New World School of the Arts, Public Education at its Finest

MIAMI, April 4, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Education should be everyone's priority.  An outstanding education from attending New World School of the Arts (NWSA), in Miami, Florida, is in reach for talented high school and college students. The prestigious arts conservatory-style institution is a leading eight-year combined high school / university program, which bestows the high school diploma, as well as the Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts or Bachelor of Music degrees. Its programs are designed to attract the most talented artists through an audition/portfolio selection process. In its almost 24-year history it has trained some of the brightest aspiring stars in the nation with a consistently exceptional outcome.

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NWSA alumni work has been hailed with the Grammy, Tony, Carbonell, Jazz at Lincoln Center and hundreds of other awards. Graduates have become recognized artists and musicians on the international stage, film, and television industries. Their ranks engross large percentages of well recognized dance companies including Martha Graham, Alvin Ailey and Parsons Dance Company. Alumni have won competitions such as the Whitney Biennial and Milan tri-annual; have had their works collected by prestigious museums, and have exhibited at the world-renowned Art Basel, among others significant fairs.  

High School students claim close to $15 million dollars each year in scholarships, because top arts universities consider a New World School of the Arts education one of the best in the nation, and covet its graduates. Meanwhile, NWSA's own university-level program, a partnership between Miami Dade College and the University of Florida, dispenses more than 260 scholarships each year to attract or retain the most committed pupils.

College students hail from 7 countries, 13 states and all across the State of Florida. High school graduation is 99%, while 95% of graduates pursue a college education. More than 60% of the students in the eight-year program is female; close to half is Hispanic and nearly one-third comes from low-income households.

NWSA was created in 1984 by the State Legislature. It fosters collaboration between Miami-Dade Public Schools, Miami-Dade College and the University of Florida. Since its inception, NWSA has become a beacon for the creation of innovative art. Its unparalleled success is guided by the principals of excellence: rigorous work and academic achievement through personalized training and a curriculum that reflects the vibrant multicultural State of Florida. Artistic programs are divided into four divisions: Dance, Music, Theater, and Visual Arts all of which are housed at the Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus, in downtown Miami, Florida. Faculty members are selected from the working-artist community who, in addition to teaching, pursue their own artistic vision.

• The full eight-year Program is directed by Interim Provost Dr. Jeffrey Hodgson, an active educator and recognized piano performer.
• The Dance Division is headed by Dean Daniel Lewis, an internationally recognized dancer, choreographer and author who toured the world with the Jose Limon Dance Company. Founding dean of the dance program, Lewis oversees 20 professors, 185 students, three in-house dance studios and a dozen intricately staged choreographies per academic year. Dancers are encouraged to tour throughout their academic careers.
• Jim Gasior, Interim Dean of the Music Division supervises almost 40 professors and close to 200 students enrolled in instrumentals, vocals, music and composition. Vocal majors are taught bel canto, expressive communication of text, acting and imbued in professionally staged opera performances that augment their knowledge of theory, history and technique. The Music Division also nurtures an award-winning Jazz Program. All musicians travel to perform domestically and abroad.
• The Theater Division is led by Dean Patrice Bailey, winner of the 2011 George Abbott Award. Bailey has directed over 50 stage productions and was talent coordinator for the Tony Awards. She guides 31 professors, 190 students and three in-house theaters where she stages close to a dozen fully produced, and originally costumed solo and group performances per school year. In addition, she is the artistic director for Rising Stars, NWSA's premier arts showcase. Every spring, graduating college seniors participate in a New York Showcase performance, where they have the opportunity to meet talent agents and casting directors.  
• Maggy Cuesta, Dean of the Visual Arts Division, former president of the American Institute of Graphic Arts and founding member of The Image Designers Group, manages 31 professors, 250 students and two galleries including ArtSeen, a gallery and studio space located in the Wynwood Art District of Miami. Graduating college seniors are invited to exhibit at Art Basel and encouraged to participate in biennales and other international art competitions.  

Organizations that support the arts, such as the Doris Duke Foundation, James L. Knight Foundation, Surdna, Bank of America, and Northern Trust Bank, among many others, as well a Foundation and Executive Board made up of 35 active members, also contribute to the winning accomplishments of New World of the Arts.  

Information for New World School of the Arts at (305) 237-3559 or nwsa.mdc.edu.

SOURCE New World School of the Arts