Portfolios & Auditions

The ArtQuest Entry Process includes either the submission of a Portfolio or an Audition.  Please follow the specific procedures given below for your 1st Choice of Arts Specialty area.  Applying students are not scheduled for an audition or portfolio review until a completed ArtQuest Entry Packet has been received and processed.  You will be notified by email, letter or phone about your portfolio review or audition appointment as soon as possible. If you are declined for your 1st Choice Arts Specialty, you will be contacted to see if you wish to be considered for your 2nd or alternate choice and will usually be asked to submit a portfolio or to audition for that specialty.

IMPORTANT: Questions about Portfolios or Auditions should be initially directed to the Arts Specialty teachers listed below for each discipline, as they can best answer them.  If you still need assistance, contact the AQ Program Assistant or Director.

Visual Arts - Portfolio

All Visual Arts students should submit the described Portfolio for their Specialty choice at the same time they submit their Entry Packet.    Your packet will be considered incomplete and will not be processed nor your portfolio reviewed until all required materials are received.  Portfolio reviews and interviews with students will be scheduled and continuing thereafter.  IMPORTANT: You may be required to attend an interview as part of the application and Visual Arts portfolio review process and will be contacted by phone if an interview process is required. You will be notified by email, letter or by phone and when/where to pick up your portfolio.
*Digital portfolios are only accepted for the Digital Arts, Photography, and Video Arts specialties.  Please see the criteria below per specialty. ​​

Digital Arts

Lauren Frost
​707-890-3850, ext 52290
 lfrost@srcs.k12.ca.us

Submit a portfolio of 10 images that demonstrate ability in a wide range of artistic skills. Of these, one must be a “Self Portrait" (open to student interpretation) created in any media. Be sure to submit works that show a variety of subject matter, including those that show observational drawing (drawings based on close observation of actual objects, people, places, etc) in any media - hand drawings, designs, paintings, or works utilizing computer software programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, animation programs, etc.  
Work may be submitted in various formats, including web-based portfolios, Google Drive, portable USB “flash drives,” hard copy prints in a folder, etc. Indicate, when relevant, the software applications used to create the project; appropriate ways to view it, the name and the file format. All work should be presented in a professional manner, carefully protected and identified with name, email, and phone number.  

Photography

John Sappington
707-890-3850, ext 52290
jsappington@srcs.k12.ca.us
​
​ Submit an artwork portfolio of 12-15 self-created images in addition to an artist’s statement (approx. 240 words) that addresses the student’s interest in the photographic medium and the ArtQuest Photography Specialty. The work included in the portfolio should demonstrate a passion for and willingness to work with images and aesthetic concepts in visual form, preferably in a photographic art medium. Imagery should demonstrate an engagement with light & shadow, compositional concerns and diverse, culturally-relevant subject matter. Works submitted may be original or reproductions via a printed portfolio of paper-based works, personal website of organized images, a collection on DVD/CD, or USB flash drive. Works should be original and may be photographed, digitized, painted, or hand-drawn. 3-D or sculptural works may only be submitted in digital or photographic print form. Portfolio work should be presented in a professional manner and carefully protected within a folio or binder. Please label any individual works with title, date, origin and medium if relevant.

Video Arts

TBA
707-890-3850, ext 52290
artquest@srcs.k12.ca.us

Submit a video portfolio- file(s) (movie)  which reflects the experiences you have had using either film, video or computer imaging.  The file(s) may be submitted on a flash drive, CD or DVD. As an alternative, you may submit a link to a video uploaded to a site or drop box. If you are submitting a link, please email the web address/URL to eliminate the possibility of miss-typing the correct link address.  Include information as to what applications were used to create the project, successful or appropriate ways to view it and the name and file format, if necessary.  (Example: Project made using PowerPoint/Office for Windows, created in Flash, will play via Microsoft Internet Explorer 5, Death Star.FLC or Race.mov,  etc.)  Work should be submitted in a professional manner, carefully protected and identified with name, address and phone number.  

Visual Fine Art

 Brooke Delello
707-890-3850, ext 52290
bdelello@srcs.k12.ca.us
Janet Fisher
jfisher@srcs.k12.ca.us

​Submit the following in any media or technique you choose.  For 2-D pieces, actual works MUST be submitted; good quality slides or photographs may be submitted only for 3-D works and for very large 2-D work.   Make sure your work is carefully protected and that each piece is identified on the back with your name, address and phone number.
​

•  A "Self Portrait" done in any media, interpreted however you wish; please indicate which piece this is.
•  6 - 10 other pieces which you believe exhibit the best, most interesting aspects of your art work.  You should include a variety  of approaches but you MUST include realistic, OBSERVATIONAL drawings (drawings based on close observation of actual objects, people, places etc.)  Failure to include significant and strong observational drawings will negatively impact your acceptance into this discipline.​

Performing Arts - Auditions

All Performing Arts students must submit a completed Entry Packet first and then follow discipline-specific directions below for the Audition.  Hand deliver your COMPLETE ArtQuest Entry Packet to the ArtQuest Office during the scheduled drive through drop off dates. Your packet will be considered incomplete and will not be accepted nor will an audition scheduled until all required materials are received.  Auditions will be scheduled by the specific Performing Arts teachers. You will be notified by letter or by phone about your admission.

Dance

 Nzinga Woods
707-890-3850, ext 52290
nwoods@srcs.k12.ca.us
Tanya Knippelmeir
tknippelmeir@srcs.k12.ca.us

After your completed ArtQuest Entry Packet is processed, you will be contacted for an Audition and given further instructions at that time, with the first round of auditions and continuing thereafter.  Please be advised that no truly beginning level dance class is offered;  students are encouraged to have dance skills and experience at the minimum of an beginning-Intermediate high school level upon entry, which is usually about two  or more years of previous instruction.

 DURING THE DANCE AUDITION

• Group class: barre, center floor work and short combinations across the floor. 
• Styles include: contemporary ballet, hip-hop, and jazz.
• Improvisation in any style across the floor

 
WHAT TO  WEAR TO THE DANCE AUDITION?
Clothing-Any combination of the following: Leotard and tights, leggings/shorts and tight fitting shirt.
Shoes- ballet slippers, jazz shoes, dance paws, socks, or bare feet
NO loose clothing, sweats or baggy clothes.
 
WHAT PROGRAM INSTRUCTORS ARE LOOKING FOR
Flexibility, coordination, presentation, enthusiasm, stage presence,  musicality, and the ability to follow the directions, demonstrations during class, along with your personal responses, and recommendation will be criterion used to evaluate the entrant into the Dance Program.

Music - Instrumental

Tim Decker
707-890-3850, ext 52290
tdecker@srcs.k12.ca.us

After your completed ArtQuest Entry Packet is processed, you will be notified for an audition.

 During the Audition

• Perform a solo, or piece that represents your highest level of technical achievement, and you feel best represents you as a musician. This may be a classical piece, a folk song, jazz, pop or an original composition
• Demonstrate a basic ability to tune your instrument
• Sight-read a small excerpt from a piece of music or instrumental passage
• play major scales up to 4 flats (Concert F, B flat, E flat, A Flat)
• play one octave chromatic scale
• briefly discuss your musical inspirations, ambitions, and goals

After the audition, you will be placed in an appropriate level based on your performance.  Please be advised that no truly Beginning Instrumental Music class is offered; students must be able to play at the minimum of a beginning- Intermediate high school level upon entry, which usually means approximately 2-4 years of previous instruction.
​

Music - Vocal

Kira Bombace
707-890-3850, ext 52290
srhschoirs@yahoo.com

After your completed ArtQuest Entry Packet is processed, you will be contacted for scheduling of an audition and interview.  All students will be screened based on written information and recommendation contained in the packet.  Students must be prepared to attend an individual audition to be held by appointment in Room 41 in the Music/Dance building, with the first round of auditions and continuing thereafter.  The audition will include a student solo, vocal exercises to determine range, 2 sight-reading exercises, and 2-3 tonal memory exercises.  Students should be prepared to bring 2 copies of the sheet music for their one memorized song, 2-3 minutes in length.  Accompaniment will be provided.  (IMPORTANT: Missing the ArtQuest Entry deadlines as described earlier may affect your notification and placement. 

Special Note for All Music Applicants: Music applicants may take two Instrumental, two Vocal, or a combination of Instrumental and Vocal classes, if possible in the schedule and if appropriate for their level in each area (Vocal or Instrumental).  Applicants should follow directions above for either or both, as appropriate.

Theatre Arts

Danielle Cain
707-890-3850 ext 52290
dcain@srcs.k12.ca.us
Jereme Anglin
janglin@srcs.k12.ca.us

After your completed ArtQuest Entry Packet is processed, you’ll be sent a link to sign up for an audition slot. Auditions take place in December & January –the sooner the better to secure your spot. Your audition slot will consist of the presentation of a memorized monologue and an interview with one of the Theatre Arts faculty members. Prepare a monologue from the choices provided at http://www.artquestonline.org/theatre-arts.html. Wear comfortable clothing, be ready to take direction from the instructor, and to answer questions about your ArtQuest goals. Audition tips and a campus map will be available at the AQ office and via email.