The Dillard Center for the Arts Dance Program seeks to train both the young artist who is professionally oriented and the young artist who has the potential to dance but may never have had the opportunity to study in a professional setting.   The program helps the student to develop an in-depth appreciation of the arts and the physical and mental discipline essential to a successful career in any field. 

The dance program at Dillard Center For The Arts provides excellent dance training in our creative arts setting and offers students a broad range of experiences.  All aspects of dance (technique, performance, choreography, history, and production) are experienced in our beautiful, modern facilities. Dance learning extends beyond the classroom. Throughout the year, students have the opportunity to engage in a variety of dance-related activities including masterclasses, post-performance discussions, and professional dance concerts.




Areas of Focus: Ballet, Modern Dance, Jazz & Tap, Hip-Hop

Activities & Performances: National Dance Festival, Master Classes with renowned artist and choreographers, Chocolate Nutcracker Ballet, Superintendent's Dance Showcase, Solo Dance Showcases, various local and regional competitions. 

I have a question or I would like to learn more about the dance program at Dillard Center for the Arts. 

Our nationally renowned and award winning music department features outstanding unique experiences in the following areas:

• Concert & Jazz Bands
• Various Chorale Ensembles
• String Orchestra
• Piano Studies
• Commercial Music Production including Songwriting and Studio Recording

Concert & Marching Bands - Consisting of the Concert Winds, Symphonic Winds, Wind Orchestra and "The Force" Marching Band, the Dillard Bands consistently earn Superior ratings at the Music Performance Assessments held at the District and State level. The DCA Wind Orchestra recently returned from an awe-inspiring performance at New York City's legendary Carnegie Hall.  The band was also awarded Sweepstakes Honors at the Showcase Band Festival in Anaheim, CA as well as performing as a featured ensemble at the Music For All Festival in Indianapolis, IN. Hear The DCA Wind Orchestra |Watch "The Force" Marching Band| I'd like to learn more about the DCA Bands

DCA Jazz Ensemble - Dillard Center for the Arts is home to the three-time winner of the National Essentially Ellington Jazz Band Competition. Recognized frequently as one of the finest High School Jazz Ensembles in the nation, the DCA Jazz Ensemble students have gone on to study at prestigious universities/conservatories such Juilliard, Berklee, Manhattan School of Music, The New School, and Michigan State just to name a few. Watch the DCA Jazz Ensemble |I'd like to learn more about the DCA Jazz Ensemble. 

Vocal Studies at DCA - The DCA Chorus provides students with instruction in the development of technical skills in the choral setting. The DCA Vocal Ensembles have earned numerous Superior Ratings at the district and state level through their participation in Florida Vocal Association Music Performance Assessments. The DCA Choir is has also had numerous students to participate in Honor Vocal Ensembles at both the district and state level. In addition the group has recorded at CD, and performed twice at the legendary Carnegie Hall in New York City. Watch The DCA Vocal Jazz Ensemble | Watch The DCA Chorale | I like to learn more about the Vocal Studies program at DCA

DCA String Orchestra - The DCA Orchestra provides large group instruction and performance experiences on string/orchestral instruments. The DCA Orchestra has consistently earned Superior Ratings at FOA Music Performance Assessments. The Orchestra also boasts numerous students earning Honor Orchestra honors at both the district and state level. Watch The DCA String Quartet with Yoyo Ma | I'd like to learn more about the Strings program at Dillard Center for the Arts

Piano for Majors - Piano for majors emphasizes development of advance keyboard skills, music reading, and conceptual understanding pertinent to advanced level study. Students in the piano program focus on piano studies as their "major." However students in the piano program are also eligible to take jazz ensemble, commercial music, orchestra and concert band. I'd like to learn more about the Piano Studies program at DCA

Commercial Music, Songwriting & Studio Recording - The Commercial Music program at Dillard Center For The Arts is designed to prepare students for a career in the music industry. The curriculum includes songwriting, audio recording and production, training in Logic Pro, ProTools and basic studio recording techniques. The program also includes study in courses related to marketing and legal issues, in order to provide the students with insight as to how to properly protect, market, and monetize their creative intellectual works. Be sure to check out the Commercial Music photo gallery below to view photo's from inside our studios.  I'd like to learn more about the entire Commercial Music program at Dillard Center for the Arts 

 

The mission of the Dillard Center for the Arts: Theater Magnet Program is to provide students with the skills, training and discipline necessary to pursue a career in the diverse and competitive world of professional entertainment. Through a rigorous combination of rich academic instruction, intense professional training and hands on mentoring, we strive to ensure that our graduates leave us with the tools and abilities necessary to excel as they continue onward into the next phase of their professional growth. Currently, Dillard Center for the Arts alumni have gone on to successful careers in television, film, theater, music as well as a variety of other related fields.

The Theater Magnet Program is separated into three distinct Focus Tracks, each specifically designed to prepare students for a different set of career possibilities in the world of professional entertainment. Prospective students are required to select their track(s) of interest when scheduling their audition appointment, as the audition requirements vary for each track.

ACTING

The mission of the Acting Focus is to train students to be, not only skilled performers, but also well-rounded theatrical practitioners capable of filling multiple roles in the entertainment industry. The Acting Focus centers around a strong core of performance training, including, but not limited to:

• Acting for Stage & Film
• Improvisation
• Various Acting Styles and Techniques o Voice & Movement
• “Voice-Over" Acting
• Theater for Young Audiences

In addition to performance training, students on the Acting Focus Tracks are also instructed in the practical areas of living and working in the theater and entertainment industry, including:

• The Business of Working in Entertainment
• Career Management and Promotion
• Technical Theater
• Directing
• Project Management
• College Selection and Audition Prep

MUSICAL THEATER

The Musical Theater Focus is a rigorous and intensive program designed to prepare students to compete in the demanding world of professional Musical Theater. Like the Acting Focus, the Musical Theater Track centers around a core of performance training, but with a heavy emphasis on Vocal and Dance Technique. The program includes:

• Acting for Musical Theater
• Acting for Stage & Film
• Vocal Performance & Technique
• Dance (Tap, Jazz, Ballet, & Modern)

In addition to performance training, students on the Musical Theater Focus Track are also instructed in the practical areas of theater and entertainment industry, including:

• The Business of Working in Entertainment
• Career Management & Promotion
• Technical Theater
• Directing & Choreography
• Recording Studio Training
• College Selection and Audition Prep

TECHNICAL DESIGN & PRODUCTION*

The Technical Design & Production Focus is an intensive, practical program providing students with the skills and hands-on experience needed to prepare them for a multitude of career paths in the entertainment industry. Technical Design & Production students are also responsible for the design, production and operation of all technical aspects for all Dillard Center for the Arts productions. In addition to studying a variety of technical areas, students in the Technical Design & Production Focus are given the unique opportunity to receive hands-on training from seasoned professionals, while utilizing state of the art theatrical equipment and technology. Some of the technical areas the program covers include:

• Set Design & Construction
• Lighting Technology & Design
• Sound Design (Live & Studio)
• Stage Management
• Costume Construction
• Career Management & Promotion
• The Business of Working in Entertainment
• College Selection and Audition Prep

*While Technical Design & Production students may be required to do a small amount of performance work in certain courses, this is considered a “non-performance” program, meaning that the students primary focus will be on their technical work and not on performing (acting, singing, dancing). Students with a sincere interest in performing may be more suited to the Acting Focus Track which also contains a technical component.

PRODUCTIONS & STUDENT LIFE

Our department produces 4-6 productions annually which include plays, musicals and showcases. Students are also given the opportunity to participate in multiple theatrical organization, including Thespian events at the state and local level, as well as The Cappies and the Florida Theatre Conference. These events give our students the chance to compete against other schools as well as audition for college programs and scholarships.

 Watch The PBS Special On The DCA Production of "The Wiz." | I'd like to learn more about the DCA Theater Program

At DCA we offer our students a dynamic arrangement of in-depth programs of study, including Studio Art, Graphic Design and Art History. Our curriculum encompasses a broad range of media including ceramics, digital arts, drawing, painting and sculpture. 

IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES

If artistic expression is constantly on your mind, and you have dreams and aspirations of further developing your talents, or pursing becoming a professional artist as a career choice, there is no better place to start your journey than at Dillard Center For The Arts. Starting your journey with DCA means you will have an opportunity to experience:

• State Of The Art Facilities - ( 2500 Sq. Ft. Art Gallery, 3 Art Studios, 2 Computer Labs)
• A Passionate & Well Trained Staff - Our teachers LOVE teaching, and take pride in nurturing the development of our emerging artist.
• Technology + Innovation - Emerging media is deeply ingrained in DCA's arts curriculum.
• Excellence In Advance Placement Courses - Our students consistently score well on Art AP Examinations.
• College Readiness - Our students often attend some of the most prestigious art schools in the nation on full or partial scholarships.

I'd like to learn more about the visual arts program at Dillard Center for the Arts.