Inspiring Creativity, Fostering Discovery, Building Community

The Arts Academy offers a blend of curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular opportunities, including:

• Dance Classes

• Theatre Classes

• General Music Classes

• Co-Curricular Vocal & Instrumental Classes

• Extracurricular Vocal & Instrumental Ensembles

• Extracurricular Theatrical Productions

• The Night of Shorts & Dance Showcase

• Thespian Honor Society

• Tri-M Music Honor Society

The Arts Academy is designed to...

• PROVIDE students with a comprehensive arts education through focused instruction in Dance, Music, and Theatre.

• DEVELOP students' artistic and creative capabilities.

• APPLY skills from curricular courses in a variety of extracurricular & co-curricular activities at DVRHS and in the wider community.

• EXPLORE diverse career pathways and CONNECT artistic passions with real-world experiences.

• We are a vibrant community that immerses students in diverse creative opportunities.

• Arts education builds essential skills that apply to all career paths and future success.

• Courses & activities in Dance, Theatre, and Music—available both during and after school.

• Fulfills multiple graduation requirements, including:

  • Fine & Performing Arts (5-credit minimum)

  • Practical Arts (5-credit minimum)

  • Junior/Senior English

• Earn college credit through our Concurrent Enrollment Program.

• Engage with highly qualified faculty dedicated to student success.

• In their final year, students can undertake a Senior Capstone, Practicum, or Seminar Course, providing a platform to connect their artistic passions with real-world experiences.

• These opportunities help students explore career pathways, develop professional skills, and prepare them for their future after Del Val.

• Studies show that involvement in the arts reduces stress and improves focus.

• Arts participation bolsters academic performance.

• Students develop creative thinking and problem-solving skills.

• Students become more empathetic, self-aware, and confident.

• They learn to receive and apply constructive criticism.

• Students meet, work, and learn from dedicated, talented faculty.

• They develop communication and interpersonal skills.

• They gain 21st-century skills applicable to real-world careers.

• The arts enrich students' lives forever.

Dance & Theatre

• Annual Fall Play & Winter Musical Productions

• Annual Night of Shorts & Dance Showcase

• Annual Unified Theatre Cabaret

• Thespian Coffeehouses

• Hunterdon County & NJ Teen Arts Festival

• Bucks County Playhouse Student Theatre Festival

• Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards

• Quadriennal Trip to Disney World (2026)

Music (Instrumental & Vocal)

• The Golden Regiment Marching Band

• The Golden Blues Jazz Band

• Vox Blue

  • SingStrong International A Cappella Festival HS Competition

  • International Championship of High School A Cappella (ICHSA - HS Version of Competition in Pitch Perfect!)

• CJMEA Region II HS Chorus & Band

• NJMEA All State Mixed & Treble Chorus

• NJMEA All State Band

• Holiday Caroling and Community Performances

• Quadriennal Trip to Disney World (2026)

• Choral Invitationals & Adjudications

• Annual Winter & Spring Concerts

• Annual District Arts Festival

• Annual District Choral Festival

• Annual Winter Musical

• Winter Musical Pit Orchestra

• Hunterdon County & NJ Teen Arts Festival

• International Thespian Society Chapter (Advisor: Clinton Ambs

• Tri-M Music Honor Society Chapter (Advisor: Adrian Camano)

SETON HALL UNIVERSITY

• AP Music Theory with Mr. Camano (Theory of Music, MUTH2500-PDV, 3 credits)

• Concert Band* with Mr. Hayden (Instrumental Chamber Ensemble, MUAP1183-PDV, 1 credit)

• Contemporary Drama with Mr. Ambs (Introduction to Theater, COTR2621-PDE, 3 credits)

• Vox Auri* with Mr. Camano (Chamber Choir, 1 credit)

  
  * May only be taken once for college credit.

Please email Kristina Sterbenc for more information on Concurrent Enrollment.

• Any student is eligible to apply for the Arts Academy by completing the Academy Application (link below).

• In order to successfully graduate from the Arts Academy, students must complete a minimum of 30 credits in Performing Arts courses, including one foundation course in each area (Dance, Music, Theatre).

• NOTE: Students wishing to withdraw must submit a Withdrawal Form before being officially withdrawn from the Arts Academy.

Interested in enrolling in the Arts Academy, but want to see what a day in the life of an Arts Academy student looks like?

Submit a request to participate in DVRHS' Shadow Program (link below).

The Shadow Program allows potential academy students to get a feel for our school by shadowing an academy student, attending classes for a half or whole day of school.

For more information on our programs, please click on the links below:

• Theatre Program

• Vocal Music Program

General Questions:

• Tara Civitillo, Director of Curriculum & Instruction

Specific Area-Related Questions:

• Clinton Ambs, Teacher of Theatre

• Adrian Camano, Director of Choral Activities & Vocal Music

• Thomas J. Hayden, Director of Bands & Instrumental Music

• Heather Fleischman, Teacher of Dance