Department Requirements
Requirements Information
Students must complete an Arts Academy Student Profile Form for the 2026-2027 school year for grades 9-12 or grades 5-8.
After submitting a Student Profile Form, the student will be entered into an online Schoology Audition Course to submit materials and information prior to their in-person audition, if needed, depending on the artistic area for which they are auditioning.
Students must complete a BPS High School Application or an Elementary School Application found under the link for Admissions & Registration on the Buffalo School District’s website at www.buffaloschools.org which includes a Teacher Recommendation Form specifically for the Buffalo Academy for Visual & Performing Arts #192. The form should be completed by someone who can attest to the student’s artistic ability.
Students must fulfill the requirements listed below for the art major area of their choice.
A copy of their previous school year’s report card and current report card is required.
Students must display a commitment to their artistic major and understand that each department requires time invested in rehearsals, practicing, performances, and shows after regular school hours. Students will participate in after school or evening performances and must stay from the beginning of the show to the end of the production.
Acceptance Rubric Scoring: The audition accounts for 70% of scoring, the student's academic standing accounts for 25%, and their teacher recommendation's account for 5% of the scoring.
NOTE: Acceptance is based on successful competition of the student's grade and having met all areas of criteria for audition process.
Grades 9-12 only
Prior to audition, students will access BAVPA Media Communications Audition Course on Schoology and complete Task 1: Personal Survey and Task 2: Creative Writing located in the "Step 1: Audition Tasks" folder. Students may also bring a hard copy of answers if preferred. No previous media experience necessary, only the desire to be curious, creative, kind, and productive!
During their in-person audition, the student will be interviewed on-camera. Example questions include:
What motivates you?
How would your classmates describe you?
What interests you in media/movies/audio/photography/editing/etc?
How do you manage disagreements with people?
What's an idea that you would like to make into a project while in this department?
How would you approach creative writing each morning?
If you have any specific questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to our department teachers, Dave Riffel and Asha Glorioso.
Technical Theatre & Maintenance ( Grade 9 – 12 I.E.P. Students only)
Students must write an essay, in advance, answering the questions below. The essay will be submitted at the audition/interview. It is preferable that the essay is typed, although it is not required. Be prepared to discuss your essay at the interview.
Technical Theatre & Maintenance Essay:
(Must include your name, age and current grade)
Give the title of a play, a movie, or a live stage production that you have seen that stands out in your mind.
Describe in detail some of the scenery, props, or special effects that were used to make the performance realistic or memorable.
Discuss any personal hobbies or activities that you enjoy.
Write a description of something you have constructed or built. Include photographs if you have them.
Students must perform a memorized 1 – 3 minute monologue. A monologue is a long Speech spoken by one character in a play and reveals thoughts and feelings. The monologue is chosen by the student and is memorized prior to the audition. Bookstores such as Barnes & Noble, as well as the Public Library are sources for monologues. Orator’s speeches, essays, and poems are not allowed. At least one copy of the Monologue must be brought to the audition. Monologues may also be found online.
The monologue will be performed for two instructors and will not be delivered in front of a large audience.
Costumes or props are not necessary or required.
Requirements for both our elementary/high programs and our high school program are very similar in nature.
Students do not have to prepare a separate dance solo for the audition. If the student has a solo prepared from a recital or performance event and would like to share it with the dance faculty they may do so at the conclusion of the audition.
Students are evaluated on their performance in an abbreviated classical ballet and modern technique class, as well as an improvisation section. The caliber and skill level being taught at the audition will be more advanced for our high school students.
Each applicant will also be asked a series of questions at the beginning and end of the audition.
The auditions are led and evaluated by our dance faculty.
Students should report on time to the audition; have eaten a light breakfast, come well rested, properly prepared and ready to fully participate in all sections of the audition class. Failure to participate in all sections will have a negative impact on your audition.
Female Attire:
Leotard and tights (without feet)
Hair pulled back neatly off the neck and out of face and eyes
NO t-shirts, sweatpants, sweatshirts, or street clothes
If you do not own a leotard and tights, please wear snug fitting black leggings and a form fitting tank top.
Male Attire:
Form fitting black or white tank/t-shirt
Form fitting compression pants/shorts
Please do not bring into the audition room:
Jewelry or things of value, electronic devices, etc
Cell phones must be turned off during the audition process
Accompanying parents/guardians will not be allowed to watch the audition. Auditioning students will be escorted to the dance studio while parents/guardians remain in the cafeteria.
In order for your application to be complete and to be officially accepted:
Students must have a physician's clearance stating their ability to fully participate without physical restriction in every aspect of our dance curriculum.
Student Placement School Applications completed and submitted.
Please be reminded, there are two (2) different application forms from our Admissions Department - Elementary 5-8 which consists of 3 pages, numbered 6, 7, and 8 or High School 9-12 which consists of 3 pages, numbered 3, 4, and 5. Both require Teacher Evaluation and Recommendation Forms.
Student report cards
Full report card from the previous school year
Current report card from present school year
If you have any specific questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to the department head, Nicole Jones.
Students may audition for either vocal or instrumental music. However, once accepted, music students in grade 5-8 will learn to sing and play and instrument.
Vocal and instrumental students should work with their music teacher to prepare their music auditions.
On the day of your audition, in addition to your major requirements specific to your instrument/voice, you will be asked to identify both pitch and rhythmic notation examples. You will also hear several pitches on the piano and be asked to sing them on a generic syllable (i.e. la, du, or ah) to demonstrate aural skills.
If you do not have a music class/music teacher to assist you in preparing for your audition, please follow our audition prep YouTube videos. They feature specifics for every level of preparation.
Bring your audition musical instrument with you if you are able.
If you have any questions regarding audition materials and requirements, please contact the appropriate department:
Band: Alexander Hughes and Corey Talford
Guitar: Jared Tinkham
Orchestra: Ana Vafai
Vocal: Jennie Billera and Lauriann Stephan
Instrumental - Band
Grades 5-6 (You will be required to perform the following):
1. Performance Piece:
• Choose two short pieces or one solo piece appropriate for your playing level. (It is recommended you ask your music teacher to help you choose your audition music)
2. Percussion:
• Choose one piece of music appropriate for your playing level
• If you play drum-set, demonstrate at least 1 style of playing
Grades 7-9 (You will be required to perform the following):
1. Performance Piece:
• Choose one solo piece of music appropriate for your playing level.
2. Percussion:
• Choose one piece of music appropriate for your playing level ○ If you play drum-set, demonstrate at least 2 styles (i.e. Latin, Swing, etc.)
Grades 10-12 (You will be required to perform the following):
1. Performance Piece:
• Choose one piece of music that shows us your very best playing. (It is recommended you ask your music teacher to help you choose your audition music)
2. Percussion:
• Choose one piece of music appropriate for your playing level.
• If you play drum-set, demonstrate at least 3 styles (i.e. Latin, Swing, etc.)
Instrumental- Guitar
All of the guitar ensembles perform primarily as a classical guitar ensemble (similar to a string orchestra). Students are taught to perform using classical finger-style (p-i-m-a fingerings). You will also learn additional guitar specific components, such as reading TAB, performing singer-songwriter songs, performing electric guitar pieces, improvisation, and more. However, much emphasis is put on the students being able to fluently read and perform from standard notation.
Grades 5-6 (You will be required to perform the following):
• “Ode to Joy” with a steady tempo and correct rhythms.
• All circled chords included in the audition materials (see Website or contact BAVPA).
• Demonstrate use of finger picking (pima) and regular picking.
• Email Mr. Tinkham to receive a digital copy of the audition materials
Grades 7-9 (You will be required to perform the following):
• “Bouree in E-” with a steady tempo and correct rhythms (no repeats).
• All circled chords included in the audition materials (see Website or contact BAVPA).
• Demonstrate use of finger picking (pima) and regular picking.
• Email Mr. Tinkham to receive a digital copy of the audition materials
Grades 10-12 (You will be required to perform the following):
• “Snowflight” with a steady tempo and correct rhythms. Use p-i-m for fingerings.
• All major/minor barre chords in any key/position included in the audition materials (see Website or contact BAVPA).
• Demonstrate use of finger picking (pima) and regular picking.
• Email Mr. Tinkham to receive a digital copy of the audition materials.
Instrumental - Orchestra
Grades 5-6 (You will be required to perform the following):
• Performance Piece – Choose one piece or excerpt from a piece appropriate for your playing level.
Grades 7-9 (You will be required to perform the following):
• Performance Piece – Choose one piece from a piece appropriate for your playing level.
Grades 10-12 (You will be required to perform the following):
• Performance Piece – Choose one piece and one excerpt from a contrasting piece appropriate for your playing level.
Vocal
Grades 5-6 (You will be required to perform the following):
• Performance Piece - Perform a piece of your choice at an appropriate singing level and in an appropriate range that best showcases your voice and a piece from the list below.
Vocal Audition Repertoire List:
o Happy Birthday
o 1 verse of a Disney song OR a song from a musical
Grades 7-12 (You will be required to perform the following):
• Performance Piece - Perform a piece of your choice at an appropriate singing level and in an appropriate range that best showcases your voice and a piece from the list below.
Vocal Audition Repertoire List:
o Lift Every Voice and Sing - (Entire 1st verse ending with “Til victory is won”)
o Amazing Grace (Entire 1st verse ending with “Blind but now I see”) o The Star-Spangled Banner
Students must bring a portfolio of artwork to the auditions even after they have submitted on Schoology. They may bring more than the required 10 works if they have additional work they would like to show us. Suggestions of what to include in your portfolio can be found at our school website: https://www.buffaloartsacademy.org/admissions-process.
Students should also bring their sketchbooks if they use them.
Digital artwork is welcome, however it should not comprise the entire portfolio, and needs to be accompanied by time-lapse of the student working.
On the day of the audition students will do a still-life drawing that will become a permanent part of their audition materials.
On the day of the audition, students will speak with one of one of our art teachers about their portfolio and overall interest and experiences with art.