RISING STARS

SHOWCASE 

The showcase begins at the New World Gallery with a juried visual arts exhibition featuring extraordinary student artworks. Curated by Grela Orihuela, of Wet Heat Project, the show is as diverse as the school population and includes painting, drawing, design, sculpture, digital media and installations.  

The evening's merriment continues just a few blocks away at the historic Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, in downtown Miami, with a pre-performance VIP Reception to welcome guests to this artistic landmark.  

Following the reception, the exhilarating performance opens with a striking number from the award-winning musical Cabaret, and continues with excerpts from works performed during the school year. Among the dance works to be presented are Tuxedo Park (Excerpt), choreographed by NWSA's Gerard Ebitz and Adorations, created in 1974 by Martha Graham, reconstructed by NWSA's Peter London. This timeless choreography brings the Graham technique alive onstage by dancers clad in gold. Under the baton of Maestro Alfred Gershfeld, the music program will showcase the NWSA Symphony Orchestra with an excerpt from the recently presented Symphony No. 8 in G Major by Dvorak while the NWSA Jazz Band, led by Jim Gasior, will infuse the evening with the exhilarating sounds of Indian Lady by Don Ellis. Directed by NWSA dean of theater, Patrice Bailey, John Kander's Cabaret highlights the acting versatility of the college theater students as they explore the world of 1930's Berlin, where the political rhetoric was much more than smoke and mirrors. Presented by the high school music theater students, Wonderful Town, music by Leonard Bernstein, brings the plot much closer to home as the young actors discover that life in the Big Apple is not as simple as it seems but it is as alluring as they dream.

Rising Stars Visual Arts Exhibition

Friday, March 15; 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm

NEW WORLD GALLERY  

25 NE 2nd Street, downtown Miami 

Exhibition is Free and open to the public

Rising Stars Pre-Performance VIP Reception

Friday, March 15; 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

GUSMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

174 E. Flagler Street, downtown Miami

Tickets: $125 - $250

VIP tickets: 305-237-3753 or click here 

Rising Stars Performing Arts Showcase

Friday, March 15; 8:00 pm 

GUSMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

174 E. Flagler Street, downtown Miami

Tickets: $20 - $50

Information at 305-237-3753    

NWSA JAZZ ENSEMBLE TO COMPETE IN PRESTIGIOUS 18TH ANNUAL ESSENTIALLY ELLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ BAND COMPETITION & FESTIVAL   

New World School of the Arts Jazz Ensemble placed among the 15 American high school band finalists that will compete in the prestigious Essentially Ellington (EE) High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival in May. Of the 96 high school jazz bands across the country that entered the competition, three of the 15 finalists, including NWSA are from South Florida. To enter the Essentially Ellington Competition and vie for the coveted 15 placement, the NWSA Jazz Ensemble submitted a recorded performance of Second Line (Duke Ellington) from the New Orleans Suite, Blood Count (Billy Strayhorn), and In A Mellow Tone (Duke Ellington).

In the last thirteen years, the NWSA Jazz Ensemble has participated in Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival ten times, placing first in 2005 and 3rd just last year. 

Jim Gasior, Associate Professor of Music at NWSA, who has been at the helm of the Jazz program since 2000 explains, "New World School of the Arts' music division has a long tradition of excellence in the high school jazz program through a comprehensive curriculum comprised of Jazz theory and smaller Jazz combos. This rigorous format is not generally offered in other schools including the most specialized arts schools in our community."

"Being one of the 15 schools selected to participate is not only an honor, but also an expectation handed down from class to class," said Milton R. Laufer, dean of music at NWSA. "That expectation propels our students to rise to the occasion and perform their very best. I'm looking forward to cheering them on as they take the stage at Lincoln Center in May."

ROBERT BATTLE RETURNS TO HIS ALMA MATER FOR AN OPEN DIALOGUE WITH DANCE STUDENTS AT NWSA  

Robert Battle, NWSA Dance alum (1990) and Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, returned to the dance studios where he honed his craft, for an hour-long lively conversation with the high school dancers. Sitting on the floor still wearing their dance attire, the young dancers took the opportunity to engage with Battle in a dialogue that explored the choreographer's life as a young New World School of the Arts student, as well his career as a professional dancer, choreographer and artistic director of a renowned dance company. Battle shared a plethora of life experiences that began with the story of his grandfather and his life-long lesson on patience.
 
Most importantly, Battle highlighted the importance of collaboration, positive attitude, politeness and hard work, not only as a dancer, but also as a person. When asked by a student in the audience if he always wanted to be a dancer, Battle explained that he was always "interested in other forms of artistry," and noted that his interest in dance occurred as his high-pitched soprano voice deepened and he began to explore the world of Martial Arts. Taking piano lessons as well as Martial Arts, he explained, were instrumental in his decision to pursue a career in dance.

NWSA AWARDED AS A MAGNET SCHOOL OF DISTINCTION 

New World School of the Arts high school has been awarded as a 2013 Magnet School of Distinction, earning a National Magnet Schools of Merit Award. The Magnet Schools of Merit Award recognizes member magnet schools/programs that demonstrate a high commitment to academic standards, curriculum innovation, desegregation/diversity efforts, specialized teaching staffs, and parent and community involvement.

"New World School of the Arts provides a rigorous academic program that promotes equity, diversity, and academic excellence for all students," noted Evonne Alvarez, NWSA high school Principal. "Our academic offerings paired with the arts courses taught in partnership with Miami Dade College and the University of Florida have proven to be a successful model. We are constantly reviewing and monitoring the quality of instruction in order to provide students with a premier education."