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Community Corner

High School Students Explore the World of Arts & Entertainment at Citrus College

Nearly 1,000 area high school students delved into their creative passions when the Citrus College Fine & Performing Arts Department hosted its 9th Annual Open House, which featured opportunities for students to get a glimpse into the world of arts and entertainment, from acting and singing to sculpting and painting.

The Haugh Performing Arts Center played host to students and faculty members for a day aimed at kindling and cultivating talents, as well as showcasing the array of respected instructional and career education programs that Citrus College offers, including fine arts, dance, instrumental music, theater technology, recording arts and photography.

“Citrus College has an renowned art, performance and media education programs, and this annual event is a stellar opportunity for these young students to see and experience it first-hand,” said Superintendent/President Geraldine M. Perri, Ph.D. “With the help of our talented and dedicated faculty, these students are able to explore their passions for the arts and get an idea of how they might be able to develop the artist within.”

The Open House featured ensemble performances by current Citrus College students, live demonstrations, an impromptu photo shoot, a hip-hop dance session, singing lessons, and information tables featuring other programs across campus.
To give students the opportunity to explore their interests, several workshops were set up in classrooms, the Art Center, and on a stage in the Campus Center. They included topics such as big band music, vocal styles from pop to opera, audio recording, acting, computer design and more. 

“Few community colleges can boast of the exceptional training and unprecedented access to industry professionals, but Citrus College has committed above and beyond to developing a top-notch education for our students to where they can grow and succeed in the industry of their choice,” said Fine and Performing Arts Department Dean Robert Slack, a respected professional in the music industry who has toured and performed with Ella Fitzgerald, Whitney Houston and Celine Dion, among others. 

New to this year’s Open House was a faculty workshop aimed at developing collaborative relationships between the fine and performing arts programs at Citrus College and the local high schools, as well as building career pathways for students.

“Graduating high school students interested in the arts naturally gravitate toward Citrus College because of our magnificent fine and performing arts programs,” said Board of Trustees President Dr. Patricia Rasmussen. “It is wonderful to be able to show high school students all of the different avenues in the entertainment field available to them.”

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