Here are some great opportunities for high school students to learn about music, visual art, dance and technology. Some of the blurbs are from Admissions Offices, while other have been written by former students. Whenever possible, contact information, email, web sites and alums have been listed. Feel free to write for more information.
To start, there are a couple of very good sites that list magnate schools in all areas of the country. There are website listed which may or may not be of help. If you look at any of these sites, be sure to try and locate the Admissions staff; they will be able to help you the most.
From the Admissions Department at Interlochen:
EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES AT INTERLOCHEN
Interlochen Arts Academy (September - June, grades 9 - post-grad) The
Interlochen Arts Academy is an independent, co-educational boarding
school for students in grades 9-12, with a post-graduate year
available. Committed to both the arts and academics, the Academy
provides students with pre-professional training in the arts along
with a rigorous college-preparatory education. Students major in
academics, dance, music, theatre arts, visual art, or creative
writing. 68 faculty and 300 staff serve the needs of 430 students.
Each year, we host 15-16 internationally-known guests artists and
bring in a number of guest faculty to augment our music and academic
programs. We have had 27 Presidential Scholars - more than any other
public or private school in the U.S.
THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS The admissions process for both the
Interlochen Arts Camp and the Interlochen Arts Academy is composed of
several easy steps. Every step of the way we have helpful,
knowledgeable Admissions Counselors and other staff to help you sort
through all the information, and get forms filled out quickly and
accurately.
Step One. Contact our admissions department for a catalog and
other important information about Interlochen. Call 616/276-7472, or
write: Interlochen Center for the Arts, Admissions Office, P.O. Box
199, Interlochen, MI, 49643.
Step Two. Review the information. Call our office if you have
specific questions about any aspect of the camp or academy.
Step Three. Fill out an application and financial aid forms.
At this time you will also submit audition materials, or schedule an
audition. Audition requirements vary depending on your major, whether
you are seeking financial aid, and whether you are attending the Camp
or the Academy.
Step Four. If you would like to see what we are all about in
person, schedule a visit to our campus. We'll give you the grand
tour, visit some classes and a performance or two. You can also talk
directly to other students to find out what they think about their
Interlochen experience.
Step Five. Start packing! You're on your way to a great experience at
Interlochen - one you won't soon forget. Welcome! You can also check
out Interlochen on the web at:
http://www.traverse.com/educ/ica/icahome.html,
or email the Admissions Office at:
admissions@interlochen.k12.mi.us.
Jeremy Dalnes is a graduate of the New World School of the Arts, and has written a description of the facilities and courses provided. For further information, you can contact the school (address is provided at the end of the article), and if you want to hear first-hand from a former student, write to Jeremy at: jeremy.dalnes@Oberlin.edu:
NEW WORLD SCHOOL OF THE ARTS is a performing arts high-school and college located in downtown Miami, FL. The school has programs for Dance, Theater, Music, and Visual Arts. It's one of the only institutions in the country where you can enter as a freshman in high-school and leave with a bachelor of arts. The school is tri-funded by Dade County Public schools, Miami-Dade Community College, and the University of Florida. It is part of Dade County's magnet school program. A magnet school is one that everyone has the chance to attend but admission is selective based on certain criteria; in New World's case it is by audition (or review of your portfolio for visual artists) only.
There has been a recent addition to the music division with the appointment of Salil Sachdev as director of Electronic and Computer music. Salil is a fabulous composer as well as a wonderful friend. I helped him design/build the new recording studio there. It was a lot of work and a ton of fun! The program is quite new and there are big plans in the works. The school is making a valiant effort to become a major conservatory in the south. It's a wonderful school in a very warm climate. For a more detailed explanation of each department and to find out more info on admissions etc., check out New World's web site at http://www.mdcc.edu/nwsa/. Or give Salil a call at (305) 237-3609 and tell him Jeremy sent you, he'd get a kick out of that!
Copyright September 1996,
updated February 2004.
Kristine H. Burns,
Florida International University
Questions? Contact me.
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