something they can use. The sound takes musical inspirations from Green Day and “Song 2” by Blur.

(Billy Perritt, Elsie Corriston, Sylvia Young)

3 - i don't care

"i don't care" is a statement on the general apathy of humankind. The singer presents a harshly realistic angle on society, highlighting how a self-absorbed attitude has been normalized, leaving many feeling more alone.

(Abby Gibson, Hazel Thompson, Elsie Corriston)

4 - Miles Too Wide

“Miles Too Wide” explores how technology can cause disconnect in a relationship. Long periods of only talking through call or text can leave people not knowing how to interact in person. In “Miles Too Wide”, the singer laments how the couple is ironically more distant when sitting together than when they were physically far apart. The story is told through the instrumentation in the song such as the key change, which represents a new chapter in the singer’s life. (Annie Snow, Billy Perritt, Phoebe Kauffman)

5 - Steal/Steel

This murder ballad tells the story of a confusing and complicated end that a mystery girl came to. Over the course of the song, the speaker accuses the audience of being complicit in her death, and reveals their own inaction as well. By the end of the song, the audience discovers this death is a lot more complex than just a murder– and they all had a part in it.

(Ella Horst, Wren Hamner)

6 - Hello, High

"Hello High" is written from the perspective of someone disconnected from reality. Substance abuse and drug addiction have become more prevalent in recent years, as the US reports more deaths from overdose than any other country. This song focuses on someone needing help from others to reconnect with reality and help with their addiction, yet they simply can’t, and keep choosing to disconnect with reality through the use of drugs. Inspiration for this song was taken from Toto’s “Hold the Line.”

(Elsie Corriston, Hazel Thompson)

7 - How it Used to Be (Missing You)

"How it Used to Be (Missing You)" addresses the struggle of trying to maintain a relationship with someone who is struggling with their mental health. Throughout the song, the singer highlights the ways in which they wish they could help, but don't know how.

(Abby Gibson, Billy Perritt)

8 - Ties That Bind

“Ties That Bind” is about people’s disconnect from current events in their everyday lives. We wanted to address the overwhelming amount of information on current events that people have access to, and how that ironically leads them to be less connected to them, and to each other.

(Wren Hamner)

9 - Push and Pull

“Push and Pull” explores a battle between a person’s creativity and the distractions and obstructions that we face in our daily lives. This division is shown through two distinctly different sections of music that trade off from one another, these being a harmonized vocal scatting section, influenced by artists like Laufey, and a traditional brass and wind jazz band, inspired by typical big band sounds.

(Annie Snow, Sylvia Young, Abby Bloss)