Student Applications

FELLOWS ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

School of the Arts Fellows serves as an exploratory arts training program for artistically talented high school students. Applications will be open to rising 9th - 12th grade students from across the district. 

Students who are interested in joining SOTA as a Fellow are required to:

1. Submit a Fellows application
2. Meet the Admissions criteria
   1. Be in good standing in the following areas:
      1. Academics (80% cumulative GPA, no grade lower than a 71, on track to graduate on time)
      2. Attendance
      3. Discipline.
3. Student's standing within the program will be evaluated based on their commitment to the program, academic achievement, and disciplinary record.
4. The student is expected to participate in their program’s curricular activities, extracurricular activities, and cross-curricular arts programs and activities.

CONSERVATORY ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

School of the Arts Conservatory serves as a pre-professional arts training program for artistically talented high school students. Acceptance into the Conservatory program requires an audition and will be open to rising 9th grade students from across the district. Rising 10-12 grade students are welcome to apply; however, the number of spots will be subject to availability and will vary by Conservatory. There is no beginning Conservatory level for students who transfer in grades 10-12. Transfer students in 10-12 grade are not eligible to participate in GHSA Varsity sports until one year after their transfer. This includes One-Act Play competition and Literary competition.  Auditions will be held on Jan. 2, 2026. Students will be notified of acceptance in January. Acceptance is contingent upon grades being finalized in June.

Students who are interested in joining the Conservatory are required to:

1. Submit a Conservatory application
2. Participate in the Audition process for their fine arts area.
   1. Submit a portfolio of work (Art & Design only)
   2. Audition and interview with a panel of professionals
3. Meet the Admissions criteria
   1. Be in good standing in the following areas:
      1. Academics (80% cumulative GPA, no grade lower than a 71, on track to graduate on time)
      2. Attendance
      3. Discipline
   2. Sign a Conservatory commitment by the established deadline.
4. Student's standing within their program will be evaluated based on their commitment to the program, academic achievement, disciplinary record, and artistic evaluations including (but not limited to) production hour commitments, semester juries, and portfolio reviews.
5. The student is expected to participate in their program’s curricular activities, extracurricular activities, cross-curricular arts programs and activities, and take Advanced Placement courses.

ART & DESIGN CONSERVATORY AUDITION REQUIREMENTS 

Auditions for the visual arts conservatory program are divided into two rounds—a portfolio review and a live demonstration of artistic ability. Students should look over and begin working on their portfolio requirements long before the submission deadline to ensure the highest quality of concept, technique, and process is utilized. All portfolios are due in person to the SOTA Art and Design department by the first Friday back from Thanksgiving break. Portfolios may be dropped off at the red desk inside the SOTA entrance M-F between 6:45AM-2:45PM leading up to the portfolio submission deadline. Students will be notified prior to the winter holiday break if they have passed the first round of auditions and are invited back to participate in the live audition portion. Any prevalent information needed for the live audition, such as the time and location, will be included in the same invitation notification students receive after the end of the first audition round. Students who do not pass the first round will be invited to still enroll at the Schools of the Arts as a Fellows student. 

Part 1: Portfolio Review

Works completed under the guidance of an art teacher and/or that are recent (done within the last year) are preferred.  

Contents: Your portfolio should include 6 works of art.

1. 4 of the pieces must meet the following requirements:
   1. A drawing or painting of a pair of tennis shoes/boots
   2. A drawing or painting of an arrangement of kitchen tools/utensils.
   3. A drawing or painting of a landmark or building structure
   4. Self-portrait (any medium) realistic to the best of the student’s ability
2. 2 pieces are your choice
   1. Media can include drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, graphic design, sculpture, and/or ceramics. Please no illustrative works, whether digital or not. 
   2. No copyrighted material (i.e., Anime, Manga, cartoons, or images of celebrities will be accepted.)
   3. Sketchbooks will not be accepted as an additional piece option 
3. The four required pieces are expected to be made from direct observation. The two choice pieces do not have to be made from direct observation.
4. Size can range from 8.5 x 11” to no larger than 18 x 24”. 
5. Presentation: Pieces should not be framed. Sculptural work and works on canvas may be included but should be represented by a photograph or a digital print. Three-dimensional work should be photographed against a contrasting background. There is no set style or dimensions of the portfolio itself. 
6. Students should be prepared to leave their portfolios with the art and design instructors for a long period of time. Make sure appropriate contact information is included on or in the portfolio. All portfolios will be available for students to pick up at the end of the audition window. 

Part 2: Live Audition (at SOTA) 

1. During the audition, you will be asked to complete a series of aesthetic prompts. This can include drawing, photography, and sculpture. The pieces will be evaluated based on evidence and understanding of line, value, form, perspective, emphasis, composition, and creativity. 
2. The series of exercises may include:
   1. Drawing from observation
   2. Creating compositions by responding to phrases or narratives
   3. Creating compositions and designs and/or manipulating various materials within a frame of reference

*Formal attire is not required, but you should dress neatly and presentably. 

**Portfolios and live audition artifact(s) will be graded based on a rubric scale; however, scores will not be published

DANCE CONSERVATORY AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

The Dance audition has three components: a technique class (ballet, modern, jazz), a short interview with the judges, and a solo performed by the candidate. 

Part One: The technique class will be performed in a large group setting. 

Part Two: The short interview will be conducted with the judges and the candidate only. 

Part Three: The solo will be performed directly after the personal interview with the judges and the candidate only. 

Technique Class Attire: 

-For both male and female: Tight fitting all black attire including tank tops, short or long sleeve  shirts, capri or full length leggings, or compression shorts (at least two inches in length) NO  RUNNING SHORTS OR BAGGY CLOTHES! 

-Candidates may wear leotards and tights (black leotard with pink, black, or skin tone convertible tights) 

-Footwear: Ballet slippers or socks, jazz shoes or socks (for modern candidates will be barefoot) 

-All hair should be secured back tightly so as not to inhibit any movement. Hair must be secured out of the face. 

Short Interview: 

-Each judge will ask the candidate one question that allows the candidate to talk about their interest in dance as an art form and how dance has shaped their life.

Dance Solo: 

-Candidates may perform any dance genre, including but not limited to: ballet, modern, jazz, contemporary, tap, world dance, hip hop, clogging, etc. Any genre of dance that the candidate feels confident performing 

-Music provided by the candidate: CD, MP3 player, Phone with appropriate adaptor, Flash Drive -Candidate may choose to do solo without music 

-Length: forty five seconds - one minute. Must not exceed one minute 

MUSIC TECHNOLOGY AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

The Music Technology audition has three components: 

1. The student will provide a digital portfolio showcasing the music creation process skills that the student has acquired.  
   1. The portfolio may contain 1-3 pieces the student has created.
   2. The portfolio can be shown via a computer, phone provided by the student, or flash-drive.
2. The student will interview with a panel of judges. 
   1. Student should expect to be able to explain their connection to music.
   2. Student should expect to discuss their interest in various aspects of the music industry such as the creation, recording, production and post production tasks involved in music technology.
3. The student will engage in a small group rhythm activity led by an adjudicator.

THEATRE CONSERVATORY AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Each candidate must perform a memorized Monologue PLUS One of the following:

1. Musical theatre song
   1. Song from any musical theatre production
   2. 32 bars; must provide track saved on phone - not YouTube or iTunes
2. Contrasting monologue
   1. Monologue(s) from published plays 60-90 seconds
   2. If you choose to perform 2 monologues they should be contrasting in style (ie. one dramatic/one comedic or one classical/one contemporary)

• No props or costumes should be used. 
• Candidates may, but are not expected to, bring a resume and/or headshot to the audition. If candidates select to do so, only one copy of each is necessary.

You should also expect the following on your audition day:

• To answer some questions about yourself in a brief interview
• To participate in a drama game or activity in a group setting
• To submit a written response to a dramatic text (provided) 

OPTIONAL:

Students may submit a Design Portfolio containing:

• 250 word artist statement
• accompanying production or design photos

VOICE CONSERVATORY AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

The Voice Conservatory audition consists of four parts:

1.      Solo 

      a. This song should highlight the very best qualities of the student’s vocal range.

     b. It should be an art song, folk song, or musical theater selection. Art songs and folk songs can be found in Pathways Volume I & II, The Young Singer Book 1, and 24 Italian Songs and Arias. Repertoire Examples: The Sandman, Passing By, The Falling Dew, Dedication, I Love Thee, When Love is Kind, O cessate di piagarmi, and Nel cor piu non mi sento.

2.      Sight-singing - One example in Major (the example will be provided)

3.      Scales - Major, Minor, and Chromatic

4.      Interview