Choice Programs

Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts would like to welcome you to our Choice art program offerings. Our school provides a uniquely challenging and nurturing environment focused on individual growth, opportunity, and diversity. Explore our programs below. For more information, please contact Alyssa Arterburn, our Magnet Coordinator.

Communication Arts

The Communication Arts program is the first of its kind to exist anywhere in the United States. It offers a multi-strand curriculum that promotes proficiency in speech and debate, print and broadcast journalism, yearbook, creative writing, graphic design, digital video/film production and television production. The program prepares students to be leaders in the various fields of Communications through participation in performances, publications and productions.

Dance

The Dance program offers rigorous instruction for the serious dance student. Dance enables students to develop an appreciation for the art of Dance through a holistic approach. Students learn about various dance styles, including Ballet, Modern, Jazz and Contemporary classes on a weekly basis, develop physical strength, flexibility and technical style, build a sense of self respect, peer collaboration and coordination, graceful coordination, balance and control of movements and, most of all, appreciate artistic growth.

Digital Arts & Photography

The Digital Arts & Photography Department empowers students to discover and refine their unique artistic voice through an advanced curriculum that offers hands-on experience in darkroom photography, digital photography, digital arts, animation, motion graphics, art history, drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, 2-D design. The department shares studio spaces, curriculum options, and a mission with the Visual Arts department. 

With the support of dedicated faculty and a vibrant studio environment, students are encouraged to think critically and create boldly. Maintaining a well-developed sketchbook is a core component of the program, promoting research, experimentation, and thoughtful planning. By graduation, students have developed a cohesive and compelling body of work that showcases their personal vision, technical mastery, and creative evolution.

Music - Band

Programs offering development of extensive study in sight-reading skills, improvisational skills, and performance techniques while encompassing various levels of music theory. More than twenty different student ensembles, ranging from classical to jazz, Marching and Drum line, rehearse and perform throughout the year. They perform at halftime shows during football games, pep rallies, various local parades, campus events and Band Competitions. Band students focus on the development of Experiences in responding to music and connecting music to cultural influences are also a part of the overall course.

Music - Keyboard/Piano

Internationally recognized, the Keyboard program offers extensive study in the Music industry. Courses encompass three levels of music theory including Music Theory, Advanced Music Placement and Music Composition. Student ensembles rehearse and perform throughout the year.

Music - Strings

Internationally recognized, the Strings program offers extensive study for students interested in the Philharmonic, String Orchestra, and Instrumental Ensemble. Courses encompass three levels of music theory including Music Theory, Advanced Music Placement and Music Composition. Student ensembles rehearse and perform throughout the year.

Music - Vocal

Students in the Vocal program develop a proper vocal technique and an understanding of vocal mechanism. Students will also learn musical notation, sight singing and appreciation of many genres of music through the study and performance of vocal literature. Students will also learn musical theory, arrangement, vocal and performance techniques, musical notation, sight –reading, structure & discipline. They will experience feelings of accomplishment and success like no other through creative expression, self- respect, peer collaboration and coordination, most of all an appreciation for others' talent.

Theatre - Acting

The Acting track of the Theatre program challenges young artists to develop a passion and understanding of the art form. Students will focus on process-centered work, gaining a profound knowledge of who they are in the world both as artists and humans. Through a curriculum involving movement work, script analysis, scene study, Shakespeare, devised theater and directing, students will train to become competitive theater practitioners and storytellers.

Theatre - Musical

The Musical track of the Theatre program explores the practical skills needed for the artist seeking to study musical theatre on the collegiate level. Students study acting, singing, and dancing in tandem as the primary method of telling stories. Students will explore dance technique, musical theatre history, music theory and musicianship principles, present selections from their repertoire books, workshop material, work collaboratively as an ensemble, study current trends in the profession and, eventually, film college pre-screen auditions.

Theatre - Technical

The Technical track of the Theatre program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of all production elements of a show and offers hands-on training in all aspects of technical theatre construction and design of scenery, lighting, sound, and costume. Students can study stage management, arts administration, and prepare for leadership positions on crews and production teams.

Visual Arts

The Visual Arts Department empowers students to discover and refine their unique artistic voice through an advanced curriculum that offers hands-on experience in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, 2-D design, art history, darkroom photography, digital photography, digital arts, animation and motion graphics. The department shares studio spaces, curriculum options, and a mission with the Digital Arts & Photography department. 

With the support of dedicated faculty and a vibrant studio environment, students are encouraged to think critically and create boldly. Maintaining a well-developed sketchbook is a core component of the program, promoting research, experimentation, and thoughtful planning. By graduation, students have developed a cohesive and compelling body of work that showcases their personal vision, technical mastery, and creative evolution.