Fine Arts
The Fine Arts incorporate the study of Dance, Music, and Theatre, to offer unique experiences and empower students to explore realities, relationships, and ideas. These disciplines engage and motivate all students through active learning, critical thinking, and innovative problem solving.
The Fine Arts develop cognitive functioning and increase student academic achievement, higher-order thinking, communication, and collaboration skills, making the fine arts applicable to college readiness, career opportunities, workplace environments, social skills, and everyday life.
Students develop aesthetic and cultural awareness through exploration, leading to creative expression. Creativity, encouraged through the study of the fine arts, is essential to nurture and develop the whole child.
Mr. Sigfredo Olivencia - Director of Fine Arts
Dance
Dance is a natural method for learning and a basic form of expression. At Vanguard Academy students are able to develop a greater range of coordination, strength and endurance. Students can enjoy the opportunity to express emotions through creative movement while developing sensory awareness, cognition, perception, motivation and leadership skills.
Theatre
Vanguard Academy Theatre classes offer students lessons in which they will learn teamwork and leadership skills while learning about history and a variety of cultures. Working in groups will allow students to develop patience and to respect and value opinions. Confidence and creativity will also be acquired while working on presentations, memorization techniques and speeches. The numerous skills fostered in theater class will help students develop abilities and talents that will benefit students with college or job interviews and goal achievement.
Music
In addition to learning to sing or play an instrument, students who study music develop higher-order cognitive skills that serve them in their academic careers and throughout their life. Creativity, problem solving, perseverance, teamwork, dedication, and confidence are all skills that are fostered through music study. Vanguard Academy offers general music studies to elementary students while secondary students choose a more focused discipline: Band, Choir, Orchestra, or Mariachi. At the secondary level, students perform concerts and have the opportunity to participate in TMEA Regional and State auditions, UIL Solo and Group Competitions, and college preparatory music programs and activities.
Art
Art education inspires and challenges students to be creative and socially engaged. Utilizing the Elements of Art and Principles of Design students can problem solve, express creative ideas, and collaborate with others. Vanguard Academy Elementary students are given a variety of tools and mediums to explore and are given the opportunity to participate in multiple local and state art contests. Once in middle school and high school, students begin to focus on skills in areas such as drawing, painting, and sculpture and can also participate in a variety of contests including the annual TAEA Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) and Jr VASE.
Guard Rallies
Vanguard Academy students have an amazing opportunity at both the elementary and secondary levels to participate in Guard Rallies. During Guard Rallies, students gather together to watch their peers showcase their talents in multiple areas such as, Dance, Band, Choir, Orchestra, Theater and the Visual Arts. Guard Rallies develop leadership skills and instill positive character traits, such as motivation, confidence, problem solving skills, empathy, and emotional intelligence. Guard Rallies inspire students to excel not only academically, but post-secondary as well.