Photos courtesy of PVSchools
The North Valley Arts Academies (NVAA) take center stage as one of PVSchools’ premiere education programs. Housed on three different campuses — Desert Cove Elementary, Shea Middle, and Shadow Mountain High School — this “school within a school” has opportunities for students in grades kindergarten through 12th to fully embrace the creative process and flourish as an artist. Whether it’s dance, theatre, music technology, or visual arts, students can find the pathway that fits their passion. With so many opportunities and immersive experiences, NVAA aims to provide a creative outlet for all students with a range of skills and abilities.
Dance is En Pointe – Students explore their artistic voice through the choreographic process and shine bright on the stage as part of the NVAA Dance Program. Shadow Mountain junior, Lucie Love Salsbury explains, “When I choreograph dances I can communicate a message through my movements, and not only that but highlight the small beats in a song that would have been overlooked when first listened to. This idea that I could give so much to an audience through some movement changed how I perceived choreography [sic].”
Theatre Provides Community Through Collaborative Creation – Students like Shea Middle School eighth grader Abigail Baumbach love the unique and transformative power of theatre by mastering fundamental performance and storytelling skills. “Recently, our advanced theatre class toured the elementary schools, I got to know what it felt like performing for different audiences and seeing how that affects the performers, how we can appreciate them; and that inspired me,” she says.
Music Technology Allows you to Create the Music That You Want to Make – Calvin Shiling, a fifth grader from Desert Cove Elementary, spends his days exploring the development and production of sound. While the curriculum is considered rigorous, it’s age appropriate and students learn the basics that will prepare them for their educational journey. Calvin says, “I haven’t had too many challenges yet in NVAA because all of the lessons are really well organized. I like music tech, [sic] Mr. Ferraro is one of my favorite specials teachers.”
Visual Art: Craft an Exceptional Talent – Lucie Love Salsbury is not only a dancer, but also a visual artist who uses her refined visual arts techniques as a tool to engage her audience. “What I can’t put into words, I can put into shapes on a canvas, and communicate with so many people through my art. I learned that with art, there is no barrier to communication, and being able to see other people’s experiences through their art, and share my own, is a privilege,” she says.
NVAA students are encouraged to be contributors to both the educational and cultural landscape of their communities by learning how to communicate their ideas, collaborate with others, and use their creativity to engage with the world around them.
As NVAA program coordinator and dance teacher Leanne Slater explains, “The program emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and leadership while preparing students for college and careers in the arts and beyond … students grow artistically while developing critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.” She goes on to explain, “Through arts literacy, students gain a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical significance of their work, becoming informed and thoughtful creators.”
The comprehensive curriculum and accelerated arts education prepare students for a one-of-a-kind journey during their time in PVSchools. NVAA classes naturally bring students together through collaboration, where they learn to work as a team, share ideas, and create original works. The best part is, NVAA is open to all kindergarten through 12th-grade students throughout the Valley!
If you’re looking for a rigorous and professional arts education, learn more about the North Valley Arts Academies by visiting pvschools.net/nvaa.
