JEFFREY MOORE
The year was 1987 and Mr. Jeffrey Moore was taking classes on the Upper East Side at the Mannes School of Music. Training to become a concert pianist, he taught piano in any free time that he could find; one morning his eye caught glimpse of a posting on campus for a part-time Lower School position at Saint David’ s School.“ I interviewed with a wonderful woman, Mary Miner( Arts Chair) and that began my journey to 89th Street,” he recalled.
Following years of growing the Music program, Mr. Moore became Chair of the department in 1996, and credits former Headmaster Don Maiocco for helping lead that expansion of the arts,“ He( Don) loved classical music and our curriculum brought an emphasis on performance. From having our boys bring their talents to Carnegie Hall and the New York Philharmonic, to the quality of work we did on campus, it ushered in a new era of growth for Saint David’ s Arts and Music.” Thirty years later, that trajectory has continued with Dr. O’ Halloran’ s vision.“ We’ ve expanded the program even further,” Moore emphasized.“ The size and scope has increased, we’ ve had incredible collaborations and partnerships with girls’ schools and some of the premier institutions in the world.”
If there were a single project that has given birth to Saint David’ s expanding performing arts program, it is the creation of the Otto-Bernstein Theatre:“ It’ s transformed the program because it has provided access to a professional theater. We have scripts just as Broadway actors do. Every grade now has public performances as a complementary piece to the curriculum, and that’ s the most important thing we do in this area,” Moore stated.“ We have our boys in front of an audience, and that becomes a super power- our eighth graders still recall their first grade Christmas Pageant.” And although several productions have evolved, the passion to nurture talent remains a constant.“ I’ m most proud of the relationships I’ ve formed and nurtured over the years- and it’ s been incredibly gratifying to see that evolution when alumni return to Saint David’ s to visit.”
JAMES HUGHES’ 78
A proud Saint David’ s graduate, Mr. James Hughes’ 78 continued on to Deerfield’ 82 and Colgate’ 86 thereafter. Little did he know that just months after his college commencement, and just eight years following his Saint David’ s graduation, he would return to East 89th Street in a very different role.“ I had worked in the summer camp as a student, but I didn’ t know that my career path would take me into teaching,” he shared with a grin.“ It was the summer of 1986, Tom Ryan was the Athletic Director at the time and he hired me as a part-time coach for what was a smaller program.”
Indeed, the Saint David’ s that Mr. Hughes returned to in 1986 was similar to the one he departed from as a student in 1978.“ No question, the familiarity made my transition easier,” he shared.“ And from Mike Clancy to Pedro Morales, it’ s the amazing cast of teachers and coaches that have helped my own growth- within both science and sports.” As the school continued to evolve in the 90s, Hughes took on a full-time position as a fourth and fifth grade science teacher, as well as continuing with coaching.“ Being able to teach and coach provides a variety. From hockey and soccer to a science experiment by the reservoir, fall in Central Park feels like my quintessential Saint David’ s experience.”
When reflecting on the continued growth of the school, he noted a clear shift in the arrival of Dr. O’ Halloran as Headmaster:“ Saint David’ s has become a leader and TBI is evidence of that. We have more structure and formalization; both departmental and curricular, and the school is better for it.” And although the physical expansion of the campus is an undeniable improvement, Hughes was also quick to remark that the atmosphere has been a constant.“ Saint David’ s has the same camaraderie of faculty and students alike; it is core to the school’ s identity. Everyone is enthusiastic to be here— students are happy learning and teachers are happy teaching— and that nurtures our environment.”
Spring 2026 • 37