Welcome back to another exciting year! We hope you had a restful break and are ready for the wonderful experiences that await our talented Performing Arts students.

Dear DHSVAD Performing Arts Community,

We extend a warm welcome to all our returning students! We’re really looking forward to this year - we hope you are too.

We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Josh Fitzgerald to the DHSVAD family. With a wealth of experience in music and entertainment, we are excited about the new perspectives and skills he brings to our team.

Music Programs 

Music Ensembles are in Full Swing!

Congratulations to our fantastic Year 7's who have already signed up for our music ensemble programs. It’s not too late to sign up if you haven’t already! Speak to Mr Brinker if you’d like to join any of the ensembles!

Here's the schedule for our ensemble programs:

● Tuesday: Concert Band (2:50 - 4:05pm)

● Wednesday: Vocal Ensemble (7:30 - 8:45am)

● Wednesday: Stage Band (3:15 - 4:30pm)

● Thursday: Junior Rock Band & Senior Rock Band (3:15 - 4:30pm)

Music Excursions on the Horizon

1. ENCORE HSC Music Showcase: This event is highly recommended for all Year 11 Music and 12 Entertainment students. Come and witness exemplary HSC works from 2023 students across the state.
2. Vocal Ensemble - InConcert Program: Vocal ensemble students are invited to join the InConcert program, where they'll rehearse a piece to be performed with 500 other choir students at Sydney Town Hall this May.

Drama Programs

Improv Programs in Full Swing!

● Year 9/10 and Year 11/12 Improvisation programs are currently underway, led by the talented team at Improv Theatre Sydney.

● Year 7 and 8 students, stay tuned for an upcoming note about an improv course next term!

Also stay tuned for information about auditions for this year's school play. We are excited to bring "Lord of the Flies" to our new performance space!

Drama Excursions

1. Performance Appreciation Club Excursions: Year 10 and Year 11 clubs are off to a great start, with upcoming excursions to 'Holding The Man' at Belvoir Theatre on March 14.
2. Year 12 Performance Appreciation Club: Their first excursion to see 'Tiny Beautiful Things' at the Belvoir theatre was a tearful success. Keep an eye out for more exciting excursions throughout the year.
3. Onstage Success: 40 Drama students from Year 10, 11, and 12 enjoyed a successful outing to see the best HSC works from 2023 at the Seymour Centre.

Theatre Recommendations 

For our theatre enthusiasts, here are some upcoming highlights:

1. 'Holding the Man' at Belvoir Theatre (March): A moving piece of queer theatre suitable for audiences aged 14 and above.
2. 'RBG: Of Many, One' at STC (Now until March end): A gripping tale of the life of Ruth Bader Ginsberg, recommended for senior students and parents.
3. 'Swim' at Griffin Season (10-27 July): A contemporary Australian work centered around the experience of a trans young person. A must-see for those interested in queer and gender queer theatre.
4. Stay Tuned: We'll keep you posted on more exciting theatre events throughout the year in our next newsletters.

Dance Programs 

For all our students passionate about dance here are some opportunities where we welcome all experience levels:

1. Year 7 Dance Ensemble - Wednesday mornings from 7:40-8:40am.
2. Dance Ensemble - Years 8 - 12 - Tuesday Mornings from 7:40-8:40am.                  Dance Excursions

1. A group of our passionate dance students went to the Seymour Centre in Week Three to go and witness the best HSC Dance students from across the state in 2023.
2. Stay tuned for an upcoming Year 7 excursion, where we are taking the year group to Bangarra Dance theatre as part of our NAIDOC week celebrations

If you’d like to chat anything Dance related, please reach out to Ms Lukezic!

As always, we are here to support your kids creativity. If there's anything they'd like to discuss, they can find us in the staffroom next to the A Block bathrooms. Feel free to even just say hi!

We look forward to getting to know all our Performing Arts students even better!