TONIGHT- Just want to let you know the show MUST GO ON! It may be a DPS closure, however the Alumni Advocates will continue on with the art event tonight. Come experience and see where DSA art has taken these Alum. Purchase your ticket NOW! If you can’t make it donate to invest in the Arts! #saveDSA #SaveTheARTS
To purchase tickets, go to EventBrite.
As the fall semester comes to an end and there is 11 days to Christmas, the students at the Detroit School of Arts (DSA) will be going on Christmas break. When they return a new year will be ahead of them. Before going onto to break we wanted to speak with a current student about the state of DSA and see how things have been going since the start of the school year.
Class of 2014 senior and dance major, Ashlei Jordan, shared her thoughts about the progression or lack there of on how the semester is going. When asked the question, has things progressed. Ashlei response was “things have not progressed, for me in the classroom”.
She continues to say that the “fine arts are more important to the staff and the academics are not what they should be, it’s not a balance at all. They focus more on the arts than the academics and it shouldn’t be that way.” She expresses that for her to be a senior …they are not preparing her for college.
She also shares that though she wants to pursue a career as a pediatric surgeon, she does however wants to continue to dance as. When asked would she ever come back to be apart of the DSA community. She expresses that she would like to come back to DSA one day and help out with the dance department.
We will continue to follow up with Ashlei as she continues to go through her senior year.
To hear the complete interview click on the link below:
Artist of the Alumni Showcase – 9-27-13 Photo Taken by: Constance Thomas
The Detroit School of Arts, located in Midtown has been seeking alumni to help resurge the energy of their alma mater. With low enrollment numbers at the beginning of school year and as Principal Robert Harvey stated, the pride is low. “The students need to know and feel what you as alumni felt, while attending here”, stated Harvey.
So three weeks into the 2013-14 school year, alumni gathered together to give a showcase for current students, staff and alumni to help with the resurgence.
The showcase that took place on the 27th of September raised over $2,000 in efforts to help the school in the current multi-million dollar deficit. This showcase is just the beginning to bring together those near and far to come back “home”, as the vocal instructor Cheryl Valentine would say; “Tell anyone who is an alumni, come back home we need you”.
Their hope is to make that pride contagious and spread on to current students. As pride rises, so shall the enrollment numbers.
As a young eighth grader, the time comes to decide what high school to attend. For Kristopher Thomas, an IT Technician for the international company Faurecia, he thought the decision was easy to make, it was going to be Cass Tech. However his mother had other plans for him. He can’t remember exactly how his mother found out about the Detroit High School for the Fine and Performing Arts (DSA). During this time, he had one goal and that was to attend what he thought would be the best school in the city. Little did he know that the next four years would change his life completely.
“As students of DSA, our goal was to be well-round not only to excel in our arts but excel in our academics,” these two go hand and had. He also states its important whether you follow the path in your major or not you still need to be well rounded. As an artist one may be creative but you need to have a business sense as well. In which that is where academics plays a part in your life.
As a visual art major while attending DSA, when asked what were his fondest memories he gives one word, “studio”. He elaborates more to say, “It was extra time to work on what you started, and this was a time to develop a skill set with more personal time with the teacher.” Currently with eight teachers being transferred, students will not be able to have that personal time.
Thomas continues to speak about the legacy that was left at the school. “Many alumni have gone on to do great things in society, such as music directors, Broadway performer, scientist, dentist and even lawyers.” Today he wishes to give back to help with the current state of low enrollment. “I will do what I can t to the best of my ability to help DSA reach its goals of having the enrollment numbers, in order to receive more funding to bring those teachers back.”
Thomas with many other alumni are working on a special alumni showcase later this month, to help bring awareness back to DSA. They wish to help not only encourage the students during this hurting time, but hopefully raise money to help fund some of the needs the faculty and students may have.
The time is now to give back and the only way DSA students know how to make an impact is by performing.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Constance Thomas
313-283-8366
Detroit School of Arts Alumni Launches
Benefit Showcase Sept. 27th
DETROIT (September 13, 2013) – The Detroit School of Arts (DSA) Alumni, in collaboration with the administration have announced a showcase to benefit the students and faculty.
The school recently lost four arts teachers, due to low enrollment. With this news, graduates from the first graduating class of 1996 to present day wanted to show their support. Their mission is to heighten the awareness that DSA is still a catalyst to enrich, cultivate and stimulate the young minds of a budding artist.
The event will take place on Friday, September 27, 2013 from 7:00pm – 9:30pm. It will feature a strolling art gallery and performances by alumni in the Ford Performing Arts Auditorium (Detroit School of Arts), 123 Seldon St. Detroit, MI 48202. General admissions tickets are $25 and $15 for students.
“The teachers and administration are not just educators; they stand as role models that many of today’s youth are lacking. The teachers care about the well-being of the students and will push you to reach your fullest potential,” says Teyuana Jackson, Class of 2006.
For more ticket information please visit https://dsaalumnishowcase.eventbrite.com
About DSA
Detroit School of Arts is a nationally renowned Arts and Academic high school that offers a strong college preparatory Academic and Arts Curriculum, with pre-professional study in Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, Music Technology, Dance, Theater, Speech, Radio/Television production, Visual Arts and Visual Communications.
DSA alumni have performed in Les Miserable on Broadway. They have been featured in television series such as 24, Law & Order and Detroit 187. They have toured the world with artist such as Justin Timberlake, John Mayer and Rihanna. Their artwork has been displayed in the Detroit Library and the Charles H. Wright Museum. Alumni also hold positions as music directors, graphic designers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, community activist and so much more.
This past Saturday, the Urban Rose Foundation held its Career and Financial Planning session. The first portion hosted women of many professions from DONA Doula, a fashion stylist, and a minster who’s also a baker along with the former 2012 Mrs. Michigan. The second portion financial coach Dorethia Conner helps them become financially sound.
This six-week course that began July 27, 2013 goes until August 31, 2013. These young women will meet every Saturday morning from the hours of 10am-2pm. They will learn about fitness, leadership, financial planning, along with a host of other great tools to take away. For some fortunate participants they will receive scholarships at the programs banquet.
For more information please log on to www.daranichole.com or call 313-674-3946.
The African World Festival has been a staple in the city of Detroit for over 30 years. This year as a way to gear up and promote this year’s festival, Midtown Inc. helped produce the night’s musical selections at the New Center Park. With Featured Artist Toby Foyeh and Orchestra Africa on stage, families from all around came to sit and listen under the night sky.
The African World festival will take place on the grounds of the Charles H. Wright Museum located on E. Warren in Midtown Detroit. August 16-18 from the hours of 11am – 11pm daily, with free admission. Nija Kai, Director of the African World Festival had this to say about the tune-up, “The festival is grateful to Midtown Detroit Inc.” Along with the festival, “we have the ability to reach diverse cultures,” says Kai of the many who are attracted to the festival.
