Cape Chorale and Musical Theatre

“We the members of the Cape Chorale will strive to create a community where we embrace our diversity and unite through the power of music. While developing a lifelong appreciation for music, we will cultivate a society where people can share our passion and find peace within it.”

“We the members of the Musical Theatre department at Cape Coral High School will strive to create a community where we embrace our diversity and unite through storytelling and the power of the musical and dramatic arts both on and off the stage. While developing a lifelong appreciation for live theatrical performance, we will cultivate a society where people can share our passions and find catharsis through the performing arts.”

Meet the Director

A native of Cape Coral, Florida, Lisa Hamman is the Director of the Cape Chorale and Musical Theatre at Cape Coral High School. A lifelong singer and performer in the community, she remains invested in the thriving performing arts scene that Lee County has to offer. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education with Choral Concentration from Florida Gulf Coast University (2023) and has studied and performed with the opera, choral, and theatre programs at Florida State University (2013-2017). Ms. Hamman has had the immense privilege of singing in choirs under legendary conductors such as Henry Leck, André J. Thomas, Kevin Fenton, Judy Bowers, and Trent R. Brown. She has a great passion for helping aspiring vocalists and theatrical performers to succeed. Her professional memberships include: the Florida Music Education Association (FMEA), the Florida Vocal Association (FVA), and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).

Lisa Hamman: Choral Director, Musical Theatre Director
Contact: [email protected]

Courses offered

Vocal Ensemble 1-4 (General Choir)
Vocal Ensemble 1-4 provides students voices with the study of choral literature through rehearsal and performance techniques at the appropriate and achievable level. This ensemble offers a development of musicianship, tone production, and performance techniques beyond those offered in middle school. Vocal Ensemble 1-4 or “General Choir” is typically the entry-level ensemble for freshmen and less experienced singers, or any student who has not taken a choir course at Cape Coral High School before, with emphasis placed on basic skills and the interpretation of easy to medium level choral literature. There is NO audition necessary for registration in Vocal Ensemble 1-4. Though minimal, after-school rehearsals may be required at times for this course. Some evening performances are required for this course.

Chorus 3-6 (Advanced Mixed Choir)
Chorus 3-6 provides students with the study of choral literature through rehearsal and performance techniques at the appropriate and achievable level. This ensemble offers progression to a higher level of musicianship, tone production, and performance techniques beyond those offered in General Choir. This is a more advanced choir, thus providing additional technical preparation appropriate for all voices. Chorus 3-6 is a SELECT ensemble, therefore, an audition is required. Students must be selected by the choral director to be in the class. After-school rehearsals are required at times for this course. Evening performances are required for this course.

Musical Theatre 1-4
Musical Theatre 1-4 provides students with the study of music theatre history, literature, and performance techniques at the appropriate and achievable level. This class offers opportunities for solo, group, and large ensemble performances, utilizing acting, singing, and dance/stage movement skills. Study of technical theatre (lighting and sound design/operation), as well as stagecraft, costume design, makeup design, and stage crew membership/management may be addressed as appropriate and necessary. After-school rehearsals are required at times for this course. Evening performances are required for this course.

Band

Meet the Director

Born in Florida, Eduardo Ortega is the current Director of Bands at Cape Coral High School. Mr. Ortega attended Florida Gulf Coast University, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. There, he was the Principal Percussionist of the FGCU Percussion Studio as well as a member of FGCU’s Honors Quartet. Mr. Ortega has toured the state through the honors quartet ensemble and recorded FGCU’s first chamber ensemble album entitled “A Legitimate Excuse”. As an active member of NAfME and PAS, he has presented at FGCU’s Showcase of Undergraduate Research Exposition, winning “Most Outstanding Research Presentation” for his topic on elementary education incorporation into secondary schools. He has studied with notable individuals such as Rob Knopper, Andrea Venet, Troy Jones, Ivan Trevino, Adam Tan, Patricia Gingras, and Timothy Yontz. In his free time, he enjoys woodworking, gardening, and camping the outdoors.

Ensembles

Piano 2 - 4 (intermediate to advanced)
This class is structured for students who have a basic understanding of musical prose. The year will be broken into 4 units, ranging from a variety of topics relevant to modern music-making. This is not a traditional piano class/ensemble, but rather a lab for students to create. Topics covered include movie soundtracks, sound production, foley artists, contemporary music, etc.

Instrumental Techniques (Percussion Studio)
This studio class is modeled after the procedures and work schedule of Florida Gulf Coast University’s own percussion studio. Students will be exposed to percussion specific ensembles, clinics, and will play in the community. This ensemble is the most modern and contemporary ensemble offered in the band department. Literature will almost always be extracted from the present time. Marching Seahawk Drumline members are also expected to take this class.

Eurhythmics
This class is the band department's visual arts section. Students will be responsible for learning dance routines, flag work, and equipment performances. Students in this class will also participate in FBA Solo & Ensemble during the spring semester.

Concert Band & Wind Ensemble
Both of these ensembles are the primary performing ensembles of the CCHS Band department. Our concert band is an open enrollment band ensemble while our wind ensemble is an audition/merit-based program. Students looking to audition for the wind ensemble should contact the CCHS Band Director.

Jazz Band
Our jazz ensembles and jazz groups are focused on performing both modern literature as well as classical cornerstones in the genre. After school performances and fundraising events are part of the curriculum, with students performing for the community.

Dance

Meet the Director

Melissa Dominguez was raised in Miami and moved to the Cape Coral area in 2010 with her husband and began working at Cape Coral High School. She began studying dance at a very young age at private studios and continued her studies through college. She graduated from Florida International University with a Bachelor’s degree in Dance Education in 2005 and a Masters in Special Education in 2016.

Her talent in nearly all forms of dance has earned her the opportunity to perform at several distinguished events. Her proudest accomplishments include a performance with the Universal Dance Association at the 1999 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, four annual charity performances for the Children's Resource Fund, a Univision-aired performance with Latin music artist Carlos Ponce, several football and basketball games as an officer for the Florida International University Dance Team, and a one-year multi-city tour with dance music artist Eyra Gail, who topped music charts with her hit song "Heaven." Melissa has also performed on the sidelines and halftime shows of University of Miami Hurricane football home and away games with the University of Miami Hurricanettes

Melissa currently teaches Dance and Life Skills at Cape Coral High School. She created The Hawkettes Dance Team in 2011 and continues to see it grow. Currently, the Hawkettes can be seen performing on the field and on the sidelines at football games with the Cape Coral High School Marching Band. She has been a part of the Cape Coral High Drama department and choreographed for their school musical performances such as Little Shop of Horrors, Zombie Prom , All Night Strut and Sweeney Todd

Information

The Hawkettes Dance team was created in 2011 by Melissa Dominguez. The purpose of the Hawkettes Dance team is to promote school spirit by providing entertainment at school events and games. They also participate in community performances in Cape Coral such as Cape Coral Tree Lighting in December, All County Dance Performances, The Edison Parades and Naples St. Patrick’s day parade and many more. Dancers will participate in school performances such as pep rallies, football games, a student choreography showcase and many more.

The Hawkettes dancers are expected to be enrolled in the dance class and are selected through an audition process. The dancers are held to their highest standard and are expected to represent their school and team to the highest degree. Dancers will learn and practice jazz dance technique, ballet, hip hop and contemporary dance. Students will also explore their choreography skills as they work on individual and group choreography in different styles.