Metro School of the Arts 2018 Graduates Head to Elite Colleges

Some of Metropolitan School of the Arts 2018 academy and studio graduates of Alexandria, Va. will be moving on to elite college performing arts college programs. Out of the 21 graduates, almost half are pursuing degrees at some of the top performing arts schools in the United States, with many earning scholarships. Go to www.metropolitanarts.org or call 703.339.0444 for more information.

Metropolitan School of the Arts graduates include: Naomi Hill to attend Chapman University for dance, Kelsey Kaufman to attend Pace University for dance, Katie Kotila to attend Roosevelt University for musical theatre, Lauren Michaels to attend Point Park University for dance, Jackson Miller to attend Millikan University for musical theatre, Shannon O’Shaughnessy to attend Elon University for drama/theater with a minor in dance, Hannah Weilminster to attend Emerson College for theatre and Zoe Winter will attend James Madison University for theatre. Maddy Alves will attend Syracuse University, Carmie Basnight to attend George Mason University Honors program on a full tuition merit scholarship, Lila Borden to attend University of Richmond, Laetitia Darbeau to attend Old Dominion University, Noelle de la Garrigue to attend McDaniel College, Alexa Megan to attend Virginia Tech, Lauren Odom to attend Virginia Commonwealth University, Olivia Parker to attend Texas A&M, Helen Poe to attend Georgetown University and Ashley Shugart will attend Washington and Lee University.

“The demands of school and performing arts training is never easy, but these graduates have excelled at both, and are taking their discipline onto college now,” said Melissa Dobbs, executive director and founder of Metropolitan School of the Arts of Alexandria, Va.

The Academy at Metropolitan School of the Arts is a college preparatory performing arts program for emerging young artists, grades 7-12, who are dedicated to high-caliber academics and pre-professional performing arts education. Their cross-curricular approach to arts training fills each young artist’s toolbox with the dance, music and acting skills necessary to be a triple threat in the arts world. MSA’s approach to education is designed to develop independent, self-motivated, and skilled learners.

Founder and executive director, Melissa Dobbs, was classically trained at Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, George Mason University and the Royal Academy of Dance in London, where she became a registered teacher. Noted for its world-class instructors, MSA offers high quality performing arts training in a ground breaking, holistic learning environment that cultivates creativity, builds community and empowers students.