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Tonya Papanikolas ReportingHigh school students who love singing, acting or playing an instrument will soon have a new option in the public school system. It's called the Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts and it will be connected to Highland High.
This charter school is going to be very unique because it will be partnering with Highland. In fact, it's going to be built right on the Highland driver's ed range, and proponents say it will be great for kids who are interested in pursuing a conservatory background.
For students who sing in choirs like the Highland High Madrigals, performing comes with the territory, but next year, the school will be focusing on it more intensely with the addition of a new performing arts charter school.
John Newman, Highland High Theater Teacher: "It will have a strong music component, strong theater component, and a strong dance component."
The charter school is geared towards kids who want a career on the stage. The students will take their academic classes at Highland and spend the rest of their time focusing on their artistic interests.
Lexee Brazier, Attending Performing Arts School Next Year: "I'm trying to proceed with theater and see how far I can go."
Jennifer Chapman, Attending Performing Arts School Next Year: "I want to do kind of like music theory and some singing and acting."
In addition to regular teachers, the school hopes to bring in working professionals.
John Newman, Drama Teacher: "People from the community that will be coming in and teaching one class, perhaps teaching a two-week mini-class."
The new charter school will probably have a show choir, but you won't see large vocal ensembles. Instead, the school will really focus on solo voices and small group lessons. And it will be the same for students who play an instrument.
Robert Curry, Highland High Instrumental Music Teacher: "We think it's probably going to be largely small groups, chamber ensembles, small jazz combos, things like that."
Chris Owens, Attending Performing Arts School Next Year: "I kind of want to get a head start on college, you know, so it sounds like it has a lot to offer."
And because it's part of the public school system, there's no tuition.
John Newman: "It's going to offer a high-level performing arts education to students who maybe wouldn't be able to afford that."
The school also has no auditions, anyone who's interested can just sign up. The school will accommodate up to 400 students. After that, it becomes a lottery system.
