Faith Lutheran adds arts conservatory

At first glance, it’s just like any other rehearsal.

Actors take their places onstage in full costume waiting for the music to start for “A Wild Wild Party.”

As they dance and sing, the director gives instructions to make each turn tighter or each note crisper.

But this isn’t an ordinary rehearsal.

For these high school students at the newly crafted Faith Conservatory of the Fine Arts at Faith Lutheran Middle School and High School, this 10 a.m. practice is class.

The Faith Conservatory of the Fine Arts began this year to offer students the opportunity to excel in fine arts disciplines from theater and vocal performance to visual arts.

Emily Ball, the school’s dean of fine arts, says she and the principal met last year to talk about creating a conservatory.

“Students need access (to the arts),” Ball says. “It is an outlet that lets them discover who they are. We see very much the arts are dying out in school.”

Fine arts aren’t important just for students who have a passion for it. Ball says a program like this helps students develop skills outside the classroom.

“It helps them become more well-rounded,” she notes.

This year, the program’s participants consist of Faith Lutheran students who were chosen based on skills.

“The first year was just seniors,” Ball says. “It has allowed us to gauge what we still need to do for the program. We call them the beta group.”

These students — 33 in all — didn’t have to audition for the program.

“They were handpicked by teachers,” Ball says.

That included 17-year-old Jenny Navoa and 18-year-old Brooke Solan.

Solan, a theater major, says her conservatory experience will boost her chances to become a professional actress.

“The classes have been instrumental for me,” she says. “They have even showed me what to look for when it comes to choosing a college.”

She only wishes she had more time in the program.

“When I heard they were starting it, I was sad because I didn’t think it would start until after I graduated,” she says. “I couldn’t imagine not being a part of this.”

Navoa is a double major in vocal performance and theater and was thrilled with the chance to advance her skills.

Although balancing a schedule of advanced-placement classes and theater and vocal work can get challenging, Navoa says it’s worth it.

Though she plans to pursue medical school, her time in the program has helped her grow, she says.

“Being in the program has taught me a lot,” she adds. “It has really helped me develop a better work ethic.”

Ball says students can double major in any of the disciplines even if the two fields don’t work together as naturally as theater and vocal majors.

“We will try to work with them to the best of our ability,” she says.

Ball says 2015 will be the first year the program opens auditions to the community.

The conservatory is expected to have auditions for its first full year: vocal performance and dance on March 7; theatrical arts, including performance and technical theater, and instrument arts both on March 28. The application deadline for visual arts was in January.

“So far we have 109 signed up. We’re not sure how many will be accepted,” Ball says.

Students from across the valley have the chance to apply for the conservatory.

Ball says there is financial assistance for those who want to attend the conservatory but lack the means — tuition at the school is $10,500 per year.

Faith Lutheran CEO Steve Buuck says adding the conservatory is a natural fit for the school.

Faith Lutheran has developed programs such as a business leadership program and a mock trial courtroom for the justice and advocacy program that is in development to make sure students get the best opportunities.

He adds that these types of experiences are essential for students looking to further their educations.

“There are thousands of kids applying for colleges,” he says. “I think these programs give our kids a leg up.”

He says students need extracurricular activities to help them.

“We don’t want students to go home and just study from 3 to 7 p.m.,” he says. “Instead, we should give students access to chances that help them become well-rounded.”

Contact reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5201. Follow @mjlyle on Twitter.