In June 2014, Summit Education Group took a passionate step by beginning the development of the Arts Immersion Program for dancers. Rich Mestas, chief curriculum officer for Summit Education Group, reached out to Stephen Wynne, an experienced educator and artist, to start the first ever blended performing arts program
in Colorado.
The goal was to create a tuition-free program offering pre-professional dance training while maintaining a high standard of academic excellence. The model focuses on the development of the whole child in order to facilitate successful entry into either a college bachelor of fine arts program or a career in the performing arts after graduation.
Wynne, the creative arts director for Arts Immersion, remarked that he observed a significant lack of preparation among students taking on a BFA degree in his eight-year period as an associate professor for dance.
“I saw how many students came into their undergrad unprepared and unaware of the rigor that a BFA degree required. I wanted to be a part of the building process, prior to college, in order to instill the focus, discipline and critical thinking skills required to be successful in the performing arts field.”
In addition to over three hours of in-studio technique each day, opportunities to earn college credit with local colleges and universities, and a professional performing arts faculty, Arts Immersion offers students a unique “Arts-Integrated Curriculum.” Strategically aligned with the Colorado standards for dance education and taken from collegiate-level courses, the aim of the Arts-Integrated Curriculum is to develop the whole child, by informing and guiding them closer to success in both career and life.
Arts Immersion will host information sessions in Denver on April 11 and 18, and in Colorado Springs on April 18.
For more information, visit the Arts Immersion website at www.artsimersion.net.
