About DA: DA in the News
Douglas Anderson grad up for Tony award
The Florida Times-Union / Jacksonville.com - June 13, 2008
Daniel Breaker, a Douglas Anderson School of the Arts graduate, has Step 1 planned out in case he wins a Tony Award tonight. He isn’t worried about what to say. He’ll have plenty of support there - one of his teachers from Douglas Anderson will be outside Radio City Music Hall in New York, cheering him on.
First Coast Teen Crafts Top Water Conservation Message
First Coast News - June 5, 2008
Andy Leverett who attends Douglas Anderson School of the Arts had the top entry in a contest promoting the importance of water conservation sponsored by the St. Johns Riverkeeper.
Douglas Anderson wins big honor
First Coast News - May 20, 2008
Douglas Anderson School of the Arts is being recognized by the Grammy Foundation for being one of the top performing arts school in the country. [Watch video]
Not pop stars, but they’re the best on guitar
The Florida Times-Union / Jacksonville.com - February 20, 2008
His students were “horrible” at selling chocolate. So Don Casper launched the Great Guitar Gathering 15 years ago to raise funds for the guitar program at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. It started on a small scale, using local talent and attracting an audience of about 200.
‘You’re looking old’ is what they hope to hear
The Florida Times-Union / Jacksonville.com - February 16, 2008
Many teenagers try to act older than their age, but two Douglas Anderson School of the Arts students have been acting like they’re in their 90s.
School of the Arts showcases performers
The Florida Times-Union / Jacksonville.com - February 2, 2008
Most students wonder if they’ll use their education outside the classroom. For students at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, education and application will come together this evening in one night of student films, operettas, Broadway-style numbers and more known as Extravaganza.
Local Teacher Gets National Attention As Teacher Of The Year
News4Jax.com - February 2008
Ace Martin has already been the subject of a documentary for his work at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. Now, he’s in the spotlight again as a top teacher.
They don’t run off to join the circus - they’re it
The Florida Times-Union / Jacksonville.com - January 16, 2008
When she heard the circus was coming, Rachel Jones had her dad rig a 30-foot rope in the backyard of their East Arlington home. She was so determined to hone her skills that she climbed it every day. That was last summer and now the 16-year-old junior at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts is in intensive rehearsals for - ta dum - the circus.
Theater classes tackle youths’ real-life challenges
The Florida Times-Union / Jacksonville.com - December 27, 2007
“You made your decision the first time you picked up the needle,” she said, an anguished expression on her face. His decision? To choose drugs over her. As a result, she told him, the drugs are taking over his life, and it’s killing her to watch it happen. The confrontation was a scene in an issue-based theater class at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. Teacher Bonnie Harrison started the innovative class when she came to the Southside magnet arts school four years ago.
‘Look Homeward, Angel’ features students at Douglas Anderson
The Florida Times-Union / Jacksonville.com - November 14, 2007
Several Beaches students are featured in the provincial coming-of-age story Look Homeward, Angel, which opens Thursday on the Main Stage Theatre at the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts.
Sure-footed future?
The Florida Times-Union / Jacksonville.com - June 6, 2007
On stage or at practice, all eyes drift toward Landes Dixon, his balance, his form and his perfect dancer’s physique: long legs, long arms, long neck, short torso. The 17-year-old seems at peace as he strides across the floor, his silent step unfaltering, his posture perfect.
N.Y. film fest likes what it sees in ‘Chops’
The Florida Times-Union / Jacksonville.com - May 4, 2007
New York loved Jacksonville’s Chops, a documentary on the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts jazz band’s trek to victory last year at a nationwide band competition at Lincoln Center. The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival Monday night, and was met with a big standing ovation.
D.A. senior will conduct symphony orchestra
The Florida Times-Union / Jacksonville.com - April 28, 2007
Tom Haller, director of recording arts at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, was serious when he told Emily Esposito of Fruit Cove she’d been nominated by the faculty to conduct the symphony at its annual Palencia Pops concert.
Theater and History Combined at Douglas Anderson
First Coast News – November 13, 2006
Students at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts learned a lesson in both theater and history from the daughter of a Holocaust survivor. Students this week are putting on their production of “Cabaret.” The musical production is set in Germany before World War II. [Watch video]
Douglas Anderson Wins Award
First Coast News – April 4, 2006
The Douglas Anderson School of the Arts has won yet another Grammy Signature Schools award making it number six. The Grammy Foundation is recognizing 42 altogether with the local arts schools one of three nationwide to earn the Gibson Guitar grant. That grant is a five thousand dollars donation to the music program. [Watch video]
Douglas Anderson Celebrates 20 Years
First Coast News – February 2, 2006
The Douglas Anderson School of the Arts is celebrating a milestone of 20 years as the city’s premiere center for nurturing the arts. A Douglas Anderson tradition, the production called, “Extravaganza” will be held on Friday, February 3rd at the Times Union Performing Arts Center. [Watch video]
For the love of the arts
The Florida Times-Union / Jacksonville.com - January 29, 2006
To understand the success of Douglas Anderson School for the Arts, you have to meet Principal Jackie Cornelius. She speaks with intensity and passion about Jacksonville’s arts high school with words such as “risk-taking,” “camaraderie,” “discipline” and “humanity.”