The Australian International Performing Arts High School is the newest performing arts high school in New South Wales

New South Wales

New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...

, Australia

Australia

Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

.

AIPAH was founded in 2005 by Professor Lee. It is an exciting, innovative school for students with a passion for the creative and performing arts. The Australian International Performing Arts High School is open to students of artistic ability, dedicated to nurturing talent and encouraging the highest quality in performance and academic excellence.

The school is a boutique institution, designed specifically to meet the needs of young people who, in addition to their academic studies, desire to focus on Music, Drama, Dance and/or Visual Arts. While there is a focus on the performing and creative arts, there is also emphasis on academic excellence.

History

AIPAH was officially opened in January 2005 with 27 students from Years 7 to 11, and leading teacher Erin Mascord-Perez at the helm. Six months later, Mark Hopkins, editor for the Sydney Morning Herald joined the team as AIPAH's Principal. In 2008, Jim Mccrudden, former teacher of the Australian Institute of Music

Australian Institute of Music

The Australian Institute of Music is a private not-for-profit institution originally founded in 1968 by Dr Peter Calvo, and then known as the Sydney Guitar School...

 became Principal. In 2011 Jim McCrudden resigned as principal and Debra Aarons took over principalship. In November 2011 AIPAH's founding director Professor Lee announced that AIPAH would undergo many changes, including a new location and a new name; APAGS (Australian Performing Arts Grammar School). The new location will be in Broadway close to Sydney's CBD.

Performances

In its 6th Year AIPAH has performed at places all round Sydney at some of the most prestigious of events. These places include:

• The Lord Mayor's Christmas Party at The Rosehill Gardens
• Parramatta Business Awards for the Chamber of Commerce (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)
• Performed for Oscar winner Dion Beebe
  Dion Beebe
  Dion Beebe, A.C.S., ASC is an Australian cinematographer.Originally from Brisbane, Australia, his family moved to Cape Town, South Africa in 1972...
  
   at Parramatta Riverside
• Performed for Acclaimed Director Kimble Rendall
• International Disabilities day (2007)
• Fast & Fresh Junior Playwrights Competition

Notable Alumni

Nathan Brake - Singer (Australian Idol Finalist)

Dayton Tavares - Dancer, Actor, Singer (Billy Elliot on Broadway)

Craig Jobson - Filmmaker, Crazy guy

Natasha Duarte - Singer

See also

• List of non-government schools in New South Wales
• List of creative and performing arts high schools in New South Wales

External links

• The Australian International Performing Arts High School Website