Aspire | Achieve | Inspire

ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
Aspire | Achieve | Inspire
Educating the next generation of
world-class artists and scholars
SCHOOL OVERVIEW
As one of the premier arts schools in the nation, the Orange County School
of the Arts embraces and encourages artistic creativity and academic
excellence. This innovative public charter school provides a uniquely
challenging and nurturing environment focused on individual growth,
opportunity and diversity. The U.S. Department of Education and the
National Endowment for the arts have recognized the Orange County
School of the Arts as a model arts education program. The school is also
accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
(WASC).
WE FOSTER AN
ENVIRONMENT
AND CULTURE
THAT NURTURES
AND INSPIRES
OUR EXCEPTIONAL
STUDENTS
STUDENTS AND FACULTY
The school currently serves a culturally diverse student body of more than
1,850 students in grades 7-12 from more than 100 cities throughout
Southern California. The academic faculty is fully credentialed, and the
majority of the 200 arts and academic teachers hold advanced degrees.
They are dedicated and supportive professionals who help students
develop the skills necessary to succeed in higher education, or a profession
in the arts. Guest artists and industry leaders also share their expertise and
creativity with students through residencies, lectures, presentations, and
hands-on training.
COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE
Ninety-six percent of the school’s graduates are accepted into institutions
of higher education and the remaining pursue a career in the arts industry
upon graduation.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Interested applicants must have a minimum of a 2.0 GPA and satisfactory
citizenship. All applicants must audition and provide transcripts.
www.ocsarts.net/admissions
TUITION
The school is tuition free, donation dependent. No student is admitted or
denied based on financial capacity.
FUNDING
This school year is based on a $17 million
operating budget. Academic instruction is
funded by the State of California, totaling
$10 million. The school relies solely on the
generosity of individual donors, the
business community, and foundations to
fund the 12 arts conservatories offered. The
school must raise more than $7 million each
year—approximately $3,800 per student
—to continue offering a comprehensive arts
program.
ACADEMICS
NAMED ONE OF THE
TOP 4
HIGH SCHOOLS IN ORANGE COUNTY
- Orange County Register, June 2011
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Michal L. Mekjian, Jr., Chair
Carolyn Breeden, Ph.D.
Bradley H. Ellis, J.D.
Maria Newkirk Fong, J.D.
Gary Humphreys
Paul E. Satkin
ACADEMICS
The Orange County School of the Arts provides a rigorous academic
program aligned to the California State Standards. Students attend
approximately five hours of academic classes in addition to three hours
of daily arts instruction. Students maintain a school-wide Grade Point
Average (GPA) of 3.52, with the senior class averaging a 3.6 GPA. More
than 20% of the senior class earns a 4.0 GPA or higher. The school
offers 13 Advanced Placement classes.
Offering one of the most demanding and intensive academic programs
in Southern California, the school has been ranked in the top 10% of high
schools in the State of California, and is one of the top four high school
academic programs in Orange County, based on an Academic
Performance Index (API) test score of 907. In 2011, 99% of the school’s
10th graders passed the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE).
“OCSA is an extraordinary community of people
who are uncompromising in their commitment to
excellence, thrive on creativity, and never lose
sight of their dreams.”
- Ralph S. Opacic, Ed.D.
Founder and Executive Director
ARTS
ARTS
This is the place for aspiring artists to refine their
skills and flourish in one of 12 arts conservatories.
The school’s world-class arts programs provide an
opportunity for students to participate in enriching
classroom instruction, life-changing master classes
and fieldtrips, and unique performance opportunities
in prestigious arts venues throughout the world.
These once-in-a-lifetime learning experiences
combined with high-caliber daily arts instruction
ensure a successful future for
talented artist
scholars.
PERFORMANCES
Each year, our driven and highly motivated students
present more than 120 performances, presentations,
and exhibitions at a variety of venues in Orange
County and throughout the world, including Carnegie
Hall, Sydney Opera House, and Segerstrom Center
for the Arts. These performances, including the
annual Gala and Season Finale, encompass all
aspects of the arts and afford students the
opportunity to experience the audition process, work
with industry professionals, learn the various aspects
of each performance, build their confidence and self
esteem, and improve their technique and stage
presence. The recently acquired OC Pavilion, a
beautiful, state-of-the-art 500 seat theatre, is the
school’s premier performance venue.
CONSERVATORIES
Classical & Contemporary Dance
Classical Voice
Commercial Dance
Creative Writing
Culinary Arts & Hospitality
Film & Television
Instrumental Music
Integrated Arts
International Dance
Music & Theatre
Production & Design
Visual Arts
GUEST ARTISTS
“I want to encourage, very much, the
young students of the Orange County
School of the Arts to continue studying
music because it’s a wonderful world.”
- Maestro Placido Domingo
Francis Ford Coppola
Matthew Morrison
Marvin Hamlisch
GUEST ARTISTS
Students have the unique opportunity to study with nationally
renowned guest artists in a variety of master classes, workshops,
and performance experiences. These leading industry professionals
have a profound impact on our students’ education and often serve
as their mentors and inspiration as they advance to higher education
and a professional career in the arts. Guest artists and master
teachers have included esteemed professionals such as Debbie
Allen, Francis Ford Coppola, Neil Gaiman, Marvin Hamlisch, Yo-Yo
Ma, Matthew Morrison, Bebe Neuwirth, Cathy Rigby, and more.
Cathy Rigby
Debbie Allen
AWARDS
Best High Schools In America - Gold Medal recipient
(U.S. News & World Report), 2012
Non-Profit CFO of the Year - COO/CFO Steven Wagner
(Orange County Business Journal), 2011
OCSA named one of the top two midsize workplaces in Orange County
(Orange County Register), 2012
OCSA Founder Ralph S. Opacic, Ed.D. named one of the top three executives
in Orange County
(Orange County Register), 2011
Outstanding Founder - Ralph S. Opacic, Ed.D.
(National Philanthropy Day Orange County), 2009
America's Top Public High Schools
(Newsweek), 2009
California Distinguished School
(California Department of Education), 2005, 2009
Best High Schools in America - Silver Medal recipient
(U.S. News & World Report), 2008, 2009, 2010
California Professor & Music Teachers Association Award, 2008
Artistic Visionary: Cultural Legacy Award, Ralph S. Opacic, Ed.D.
(Arts Orange County), 2007
Business in the Arts Award
(Orange County Business Committee for the Arts, Inc.), 2007
Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award - Ralph S. Opacic, Ed.D.
(Orange County Business Journal), 2007
No Child Left Behind – Blue Ribbon School
(U.S. Department of Education), 2006
International NETWORK of Schools for the Advancement of Arts
Education’s Exemplary School Award, 2006
National School of Distinction
(Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network and the
California Alliance for Arts Education), 2004-2005
STAR School Award
(International NETWORK of Performing and Visual Arts Schools), 2001
Model Arts Education Program
(California Department of Education), 1998
National Blue Ribbon School Award with Special Honors in Arts
Education
(National Endowment for the Arts and the U.S. Department of
Education), 1998
PARTNERSHIPS
The Orange County School of the Arts has formed
partnerships with institutions of higher education and
professional arts organizations, including:
Arts Orange County
Bowers Museum of Cultural Art
California State University, Fullerton
Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
Chapman University
Orange County Museum of Art
Pacific Chorale
Pacific Symphony
Philharmonic Society of Orange County
Segerstrom Center for the Arts
South Coast Repertory
University of California, Irvine
University of Southern California
we are ocsa.
“OCSA meant to me an outstanding education,
creative opportunities, heightened awareness of
one’s self, a school where dreams are fulfilled,
and a world where education and the arts excel
and come together. OCSA gave me the tools to
learn, create, and the ability to grow into the
person I knew I wanted to become.”
-Kyle Shafiee, Instrumental Music Class of 2008
STUDENT LIFE
“A small part of this school never leaves you—it stays in
your heart. Though we are all different, we hold in
common this unique and beautiful experience, and the
love of what we choose to pursue.”
-Matthew Lulofs, Classical Voice Conservatory Class of 2010
STUDENT LIFE
Through a variety of school activities, students are encouraged to explore
their particular areas of interest and develop new ones. The Orange County
School of the Arts offers a diverse and inspiring array of activities
that encourage a united student body, including on-campus clubs,
Homecoming, Winter Formal, Prom, Grad Night, community outreach, and
many more.
Students often focus on academic success, artistic
exploration, personal growth, and social awareness. Not only are students
exposed to new opportunities, they engage with fellow classmates and
faculty who share similar interests. These connections often last a lifetime.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
The Orange County School of the Arts fosters a spirit of leadership,
entrepreneurialism, and community service by encouraging students to
make a positive difference in their school and community. Students
collaborate with classmates and faculty advisors to accomplish common
goals by organizing school-wide dances, fundraisers, and other special
activities. Through leadership involvement, students develop responsibility,
integrity, and a cooperative attitude that cultivates a successful high school,
college, and career experience.
PARENT & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
PARENT SUPPORT ORGANIZATION (PSO)
The Orange County School of the Arts encourages parent involvement in the
educational process. Through the Parent Support Organization (PSO), parents
join together and collaborate with the administrative team to enhance the
school’s dual arts and academic programs. Join today at www.ocsarts.net/pso
ENCORE!
ENCORE! is a membership group which offers invitations to special events, as
well as exclusive opportunities to current parents, alumni parents, alumni and
community members. ENCORE! members are passionate about arts education
and interested in supporting the next generation of world-class artists. The
mission of ENCORE! is to support the student artists of the Orange County
School of the Arts by serving as ambassadors to the local community and
participating in special events throughout the year. ENCORE! memberships
directly benefit the needs of our students by supporting school-wide initiatives.
Join today at www.ocsarts.net/ENCORE.
PARENTS ARTS COUNCIL (PAC)
The Parents Arts Council (PAC) focuses on creating volunteer opportunities for
parents within their student’s arts conservatory, establishing two-way
communication and dialogue among the school staff and parents, and
encouraging parent participation in marketing and fundraising activities.
www.ocsarts.net/pac
FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Through a variety of fundraising, marketing, and community outreach activities,
the OCSA Foundation raises more than $7 million annually to support the
school's tuition-free artistic programs and ongoing capital expansion plans. The
OCSA Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization governed by
a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of prominent business and cultural
leaders. www.ocsarts.net/foundation
ALUMNI
Julie Alexandria (Music & Theatre, 2000)
Voice Over Artist, Host and TV Personality; Host of
"Tailgate48" on the Big Ten Network
Bobby Amamizu (Commercial Dance, 2006)
Dancer (Fame, Cirque du Soleil)
Scott Barnhardt (Music & Theatre, 1997)
Broadway actor (The Book of Mormon, Big River, Bye
Bye Birdie)
Allison Mack
Austin O’Brien
Dante Basco (Music & Theatre, 1993)
Actor (Rufio in Hook)
Drake Bell (Music & Theatre)
Actor (Nickelodeon’s Drake & Josh)
Dante Basco
Nikki SooHoo
Taryn Manning
Jamie Bayard
Maile Misajon
Erik Altemus
Stephanie Block (Music & Theatre, 1990)
Broadway actress (The Mystery of Edwin Drood,
Anything Goes, Wicked, 9 to 5: The Musical, The Pirate
Queen, The Boy from Oz)
Chris Bonstetter (Visual Arts, 1994)
Computer graphics and special effects (Minority Report,
Air Force One, X-Men: The Last Stand)
Anna White
Bobby Amamizu
“I’m certain I received a
full-ride presidential
scholarship to USC
because of OCSA’s
rigorous academics
and
comprehensive arts
programs.”
-Austen Courter
Christine Brown (Visual Arts, 2006)
BRAVO's Mad Fashion; BFA in Fashion Design from
Pratt Institute; Assistant Designer at Amsale
Heidi Dean (Music & Theatre, 1998)
Personal Chef; Owner/Founder of Heidi's Gluten Free
Greatness
Allison Ulrich
Terron Brooks
Brett Egan (Music & Theatre, 1995)
Director, DeVos Institute of Arts Management, John F.
Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Susan Egan (Music & Theatre, 1988)
Tony Award-nominated actress (original Belle
in Broadway‘s Beauty and the Beast, Throughly Modern
Millie, Cabaret)
Lauren German (Commercial Dance, 1996)
Film and television actress (Chicago Fire, Quentin
Tarantino’s Hostel: Part II, A Walk to Remember, Hawaii
Five-0, 7th Heaven)
Kristin Gilmore (Music & Theatre, 1998)
Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State
Holly Hodges (Music & Theatre, 2006)
Walt Disney Imagineering, Ride Department
Kaitlyn Jenkins (Music & Theatre, 2010)
Television actress (ABC Family’s Bunheads)
Robert Prescott Lee (Commercial Dance, 2001)
Dancer and choreographer for film and TV (MTV VMAs,
Billboard Music Awards)
Sean Lee (Instrumental Music, 2005)
Student of Itzhak Perlman at The Juilliard School
Graduates have advanced
arts consevatory programs
Harvard University,
Stanford University,
Columbia University,
Manhattan School of Music,
California Institue of the
California, and
ALUMNI
Heather Wilson Martinez (Visual Arts, 1995)
Emmy-nominated animator for Disney and Nickelodeon
(SpongeBob SquarePants, The Fairly Odd Parents, My Life
as a Teenage Robot, The Replacements)
Stephanie J. Block
Chad Doreck
Anneliese van der Pol
Nathan Trasoras
Allison Mack (Music & Theatre)
Actress (Smallville)
Ilona McHugh (Classical & Contemporary Dance, 1998)
Dancer, American Ballet Theatre
Mark Meismer (Commercial Dance, 1991)
Dancer with Gregory Hines, Michael Jackson, Madonna
Drake Bell
Susan Egan
Matthew Morrison
Joanne Javien
Lindsay Mendez (Music & Theatre, 2001)
Broadway actress (Dogfight, Godspell, Grease, Everyday
Rapture, The Marvelous Wonderettes)
Matthew Morrison (Music & Theatre, 1997)
Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe Award-nominated actor
(Glee, Music & Lyrics, Dan in Real Life) Broadway
(Footloose, Hairspray, The Light in the Piazza)
Lindsay Mendez
Mark Meismer
Krysta Rodriguez
Sean Lee
Michael Muser (Music & Theatre, 1996)
Award-winning sommelier, Wine Director at The Peninsula
Hotel in Chicago
Sean O’Connor (Visual Arts, 1990)
Owner / President of Sean O'Connor Lighting
Timothy Wynn
Ilona McHugh
Robert Prescott Lee
David Sidoni
Greg Parkin (Music & Theatre, 1995)
Vice President of Studios and ARCHIVES Capitol Records
Phil Rahn (Production & Design, 1999)
Entertainment Operations Manager for Show and
Atmosphere Entertainment at Disney’s Aulani, a Disney
Resort and Spa in Ko'Olina, Hawaii
their education at leading
and universities, including
the Juilliard School,
New York University,
Krysta Rodriguez (Music & Theatre, 2002)
TV and Broadway actress (Smash, The Addams FamilyThe Musical, In The Heights, Spring Awakening, A Chorus
Line)
Maggie Feldman Rubenstein (Commercial Dance, 1992)
Owner/President, Magnetic Public Relations
Ali Sepasyar (Music & Theatre, 2010)
Cartoon Network's "Dude…What Would Happen"
Boston Conservatory,
David Sidoni (Music & Theatre, 1994)
Actor (Newsies, Roundhouse)
Art Center College of Design,
Nikki SooHoo (Commercial Dance, 2006)
Film and television actress (The Lovely Bones, The Suite
Life of Zack & Cody, Stick It)
Arts, University of Southern
many more.
Nathan Trasoras (Commercial Dance, 2009 )
Dancer (So You Think You Can Dance, Glee)
Anneliese van der Pol (Music & Theatre, 2002)
Actress (That’s So Raven, Kim Possible)
Timothy Michael Wynn (Instrumental Music, 1998)
Award-winning composer for films, television and video
games
www.ocsarts.net
1010 N. Main Street
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: 714.560.0900
Fax: 714.664.0463
www.ocsarts.net
COMMUNITY ARTS CLASSES
The OCSA Foundation offers fee-based summer, Saturday and evening
classes for children (grades 3-12) and adults. A variety of classes are
offered in ceramics, classical voice, computer animation, computer
graphic design, creative writing, dance, film, guitar, instrumental music,
music and theatre, 2D/3D painting and drawing, and more. Specialized
academic enrichment classes, portfolio preparation, and audition
technique workshops are also offered during the school year.
www.ocsarts.net/communityclasses
COMMUNITY OUTREACH - CAMP OCSA
Camp OCSA is a free, interactive arts training workshop available to
students in grades 4-6 residing in Santa Ana, California. The program
offers inspiring classes in dance, drama, guitar, visual arts, and vocal
music, and introduces young people to the basic language,
techniques,
and
skills
in
their
chosen
art
discipline.
www.ocsarts.net/campocsa
MONTAGE! PERFORMING GROUP
MONTAGE! is the school’s premier performing group comprised of
talented student artists in grades 7-12 auditioned from the school's
twelve arts conservatory programs. Praised for its high-energy,
professional level performances, MONTAGE! combines the talent of
singers, dancers, musicians, actors and other aspiring artists in
unforgettable, custom performances. MONTAGE! has been the
featured entertainment at prominent events throughout Southern
California.
Book MONTAGE! for your next special
event!
www.ocsarts.net/montage
The Orange County School of the Arts extends a heartfelt
thank you to the generous photographers, marketing
professionals, and corporations who assisted in the
creation of this brochure.
www.ocsarts.net/marketingsupport
OCSA FOUNDATION
Through a variety of fundraising, marketing, and community outreach
activities, the Orange County School of the Arts Foundation is
dedicated to the support of the school's tuition-free artistic programs,
as well as its ongoing capital expansion plans. The OCSA Foundation
is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization governed by a volunteer
Board of Directors comprised of prominent business, education and
cultural leaders. www.ocsarts.net/foundation