Metro School of Arts Announces New Academy and Studio Directors

Metropolitan School of the Arts of Alexandria, Va., recently announced new directors, Michelle Collier as the academy director and Sara Hart as the studio director. Academy students of the Metropolitan School of the Arts receive a rigorous academic experience in a pre-professional performing arts conservatory environment. Go to www.metropolitanarts.org or call 703.339.0444 for more information.

Collier, Metropolitan School of the Arts academy director, has been in education for more than 14 years, starting her career working with secondary students in non-traditional school settings in Washington, DC and Fairfax County, Va. She has experience in classroom instruction for a variety of academic curriculum at multiple grade levels, creating and revitalizing county and private programs, curriculum and resource development, teacher training and educational and administrative leadership. Collier holds a bachelor’s in international relations and a master’s degree in secondary education from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.

Hart, Metropolitan School of the Arts studio director, is a veteran performer and a graduate from New York University with a bachelor’s degree in music. She began her professional career as a performer and assistant choreographer at Hershey Park, Penn. She has performed and served as assistant director at Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut for High Button Shoes, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and How to Succeed.). Other credits include: The Wizard of Oz at the North Carolina Theater; Ain't Misbehavin' at the Dallas Theater Center in Dallas; Carousel at the Virginia Opera; and the off-Broadway show, The Great American Trailerpark Musical. She was the assistant choreographer for Ringley Barnum and Bailey's The Greatest Show on Earth. Some of Hart’s students have been accepted to some of the top performing arts universities and conservatories in the country.

“We’re so thrilled to have Michelle and Sara has our head administrators,” said Melissa Dobbs, executive director and founder of Metropolitan School of the Arts of Alexandria, Va. “Our school offers a rigorous curriculum not only in the performing arts, but also in our academics--and Michelle is a great resource for a challenging academic program,” said Dobbs.

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.