MSAKC will be unique in its organizational structure. Instead of the traditional grade level configuration (grades 7-12), we will arraign students in conservatories, a small-learning communities - that places students in smaller settings within a school. This simply means, when we are fully implemented, our students will be enrolled in one of five arts-based conservatories (dance, music, theater, visual arts, and digital arts) as well as a middle school arts exploratory conservatory when implemented. Students will develop strong relationships with their peers as well as academic staff assigned to each of these art-based academies.
Dance
The overall goal of the program is to establish a solid foundation with which students can begin to progressively develop their skills as a professional dancer. The Dance Conservatory is committed to providing a high level of instruction and experiences that will prepare students to study dance at the college level or enter a professional dance training program.
Students of all abilities may audition for admission into the Dance Conservatory. MSAKC recognizes the need to provide opportunities for students who have had prior instruction in dance, as well as students who have not had prior training but demonstrate a strong natural ability and a desire to learn.
Dance students will also have the opportunity to take technical classes in both theater and vocal music if their interest is in musical theater performance.
Link to Conservatory Requirements
The overall goal of the program is to establish a solid foundation with which students can begin to progressively develop their skills as a professional dancer. The Dance Conservatory is committed to providing a high level of instruction and experiences that will prepare students to study dance at the college level or enter a professional dance training program.
Students of all abilities may audition for admission into the Dance Conservatory. MSAKC recognizes the need to provide opportunities for students who have had prior instruction in dance, as well as students who have not had prior training but demonstrate a strong natural ability and a desire to learn.
Dance students will also have the opportunity to take technical classes in both theater and vocal music if their interest is in musical theater performance.
Link to Conservatory Requirements
Music
The Music Conservatory provides students of varying levels of previous musical training with an intensive and comprehensive course of study in instrumental and vocal music, with a concentration on classical and jazz genres. Students study music theory, music history, including non-Western forms, aural skills, music technology, and choir. Instrumental performance majors undertake rigorous study of the technique and repertoire of their instrument through classes and ensembles.
Students in the music conservatory, of varying levels of previous musical training, are provided with an intensive and comprehensive course of study in vocal music. Students study music theory, music history, including non-Western forms, aural skills, music technology, and choir.
Students of all abilities and levels of experience may audition for admission into the Music Conservatory. MSAKC recognizes the need to provide opportunities for students who have high levels of musical training, as well as students who have not had training in a formal setting but demonstrate strong natural ability and a desire to learn.
The Music Conservatory will support classical guitar as well as piano.
Link to Conservatory Requirements
The Music Conservatory provides students of varying levels of previous musical training with an intensive and comprehensive course of study in instrumental and vocal music, with a concentration on classical and jazz genres. Students study music theory, music history, including non-Western forms, aural skills, music technology, and choir. Instrumental performance majors undertake rigorous study of the technique and repertoire of their instrument through classes and ensembles.
Students in the music conservatory, of varying levels of previous musical training, are provided with an intensive and comprehensive course of study in vocal music. Students study music theory, music history, including non-Western forms, aural skills, music technology, and choir.
Students of all abilities and levels of experience may audition for admission into the Music Conservatory. MSAKC recognizes the need to provide opportunities for students who have high levels of musical training, as well as students who have not had training in a formal setting but demonstrate strong natural ability and a desire to learn.
The Music Conservatory will support classical guitar as well as piano.
Link to Conservatory Requirements
Theater
The Theatre Academy will offer a rigorous program of instruction at the highest artistic and academic level. The program has a mission to prepare students for admission to college theater programs and/or to work in the profession. This can be accomplished by providing theatrical experiences of all types of genres. Our younger students will produce traditional works and our junior/senior students may produce more diverse works. Students in the Theatre Academy have the unique experience of working with a range of artists from the Kansas City theatre community.
The Theatre Academy will offer two programs: Acting and Musical Theatre. The Acting major will focus on a progression of study that includes acting, voice and speech, movement, history of theatre practice and literature, stage production and design, periods and styles, and devising new work. The Musical Theatre major will work with faculty from the Theatre, Music and Dance conservatories, and will focus on a progression of study that includes acting, vocal technique, dance, music theory, keyboard, chorale, the history of musical theatre practice and literature, stage production and design, and devising new work.
Students of all abilities and levels of experience may audition for admission into the Theatre Academy. MSAKC recognizes the need to provide opportunities for students who have had prior theatrical instruction and students who have not had prior training but demonstrate strong natural abilities and a desire to learn
Link to Conservatory Requirements
The Theatre Academy will offer a rigorous program of instruction at the highest artistic and academic level. The program has a mission to prepare students for admission to college theater programs and/or to work in the profession. This can be accomplished by providing theatrical experiences of all types of genres. Our younger students will produce traditional works and our junior/senior students may produce more diverse works. Students in the Theatre Academy have the unique experience of working with a range of artists from the Kansas City theatre community.
The Theatre Academy will offer two programs: Acting and Musical Theatre. The Acting major will focus on a progression of study that includes acting, voice and speech, movement, history of theatre practice and literature, stage production and design, periods and styles, and devising new work. The Musical Theatre major will work with faculty from the Theatre, Music and Dance conservatories, and will focus on a progression of study that includes acting, vocal technique, dance, music theory, keyboard, chorale, the history of musical theatre practice and literature, stage production and design, and devising new work.
Students of all abilities and levels of experience may audition for admission into the Theatre Academy. MSAKC recognizes the need to provide opportunities for students who have had prior theatrical instruction and students who have not had prior training but demonstrate strong natural abilities and a desire to learn
Link to Conservatory Requirements
Musical Theater Interdisciplinary Students interested in musical theater will need a balanced training in dance, theater, and vocal. Students will enroll in to their preferred conservatory (dance, theater, or vocal music) but will take a customized course of study within the three conservatories. Like our theater students, our students will be exposed to diverse genres of works. Younger students may produce traditional shows while our junior/senior students may produce "coming of age" rock operas such as "Girlfriend" or "Spring Awakening". We see our school modeled after Harry Truman High School in Bucks County PA which inspired the book Drama High. The book led to the television series RISE.
Visual Arts
The Visual Arts Academy begins with foundational instruction, including an emphasis upon essential art making skills and understandings, and progresses toward more complex concepts, including critical analysis of visual culture and the fostering of independent work. The program challenges and empowers students to develop their own aesthetic as each matures into an innovative artist and critical thinker.
Students of all abilities may interview for admission into the Visual Arts Academy. MSAKC recognizes the need to provide opportunities for students who have had prior instruction in the visual arts and students who have not had prior training but demonstrate strong natural abilities and a desire to learn.
Students in the Visual Arts Academy will have the vast resources within the Kansas City community: Kansas City Art Institute, the Nelson-Atkins Museum, and a large number of professional artists.
Link to Conservatory Requirements
The Visual Arts Academy begins with foundational instruction, including an emphasis upon essential art making skills and understandings, and progresses toward more complex concepts, including critical analysis of visual culture and the fostering of independent work. The program challenges and empowers students to develop their own aesthetic as each matures into an innovative artist and critical thinker.
Students of all abilities may interview for admission into the Visual Arts Academy. MSAKC recognizes the need to provide opportunities for students who have had prior instruction in the visual arts and students who have not had prior training but demonstrate strong natural abilities and a desire to learn.
Students in the Visual Arts Academy will have the vast resources within the Kansas City community: Kansas City Art Institute, the Nelson-Atkins Museum, and a large number of professional artists.
Link to Conservatory Requirements
Digital Arts
(Conservatory Still Under Development)
The Digital Arts conservatory will house the following disciplines: videography/film, graphic arts, creative writing. This conservatory will eventually support other areas that support the arts.
(Conservatory Still Under Development)
The Digital Arts conservatory will house the following disciplines: videography/film, graphic arts, creative writing. This conservatory will eventually support other areas that support the arts.