Welcome to Connections Week at The Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts)! We are honored to have you join us as we celebrate the extraordinary work of our scholar-artists and strengthen the bridge between secondary and postsecondary arts education. Your presence this week represents more than recruitment it represents partnership, mentorship, and the shared belief that the arts have the power to transform lives
Since joining ChiArts in 2018, I have witnessed firsthand how our students grow through dedication, curiosity, and resilience. Their commitment to craft and community is remarkable, and your engagement helps them see what’s possible beyond these walls Thank you for investing your time and expertise to guide and inspire them.
At ChiArts, we believe every young person in Chicago should have access to high-quality academics and arts, all under one roof, and at no cost Founded in 2009 as Chicago’s first public arts high school, ChiArts offers rigorous college-preparatory academics alongside preprofessional arts training in five conservatories: Creative Writing, Dance, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts As the nation’s only public arts high school actively recruiting novice students those with limited prior training but deep passion and potential we are committed to building an equitable arts education model that removes financial and geographic barriers to opportunity.
Thank you for joining us this week to connect, collaborate, and celebrate the next generation of artists, thinkers, and leaders. We are thrilled to welcome you into the ChiArts community.
With gratitude,
Dr. Greer Reed
Artistic Director & Interim Music Conservatory Head
The Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts)
COLLEGE FAIR
Tuesday, October 14th – Friday, October 17th
10:40–11:55 AM / 1:15–1:55 PM
AMDA – October 14th
Paul Mitchell – October 14th
Loyola University (New Orleans) – October 15th (Both Times)
Greenville University (Curtis Wilson) – October 16th
University of Illinois (Anna S ) – October 16th
SPECIAL EVENTS
Tuesday, October 14th
Alumni Panel – 2:00–3:00 PM
Deja Blackwell (’16, Visual Arts) – Makeup Artist
Daniel Gayden (’17, Music) – Musician and Instructor
Jordan Gamby (’16, Theatre) – Comedian
Lawrence Powell (’16, Dance) – Entrepreneur & Dance Instructor
Eliza Karaze (’14, Visual Arts) – Visual Artist & Influencer
Ashley Johnson (’18, Dance) – Dancer & Studio Owner
Isaac Allen (’16, Theatre) – Vocalist
Christina Rice (’15, Dance) – Executive Director, Nonprofit (Still TBD)
Calliah Shade-Pounds (’18, Music) – [Title TBD]
Brandyn Snow (’16, Music) – Middle School Teacher
Jordan Gasby (’16, Dance) – Nurse
Post-Secondary Info Session – 7:00–8:00 PM
AMDA
City Year
Loyola University (New Orleans)
Columbia College
The Shakespeare Project of Chicago
University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC)
Wednesday, October 15th
7:00pm Dance Senior Solo Showcase
Thursday, October 16th
7:00pm Theatre Audition Showcase
Friday, October 17th
7:00pm Last Year, Last Look
CHIARTS ARTISTIC LEADERSHIP
Artistic Director and Acting Music Head, Greer Reed joined ChiArts in 2018 and has been instrumental to the growth and development of the Dance Conservatory, establishing a framework for teaching and learning that empowers and affirms the diversity of scholar-artists and ideas at ChiArts In August 2023, Dr Reed was promoted to Artistic Director, where she leads the school’s five arts conservatories Creative Writing, Dance, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts and currently serves as the Acting Music Conservatory Head
Dr. Reed is a visionary educator and artist whose leadership emphasizes excellence, refinement, and holistic teaching. Before joining ChiArts, she trained at The Ailey School, performed with Ailey II, and spent a decade with the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, where she received the “Josie” Award for Outstanding Female Artist She earned her B A from La Roche University, her MFA from Goddard College, and her Ph D in Arts Education from the University of Pittsburgh
Creative Writing Head, Kenyatta Rogers is a founding ChiArts Creative Writing teacher He has been instrumental to the growth and development of the conservatory since 2013 as the founding poetry teacher and Creative Writing Conservatory Administrative Assistant In 2022, Mr Rogers was promoted to Conservatory Head He is an exceptional poet and a well-respected colleague and leader both within ChiArts and in the poetry community
Mr Rogers is a Cave Canem Fellow and has been awarded scholarships from the Breadloaf Writers’ Conference. He has also been nominated multiple times for both Pushcart and Best of the Net prizes. His work has been previously published in Poetry Magazine, Jubilat, Vinyl, Bat City Review, The Volta, PANK, MAKE Magazine among others. Kenyatta is a Lead Teacher for the Poetry Foundations Teacher Institute and Chautauqua Institution’s Young Writer Institute He is a co-host of the Sunday Reading Series with Simone Muench
Dance and Theatre Head, Tracey Franklin is an influential ChiArts leader who has showcased her skill set in both leadership and teaching artist roles for the past ten years. Ms. Franklin is a native of Chicago and began her training at the age of 16 at Joseph Holmes Dance Theater In 1999, Ms Franklin graduated from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Certificate Program In 2000, Ms Franklin was a company member of Dallas Black Dance Theater for four years
In 2004, she returned to Chicago as a company member with Deeply Rooted Dance Theater for 12 years Ms Franklin was the Dance Education Director for three years for Deeply Rooted Dance Theater In 2014, she began her journey as a teaching artist in the Dance Conservatory at ChiArts For the past nine years Ms Franklin has spent five of those years as the assistant to the department head, and one year as the assistant Dean of Students. In August of 2023, Ms. Franklin became the Dance Conservatory Head. In August of 2025, Ms. Franklin was promoted to both Dance and Theatre Conservatory Head.
Visual Arts Head, Chris Lin Dao-Heng is a ChiArts Visual Arts veteran, teaching in the conservatory since 2012 Mr Lin has not only made an impact on 10 classes of Visual Arts scholar-artists, but has also taught courses in the Creative Writing Conservatory. After leading as Visual Arts Administrative Assistant for many years, Mr Lin Dao-Heng was promoted to Department Head in 2022
Mr Lin is an interdisciplinary artist and educator based in Chicago, working in media including videos, comics, graphic design, puppetry, music, and installation A major part of his art practice is related to language learning, immigration, humor, and vulnerability Born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan, he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts with honors from the University of Victoria in 2005 and a Master of Fine Arts in Fiber and Material Studies from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2008. His visual art, short stories, and comic work have been published by the Chicago Architecture Center, Bailiwick, This Side of West, Fiction At Work, Shampoo, and ChiArts’ Levitate
CREATIVE WRITING THE CONSERVATORY
The Creative Writing Conservatory integrates the ChiArts Core Values into a rigorous study of the foundations of creative writing and the development of individual voice and polished work. Students gain experience editing and publishing a literary magazine. Upon completing the four-year program, ChiArts Creative Writing students have developed a solid foundation in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, including writing alongside a deep and wide knowledge of texts. Students also have a polished portfolio, including pieces from each genre This foundation makes students competitive candidates for undergraduate creative writing programs.
CONNECTIONS WEEK SCHEDULE
Tues, Oct. 14th
CM Burroughs, Columbia College Chicago & Rebecca Morgan Frank, Lewis University
1 & 2 Years: Room 201
3 & 4 Years: Room 202
Wed, Oct. 15th
American Writers Museum Field Trip: 2:30pm - 4:00pm All Years
Thurs, Oct. 16th
Author Visits (TBD) Last Year Last Look Rehearsal (Seniors)
Fri, Oct. 17th
Jose Olivarez Virtual Visit: https://joseolivarez.com/
Dr. Nasya Mendoza-Elias Visit: BIPOC Women in STEM.
CREATIVE WRITING
Scholar-Artists: Class of 2026
Jacob Samuels
Dremia Lavallais
Lemon Smith
Jeswann Ramsey
Jenaira Contreras
N’Myah Dortch
Ethan Garcia
Jordin Benson
Layla Velez
Carmin Weathersby
Sariyah Hardy
Laila Davis
Quinn Hughes
DANCE
THE CONSERVATORY
The Dance Conservatory leads with a student-centered, trauma-informed, and interdisciplinary approach that empowers young people to seek and share their unique voice, artistry, and leadership. The Dance Conservatory students study various dance techniques, ballet/pointe, modern (Horton, Graham), contemporary (jazz, modern), conditioning, Spanish, African, hip hop, tap, and intro to yoga, in addition to their personal & professional development classes. The Dance Conservatory is committed to providing a high level of instruction and experiences that will prepare students to study at the college level or enter a professional dance training program.
CONNECTIONS WEEK SCHEDULE
Tues, Oct. 14th
2:00 - 2:50pm Alumni Panel
3:00 - 3:55pm
Illinois State University
Laina Reese
4:00 - 4:50pm UMKC
John Selya, Ballet
6:00 - 8:00pm Alumni/Info Panel
Wed, Oct. 15th
2:00 - 2:50pm NIU
Marc Macarenas, Cont. Mod 3:00 - 5pm TECH: Senior Solo / LYLL 7:00pm Senior Solo Concert
Thurs, Oct. 16th
2:00 - 2:50pm
Columbia College
Darrell Jones, Hip Hop
3:00 - 3:50pm NIU
Rich Grund, Ballet
4:00 - 4:50pm Univ. of Illinois
Jacob Henss, Jazz
Fri, Oct. 17th
2:00 - 2:50pm NIU
Sarita Smith Childs, Jazz
3:00 - 3:50pm The Think Tank
Terri Woodall
4:00 - 4:50pm AMDA
Sam Tennent
7:00PM
Last Year, Last Look
Scholar-Artists: Class of 2026
Iyounna Hamilton
Diana Duarte
Anabella Gallo
Akeela Jaco
Iyana Lyles
Meghan Girdick
Cheyenne Anderson
Jada Adams
Destiny Johnson
Dasha Herrera-Saavedra
DANCE
Scholar-Artists: Class of 2026
D’Andre Williams
Patrick Williams
Avery Wysinger
Massina Pettigrew
Yaya Roman
Angelik Ramirez
Amaliah Young
MUSIC
THE CONSERVATORY
ChiArts Music Conservatory continues to be one of the most enriching and engaging pre-professional high school music departments in the country, holding the title of Illinois High School State Champions in Music (IHSA Class A) ChiArts Music prides itself in offering both Instrumental and Vocal majors focusing on diverse genres ChiArts scholar-artists study classical, jazz, pop, Latin, music of the African Diaspora, music theory, music production, music history, ear training, piano/keyboard skills, guitar skills, and songwriting. Instrumental majors study the technique and repertoire of their instruments through various ensemble classes, production, and instrument-specific technique courses. Vocal majors receive training in vocal technique, experience in ensembles, keyboard skills, guitar skills, acting, songwriting, and movement.
CONNECTIONS WEEK SCHEDULE
Tuesday, October 14
1:15 – 1:55 PM
Roosevelt University (RU), Amanda Horavith-Adare, Jessica Meaux Recruiting Booth
2:00 – 3:00 PM Alumni Panel
2:00 – 3:25 PM Roosevelt University, Jazz Alejandro Cortes, Ben Dillinger | Combined Combos
2:00 – 3:25 PM Roosevelt University, Piano Ensemble Winston Choi
3:30 – 5:00 PM
Voice Masterclass Gaye Klopack
Wednesday, October 15
1:15 – 1:55 PM
Recruiting Booths – RU, DePaul University - Mary Halm, SFCM
3:00 – 3:55 PM RU
Brass Tech
Charlie Schucat, Ignacio del Rey Tomas-Biosca, Rebecca Oliverio, Mike Brozick, Greg Flint
3:00 – 3:55 PM RU
Woodwind Tech, Tom Snydacker
3:00 – 3:55 PM RU
String Tech & Rep, Russel Rolen, Yebin Kor
3:00 – 5:00 PM RU
Guitar Tech II & Rep, An Tran
3:00 – 5:00 PM | Vandercook College of Music, Percussion Tech, Jim Yakas
Thursday, October 16
1:15 – 1:55 PM
Recruiting Booths –RU, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
2:00 – 3:25 PM University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) – Wind Ensemble Serena Werren
2:00 – 3:25 PM North Park University –Chamber Strings Tom Zelle
3:30 – 5:00 PM
UIC – Percussion Ensemble Jordan Kamps
Friday, October 17
1:15 – 1:55 PM
Recruiting Booths –Roosevelt University, Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU)
North Park University –Combined Percussion Tech Brandon Podjasek
4:00 – 5:00 PM
Northern Illinois University (NIU) – Jazz, Combined Percussion Tech Rodrigo Villanueva
Music
Scholar-Artists: Class of 2026
Caleb Haynes
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Mischa Gonzalez
JoJo Arrieta
Kaya Bustamente kh d
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Saul Cirilo
My’Amee Hobson
Kaylee Johnson
Scholar-Artists: Class of 2026 Music
Norma Ramos
Emily Perez-Ojeda
Olivia Munoz
Genaro Valdez
Ricaiah Ratcliff
Flynn Ramirez
Julissa Rodriguez
Zaria Thomas
Jada Presley
Zania Stoutmire
Eduardo Medina
Amani Young
THEATRE
THE CONSERVATORY
The Theatre Conservatory offers a joyful and diverse instruction program at the highest artistic level in both Acting and Musical Theatre majors. ChiArts Acting majors focus on a steady progression of study that includes movement, history of theatre practice and literature, stage production and design, periods and styles, and devising new work The Musical Theatre major works with faculty from the Theatre, Music, and Dance conservatories, focusing on a progression of study that includes acting, vocal technique, dance, music theory, keyboard skills, history of musical theatre practice & literature, stage production & design, and devising new work. All scholar-artists have the unique experience of working with a range of artists from the Chicago theatre community, giving them insight and experiences with professionals in the field.
