
Admissions
Thank you for your interest in applying for admission to
Denver School of the Arts!
…
Students seeking a chance to be a part of our nationally-recognized school should review the general information on this page regarding our admissions process. We offer intensive studies in band, creative writing, dance, guitar, orchestra, piano, stagecraft & design, theatre, video cinema arts, visual arts, and vocal music.
We look forward to meeting you at your audition!
Want to learn a bit more about DSA prior to auditioning? Come to one of our open house evenings this fall, where staff will provide tours and answer your questions, and DSA students will provide sneak peeks into current productions! Save the date now! More information will be added here in the coming months.
Monday, November 6 – prospective middle school students
Wednesday, November 8 – prospective high school students
Step 1 Complete the online application | Step 2 Attend or watch the pre-audition meeting | Step 3 Complete all audition components and be offered a seat | Step 4 Complete the DPS School Choice form |
Step 1: COMPLETE THE ONLINE APPLICATION
The online application will be open and linked here November 1, 2023 through January 5, 2024 at 5:00pm.
We will not accept ANY late applications, so ensure you have completed this step no later than 5:00pm on January 5, 2024. Only completed online applications will be considered for auditions.
Please make sure that you complete the entire online application and click “submit.” You will receive an auto reply to the email address you provided. This is your documentation that the online application has been successfully submitted.
Once you’ve applied, DSA will not call or email you to confirm that the application was submitted. Please use the email confirmation, as explained above, as your confirmation. Only online applications submitted by the deadline will be considered for auditions.
When completing the online application, you will be prompted to create an account. This online application will ask for basic information about your student: legal name, current grade, address, parent/guardian name. If your child is a current DPS student, it will ask for their 6 digit DPS id. No other preparation or materials are needed to fill out this online application and it will take two to three minutes to complete.
If you would like support in completing the online application, or do not have access to a computer/internet, you may come to DSA during the online application window and we will help you complete this step.
Students may apply and audition for one major only.
Note – Stagecraft and Design will only be accepting applicants for students entering grades 9 through 12.
You do NOT need to sign up for the pre-audition meeting because your online application (step 1) is your sign up. All pre-audition meetings will take place in-person at the Denver School of the Arts (7111 Montview Blvd., Denver, CO 80220). Please ensure that you arrive on time.
Step 2: ATTEND THE PRE AUDITION MEETING
Dates and times for the pre-audition meetings will be added here soon!
At the pre-audition meeting, each department will explain the audition process and share more information about the major and what it’s like to attend Denver School of the Arts. Specific audition information for each major will be added to this page soon.
Interpreter Support for the Pre-Audition Meeting
If you would like interpretation services available at either the pre-audition meeting or audition itself, please email AP Anna Conley at least two weeks prior at aconle2@dpsk12.net and be sure to include what language interpretation services are needed for.
Step 3: COMPLETE THE AUDITION
Auditions for admission to Denver School of the Arts are by appointment only, which will be assigned during the pre-audition meeting. Auditions for the 2024/2025 school year will take place in January 2024.
Each department will explain their audition process at their pre-audition meeting and share more information about the major and what it’s like to attend Denver School of the Arts. Audition information by major will be added to the bottom of this page soon.
IEP/504 Accommodations for Auditions
If a student will need special consideration or accommodations in the audition process, the student (or parent/guardian) must request the special considerations sought or accommodations needed and must provide supporting documentation (such as an IEP or 504 plan). It would be discriminatory for the District to assume that special considerations or accommodations are necessary without first receiving such a request and appropriate supporting documentation.
At least one week prior to the audition, please provide a copy via email of the 504 or IEP to the following DSA staff members depending on grade level of the student:
All 504s to: amber_brydon@dpsk12.net
IEPs for student entering grades 6, 7, or 8: nichole_mango@dpsk12.net
IEPs for students entering grade 9 &10 to: jeana_mustain@dpsk12.net
IEPs for students entering grades 11 & 12 to: justin_kirkland6@dpsk12.net
The admission of an identified student with disabilities eligible for special education and related services is contingent upon the determination of an IEP Team that the student can receive a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment at the school.
Interpreter Support for Auditions
If you would like interpretation services available at either the pre-audition meeting or audition itself, please email AP Anna Conley at least two weeks prior at aconle2@dpsk12.net and be sure to include what language interpretation services are needed for.
Audition Feedback
Due to the large number of applicants who complete the audition process, we do not offer written or verbal feedback.
Step 4: COMPLETE THE DPS SCHOOLCHOICE APPLICATION
Applicants to DSA must complete the DPS SchoolChoice enrollment as a part of the application process. The DPS SchoolChoice enrollment window opens at (date will be added soon).
If you are a current DPS family, go to https://myportal.dpsk12.org/ to apply for SchoolChoice online (date range to be added here soon). The DPS SchoolChoice form will ask you to rank your top 12 preferred schools within DPS, including charter schools and magnet programs such as DSA. When completing this form, please make sure to mark Denver School of the Arts as your 1st choice. It does not matter when during the Choice window you apply, so long as it is submitted by (deadline to be added here soon).
If you are an out-of-district family, go to http://schoolchoice.dpsk12.org/ and create an account. The DPS SchoolChoice form will ask you to rank your top 12 preferred schools within DPS, including charter schools and magnet programs such as DSA. When completing this form, please make sure to mark Denver School of the Arts as your 1st choice.
If you do not select DSA as your 1st choice school, please know that it is possible that your child may get their MORE preferred choice and not be assigned to DSA. You do not have to list all 12 schools, and if you are from outside of Denver County and only interested in DSA, then just list DSA as your only choice.
You can contact DPS SchoolChoice at 720-423-3493 or schoolchoice@dpsk12.org if you have any questions about this specific portion of the application process.
NOTIFICATION PROCESS
All students who audition will be notified by email on (date to be added soon) about the outcome of their audition (either accepted, waitlisted, or not accepted).
If you are accepted and have selected DSA as your 1st choice on the DPS SchoolChoice form, you will have a seat at DSA next school year.
If you are waitlisted, we will contact you if openings become available. (Please note: this may not be until the start of the 2024 school year.)
If you are not accepted, we thank you for taking the time to audition, but we will not be able to offer you a seat at DSA for the next school year.
DPS Office and Choice and Enrollment Services will also notify all students of their 2024/2025 school assignment through the DPS online system (email and/or text) in late March 2024.
If there is a need for Round 2 auditions, that information will be posted here in March 2024.
If you have general questions, contact Assistant Principal Anna Conley at aconle2@dpsk12.net or 720-424-1807.
Questions specific to the major and its audition process will be addressed at the pre-audition meetings.
All information is subject to change. Please visit this site regularly for updates.
Audition Information by Major
Bands
INSTRUCTOR
Michael Paulez
STEP 1: COMPLETE THE ONLINE APPLICATION
STEP 2: ATTEND THE PRE AUDITION MEETING
STEP 3: ATTEND THE AUDITION
STEP 4: COMPLETE THE SCHOOLCHOICE APPLICATION
Creative Writing
INSTRUCTORS
Moss Kaplan and Miranda Popp
STEP 1: COMPLETE THE ONLINE APPLICATION
STEP 2: ATTEND THE PRE AUDITION MEETING
STEP 3: ATTEND THE LIVE WRITING AUDITION
STEP 4: COMPLETE THE SCHOOLCHOICE APPLICATION
Dance
INSTRUCTORS
Terrell Davis and Rachel Oliver-Young
STEP 1: COMPLETE THE ONLINE APPLICATION
STEP 2: ATTEND THE PRE AUDITION MEETING
STEP 3: ATTEND THE AUDITION
STEP 4: COMPLETE THE SCHOOLCHOICE APPLICATION
Guitar
INSTRUCTOR
Natasha Olson-Smith
STEP 1: COMPLETE THE ONLINE APPLICATION
STEP 2: ATTEND THE PRE AUDITION MEETING
STEP 3: ATTEND THE AUDITION
STEP 4: COMPLETE THE SCHOOLCHOICE APPLICATION
Orchestra
INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Enrique Lasansky
STEP 1: COMPLETE THE ONLINE APPLICATION
STEP 2: ATTEND THE PRE AUDITION MEETING
STEP 3: ATTEND THE AUDITION
STEP 4: COMPLETE THE SCHOOLCHOICE APPLICATION
Piano
INSTRUCTOR
Ji Hyun Kim
STEP 1: COMPLETE THE ONLINE APPLICATION
STEP 2: ATTEND THE PRE AUDITION MEETING
STEP 3: ATTEND THE AUDITION
STEP 4: COMPLETE THE SCHOOLCHOICE APPLICATION
Stagecraft & Design
INSTRUCTORS
Jason Ducat, Cory Gilstrap, Lara Kirksey, and Keith Rice
STEP 1: COMPLETE THE ONLINE APPLICATION
STEP 2: ATTEND THE PRE AUDITION MEETING
STEP 3: ATTEND THE AUDITION
STEP 4: COMPLETE THE SCHOOLCHOICE APPLICATION
Theatre
INSTRUCTORS
Shawn Hann and André Rodriguez
STEP 1: COMPLETE THE ONLINE APPLICATION
STEP 2: ATTEND THE PRE AUDITION MEETING
STEP 3: ATTEND THE AUDITION
STEP 4: COMPLETE THE SCHOOLCHOICE APPLICATION
Video Cinema Arts
INSTRUCTORS
John Aden, Tory Maurer, and Amy McGrath
STEP 1: COMPLETE THE ONLINE APPLICATION
STEP 2: ATTEND THE PRE AUDITION MEETING
STEP 3: ATTEND THE AUDITION
STEP 4: COMPLETE THE SCHOOLCHOICE APPLICATION
Visual Arts
INSTRUCTORS
Cliff and Marty Loftus
STEP 1: COMPLETE THE ONLINE APPLICATION
STEP 2: ATTEND THE PRE AUDITION MEETING
STEP 3: ATTEND THE AUDITION
STEP 4: COMPLETE THE SCHOOLCHOICE APPLICATION
Vocal Music
INSTRUCTORS
Dr. Ryan Garrison and Meaghan Quigley
STEP 1: COMPLETE THE ONLINE APPLICATION
STEP 2: ATTEND THE PRE AUDITION MEETING
STEP 3: ATTEND THE AUDITION
STEP 4: COMPLETE THE SCHOOLCHOICE APPLICATION