Best School for the Performing Arts and Broader Arts Programmes Nomination 2021:
American School of Dubai
Web site: here.
Our review: here.
Contact information: here
Email: Craig Tredenick, Director of Admissions – [email protected]
Phone: +971 4 395 0005
Our rating: 
Background
Founded in 1966, the American School of Dubai is an independent, not-for-profit, US curriculum, PreK-12 international school educating students between the age of 4 years and 18 years. The school is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Approximately 1,900 students comprise the school role and the school enjoys a formidable reputation as one of the UAE’s most outstanding US curriculum schools. Standout features include its college-preparatory US curriculum and Advanced Placement program and Tier 1 facilities and programmes across the Arts both within the curriculum and through one of the most expansive ECA programmes of any school in the UAE.
“Music and Performing Arts remain as important during this time as they are during regular schooling. They develop specific skill sets, allow visual and auditory learners to excel in school, and reinforce the importance of practice as a key exercise toward mastery.”
Dr. Paul Richards – Superintendent
“The American School of Dubai’s Arts philosophy is dedicated to having a positive impact on the students through a wide variety of opportunities. We offer educational and cultural experiences to future leaders. Through the visual and performing arts, students will learn life lessons that will serve them well as adults; that they will develop a lasting interest in the arts; and that they will take with them the inspiration to give back to others.”
Phil Ridley – Theatre Department Chair
Fee range:
AED 56,000 – AED 82,581
“As an independent, not-for-profit school, all tuition and fees fund the cost of education.
The not-for-profit status is an important feature of ASD as it supports the ability of the school to focus on the quality of education over satisfying any profit or investment expectations of owners or shareholders.”
More here.
Prospectus:
High School: see Course Description Guide and HS Profile here.
Middle School — See Course Description Guide here.
Facilities
https://vimeo.com/30416413
Key features
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Music
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Performing Arts | Art | |
| Specialisms | CHORAL ENSEMBLES:
Auditioned Chamber Choir, Placement based Concert Choir, Men’s Choir, Women’s Choir INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLES: Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Chamber Orchestra. Guitar Music Tech Jazz Band Tri-M Music Honours Society
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Band, choir, theatre, and dance specialist at each level offering in class and extra-curricular programs
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Design & Innovation includes Studio Art: including such disciplines as fine art, pottery and photography
Design and Innovation is made up of skill based learning modules – students can choose from fine art, photography, ceramics, drawing, computer programming, robotics, engineering, etc. We also have a Design Studio where students have the opportunity to apply their learned knowledge from their skill modules into the design cycle to produce/create |
| Recent Achievement | Chamber Choir won several awards at Short and Sweet Voices over the years including for Best Choir.
Chamber Choir has performed for the US Embassy Events and Canadian Business Council Chamber Choir has been invited to perform for Expo 2021 Many students are selected to travel internationally to perform with AMIS. (The Association for Music in International Schools). ASD students are often featured as soloists in this annual international festival. |
Annual musical at every level
Every year a variety show at every level Every year a One Act Festival or a Ten Minute Play festival at the MS and HS level. Every year two dance shows at every level Every year the students participate at the MS and HS Arts Festival at MESAC at the MS and HS level. Every year the students participate in the International Thespian Festival in the United States.
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| Stand out Features | Students are offered optional private lessons with our after school lesson instructors on-site.
We teach students to learn how to read music and to perform with passion. We are one of the largest music departments among international schools
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Through the wide range of arts offerings at ASD, both during and after school, students are exposed to and develop an understanding of a variety of the visual and performing arts. Students may learn dance, music, visual arts, theatre, acting, choir, and band. Annual productions include full-length musicals in high school and middle school, one-act plays, an elementary musical, variety shows, art exhibitions, and more.
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| Facilities/
Infrastructure |
Steinway piano on the ASD stage.
The HS and MS Choir room both house grand pianos for rehearsal purposes, and all ensemble rooms are fitted with recording equipment for immediate playback of ensemble rehearsals. We have a state of the art Music Technology studio that houses 15 midi stations equipped with Finale (composition software) and Logic X (studio grade mastering software.) ASD owns a wide range of wind instruments for student use as well as a robust and full percussion section. Every student enrolled in guitar class can use a school guitar. |
630 seat theatre
Black box theatre
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State-of-the-Art Studios and STEAM labs, and video broadcasting studio
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| Scholarship | |||
| Capital Investment | State of the art theatre that seats 630 community audience members.
Our Creative Arts Support Team (CAST)—a group made up entirely of parent volunteers, purchased the grand piano in the HS Choir classroom.
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External Examination Partnerships:
International Schools Theatre Association (ISTA)
Association for Music in International Schools (AMIS)
International Thespian Festival (EDTA)
Middle East School Activities Conference (MESAC) for Debate and Forensics
What the Students say about Music
“The Arts Department has been incredibly welcoming and supportive throughout my past 4 years at ASD. My teachers have not only enabled me to grow as a musician but have also pushed me to venture into avenues I hadn’t had the chance to explore before such as theatre and choir.”
Christina Azzi – Student
What the Students say about Performing Arts
“Looking back on my time at ASD, the memories I hold closest to my heart are those in which I was able to gush over my musical passions with other students. I will never forget the thrill of playing Cosette alongside some of my closest friends in “Les Misérables”, singing in unity with my peers in the ASD Chamber Choir and AMIS International Honour Choir, as well as leading the Tri-M Music Honour Society, a group of incredibly dedicated musicians I am now able to call my family.”
Christina Azzi – Student
What the parents say about Music and Performing Arts
“One of ASD’s strengths lays in the wide variety of opportunities it offers students to develop life skills via the arts. Whether a student enjoys visual art, theatre, dance or music, whether s/he is a beginner or advanced, they are offered many opportunities to be involved in something bigger than themselves. Being part of a band, performing in a musical or singing in a choir brings a plethora of learning opportunities for students, not only in that subject matter but in the dynamics of being a team member, self-expression and in building and producing something beautiful with others. In addition, creating music, art, dance or theatre requires a higher level of thought and emotional awareness. An artist expresses feelings through art. An actor must interpret the history and personality of their character as well as that of the setting and put themselves in that person’s shoes. Learning through the medium of the arts is learning by doing, not by reading. Doing has a big impact and leads to character-building skills that students are armed with for life. For our family, the student opportunities in the arts played a big role in our decision to move to ASD. In our four years here our kids have performed in numerous high level musicals, one-act performances, dance shows, and music and choir concerts. Our arts teachers are always thinking outside the box in order to maximize the opportunities for student growth at every age level as well as every ability level throughout the school. They inspire the students to push through challenges and show them that they are capable of putting on very polished performances. They also encourage faculty, staff and parents to be an active part of the school arts community. In addition, we also have a group of very supportive parents who volunteer their time and efforts to ensure every aspect of the experience is supported at a high level. Our family is so thankful for the ASD Art, Dance, Theatre and Music teachers who work endlessly and go above and beyond to provide students with opportunities and connections through the arts on so many different levels.”
Nadine Farra Nemati – Parent
“As a parent of children involved in ES, MS, and HS Performing Arts, I have nothing but praise for the Arts programs at ASD. This year, I volunteered to be the President of CAST (Creative Arts Support Team), a parent group dedicated to enhancing the student experience through the Arts at ASD. Our concerts, productions, and art exhibits are executed at a level that is more professional than that of a typical school. With a variety of Art Labs, a 630 seat dedicated theatre, Music and Choir Rooms for all divisions, Dance Studios, and an extensive costume room with thousands of choices, ASD students are encouraged to experiment, develop and grow their artistic talents from K1 all the way through HS Graduation.”
Marisa Wittmann – Creative Arts Support Team President 2019-2020 and ASD Parent
What the Students say about Art
“The plethora of opportunities along with the continuous support of my teachers and peers have enabled me to realize that the arts at ASD are a platform for students to find common ground, build their confidence, and pursue their passions. I will always be thankful to have been a part of this inspiring community.”
Christina Azzi – Student
“ASD has always been very supportive of my creative endeavours, especially when they transcended through multiple sections of the arts. The teachers have always had open minds to my projects and have helped me and my peers grow throughout the years. I’ve worked with all of the arts teachers who are very passionate, and over my time at ASD, I have used their knowledge and advice to become a much stronger and imaginative artist.”
Zaina Tripp – Student
Student Slipstream Graduating Institutions
Mount view academy of theatre arts
Guildhall school of music & drama
University of Cincinnati college-conservatory of music
Usc School of dramatic arts
North-western university department of theatre
Sheridan college (musical theatre, Toronto)
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