Douglas Anderson Dancers
Douglas Anderson School of the Arts is a Duval County Public School for students grades 9 through 12 with a desire for intensive study in the arts.
Established as an arts school in 1985, the school attracts students from all parts of North Florida and South Georgia who have talent in dance, instrumental or vocal music, performance or technical theatre, film and video production, creative writing, and visual arts.
A high academic standard, coupled with a broad arts curriculum, offers students an opportunity to excel in a chosen discipline while preparing them for post-secondary education.
Douglas Anderson’s Dance Department provides a secure setting for students to develop an understanding of dance as an art form. Challenging technical training in Ballet and Modern Dance is required every semester. In addition, dance majors take a variety of dance electives and theory courses, such as Dance Production, American Musical Theatre, Ballet Variations, etc. Through Composition and Choreography classes, students experience the creation of artwork on their own as well as in groups. Performance skills and artistry are further developed through participation in a minimum of two performances each year. Many master classes with guest artists from colleges and universities, professional dance companies, and internationally renowned choreographers are provided each year to all technique students. Dance majors also have an opportunity to audition for the Dance Theatre performing group and Children’s Dance Ensemble.
Graduates consistently receive scholarships and admission into prestigious university and conservatory programs throughout the United States. Several alumni have established careers dancing in and choreographing for professional ballet and modern dance companies such as the Joffrey Ballet, the Paul Taylor Dance Company, Susan Marshall, and Urban Bush Women.
