About

Hillsdale Visual and Performing Arts: Creativity, Rigor, Excellence

Hillsdale’s acclaimed Visual and Performing Arts Program prides itself on a sense of community and draws college-bound teens highly talented in the arts. Students train four-twenty hours per week in state-of-the-art facilities, and may choose between the following courses: visual art, vocal and instrumental music, dance, drama or digital photography. Young artists’ technical abilities and personal vision are developed through the study of a variety of traditional and contemporary media. Creative problem solving, critical thinking and a broad range of experiences build the foundation for deeper understanding, advanced learning and innovation.

Students have opportunities to shine in a variety of ensembles and venues. Last year, student productions included sold-out dance performances, three fully staged drama productions, one professional gallery exhibit, three improv shows and 14 concerts. Hillsdale VPA Alums have gone on to attend excellent arts colleges, including Pratt, NYU, Cornell, Ex'pression, Chapman, Cal Arts, UC Berkeley, UCLA, Northridge, Wesleyan, UC Santa Barbara and North Carolina School of the Arts. Many of our alums now work professionally in music, dance, theater, film and TV.   

Hillsdale’s VPA faculty includes full-time teachers and visiting guest artists. Collectively, we offer decades of experience as artists and educators and we are dedicated to helping high school artists achieve their potential. Each year, we help students find opportunities to showcase their work and earn awards, recognition and scholarships. We also have in-depth knowledge of arts colleges and post-secondary programs and help guide students toward opportunities that are best suited for their goals. All of us are still active in our industries, enabling us to offer our young artists training in both classical and modern styles and techniques.

One year (10 credits) of a Visual and Performing Art class is required for graduation.