In his years working with budding musicians, veteran educator Phil Sims saw a gap between traditional schooling and the students’ desire to spend more time honing their crafts.
“There was this friction for students trying to do develop a portfolio to go to college or university while still enrolled in a traditional school setting,” said Sims. “They didn’t have enough hours in the day to devote to their passion – music.”
The solution he and partner Diana Orozco hit on eight years ago was to establish the Atlanta Music High School, an independent conservatory based in Little Five Points with branches in Dunwoody and Brookhaven. Since then, the school has established itself as a home base for talented kids in grades five through 12. “Post-pandemic, our offerings for high school students has exploded, with lots of online, synchronous and asynchronous schedules,” said Sims, who teaches advanced music theory and composition. “They’re here because many public schools, even though they became more flexible, don’t have the resources that fit our model.”
About two dozen students are full-time, with another 50 who are home-schooled or in other programs attending on a part-time basis. Their interests run the gamut, from voice to jazz, folk or classical genres.
“We help people connect with the kind of music they love,” said Sims. “We also have a community music program of about 400 students that includes children starting out on piano or violin to adults who are trying something new.”
Flexibility is a major draw for students who are heavily involved in pursuits that take them out of a traditional classroom.
“We’ve had dancers, kids on the Atlanta United student team – people who get their academics in a private setting but can train with us in the afternoons,” said Sims. “We use a mix of approaches. We work with each family to make sure the academics are taken care of.”
Through small ensembles, chamber groups, jazz combos and even rock bands, as well as voice and music theory sessions, students build a performance portfolio that prepares them to be competitive.
“We have kids who have gone on to study in New York, L.A., Boston and here in Atlanta,” said Sims. “Some have even come back to teach with us.”
It’s often through those students that people learn about the school, Sims said. “Along with word-of-mouth, they come from online, events we do or by our networking with teachers. They’re drawn to the idea that we can create space and time for kids who are really passionate about music.”
Information about the Atlanta Music High School is online at atlantamusichigh.com.
MAKING THE GRADE
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