Visi Performing Arts Problematic

[Anonymous]

I went to Visi 19 years ago! It’s theater program has never ever been it’s selling point! Academics, sports, clubs, faith, service and community yes.
I am so SORRY but you, as a parent, did not do your homework. if your daughter really is so interested about theater wouldn't you have gone to one of their productions or actually met the dance/theater teacher. They have shadow days. Your daughter could have shadowed once of the dance classes.
I played lacrosse and actually met the coaches, etc So many red flags.
This thread is done. Sorry. On to the next

[Anonymous]

If the OP is still on here.....if you are looking to switch schools, you may want to take a look at the local schools involved in the DMV Cappies program, the local high school student theater critics who give out awards for student work every year. It's a great place to start! Also, as others have mentioned, if you want to stay at Visi and supplement theater outside your school, there are so many opportunities in the DMV depending on where you live (Arena Stage/Signature Theater/Imagination Stage). Good luck to you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think OP is justified in her disappointment. If her kid was specifically looking for performing arts opportunities and Visi oversold those opportunities and that sss the difference between her daughter attending Visi or somewhere else, then yes I would be pissed off too. And not all schools lie about their offerings - I’ve attended many fairs and open houses where the school will quite plainly say what they can and cannot offer or do. So for the representative from the school to have outright misrepresented the offerings and opportunities is a huge deal.

No one is saying people attend Visi for the arts - no one does. But if you are a very academic student and the performing arts is the one thing you want to do at school as a creative outlet and it is barely or non-existent, then OP has the right to be upset.

I think people would have been a lot more sympathetic if OP spoke in these terms, but she didn't. It's not that Visi doesn't have a drama department or a choir, it's that they don't live up to OP's standard.

Here's what she said about the young dancers: "The performances are painful to watch."

Here's what she said about the choir and the young instrumentalists: "The sound generated by these performing groups is awful."

Here's what she said about the theater production: "Despite efforts of some talented girls, the overall experience is disappointing and the results are far inferior to other private and public schools. Inexplicably, junior high students are allowed to perform."

Those are horrifying things to say about a bunch of 11-17 year olds (if we're counting the middle schoolers).

The truth is that very few high schools are going to offer the highest level of instrumental music, dance, or theater instruction. Duke Ellington is the exception, but otherwise all of those kids are getting private instruction, or are part of pre-professional programs. That's fine, and appropriate. We as parents should WANT school-level dance or theater to be accessible enough that a child can audition and participate even if they haven't been training since pre-school.

This is a wonderful point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
"I am so surprised to hear this review."

You are to be admired for your loyalty to the school. The instructor you reference is probably of good will and presumably took admirable actions during the pandemic. However, your response is an assembly of opinions and suggestions that do not address the central issues of program quality and misrepresentation.

+1. That post makes no sense.

Does Madeira have a good arts program? We are considering it for HS as we live nearby.

Madeira has an excellent and competitive arts program. The girls must take a fall, spring, and winter activity (D block). You can take a dance block or the school play block (you must audition for the play). This means the girls spend everyday, 80 minutes or more, working on their dance/acting for a trimester. Madeira also has a glee club and orchestra that meets twice a week in the evenings and a cappella group (audition required). They even have a rock band that performs at some events. My DD is into visual arts so she takes electives like drawing and dark room photography in the new STEAM building that just opened this year. They also offer elective classes for acting, set building, etc. https://www.madeira.org/programs/arts

For OP: I recommend looking at Madeira, Holton and Bullis for the arts.

[Anonymous]

Other than at specialized arts magnet schools, high school level arts are meant to be inclusive - that means they try to offer something for everyone regardless of experience or talent level.

If you are serious about getting very high-quality arts instruction, go to an arts-focused school like Duke Ellington (as PP pointed out) or get outside instruction.

What you DON'T do is disparage DD's peers for "embarrassing" output. Poor form, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think OP is justified in her disappointment. If her kid was specifically looking for performing arts opportunities and Visi oversold those opportunities and that sss the difference between her daughter attending Visi or somewhere else, then yes I would be pissed off too. And not all schools lie about their offerings - I’ve attended many fairs and open houses where the school will quite plainly say what they can and cannot offer or do. So for the representative from the school to have outright misrepresented the offerings and opportunities is a huge deal.

No one is saying people attend Visi for the arts - no one does. But if you are a very academic student and the performing arts is the one thing you want to do at school as a creative outlet and it is barely or non-existent, then OP has the right to be upset.

I think people would have been a lot more sympathetic if OP spoke in these terms, but she didn't. It's not that Visi doesn't have a drama department or a choir, it's that they don't live up to OP's standard.

Here's what she said about the young dancers: "The performances are painful to watch."

Here's what she said about the choir and the young instrumentalists: "The sound generated by these performing groups is awful."

Here's what she said about the theater production: "Despite efforts of some talented girls, the overall experience is disappointing and the results are far inferior to other private and public schools. Inexplicably, junior high students are allowed to perform."

Those are horrifying things to say about a bunch of 11-17 year olds (if we're counting the middle schoolers).

The truth is that very few high schools are going to offer the highest level of instrumental music, dance, or theater instruction. Duke Ellington is the exception, but otherwise all of those kids are getting private instruction, or are part of pre-professional programs. That's fine, and appropriate. We as parents should WANT school-level dance or theater to be accessible enough that a child can audition and participate even if they haven't been training since pre-school.

+1
It's one thing to express disappointment and even outrage at what you perceive to be a bait-and-switch. It's quite another thing to say terrible things about a kid's artistic effort.

+1

The difference between “we were led to believe they had a robust and thriving performing arts department that included dance and theatre, but we were upset to learn that there are no dance classes, only part time staff, and theatre performances combine MS and US students” is miles away from “we were cringingly embarrassed by the horrible music, dance, and theatre attempts of the talentless students and the sub-par teachers.” One gets you sympathy, the other makes you a jerk.

Absolutely this. Well said.

[Anonymous]

Looks like we have learned:

Visi has a historically weak Performing Arts program and this is broadly understood.

Visi primarily offers entry-level PA programming.

There are many other public and private schools that have significantly better PA programs.

It is foolish to rely on PA program quality representations of staff and management. The “buyer beware” rule applies.

Now my thoughts: A school like Visi with its plentiful resources, student talent and administrative depth could easily offer a better-managed and upgraded PA experience. Staff should avoid over stating program scope and quality. Perhaps coming out of COVID is a good time to assess what is being done and who is doing it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looks like we have learned:

Visi has a historically weak Performing Arts program and this is broadly understood.

Visi primarily offers entry-level PA programming.

There are many other public and private schools that have significantly better PA programs.

It is foolish to rely on PA program quality representations of staff and management. The “buyer beware” rule applies.

Now my thoughts: A school like Visi with its plentiful resources, student talent and administrative depth could easily offer a better-managed and upgraded PA experience. Staff should avoid over stating program scope and quality. Perhaps coming out of COVID is a good time to assess what is being done and who is doing it.

All of this ^^ Someone please tell Visi!!🐯🐻‍❄️

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looks like we have learned:

Visi has a historically weak Performing Arts program and this is broadly understood.

Visi primarily offers entry-level PA programming.

There are many other public and private schools that have significantly better PA programs.

It is foolish to rely on PA program quality representations of staff and management. The “buyer beware” rule applies.

Now my thoughts: A school like Visi with its plentiful resources, student talent and administrative depth could easily offer a better-managed and upgraded PA experience. Staff should avoid over stating program scope and quality. Perhaps coming out of COVID is a good time to assess what is being done and who is doing it.

All of this ^^ Someone please tell Visi!!🐯🐻‍❄️

And warn them about that awful freshman mom they have on their hands.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, I don't think she's awful. She's honest. Every kid isn't a star - I don't care how hard they try. My mom was an elementary school theatre director and she could take any kid and turn them into one who could deliver a stellar performance. These are high school students - the bar should be higher. That is what people expect at Visi.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our family was happy when our daughter was accepted to Visi last year. One reason is that our performing arts-interested girl was promised high quality instrumental, dance, vocal and drama programs. This occurred during discussions with admissions personnel, instructors and was affirmed by administrators. I am not a stage parent and she is not obsessed with performing, but these promises were an important part of why she chose Visi. Regretfully, the performing arts instruction and activities are so low in quality that our daughter believes she was lied-to and is unhappy. She wants to go elsewhere for her sophomore year.

The promises of high-quality performing arts instruction were supported by the school’s website. For example, it includes media interviews with professional classical ballet alumnae who impliedly were inspired toward a professional career by Visi’s dance program. The reality is that there is no dance program in any normal sense. Only a club with a small number of girls who work out and occasionally adapt music video moves. The performances are painful to watch.

Instrumental and choral offerings are similar. Both are taught by well-intentioned part-timers who visit campus. Instruction is simplistic and music choice is from the elementary level. The sound generated by these performing groups is awful. I always expect music by developing musicians to be loaded with mistakes, but these results are below the quality experienced at our daughter’s junior high school. Musically experienced Visi girls avoid association with the performing groups out of embarrassment and are encouraged by sympathetic staff to find music instruction outside the school.

Drama offerings (one play and one musical) are taught by the sole full-time performing arts employee, who is also responsible for dance. Despite efforts of some talented girls, the overall experience is disappointing and the results are far inferior to other private and public schools. Inexplicably, junior high students are allowed to perform.

Organization is problematic. Little flow of information, last minute changes and unexplained solicitations for contributions. For example, the full-time employee recently demanded involved girls buy/sell $100 of lottery tickets with no explanation. For the second year in a row, he cancelled the only performing arts trip without explanation.

There are good things about Visi (academics, sports, etc.), but it is shameful for management to allow these circumstances. For a high school, Visi’s performing arts instruction and performances are substandard and unserious. Potential students who prioritize performing arts should think carefully about this. I feel stupid for having been duped and for not having protected my daughter.

Wait until they promise very advanced math.That's the problem with many of the area private schools. They promise lot of things supported by the school's website and catalogs but once you get there.....

Dp here. I have heard this, also.

[Anonymous]

Tell me more about the math. We've talked to the math department and heard they have an advanced math track that allows girls to take Calculus BC their junior year. Is this not true?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our family was happy when our daughter was accepted to Visi last year. One reason is that our performing arts-interested girl was promised high quality instrumental, dance, vocal and drama programs. This occurred during discussions with admissions personnel, instructors and was affirmed by administrators. I am not a stage parent and she is not obsessed with performing, but these promises were an important part of why she chose Visi. Regretfully, the performing arts instruction and activities are so low in quality that our daughter believes she was lied-to and is unhappy. She wants to go elsewhere for her sophomore year.

The promises of high-quality performing arts instruction were supported by the school’s website. For example, it includes media interviews with professional classical ballet alumnae who impliedly were inspired toward a professional career by Visi’s dance program. The reality is that there is no dance program in any normal sense. Only a club with a small number of girls who work out and occasionally adapt music video moves. The performances are painful to watch.

Instrumental and choral offerings are similar. Both are taught by well-intentioned part-timers who visit campus. Instruction is simplistic and music choice is from the elementary level. The sound generated by these performing groups is awful. I always expect music by developing musicians to be loaded with mistakes, but these results are below the quality experienced at our daughter’s junior high school. Musically experienced Visi girls avoid association with the performing groups out of embarrassment and are encouraged by sympathetic staff to find music instruction outside the school.

Drama offerings (one play and one musical) are taught by the sole full-time performing arts employee, who is also responsible for dance. Despite efforts of some talented girls, the overall experience is disappointing and the results are far inferior to other private and public schools. Inexplicably, junior high students are allowed to perform.

Organization is problematic. Little flow of information, last minute changes and unexplained solicitations for contributions. For example, the full-time employee recently demanded involved girls buy/sell $100 of lottery tickets with no explanation. For the second year in a row, he cancelled the only performing arts trip without explanation.

There are good things about Visi (academics, sports, etc.), but it is shameful for management to allow these circumstances. For a high school, Visi’s performing arts instruction and performances are substandard and unserious. Potential students who prioritize performing arts should think carefully about this. I feel stupid for having been duped and for not having protected my daughter.

Time to lawyer up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tell me more about the math. We've talked to the math department and heard they have an advanced math track that allows girls to take Calculus BC their junior year. Is this not true?

It is true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our family was happy when our daughter was accepted to Visi last year. One reason is that our performing arts-interested girl was promised high quality instrumental, dance, vocal and drama programs. This occurred during discussions with admissions personnel, instructors and was affirmed by administrators. I am not a stage parent and she is not obsessed with performing, but these promises were an important part of why she chose Visi. Regretfully, the performing arts instruction and activities are so low in quality that our daughter believes she was lied-to and is unhappy. She wants to go elsewhere for her sophomore year.

The promises of high-quality performing arts instruction were supported by the school’s website. For example, it includes media interviews with professional classical ballet alumnae who impliedly were inspired toward a professional career by Visi’s dance program. The reality is that there is no dance program in any normal sense. Only a club with a small number of girls who work out and occasionally adapt music video moves. The performances are painful to watch.

Instrumental and choral offerings are similar. Both are taught by well-intentioned part-timers who visit campus. Instruction is simplistic and music choice is from the elementary level. The sound generated by these performing groups is awful. I always expect music by developing musicians to be loaded with mistakes, but these results are below the quality experienced at our daughter’s junior high school. Musically experienced Visi girls avoid association with the performing groups out of embarrassment and are encouraged by sympathetic staff to find music instruction outside the school.

Drama offerings (one play and one musical) are taught by the sole full-time performing arts employee, who is also responsible for dance. Despite efforts of some talented girls, the overall experience is disappointing and the results are far inferior to other private and public schools. Inexplicably, junior high students are allowed to perform.

Organization is problematic. Little flow of information, last minute changes and unexplained solicitations for contributions. For example, the full-time employee recently demanded involved girls buy/sell $100 of lottery tickets with no explanation. For the second year in a row, he cancelled the only performing arts trip without explanation.

There are good things about Visi (academics, sports, etc.), but it is shameful for management to allow these circumstances. For a high school, Visi’s performing arts instruction and performances are substandard and unserious. Potential students who prioritize performing arts should think carefully about this. I feel stupid for having been duped and for not having protected my daughter.

Wait until they promise very advanced math.That's the problem with many of the area private schools. They promise lot of things supported by the school's website and catalogs but once you get there.....

Dp here. I have heard this, also.

The courses are offered, but not every child will have the opportunity to be on the most advanced math track. A lot is set in stone by 9 th grade. That’s not Visi’s fault.