2025-26 Montverde Academy Fine Arts Conservatories View Book

IT’S WHO WE ARE

1
Javier Collazo
Lopez ’24
University of Florida
One of the most special
things about the Conservatory
program is its individual focus.
Having the same teachers
throughout your journey,
they get to know you as an
artist and your strengths and
weaknesses; helping you
break through walls to achieve
your goals. I truly don’t know
where I would be without
these amazing people and the
exciting path they have set
me on. I can’t wait to see
where this program goes
in the future!
CREATIVE. DEDICATED.
The Montverde Academy Arts program is the creative center of the Academy. We provide our
artists-in-training carefully curated and varied performance learning opportunities to showcase
their achievements through live and recorded performance, competition, and festivals/
showcases in a variety of settings and venues. Our season offerings provide a cultural hub not
only for the Academy, but the Northwest Greater Orlando and South Lake County areas, and are
greatly anticipated by our patrons.
Students graduating from the Montverde Academy Conservatory programs perennially receive
callbacks in auditions to some of the most prestigious collegiate Arts programs in the country,
resulting in offers and acceptances in many of the most sought-after Arts institutions. We are
proud to have had students at such prestigious programs as: Manhattan School of Music,
UNCSA, Marymount Manhattan, PACE, University of Minnesota, Wright State, Boston University,
University of Miami, University of Florida, Florida State, USC, and Shenandoah, amongst others.
What do you want to study?
100%
College
Acceptance
Rate
100%
Of Fine Arts Faculty
Hold Advanced
Degrees
3.80
Average
Conservatory
Graduate GPA
Montverde Academy 2

Become a part of a Fine Arts Conservatory program that combines detailed,
performance-based training with a world-class educational experience in
a diverse community of student-artists.
Montverde Academy offers a Music Conservatory, a Theatre
Conservatory, and a Dance Conservatory for those students
wishing to pursue excellence in their chosen discipline.
- Robust Arts season featuring over 15 Mainstage performances
per year
- Over 50 total Arts events including competitions,
recitals and festivals
Discover the Arts!
MUSIC CONSERVATORY
Student-artists begin a life changing path in the Montverde Academy Music Conservatory that includes group
and individual music studies along with a vigorous college preparatory education. Student-artists can look
forward to lessons and classes taught by a group of highly talented and skilled professionals.
- Sight Singing and Aural Training
- Advanced Placement Music Theory
- Private lessons
- Studio
- Piano and Theory
- Practice time
Find out about the
Music Conservatory
- 7:1 student/faculty ratio
- Ongoing professional collaboration with visiting artists
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27
All-State
Musicians
(2020-25)
10
Superior Ratings
at State Solo &
Ensemble
Competition
(2025)
500+
Hours of
Instruction
Per Year
2
NATS
National Singing
Competition
Semifinalists
SOLOIST. ENSEMBLIST. COMPOSER.
The Montverde Academy Music Conservatory addresses all three sides of the musician through
a highly specialized curriculum designed especially for the serious music student. Through a
sequential series of core courses and extracurricular activities, we train students to:
- Build technical vocal and instrumental skills
- Think and notate sound
- Analyze music literature and history
- Manipulate sound through technology
- Adopt healthy mental and physical musical habits
Essential
Technical skills for
producing sound
Six Essential Music Learning Experiences
Private lessons
Orchestra
Choir
Progressive Class Piano
Extracurricular
Master classes
Thinking in sound Sight Singing and Aural skills Performances
Notating sound
Intro to Theory
AP Music Theory
Beginning Piano
Composition
Contests
Literature of music Music History and Literature Media
Technology of
manipulating sound
Music Technology
Completing assignments
VISITING ARTISTS
Master Classes provide student-artists in the Conservatory program with immersive learning
experiences from visiting experts from around the world.
UNPARALLELED EVENTS
Our students experience a wide variety of programming covering an array of genres produced in
many differing venues. From intimate Salon concerts and recitals, to traditional choral concerts
and competitions, to full-blown Cabarets and All-Conservatory events like our annual Arts Alliance
Exclusive concert and Impromptu Arts Gala; the breadth and depth of our season is unmatched in
a high school setting.
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Culture and lifestyle
of a musician
Music Wellness
Individual Practice
Personal interactions
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Jason Tejada
Chancay ’24
Florida State University
Harold S. Schwartz Music
Scholarship Winner
PREPARING FOR YOUR AUDITION
The Conservatory program welcomes student-artists whose ability and dedication to excellence ensure their
commitment to the program in their chosen areas of study. With limited spaces available each year, it is
important that applicants make a lasting, positive impression during their audition.
- Concert attire such as smart business wear
- Piano accompaniment
- Scan the audition music
- Email music to conservatory@montverde.org
- Must be emailed at least seven days before the audition date
Vocalists
- Prepare one song of choice. Supply either a recorded accompaniment track or sheet music for
live piano accompaniment at the audition. Audition music can be any style. Choose a piece
that best demonstrates vocal quality, range, and musicality.
- Prepare to sight sing a short passage and repeat back short ear training exercises.
Scan here for audition form
As I move into college, I have realized more and
more how similar the Conservatory program is to
a collegiate level music program. I find myself able
to engage in more rigorous coursework from the
beginning and show exactly the type of musician I
am before I even get on campus; someone not only
exceptionally proficient at their instrument, but also
knowledgeable of music theory, history, etc. I give
thanks to this program for that.
Pianists
- Prepare one scale.
- Perform two contrasting selections from classical or standard repertoire.
Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass)
- Perform two contrasting selections from the classical repertory or standard contest-type solo.
- Prepare to demonstrate sight reading skills.
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1st
Thespian Troupe
in Florida to achieve
Gold Honors
Troupe Status
9
4
Years
of Mainstage
productions
to State ITS
6
Commissioned
works premiered
2020-25
12
Top Honors
at Florida ITS
Competition
2019-25
59
Applause
Awards
2019-25
THEATRE CONSERVATORY
The Theatre Conservatory at Montverde Academy is an intense training program in which
student-artists master advanced performing arts techniques that provide a foundation which
builds versatility to perform in every aspect of theatre.
- Sequential acting training including Stanislavsky, Meisner and Laban
- A carefully chosen season of productions each year
- Tracks in Acting, Musical Theatre and Technical Theatre
- Acting, music, dance and technical training
- Practical application in all skill areas
Find out about our
award-winning Theatre
Conservatory
Phoenix
Connick ’25
University of Central Florida,
Four-time Applause Award
Winner - Stage Management
TAKE THEATRE TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Our faculty and staff, working Artists themselves, work with students to
achieve the following goals:
- Provide students with creativity tools and processes, allowing exploration
and development designed to expand their Arts consciousness.
- Foster a sense of healthy self-awareness; and how we, as individuals
and community, exist to promote a greater good, serve the whole of the
worldwide community, and use the Arts as an instrument of
social change.
- Model honesty, integrity, trust, and self-sacrifice within the boundaries
of rigorous standards and a strong moral compass; seeking to ensure
our character exemplifies the strength of our Artistic skills.
- Demonstrate, in all undertakings, a passion for our chosen Art and its
pursuit; in a setting where students are free to develop their emotional
vocabulary, and to both risk and fail without fear of ridicule
or recrimination.
- Understand the nature of excellence; and create an experience where
success flourishes and is celebrated; not for the self, but for the whole,
and the advancement of our Arts.
The opportunities the Theatre Conservatory
has granted me as a technician have taught
me many valuable lessons. I was able to learn,
not just many important technical skills, but life
skills as well. I could not feel more prepared
to pursue Technical Theatre at the next level.
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COMMITMENT
The Theatre Conservatory requires a high level of commitment. The program emphasizes
preparation, collaboration and exploration. In addition to core academic classes, student-artists are
immersed in a program of weekly workshops, intensives and concentrated acting, movement, music
and/or tech classes taught by both Montverde Academy faculty and professional guest artists.
The four-year course of study provides a multi-dimensional experience that captures the breadth
and depth of theatre as an art form and exposes students to historical, contemporary, social,
multicultural and cutting-edge concepts in theatre through:
- Active involvement as creators and evaluators of theatre arts and guaranteed casting in a minimum
of two productions per season
- Skill enhancement through work on school productions
- Participation in competitions in Thespian Festivals with solos, scenes and technical entries
- Creation of a portfolio and audition pieces to prepare for college auditions
- Senior year concludes in free play and a student-led performance-based presentation/portfolio review
Eros
Sanchez ’25
University of Tampa,
Applause Award Winner
- Outstanding Lead,
Singer, Dancer, Actor
Theatre Conservatory students graduate as trained actors with artistic integrity and shared
standards of excellence, as well as critical thinkers, leaders and advocates for the theatre arts.
Being in the Conservatory has changed my
entire life. Not just by providing me with secondto-none
training for my future, or by fostering
relationships that I will hold close to my heart
forever; but by giving me a space where I can be
myself and share my love for Art with the world.
I thank the Theatre Conservatory for giving me
mentors I will always treasure and for giving me
an opportunity to tell stories that can leave a
lasting impact on others’ lives.
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STUDY AND PERFORM.
Morning Academic Classes
13
- 32 AP ® classes
- 11 Honors Classes
Essential
Performance Theory
History/Literature
Music Literacy
Each day student-artists are immersed in a rigorous balance of
world-class academics and professional training that prepares
them with the knowledge, experience, and skill-set that will last
a lifetime.
In addition to core academic classes, student-artists are
immersed in a program of weekly workshops, intensive and
concentrated acting, movement, music, and/or technical classes.
Six Essential Theatre Learning Experiences
- Acting
- Directing
- Script Analysis
- Dramaturgy
- New play reading
- Dramaturgy
- Musical Theatre History
- Music Literacy for the
singing actor
- Conservatory Choir
- Sight reading
Extracurricular
- Master classes
- Performances
- Productions with community and
regional theatre
Performances
Contests
Movement - Dance/Movement classes Productions
Stagecraft
Culture and Lifestyle
Music Technology
- Ensemble work
- Seminars
- Productions
- Portfolio development
- Internships
Personal interactions
2021-25
PERFORMANCES
9 to 5: The Musical
The Wolves
December Songs
The Miraculous Journey
of Edward Tulane
*DuBois’ Comet
The Winter’s Tale
Sunday in the Park
with George
The Thanksgiving Play
The Last Supper
Oliver!
*First
*The Lady Juliana
Toss Me A Tempest
Mr. Burns:
A Post-electric Play
*ShakesFEAR
Elf: the Musical
A Hamlet
Evita
Nina Simone:
Four Women
*Carl
*Parallel Lil
*World Premiere or
commissioned works
Lily
Downs ’24
University of Tampa
Two-time Applause Award for Outstanding Lead
and Runner-Up to the National Jimmy Awards
Being a member of the Theatre
Conservatory has prepared me
in many ways for a theatrical
career ahead. The classes that
are offered within the program
reflect those of many collegiate
institutions across the country
and around the world.
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PREPARING FOR YOUR THEATRE AUDITION
The Conservatory program welcomes student-artists whose ability and dedication to excellence
ensure their commitment to the program in their chosen areas of study. With limited spaces
available each year, it is important that applicants make a lasting, positive impression during
their audition.
Audition Requirements
Theatre Conservatory auditions are held annually for incoming students in grades 9 or 10
- Students in grades 11 or 12 may petition the Director of Arts for consideration
- Submit a current head shot/photo and resume
- Prepare two contrasting one minute monologues OR one monologue and a musical
theatre piece (for Musical Theatre students)
- Tech students will have a 10-minute interview and will present a portfolio of previous
experience in tech or creative art work
- Two recommendations from prior director and/or English or drama teachers
Audition Dates
Auditions are held annually in February.
If an alternate audition date is needed,
please contact the Director of Arts at
conservatory@montverde.org.
DANCE CONSERVATORY
With its inaugural year in the 2023-24 school year, the Dance Conservatory at Montverde Academy is
designed to parallel the Music and Theatre Conservatories as an intensive experience for those students seeking
to elevate their dance technique to a level designed for further study at a collegiate or professional dance level.
Students will receive comprehensive technique in:
- Ballet & Pointe
- Tap
- Jazz
- Modern
- Creative Movement and Choreography
Students will also take academic classes to enhance
their overall development including:
- Acting 1
- Stagecraft 1
- Music Skills 1
- Musical Theatre History
- History of Dance
- Science of Dance
Find out about the
Dance Conservatory
Scan here for
audition form
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AUDITIONING FOR DANCE
The Conservatory program welcomes student-artists whose ability and dedication to excellence
ensure their commitment to the program in their chosen areas of study. With limited spaces
available each year, it is important that applicants make a lasting, positive impression during
their audition.
Audition Requirements
- The Dance Conservatory is for incoming students in grades 9 or 10
- Students in grades 11 or 12 may petition the Director of Arts for consideration
- Submit a current head shot/photo and resume
- Prepare a short (3 - 5 minute) combination demonstrating at least two different disciplines
chosen from: Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern
- Recommendation from a current or previous dance instructor
- A short Dance Call will follow to demonstrate ability to pick up steps/instruction
FINE ARTS FACILITIES
Montverde Academy features comprehensive Fine Arts facilities designed to support a wide range of artistic disciplines. These
include an auditorium with adjoining classrooms, dedicated art rooms, rehearsal spaces, and a fully equipped dance studio.
At the heart of these facilities is the Center for the Arts — a 12,000-square-foot building specifically designed to foster creativity
and performance. The building is organized as follows:
First Floor:
- Instrumental music hall
- Private rehearsal rooms
- Music and instrument storage areas
- Music production lab
Second Floor:
- Choral music hall
- Piano/lab classroom
- Audio recording studio
Audition Dates
Auditions are held annually in February,
but alternate audition dates are available
by contacting the Director of Arts at
conservatory@montverde.org.
Scan here for
audition form
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ARTS ALLIANCE
On top of the highly respected and decorated Arts programs present on the campus of Montverde Academy, we
are fortunate to be supported in our endeavors by one of the largest and most active support organizations in the
area. The Arts Alliance helps to facilitate our Arts programs both with their personal and financial support. Our
performances are true events which include themed pre-show events, amazing culinary creations, and sold-out
performances on Arts Alliance nights. A remarkable piece of our program, the Arts Alliance demonstrates the
overall climate which allows our Arts to excel and expand.
APPLY NOW
Montverde Academy offers continuous enrollment. We admit students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin to all
the rights, privileges, programs, and activities made available to students at the Academy. Montverde Academy does not
discriminate on the basis of disability, race, national, and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies,
admission policies, athletic, and other school-administered programs.
Steps to Apply
- To apply online, click on Admissions at montverde.org
- Provide required documents
- For a list of required documents by grade/student type visit
- Application process at montverde.org
- Submit standardized testing
- Grades 6-10 submit:
- Secondary Admission Test (SSAT) or
- PSAT
- ISEE
- International applicants grades 6-10 must submit
one of the following
- TOEFL
- IELTS
- DET
- Applicants grades Pre-K3-5 must schedule an assessment.
- Lower School application deadline is Dec. 31
montverde.org
Schedule your tour today!
19 Montverde Academy 20

FACULTY AND STAFF
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Dean Bell, Director of Arts
Bachelor of Music Education, The University of Toledo
Master of Music in Music Education,
The University of Toledo
Master of Education in Educational Leadership,
The University of Cincinnati
Michael Citrinite
Technical Director
Valencia College
David Ian Lee, Director of Theatre
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting & Directing,
University of Arizona
Master of Fine Arts in Directing,
Illinois State University
Daniela Monzon Villegas
Vocal Instructor - Music & Theatre
Bachelor of Music Education,
Southern Adventist University
Master of Arts in Music,
University of Central Florida
Andres Villa, Director of Strings
Bachelor of Music in Violin & Viola Performance,
Florida International University
Master of Music in Strings Performance,
Florida International University
Jessica Birt Paz
Director of Dance and Choreography
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance,
University of Florida
Aubrey Connelly-Candelario
Director of Vocal Music
Bachelor of Arts in Music, Rollins College
Master of Music Education, University of Florida
Mary Mincy,
Director of Piano Studies
Bachelor of Science in Communications
and Music, University of Evansville
Master of Education in Educational/Instructional
Technology, American College of Education
Jordan Rodriguez ’21
Assistant Technical Director
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Scene Design,
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Adrian Wright-Ahern,
Middle School Theatre Instructor
Bachelor of Liberal Arts, The New School
Master of Education, Rollins College
AWARD WINNING ACCOMPLISHMENTS
MUSIC
• Premiered one new choral work and one new string
orchestra work (2018-19)
• Florida Keys International Competition for Young Talent
winners – three, with performances at Carnegie Hall
(2018-19)
• Produced the Opera “Bastien et Bastienne” (2019)
• Hosted over 32 master classes (2018-23)
• Hosted and performed with international vocalists Ben
Gulley, Goitsemang Lehobye, Callie Day and Daniel Emmet
• Hosted and performed with renowned electric violinist, Mark
Wood (2022)
• Performance by all choirs at America Sings! festival (2019)
• All-State musicians selected - four (2019), six (2020), seven
(2021), five (2022), three (2023), three (2024)
• All-National Choir members selected - two (2018)
• Superior ratings earned at District Solo & Ensemble - 85
(2019-25)
• Superior rating at Festival Disney (choir) (2023)
• Superior rating at Orchestra MPA (2023, 2024)
• Excellent rating at Choir MPA (2020, 2022)
• Excellent rating at Orchestra MPA (2020)
• Excellent rating at National Orchestra Festival (2020)
THEATRE
• Superior Ratings at District - 23 (2018), 35 (2019),
20 (2021), 27 (2022), 28 (2023)
• Superior Ratings at Regional - 35 (2020), 20(2021)
• Critic’s Choice Honorable mentions - Two (2018), nine (2019)
• 31 Critic’s Choice winners (2018-23)
• First Thespian Troupe in Florida to achieve Gold Honors
Troupe Status
• One Act – 5x repeat advancement to State
(2018-22, 2024)
• Lighting Design – 4x District winner (2018-21)
• Sound Design – 4x District winner (2018-21)
• Technical Crew – 5x District winner (2018-21, 2023)
• Lead Actress – 4x District winner (2018-21)
• Supporting Actor – 3x District winner (2019-21)
• District 12 Representative to perform at Opening
Ceremonies of State Festival (2020)
• Top Honors at State - four (2019), two (2021, 2022),
two (2024)
• Four Mainstage Productions accepted for State -
“She Loves Me” (2019), “The Glass Menagerie” (2020),
“Clybourne Park” (2021), “Stone” (2022)
• Accepted as a Mainstage Production for the International
Thespian Festival - “Clybourne Park” (2021)
• Applause Award nominations - 43 (2018-19),
38 (2019-20), 33 (2021-22), 45 (2022-23), 69 (2023-24)
• Applause Awards won - 59 (2019-2025)
• National Jimmy Runner-up Nomination - two (2021, 2023)
• Created new version of “Medea” with original scoring
written by MVA Faculty (2019)
• Commissioned new plays “NOISE: A Teenage Panic Attack
on National Themes” (2020), “Time Bros.” (2021), “DuBois’
Comet” (2023), “First” and “The Lady Juliana” (2024)
• Student play: “God Bless America” chosen for production
at Dr. Phillips Center Be Original theatre festival (2019)
• Student play: “Sockloose” chosen for production
at Children’s Theatre of New Jersey (2023)
• First-ever International Thespian Society Gold Honors
Troupe in the state of Florida (2024)
Montverde Academy 22 13

17235 Seventh Street, Montverde, Florida 34756
montverde.org | mvasports.com | 407.469.2561