Academy of Performing Arts

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    The Performing Arts Academy consists of Band, Dance, Theater and Vocal. Each focus area is unique and allows students to explore their creativity. In order to get into the Performing Arts Academy, students must pass an audition in their art area of choice and meet the minimum 2.0 GPA requirement. Please see the sections below regarding particulars in each performing arts area.

    Vocal Academy      Vocal Logo

    Catherine Briggs, Choral Director

    The West Boca Raton HS Vocal Academy, is made up of 125 student musicians performing in 5 different musical ensembles. As one of the top choral programs in Palm Beach County and the state of Florida, the Vocal Department consistently receives Superior ratings at District and State level.

    Recently, the Vocal Department was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall to participate in the 2023 World Premiere of a newly composed piece as well as various Invitational Chorus programs offered only to select top ensembles in the state of Florida. Students routinely qualify for Florida All State, Regional and National American Choral Directors Association Honor Choirs, allowing them to sing with the top students in the state and nation.
     

    Dance Academy logoWest Boca High's Dance Academy

    Abby Allen, Dance Director

    West Boca High's Dance Academy is a creative dance academy intended to inspire students to work on one’s crafts in pursuit of scholarship in education and learning through the art of dance while creating impact on the surrounding community of Boca Raton. Functioned through grass-roots initiatives with a focus on teaching life lessons by providing experiential learning & creative workshops.
     
     

    Drama Department logoWest Boca Theatre Arts Academy

    Lance Blank, Theater Director & Department Chair of Performing Arts
     
    As the West Boca Theatre Arts Academy , we believe in providing educational and entertainment value for both its students and audience members alike. We are committed to excellence both on the stage and behind the scenes. It is in this commitment that we provide a safe environment for actors to explore characters and their emotional depth, musicians to perfect their skill, and technicians to learn and hone the craft of technical theatre. Theatre at West Boca High School is not a place to “put on a play” but rather a community of artists. Artists working to develop the skills needed to communicate effectively and work as a team. Artists that will understand the importance of confidence, self respect, and the support of each other. We form friendships and shape memories that will last a lifetime. We inspire each student to embrace his or her uniqueness and encourage them to be the best artist, student, and citizen each is capable of being.

    Fun Facts: 3 Time winner of the South Florida Cappies Award for Best Musical; Performed by invitation 4 times as a Mainstage at the Florida State Thespian Festival for over 7000 theater students; Dream Award winner for Best Musical; Invited 3 times to perform at the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland; toured theater in London and California 4 times with students; and our productions are seen by over 6000 returning patrons annually. Finally, our traveling Musical Theater troupe, “Bulls on Broadway” gives back to the local community in and around Palm Beach County performing for our senior population, and many others! This all under the direction of our award winning Theatre Director who has been honored with both local and state Teacher of the Year, and the 2022 Dream Awards winner of the Inspiring Theatre Educator Award!
     

    Vanguard band academy logoVanguard Band Academy

    Lawrence Shane, Band Director
     
    The West Boca Raton HS Band program, known as the Vanguard, is one of the premier instrumental music programs in all of Palm Beach County. The Vanguard currently consists of 165 students who make up its seven different large performing ensembles (Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Bands 1 and 2, Percussion Ensemble, and Pep Band) as well as its numerous small ensembles and combos.

    The Vanguard shines as one of the top band programs in both Palm Beach County and all of Florida, as each of its ensembles consistently receive Superior ratings at both the District and State levels.

    Over the last decade, the West Boca Band program has received many different awards, honors, and accolades, including:

    • 20 different bands have received Superior ratings (the highest rating possible) at their respective FBA State Music Performance Assessments. This is by far the most in PBC during this time and more than double the amount of the next closest school.
    • 50 different bands have received Superior ratings at their respective FBA District Music Performance Assessments. This is also among the highest in PBC during this time.
    • Performed at the 2018 Music for All National Concert Band Festival held in Indianapolis, Indiana. We were the 2nd band in the history of Palm Beach County to be invited to perform at this prestigious event.
    • Performed at the 2022 Music For All Regional Concert Band Festival sponsored by UCF in Orlando. We were one of only 8 bands from Florida invited to perform.
    • Performed in both the 2016 and 2020 London New Year’s Day Parade and Chamber Concert performance, which was viewed by millions of people worldwide. We are planning another trip to Europe to perform in the 2024 New Year’s Day Parade in Rome, Italy.