Pinellas County Center for the Arts
Encyclopedia
| Program Administrator | Ralph M. Nurmela M.S. |
| School type | Public / Magnet School Magnet school In education in the United States, magnet schools are public schools with specialized courses or curricula. "Magnet" refers to how the schools draw students from across the normal boundaries defined by authorities as school zones that feed into certain schools.There are magnet schools at the... |
| Religious affiliation | None |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Location | St. Petersburg St. Petersburg, Florida St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St... , FL Florida Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it... , USA |
| Enrollment | 500 |
| Faculty | 39 |
| Campus surroundings | Urban |
| Mascot | (None) |
| School colors | Silver and Black |
The Pinellas County Center for the Arts (PCCA) is a center for excellence in the visual and performing arts in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. It provides a comprehensive educational program of artistic, academic, and creative development, and preparation through pre-professional arts training toward advanced study at the collegiate level.
Program at a Glance
- Four periods are academic core classes; four are classes in arts concentration
- Faculty are practicing professional artists who have a passion for sharing their expertise with students
- Brand new, state-of-the-art facility- the largest building project in Pinellas County School history
- State-of-the-art professional blackbox theatre
- Special master classes with visiting artists
- Full production season
- Frequent performance opportunities
- Involvement in the arts community of the greater Tampa Bay area
- Daily learning from professionals in the arts
- Audition/resume/portfolio preparation
- Scholarship opportunities
History
In 1979, John Blank, an administrator in the Pinellas County Schools, felt a need for an emphasis in the arts within the school system. Through his leadership and guidance, a preliminary survey of the County's students, facilities, and communities was taken and Mr. Stan Lee Boss was sent to Dallas, TexasDallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
for an on-site visit of their visual and performing arts schools.
A need for an artistically talented program was recognized and several teachers, supervisors and county administrators undertook the task of applying for a federal research grant. With the approval of the school board, a full time director was provided to work with three Gibbs High School arts instructors, three supervisors and an administrator to prepare a model project for the artistically talented students for the State of Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. After some thirty on-site visits to well-established secondary schools and programs, a model was written for the State of Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, published and distributed to all sixty-seven county school superintendents and known arts supervisors.
Dr. Scott Rose, with the approval of the School Board, chose as one of his five year objectives the development and implementation of both the Artistically Talented Program (now known as PCCA) at Gibbs High School and a Progam for the Academically Talented (now known as the International Baccalaureate Program at St. Petersburg High School
St. Petersburg High School
St. Petersburg High School, founded in 1898, is a secondary school located in St. Petersburg, Florida. The school's current building, a historic landmark, was built in 1926 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. The school was billed as the nation's first million dollar...
).
After several years of hard work and dedication by those originally involved in implementing PCCA, this school of the arts officially began in late August 1984. There were approximately 200 9th and 10th graders starting school; it was hoped that eventually the student population would reach 400. As of today, the number of students attending PCCA is about 500, fairly equally divided among the four major disciplines, Dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
, Theatre
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
, Music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
, and Visual Art.
The Program
The PCCA curriculum is centered on individualized instruction and concentrating on the student's selected artistic major. Through blocking courses with two to three hour segments of time, the student has the opportunity to develop a work in depth while the teacher is afforded time to work individually with the students as well as provide guest artists and field trips without impinging on the student's daily four academic classes.Artistic Disciplines
Dance is divided into Modern DanceModern dance
Modern dance is a dance form developed in the early 20th century. Although the term Modern dance has also been applied to a category of 20th Century ballroom dances, Modern dance as a term usually refers to 20th century concert dance.-Intro:...
and Ballet
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
. Music has Vocal, Instrumental
Instrumental
An instrumental is a musical composition or recording without lyrics or singing, although it might include some non-articulate vocal input; the music is primarily or exclusively produced by musical instruments....
, and Piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
. The Theatre
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
program is segmented into Performance Theatre
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
, Technical Theatre, Literary Theatre
Playwright
A playwright, also called a dramatist, is a person who writes plays.The term is not a variant spelling of "playwrite", but something quite distinct: the word wright is an archaic English term for a craftsman or builder...
, and Musical Theatre
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
. Visual Arts
Visual arts
The visual arts are art forms that create works which are primarily visual in nature, such as ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, design, crafts, and often modern visual arts and architecture...
, the most populated discipline, has many phases including painting
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
, sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
, photography
Photography
Photography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
, printmaking
Printmaking
Printmaking is the process of making artworks by printing, normally on paper. Printmaking normally covers only the process of creating prints with an element of originality, rather than just being a photographic reproduction of a painting. Except in the case of monotyping, the process is capable...
, and ceramics
Ceramic art
In art history, ceramics and ceramic art mean art objects such as figures, tiles, and tableware made from clay and other raw materials by the process of pottery. Some ceramic products are regarded as fine art, while others are regarded as decorative, industrial or applied art objects, or as...
. All instructors are practicing artists who also serve as mentors to their students. Local, regional, and nationally acclaimed professional artists conduct master classes as well as perform at the school. A high percentage of students earn scholarship money to further their education.
Admissions
Admittance to PCCA is through application, audition, and acceptance. Auditions are held in the middle part of each school year so that the accepted student has time to be properly scheduled for 9th grade.Recent news
Pinellas County Center for the Arts students were selected to perform the musical, "Songs for a New World" at the 2009 Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. This is an outstanding honor as only 50 schools in the country are selected to participate. The cast, directed by Keven Renken and Musically Directed by Karen Bail consisted of Blaine Krauss, Anthony Murphy, Ben Jenkins, Erin Flemming, Jackson Crawford, Kim Gaesser, Hannah Barrens, Stephanie Lehman & Catiana Bello. The Technical Director was Wes Reid and technicians on the trip were Susie Knowles, Sarah Escarraz and Christina Longhurst.The vocal department's Choral Arts Ensemble was chosen to perform along with Kenny Rogers on his Christmas and Hits concert in the winter of 2009.
Prominent alumni
Theater- Katie ReesKatie ReesKatie Rees is a former beauty queen from the United States who was crowned Miss Nevada USA 2007...
- Former Miss Nevada - Michael LyncheMichael LyncheMichael Alexander Lynche is an American singer from St. Petersburg, Florida who was the fourth place finalist on the ninth season of American Idol. He is the second finalist ever to receive the judges' save, which was introduced in season eight.-Early life:Lynche was born to Michele and Marque...
- c/o 2001 - "Big Mike" of American Idol Season 9. - Juli CrockettJuli CrockettJuli Crockett is a playwright and theater director, retired professional boxer and amateur champion, lead singer of the alternative country band , and producer of The 1 Second Film...
- PlaywrightPlaywrightA playwright, also called a dramatist, is a person who writes plays.The term is not a variant spelling of "playwrite", but something quite distinct: the word wright is an archaic English term for a craftsman or builder...
, Theater director, retired (undefeated) professional boxer and amateur champion, and lead singer of the alternative country band The Evangenitals(tm). (c/o 1993) - John Cecil - Screenwriter and director, “Hell’s Gate”
- Ryan & Matthew McGuigan vocalists, guitar and bass players for PowerPop Rock group Moses Prey (Ryan, c/o '96 Matthew, c/o '99)
- Dylan Glatthorn - Composer of "Republic", Graduate of Steinhardt @ NYU www.dylanglatthorn.com
- Michelle Dowdy - Understudied the role of Tracy Turnblad in the Broadway production of "Hairspray".
- Blaine Alden Krauss - 2010 Presidential Scholar in the Arts. Attendee of the Musical Theatre "Conserv" at CCM.
- Christina Moll - SVU Film, The Long Wait
- Sierra KusterbeckSierra KusterbeckSierra Kay Kusterbeck is an American musician who has served as lead vocalist of the band VersaEmerge since 2007.-Early life:...
- Lead vocalist for the Alternative RockAlternative rockAlternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band VersaEmergeVersaEmergeVersaEmerge is an American rock band consisting of Sierra Kusterbeck and Blake Harnage, originating from Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA, currently signed to the label Fueled by Ramen. They have three EPs - Cities Built on Sand, Perceptions, and the self-titled release. Their debut album, Fixed at...
. (Would've graduated with the class of 2009, but dropped out to pursue her career with the band.)
Visual Art
- Simon Boses - Artist, Sculptor (c/o 1993)
- Joshua FieldJoshua Field (artist)Joshua Field is an American artist known for narrative paintings which use iconic and psychological imagery to create complex sometimes mysterious scenarios. He exhibits his paintings in the United States and Europe....
- Artist, Painter joshuafield.com(c/o 1992) - Erik Jones - Illustrator of "God is in the Refrigerator"
- Colette Taber - Artist colettetaber.com
- Laura Moss - Professional Photographer, www.lauramoss.com
- Andrea Pejack- Artist, Painter (c/o 2005) www.andreapejack.com
- Stephanie Rattanachane - Artist, Illustrator, Animator (Class of 2005), www.Spifflicated.net
Dance
- Nicole Dalia - Randy James Dance Works. Elisa Monte Dance. Ballet for Young Audiences and Repertory Ballet Company.
- Carmela Gallace - Principal dancer with the Moiseyev Dance Company in MoscowMoscowMoscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, RussiaRussiaRussia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, and “RiverdanceRiverdanceRiverdance is a theatrical show consisting of traditional Irish stepdancing, notable for its rapid leg movements while body and arms are kept largely stationary. It originated as an interval performance during the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, a moment that is still considered a significant...
”. - Henry Jackson - David Parsons Dance Company.
- Kelly King - Radio CityRadio City Music HallRadio City Music Hall is an entertainment venue located in New York City's Rockefeller Center. Its nickname is the Showplace of the Nation, and it was for a time the leading tourist destination in the city...
Rockette dance captain, Resident danceDanceDance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
instructor for Broadway Theatre Project. - Michelle Kuusela - Tampa/Colorado Ballet, the New England Ballet and St. Petersburg Concert Ballet. Faculty member at the Academy of Ballet Arts Inc.
- Ephraim Sykes - Alvin AileyAlvin AileyAlvin Ailey, Jr. was an American choreographer and activist who founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York. Ailey is credited with popularizing modern dance and revolutionizing African-American participation in 20th century concert dance...
American Dance Theater, Broadway productions of "Memphis" and "The Little Mermaid" - Suzanne B. Pomerantzeff - BFA Dance University of Utah - Concentration in Classical Ballet, Ethnic Dance and Ballet History
- Alana Smith - Dance Repertory Theatre Company
- Tammi Ward - The Atlanta BalletAtlanta BalletAtlanta Ballet is a ballet company, located in Atlanta, Georgia. It is the nation’s longest continuously performing ballet company and the State Ballet of Georgia.- History :...
, Miami City Ballet, and FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
West Ballet. - Jeff Wolfe - BalletMet, has worked with renowned choreographers including Stanton Welch and Randy DuncanRandy DuncanHearst Randolph "Randy" Duncan, Jr. is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback. He played college football at the University of Iowa. He played in two Rose Bowls and has been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame...
. - Rebecca Minkoff - Designer, Rebecca Minkoff
- Calvin Royal - American Ballet Theater - Current Company
- Daniel Ulbricht - New York City Ballet - Current Company
- Rikki McKinney - Model and Choreographer
Literary Arts
- Jibade (Khalil) Huffman - The author of 19 Names for Our Band. His fiction, poetry, and photography have appeared in NOON, Fence, Encyclopedia, and the Boston Review.
Music
- Joe Brotherton - Jazz Trumpet, Freelance and with the band Central Heat
- Thomas F. Chelf, Jr. - Orchestral Percussionist, Has performed with Florida Symphony Orchestra, Valley Symphony Orchestra in South Texas, for President Bill Clinton and her Royal Majesty, Elizabeth II of Great Britain.
- Toly Chichov - bass player for This TransmissionThis TransmissionThis Transmission was an indie rock band from St. Petersburg, FL. Signed to Standstill Records. The band played with acts such as Moros Eros, Young Love, and Evergreen Terrace. They were recording their first full-length album, entitled Tiny Abrasions at the time of their break up...
. - Justin Clay PerryJustin Clay PerryJustin Clay Perry is an American jazz, pop, and Latin pianist best known for his arrangements heard behind numerous recording artists. He is a graduate of the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School in Tampa Bay where he studied classical and jazz piano and composition...
- Keyboardist/Arranger on albums by the likes of Beyonce, Christina Aguilera and Michael Bolton (Class of '92) - Kevin Rivard - French Horn for the Florida Orchestra, Winner of the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts Competition
- Rachael Sutliff - vocalist, appeared on Clash of the Choirs on NBC with Patti LaBelle and Patti LaBelle's Christmas Special. Sutliff regularly performs with Patti LaBelle.