OCSA Brochure

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
FUNDING
The school currently serves a culturally diverse student body of more than
2,100 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.
This school year is based on a $25 million
operating budget. Academic instruction is
funded by the State of California, totaling
$16.5 million. The school relies solely on the
generosity of individual donors, the business
community, and foundations to fund the 14
arts conservatories offered. The school must
raise $8.5 million each year — approximately
$4,000 per student — to continue offering a
comprehensive arts program.
COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE
Ninety-eight 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. For more
information about OCSA’s admission requirements, visit
www.ocsarts.net/admissions.
TUITION
The school is tuition-free, donation-dependent. No student is admitted or
denied based on financial capacity.
ACADEMICS
ONE OF THE
TOP 3 HIGH SCHOOLS IN ORANGE COUNTY
(Orange County Register, 2014)
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Gary Humphreys, Chair
Vincent Foley, Secretary
Carolyn Breeden, Ed.D.
Maria Newkirk Fong, JD
Paul Satkin
ACADEMICS
The Orange County School of the Arts provides a rigorous academic
program aligned with 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 3.40, with the senior class averaging a 3.54 GPA. More
than 25% of the senior class earns a 4.0 GPA or higher. The school offers
17 Advanced Placement classes.
The Orange County School of the Arts offers one of the most demanding
and intensive academic programs in Southern California. In 2015, the
school was named the Best Charter High School in California by Niche
Rankings and is one of the top three high schools in Orange County,
according to the Orange County Register.
“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 the five schools of
study offered, including: Applied Arts, Dance, Fine
& Media Arts, Music, and Theatre. 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 100 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 Margaret A. Webb Theatre, a
beautiful, state-of-the-art 420 seat theatre, is the
school’s premier performance venue.
CONSERVATORIES
SCHOOL OF APPLIED ARTS
Culinary Arts & Hospitality Conservatory
SCHOOL OF DANCE
Classical & Contemporary Dance
Conservatory
Commercial Dance Conservatory
International Dance Conservatory
Ballet Folklorico Program
Ballroom Dance Program
SCHOOL OF FINE & MEDIA ARTS
Creative Writing Conservatory
Digital Media Conservatory
Film & Television Conservatory
Integrated Arts Conservatory
Visual Arts Conservatory
SCHOOL OF MUSIC
Classical Voice Conservatory
Instrumental Music Conservatory
Commercial Music Program
Frederick Fennell Wind Studies
Program
The Garn Family Jazz Studies
Program
Guitar Program
Pianist Program
Strings & Orchestra Program
SCHOOL OF THEATRE
Acting Conservatory
Musical Theatre Conservatory
Production & Design Conservatory
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 Charter High School in California (Niche Rankings), 2015
Best Charter School, Parenting OC 2015 Reader’s Choice Awards, 2015
One of the top three public high schools in Orange County (Orange County
Register), 2014
California Distinguished School (California Department of Education),
2005, 2009, 2013
Arts Schools Network Exemplary School Award,
2006, 2010-2011, 2013-2015
America's Top Public High Schools (Newsweek),
2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014
Best High Schools in America (U.S. News & World Report),
2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Jeffrey Lawrence Award - Ralph S. Opacic, Ed.D. (Arts Schools Network),
2012
Community Partnership Award - Camp OCSA (Arts Schools Network), 2012
Arts Innovation Award - Commercial Music Program
(Arts Schools Network), 2012
Regional Winner, LA Times 2012 Reader's Choice Awards
Non-Profit CFO of the Year - COO/CFO Steven Wagner
(Orange County Business Journal), 2011
One of top two midsize workplaces in Orange County (Orange County Register),
2011
Ralph S. Opacic, Ed.D. one of top three executives in Orange County
(Orange County Register), 2011
One of California's top ten public charter schools (USC), 2011
Outstanding Founder - Ralph S. Opacic, Ed.D.
(National Philanthropy Day Orange County), 2009
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
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 Conservatory
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 and
organizations, 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 for 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 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.
For additional information about PAC, visit www.ocsarts.net/pac.
FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The OCSA Foundation Board of Directors is comprised of prominent business
and cultural leaders who volunteer their time to support the efforts of the OCSA
Foundation. Through a variety of fundraising, marketing and community outreach
activities, the OCSA Foundation raises $8.5 million annually to support the
school’s tuition-free artistic programs and ongoing capital expansion plans. To
learn more about the OCSA Foundation Board of Directors, visit
www.ocsarts.net/foundation.
ALUMNI
Allison Mack
Ali Sepasyar
Dante Basco
Krysta Rodriguez
Lauren Lim Jackson
Matthew Morrison
Taryn Manning
David Sidoni
Eliana Adise (Integrated Arts, 2015)
Film Actress (Joy)
Julie Alexandria (Musical Theatre, 2000)
Voice-Over Artist, Host and TV Personality (OK! TV,
MTV, Fox Sports, MASN)
Scott Aukerman (Musical Theatre, 1998)
Creator and host of IFC’s Comedy Bang! Bang!
Erik Altemus (Musical Theatre, 2005)
Actor in Broadway’s Tony award-winning revival
of Pippin
Bobby Amamizu (Commercial Dance, 2006)
Dancer (Fame, Cirque du Soleil)
Scott Barnhardt (Musical Theatre, 1997)
Broadway actor (The Book of Mormon, Big River,
Bye Bye Birdie)
Eliana Adise
Bobby Amamizu
Stephanie J. Block
Graduates have advanced their
education at leading arts conser vatory
programs and universities, including
Harvard University, the Juilliard School,
Stanford University, New York
University, Columbia University,
Boston Conservatory, Manhattan
School of Music, Art Center College of
Design, California Institute of the Arts,
University of Southern California, and
many more.
Elsa Chang
Jon Bond
Chris Bonstetter (Visual Arts, 1994)
Computer graphics and visual effects (Minority Report,
Air Force One, X-Men: The Last Stand, Master and
Commander: The Far Side of the World)
Terron Brooks (Musical Theatre, 1992)
Recording Artist and Actor (NBC’s The Temptations)
Elsa Chang (Visual Arts, 2006)
Character Designer at Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures,
Sony Pictures, Disney
Brett Egan (Musical Theatre, 1995)
President, DeVos Institute of Arts Management
Susan Egan (Musical Theatre, 1988)
Tony Award-nominated actress (original Belle
in Broadway‘s Beauty and the Beast, Throughly Modern
Millie, Cabaret)
Dante Basco (Musical Theatre, 1993)
Actor (Rufio in Hook, the voice of Zuko in
Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender)
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)
Drake Bell (Musical Theatre)
Actor (Nickelodeon’s Drake & Josh)
Lauren Gerrie (Commercial Dance, 2001)
Personal Chef, Owner of bigLITTLE Get Together
Stephanie J. Block (Musical Theatre, 1990)
Tony-nominated Broadway actress (The Mystery
of Edwin Drood, Anything Goes, Wicked, 9 to 5:
The Musical, The Pirate Queen, The Boy from Oz)
Pantea Ghaderi (Commercial Dance, 1994)
Sr. Vice President, Publicity at The Weinstein Company
Jonathan Bond (Commercial Dance, 2005)
Dancer and Choreographer, Cedar Lake
Contemporary Ballet
Lauren Gerrie
Kristin Gilmore (Musical Theatre, 1998)
Foreign Service Officer, US Department of State
Holly Hodges (Musical Theatre, 2006)
Walt Disney Imagineering, Ride Department
Scott Barnhardt
Kaitlyn Jenkins
Drake Bell
Susan Egan
Lindsay Mendez
Mark Meismer
Austin O’Brien
Kristin Gilmore
Kaitlyn Jenkins (Musical Theatre, 2010)
Television actress (ABC Family’s Bunheads)
Lauren Lim Jackson (Commercial Dance, 2003)
Dancer in Broadway’s Motown the Musical, Wonderland,
and revival of Finian’s Rainbow
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
Allison Mack (Musical Theatre)
Actress (Smallville, Wilfred)
Taryn Manning (Commercial Dance, 1997)
Television actress (Orange is the New Black, Hawaii
Five-0, Sons of Anarchy)
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)
Ilona McHugh (Classical & Contemporary Dance, 1998)
Dancer, American Ballet Theatre
Mark Meismer (Commercial Dance, 1991)
Dancer with Gregory Hines, Michael Jackson, Madonna
Lindsay Mendez (Musical Theatre, 2001)
Recording Artist and Broadway Actress (Wicked,
Dogfight, Godspell, Grease, Everyday Rapture,
The Marvelous Wonderettes)
ALUMNI
Holly Hodges
Erik Altemus
Julie Alexandria
Chris Bonstetter
Lauren German
Michael Muser
Ilona McHugh
Timothy Wynn
Anneliese van der Pol
Robert Prescott Lee
Melissa Yates
Sean Lee
Chad Whidden
Brett Egan
Pantea Ghaderi
Nathan Trasoras
Heather Wilson Martinez
Sean O’Connor Maggie Feldman Rubenstein
Pedro Pascal
Nikki SooHoo
Scott Aukerman
Russ Ruffino
Grant Peterson
Taylor Margis-Noquera
Terron Brooks
Matt Shaffer
Eric Trine
Matthew Morrison (Musical Theatre, 1997)
Recording Artist and Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe
Award-nominated actor (Glee, What to Expect When You’re
Expecting) Broadway (South Pacific, Footloose, Hairspray,
The Light in the Piazza, Finding Neverland)
Russ Ruffino (Musical Theatre, Class of 1997)
Entrepreneur, The Money Tree Method
Michael Muser (Musical Theatre, 1996)
Sommelier, General Manager/Partner at award-winning
restaurant, Grace
Matt Shaffer (Commercial Dance)
Dancer and Author of “So You Want To Be A Dancer”
Taylor Margis-Noquera (Commercial Dance, 1993)
Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Vaudeville Ventures
Austin O’Brien (Musical Theatre, 1999)
Photographer and Actor (Last Action Hero, My Girl 2)
Ali Sepasyar (Musical Theatre, 2010)
Actor (Cartoon Network's Dude…What Would Happen)
David Sidoni (Musical Theatre, 1994)
Actor (Newsies, Roundhouse)
Justice Smith (Musical Theatre, 2013)
Film Actor (Paper Towns, The Get Down)
Sean O’Connor (Visual Arts, 1990)
Owner / President of Sean O'Connor Lighting
Nikki SooHoo (Commercial Dance, 2006)
Film and television actress (The Lovely Bones,
The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Stick It)
Pedro Pascal (Musical Theatre, 1993)
Television Actor (The Great Wall, Narcos, Game of Thrones)
Nathan Trasoras (Commercial Dance, 2009)
Dancer (So You Think You Can Dance, Glee)
Dr. Grant Peterson (Musical Theatre, 1998)
Assistant Professor in Theatre Studies, Brunel University
Eric Trine (Production & Design, 2001)
Furniture Designer
Phil Rahn (Production & Design, 1999)
Production Manager, Shanghai Disney Resort
Anneliese van der Pol (Musical Theatre, 2002)
Actress (That’s So Raven, Kim Possible)
Krysta Rodriguez (Musical Theatre, 2002)
TV and Broadway actress (First Date, Smash, The Addams
Family—The Musical, In The Heights, Spring Awakening,
A Chorus Line)
Chad Whidden (Musical Theatre, 1996)
Vice President, Creative Department at Party Planners West
Maggie Feldman Rubenstein (Commercial Dance, 1992)
Owner/President, Magnetic Public Relations
Timothy Michael Wynn (Instrumental Music, 1998)
Award-winning composer for film, television and video games
Dr. Melissa Yates (Musical Theatre, 1994)
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology
“I’m certain I received
a full-ride presidential
scholarship to USC
because of OCSA’s
rigorous academics
and comprehensive
arts programs.”
-Austen Courter
Classical Voice Conservatory
Class of 2008
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 in grades 3-12 and adults. A variety of classes are
offered in ceramics, computer animation, computer graphic design,
creative writing, culinary, 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. For more
information, visit www.ocsarts.net/communityclasses.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH - CAMP OCSA
Camp OCSA is a free, interactive arts training workshop available to
underserved students in grades 4-6 residing in Santa Ana, California.
The program offers inspiring classes in creative writing, dance, drama,
guitar, visual arts, and vocal music, and introduces young students to
the basic language, techniques, and skills in their chosen art discipline.
For more information, visit 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
fourteen 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!
For more information, visit 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 supporting 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.
For more information, visit www.ocsarts.net/foundation.