The Chicago Academy for the Arts

The nation's premier performing and visual arts high school.

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At The Chicago Academy for the Arts, high school artists master the skills necessary for academic success, critical thought, and creative expression.

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Arts Departments

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Dance

Media Arts

Music

Musical Theatre

Theatre

Visual Arts

Academic Departments

Featured

English

Math, Science, and Technology

Social Studies

World Languages

AP and Honors Courses

Academic and Arts Electives

Middle School Programs at The Academy

Weekend and summer arts intensives for artists in grades 6 through 8.

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Upcoming Events and Recent News

NEWS

Music and Theatre Collaborate to Create "Peter and the Starcatcher"

In this behind-the-scenes look, Music Department Chair Rachel Brown shares how The Academy's Music and Theatre Departments worked together to bring this exciting production to the stage.

Alumni Spotlight: Karen Szczech (Music ‘17)

Karen Szczech, a dedicated violinist and first-generation American, graduated from the Academy's Music Department in 2017. Together with her sister Kasia, an alum from 2013, Karen co-founded Magical Keys, a versatile musical organization that includes performances, education, and community engagement.

Academy Teacher Named Fulbright Scholar: Lauren Rovin's Experience in Mexico

Read about Spanish Teacher Lauren Rovin's experience as a Fulbright Scholar!

Heather Day (Visual Arts '08) Featured in W Magazine

Check out Heather Day (Visual Arts '08) in W Magazine!

Akenya Seymour (Music '10) in Chicago Reader

Check out alum Akenya Seymour (Music ‘10) in the Chicago Reader’s podcast, The Sit Down, hosted by Shawnee Dez.

Kevin Miles (Theatre '08) Visits The Academy: ABC 7 Eyewitness News

Kevin Miles (Theatre ‘08) and The Academy on ABC 7 News!

Dance Department Chair Randy Duncan in The Chicago Sun-Times

Celebrating 30 years of transforming young dancers, Randy Duncan received a feature in The Chicago Sun-Times!

Youth and Government Visits Springfield

The Student Leadership Conference & General Assembly took place from March 7 to 10, with 15 Youth and Government students representing The Academy in Springfield.

Justin Tranter (Musical Theatre '98) Discusses Grammy Nomination with AP News

The Academy proudly congratulates alum Justin Tranter (Musical Theatre ’98) for being nominated for Songwriter of the Year (Non-Classical) at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards!

Elisabeth Withers (Music '88) Visits The Academy

Justin Tranter (Musical Theatre '98) on NBC Chicago

See Justin Tranter on NBC Chicago’s new series “It’s OK to Ask Questions”.

Zachary Jeppsen (Dance '18) and Jason Patera in Chicago Tribune

Check out Jason Patera and Zachary Jeppsen (Dance ‘18) featured in Chicago Tribune!

Alumni Stories: Hengyu Wang (Visual Arts ‘18)

Read our interview with Academy Alum Hengyu Wang (Visual Arts ‘18)!

Student Profile: Ava Baldassari (Musical Theatre '23)

Read our interview with current Musical Theatre student Ava Baldassari.

Alumni Stories: Emma Thatcher (Musical Theatre '10) and Sarah Franke (Media Arts '11)

Read our interview with Emma Thatcher (Musical Theatre ‘10) and Sarah Franke (Media Arts ‘11)

Alumni Stories: Maisie Schloss (Visual Arts '09)

Read our interview with Maisie Schloss (Visual Arts ‘09)

Alumni Stories: Morgan Clune (Dance '18)

Read our interview with Morgan Clune (Dance ‘18)

Jason Patera in Chicago Tribune

Check out Jason Patera in the Chicago Tribune!

Alumni Stories: Marissa Cameron (Media Arts '12)

Interview with Marissa Cameron (Media Arts ‘12)

The Academy Newsletter: Summer 2022

Arayah Lyte - Dance '22

Hear from the Class of 2022!

2022 Summer Program

Pictures from the 2022 Summer Program!

Izzie Claudio - Musical Theatre '22

Hear from the Class of 2022!

Hear from the Seniors: DeeDee Kinzie (Visual Arts), Gabe Bell (Media Arts), and Sloane Dyer (Music)

Hear from Academy seniors!

Hear from the Seniors: Mia Nadborne (Theatre) and India Renteria (Musical Theatre)

Hear from Academy seniors!

Bazyli Siwek - Music '22

Hear from the Class of 2022!

The Academy in on WGN and ABC7

Check us out on WGN and ABC7!

40th Anniversary Gala

Highlights from our 40th Anniversary Gala!

Alumni Stories: DeMone Seraphin (Musical Theatre '93)

An interview with Academy alum DeMone Seraphin

Media Arts Department in the Chicago Reader

Check out the Media Arts Department in the Chicago Reader!

UPCOMING ADMISSIONS EVENTS

Jun 20

Summer Tours at The Academy | June 20 • 10:30 a.m.

Jun 20

Summer Tours at The Academy | June 20 • 1:30 p.m.

Jun 24

Summer Tours at The Academy | June 24 • 10:30 a.m.

Jun 24

Summer Tours at The Academy | June 24 • 1:30 p.m.

Jun 25

Check back soon for upcoming Admissions events!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Apr 7

No School: Spring Break

Apr 16

Parents Association Meeting

Apr 21

Bobby Meinig Senior Jazz Violin Recital • Mon, Apr 21 @ 7:00 p.m. • Music Department Spring Festival

Bobby Meinig's Senior Jazz Violin Recital!

Apr 23

Degame Young Senior Voice Recital • Mon, Apr 23 @ 7:00 p.m. • Music Department Spring Festival

Degame Young’s Senior Voice Recital!

Apr 24

Media Arts: Spring Exhibition • Thursday, April 24 @ 5:00 p.m.

The Media Arts Department is excited to present their Spring Exhibition!

Photography by Liv Downing (‘25).

Apr 25

Media Arts: Spring Exhibition • Friday, April 25 @ 7:00 p.m.

The Media Arts Department is excited to present their Spring Exhibition!

Photography by Liv Downing (‘25).

Apr 26

Media Arts: 2025 Senior Show • Saturday, April 26 @ 1:00 p.m.

The Media Arts Department is excited to present their 2025 Senior Show!

Apr 30

Faculty Recital Series: Marianne Parker, piano, and friends • Wed, Apr 30 @ 12:30 p.m. • Music Department Spring Festival

Join us for an afternoon faculty recital! Piano instructor Marianne Parker will present works for piano by Einoujuhani Rautavaara, Marc Mellits, and more!

Apr 30

Delaney Baeza Junior Piano Recital • Wed, Apr 30 @ 7:00 p.m. • Music Department Spring Festival

Delaney Baeza’s Junior Piano Recital!

Apr 30

Elective Lesson Recital • Wed, April 30 @ 5:00 p.m. • Music Department Spring Festival

The Music Department’s Elective Lesson Recital!

May 1

Bobby Meinig Senior Classical Violin Recital • Thurs, May 1 @ 7:00 p.m. • Music Department Spring Festival

Bobby Meinig’s Senior Classical Violin Recital!

May 2

Theatre: Women and War: A Greek Play Festival

Join the Theatre Department for: Women and War: A Greek Play Festival!

May 5

AP Exam: European History

May 5

Pop Rock Ensemble Concert • Mon, May 5 @ 7:00 p.m. • Music Department Spring Festival

The Music Department’s NEWEST ensemble will be presenting their debut show!

May 6

Media Arts: Advanced Photography Pop-Up Exhibition • Tuesday, May 6 @ 4:30 p.m.

Join Media Arts for their Advanced Photography Pop-Up Exhibition!

May 7

AP Exam: Literature and Composition

May 7

Faculty Recital Series: Jesse Langen, guitar, and friends • Wed, May 7 @ 12:30 p.m. • Music Department Spring Festival

Join us for an afternoon faculty recital! Guitar instructor Jesse Langen will present works for by Da Milano, Tárrega, Villa-Lobos, and more!

May 7

Faculty Recital Series: Rachel Brown, violin, and friends • Wed, Apr 23 @ 12:30 p.m. • Music Department Spring Festival

Join us for an afternoon faculty recital! Music Chair and violin instructor Rachel Brown will present works for solo violin by J.S. Bach, Eugène Ysaÿe, and more!

May 8

AP Exam: World History Modern

May 8

Giuliano Garcia Junior Piano Recital • Thurs, May 8 @ 5:00 p.m. • Music Department Spring Festival

RSVP to Giuliano Garcia’s Junior Piano Recital!

May 8

Brahms and Bossa: An Evening of Song • Thurs, May 8 @ 7:00 p.m. • Music Department Spring Festival

The Music Department presents Brahms and Bossa: An Evening of Song!

May 9

Without Genre 4.0 • Friday, May 9 @ 4:45 p.m. • Music Department Spring Festival

The Music Department’s Without Genre 4.0!

May 9

Without Genre 4.0 • Friday, May 9 @ 4:45 p.m. • Music Department Spring Festival

The Music Department’s Without Genre 4.0!

May 10

Spring Dance Concert • Saturday, May 10 @ 2:00 p.m.

Join the Dance department for their Spring Dance Concert!

May 10

Spring Dance Concert • Saturday, May 10 @ 7:00 p.m.

Join the Dance department for their Spring Dance Concert!

May 12

AP Exam: Calculus AB/BC

AP Exam: French

AP Exam: Art History

AP Exam: Spanish

End of Semester 2

Academy Alumni

A chart-topping songwriter, Broadway actors, Grammy Award-winning artists, physicists, attorneys, and business people. The Academy is a blueprint for success.

Alumni Stories