The three teachers who were there, (Voice/Keyboard, Dance, and Theater) were very nice and welcoming. This was scary because the only thing that the Handley teachers said was that they were going to be way harder on us. But, I was proud of my projection. I was loud enough and clear for them to hear me properly.

The best way to prepare is to know your music! Make sure you know the right lyrics, rhythm, and if you're accompanying yourself you know the right chords and when to play them. Remember, things aren't as scary as they may come off. The teachers are welcoming and very kind. Try not to be nervous (which can be hard,) because the teachers can definitely see that and at some point you’ll have to get over that nervousness if you're gonna be performing a lot!

Being in Voice Keyboard concentration has positively impacted me by letting me explore my creativity. The concentration allows me to learn more about music and explore the depths of the history/meaning of music. No matter what happens you will have people rooting for you. Your classmates will give you honest feedback, such as what you need to do or what you did well. The opportunities will definitely help in the future for colleges.

SASA offers many opportunities that other schools can't. These include how many scholarships are given out and all of the opportunities to perform. However, in order to succeed you must be prepared for each class, turning all your assignments in, and having a good attitude in general. Overall, SASA is a great school with all of the opportunities you get when you attend. From the performing arts to math and science. Yet, if you're going to attend school here at SASA, you must be prepared at all times no matter what the circumstances!

I genuinely would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for SASA. I’m currently finishing out my freshman year as an acting major at U of M, and the theatre concentration is a big part of the reason I had the skills or confidence to pursue my passion. It provided me continual opportunities to learn and explore every part of the craft I love so much alongside my lovely, talented peers.

The theatre I did at SASA helped me realize that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life, and I am so grateful. In addition, the classes I took outside my concentration made me a more well-rounded individual. As an actor and just a human being, I was grateful for the chance to explore the other parts of my brain and the world. The challenging and engaging classwork prepared me for a college workload, and I have been breezing through my first year writing class thanks to the wonderful English teachers. Indeed, the people are a huge part of why I loved SASA so much.

~ Grace Lutenske, SASA class of 2020

I was enrolled at SASA for 7 years. I credit SASA - and the theatre department specifically - for really cultivating the long-dormant creative seed in me. I never thought that I would have an outlet to flesh out the interest in theatre I have always had. The one definitive outcome from SASA I have is that I grew every year I was there. Beyond the instructional benefits, SASA theatre is a safe space for students to explore their identity, formulate their perceptions of the world, and pursue their passions through creative expression.

~ Ayrion Abraham, SASA class of 2018

Attending SASA for middle and high school has been one of the best decisions I have made. SASA was such a great environment to grow up in because smaller class sizes meant more help and attention to your personal learning, on top of that you are surrounded by students who only strive for the best. It helped me prepare for college because I was constantly pushed to do my absolute best all of the time by every staff member. Also, since SASA offers a more extensive workload than other schools, I was able to transition to a college workload seamlessly. However, what was most valuable for me at SASA was the dance concentration.

Growing up I knew I wanted to be a performer and spending extra focused time on that subject is what really pushed me to get to where I am now attending Point Park University, majoring in dance. Meagan Bublitz, the instructor of the dance program, did an amazing job of getting us out there in the dance world through Michigan Youth Arts Festival, dance competitions, and bringing us so many outside choreographers for master classes. What I will carry with me the most from SASA is the drive it gave me, and the friendships formed. SASA is the place to be if you really want to excel at what you are studying, or plan on studying in the future.

~ Sasha Titus, SASA class of 2018