Best Music and Performing Arts Programs for High School Students

Author: Extracurricular Hub

Article Summary

Discover the best music, theater, and dance programs for high school students including Juilliard, Interlochen, YoungArts, summer intensives, and performing arts competitions.

Full Article

Whether you're a classically trained musician, a theater kid, a dancer, or a creative performer exploring your voice, the performing arts offer some of the most rewarding and college-admissions-boosting extracurricular opportunities available. This guide covers the best programs, competitions, and opportunities across music, theater, and dance. Why Performing Arts Matter for College Performing arts activities demonstrate qualities that colleges highly value: Discipline and dedication - Years of practice, rehearsal, and performance show incredible commitment Creative expression - Artistic activities showcase a dimension that grades and test scores can't capture Collaboration - Ensemble work, theater productions, and dance companies require teamwork Performance under pressure - Live performance is one of the ultimate tests of composure and preparation Unique perspective - Arts students bring diverse viewpoints that enrich campus communities Top Music Programs and Competitions All-State and All-National Ensembles The All-State selection process is the most widely recognized achievement for student musicians. Students audition through their school district, advance to regional and state levels, and the top performers are selected for All-State ensembles. The most elite musicians are invited to NAfME All-National Honor Ensembles. Juilliard Pre-College Program For serious musicians (and dancers), the Juilliard Pre-College Program in New York City is among the most prestigious in the world. Students attend Saturday classes while continuing their regular high school education. Admission is by audition only and is extremely competitive. Interlochen Arts Camp Interlochen in Michigan is one of the premier summer arts programs in the world, offering intensive programs in music, theater, dance, visual arts, creative writing, and film. Programs range from one to six weeks with both beginning and advanced tracks. Tanglewood Institute (Boston Symphony Orchestra) BUTI offers intensive summer music programs for high school instrumentalists, vocalists, and composers at the Boston Symphony Orchestra's summer home in Lenox, Massachusetts. It's one of the most prestigious summer music programs in the country. Music Competitions YoungArts - National program recognizing artistic excellence across 10 disciplines; winners receive up to $10,000 and mentorship MTNA Junior Competitions - Music Teachers National Association competitions in piano, strings, voice, and chamber music From the Top - NPR's showcase of young classical musicians; selected performers appear on the nationally broadcast show Sphinx Competition - For Black and Latino string players; offers scholarships and performance opportunities Top Theater Programs International Thespian Society The International Thespian Society (ITS) is the honor society for high school theater students. Active Thespians can compete at regional and national festivals, attend workshops, and earn recognition for their theatrical work. Summer Theater Intensives Stagedoor Manor - Intensive summer theater camp in New York that has trained numerous Broadway and Hollywood actors Interlochen Theater Arts - Combines classical training with contemporary performance Northwestern Cherubs - National High School Institute at Northwestern offers a rigorous 5-week theater program Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Drama - Intensive 6-week program at one of the top drama schools in the country Theater Competitions Cappies - Critics and Awards Program for high school theater August Wilson Monologue Competition - National competition focused on the works of August Wilson International Thespian Festival - Annual festival with performances, workshops, and college auditions Top Dance Programs Pre-Professional Dance Programs School of American Ballet (SAB) - The official academy of New York City Ballet; summer intensives accept students nationwide American Ballet Theatre (ABT) Summer Intensive - One of the most prestigious ballet summer programs Alvin Ailey Summer Intensive - For dancers interested in modern and contemporary dance Joffrey Ballet School Summer Intensives - Programs in ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance Dance Competitions and Showcases YoungArts Dance - National recognition program for outstanding young dancers National YoungArts Week - Selected dancers perform in Miami and receive mentorship Regional Dance America Festival - Showcases pre-professional dance companies from across the country Film and Media Arts For students interested in the intersection of performing arts and media: National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY) - One of the largest youth film festivals in the world, showcasing films by filmmakers under 25 All American High School Film Festival - Competitions and workshops for student filmmakers in New York City Sundance Ignite - Robert Redford's Sundance Institute offers programs for young filmmakers interested in independent cinema UCLA Film and Television Summer Institute - Intensive filmmaking program at one of the top film schools in the country Performing Arts and College Admissions Strategy How you present performing arts on your application depends on your goals: If You Plan to Major in a Performing Art Your application will likely include an audition or portfolio. Focus on building the strongest possible audition package, accumulating performance credits, studying with respected teachers, and attending summer intensives at programs affiliated with schools you want to attend. Your extracurricular list should show dedication to your craft, but also demonstrate that you are a well-rounded person with interests beyond performance. If You Plan to Major in Something Else Performing arts as your primary extracurricular can be incredibly compelling even if you plan to study engineering, economics, or biology. Admissions officers love seeing a STEM student with deep artistic commitments because it suggests creative thinking and diverse perspectives. Use the arts supplement option that many colleges offer to share recordings or portfolios even if you are not applying to the arts school. Students pursuing performing arts alongside academic interests should explore how their arts connect to potential majors. For instance, computer science students interested in music technology, psychology students studying music cognition, or engineering students interested in acoustics can all weave performing arts into a cohesive application narrative. Building a Performing Arts Portfolio A strong portfolio or audition package is essential for performing arts students, whether you are applying to conservatories or submitting an arts supplement to a liberal arts college: For Musicians Record high-quality audio and video of your performances. Invest in a decent microphone or use a school recording studio if available. College submissions increasingly accept video recordings Choose repertoire strategically - Select pieces that showcase your range, technical ability, and musicality. Include works from different periods and styles to demonstrate versatility Document your musical journey - Keep a record of festivals, masterclasses, auditions, repertoire studied, and teachers worked with over four years For Actors and Theater Students Build a resume listing all productions, roles, and training. Include both school and community theater credits Prepare contrasting monologues - Most auditions require one classical and one contemporary monologue. Work with a coach to refine your material Record performance clips - Film yourself in scenes and monologues with good lighting and sound for prescreening submissions For Dancers Record class work and performances - Video yourself in technique class and in performance settings to show both your training foundation and your artistry Photograph your work - Professional-quality dance photos are valuable for applications, websites, and competition submissions List all training - Document your training history including studios, teachers, styles, and years of study Read our guide on building a spike to understand how to frame performing arts within your broader profile. Whether you are a freshman just starting lessons or a junior preparing for auditions, intentional planning makes all the difference. Building Your Performing Arts Profile Audition and compete regularly - Build a track record of progressively challenging auditions and competition placements Seek leadership roles - Section leader, stage manager, choreographer, or student director Create original work - Compose music, write plays, choreograph dances, or direct productions Teach and mentor - Give private lessons, coach younger performers, or lead workshops Document everything - Build a portfolio with recordings, programs, reviews, and photos Explore our Arts Programs Hub for a full listing of performing arts opportunities, and visit our Scholarships Hub for arts-specific scholarships. Balancing Performing Arts With Academics One of the biggest challenges performing arts students face is managing the time demands of rehearsals, performances, and practice alongside a rigorous academic schedule. Here are strategies that successful student artists use: Communicate with teachers early - At the start of each semester, let your teachers know about upcoming performances and rehearsal schedules. Most teachers are willing to work with you on deadlines if you communicate proactively rather than at the last minute Use travel time productively - If you travel to competitions, festivals, or performances, bring homework and study materials. The hours spent on buses and in hotel rooms add up quickly over a season Practice efficiently - Focused 30-minute practice sessions are often more productive than unfocused two-hour sessions. Use a practice journal to set specific goals for each session and track your progress over time Plan for performance weeks - Tech week, concert week, and competition week are especially demanding. Get ahead on assignments the week before so you are not scrambling during your busiest days The discipline you develop by managing performing arts alongside academics is itself a valuable skill that colleges and employers recognize. Students who can juggle intensive artistic training with strong academics demonstrate exceptional time management, dedication, and maturity. These are qualities that admissions officers value highly, regardless of whether you plan to major in the performing arts or pursue an entirely different field in college.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most prestigious music programs for high school students?

Top programs include the Juilliard Pre-College Program, Interlochen Arts Camp, Boston University Tanglewood Institute, and various All-State/All-National ensemble selections. For competitions, YoungArts, MTNA, From the Top, and Sphinx are the most recognized.

Do performing arts help with college admissions?

Yes, significantly. Performing arts demonstrate discipline, creativity, collaboration, and dedication. Top universities actively seek arts-talented students to enrich campus culture. Many schools offer arts supplements as part of the application, and performing arts scholarships are available at numerous institutions.

Can I pursue performing arts without planning to major in it?

Absolutely. Many top students use performing arts as their primary extracurricular while majoring in other fields. Colleges value well-rounded students who bring artistic perspectives. Most universities have ensembles, theater groups, and dance companies open to non-majors.

What summer performing arts programs are free?

Some free or low-cost options include state Governor's School for the Arts programs, YoungArts regional programs, Sphinx Performance Academy (for Black and Latino string players), and many local conservatory and community arts programs. Most selective summer programs also offer need-based financial aid.