Performing Arts Research Programs for High School Students
EC Finder currently lists 10 performing arts research programs for high school students. Of these, 2 are free to participate in. Examples include A.C.T. Young Conservatory (San Francisco), Colorado All-State Choir (CMEA), and Colorado All-State Jazz Choir (CMEA).
- 10
- listed
- 2
- free
- 10
- with a listed deadline
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are performing arts research programs for high school students?
- Performing Arts Research Programs for High School Students are curated extracurricular listings for high school students interested in performing arts. Each listing includes eligibility, cost, and deadline details where known, so you can compare options and find the right fit for your college application profile.
- Are any of these research programs free?
- Yes — 2 of the 10 research programs listed here are free to participate in.
- Are performing arts research programs good for a college application?
- Yes — performing arts research programs are a common way for high schoolers to show sustained interest and initiative in performing arts on college applications.
Related Categories
10 activities found·Browse by category
A.C.T. Young Conservatory (San Francisco)
American Conservatory Theater's Young Conservatory offers year-round and summer acting classes, intensives, and productions for youth, including high-school-level performance ensembles and audition-based programs.
Colorado All-State Choir (CMEA)
Audition-based statewide honor choir organized by the Colorado Music Educators Association. Selected high school singers rehearse and perform with renowned guest conductors. 2026 event held February 5-7 with auditions at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Students must be enrolled in a high school choral program and sponsored by a CMEA-member director.
Colorado All-State Jazz Choir (CMEA)
Statewide jazz vocal honor ensemble for 11th and 12th graders, with three groups (Treble SSAA, Mixed SATB, and Tenor-Bass) of 16 students each selected via a three-step audition. Selected singers rehearse and perform in January at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs during the CMEA Conference, working with nationally and internationally recognized vocal jazz artists.
Colorado Youth Symphony (CYSO)
Audition-based youth symphony in the Denver metro area with three orchestras (Philharmonia, Sinfonia, Symphony Orchestra) and a Wind Ensemble for school-age musicians. Rehearsals are Monday evenings beginning mid-September at Colorado's Finest High School of Choice in Englewood. Auditions are submitted as 2-3 minute videos. Payment plans and financial aid available.
Folger Secondary School Shakespeare Festival
A decades-running festival at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, where middle and high school students edit, direct, and perform a 15-minute scene from a Shakespeare play using the playwright's original language.
Ragazzi Boys Chorus (Young Men's Ensemble)
Redwood City-based boys' and young men's choral organization with a track for older/high-school-age singers, offering vocal training and performances.
San Francisco Youth Chorus
San Francisco choir serving singers in grades K-12, with formal auditions for grades 3 and up, rehearsing weekly during the school year and performing publicly.
San Jose Stage Company – Work With Us (Teens)
San Jose Stage Company lists seasonal positions and internships, including education, front-of-house, and production opportunities that sometimes accept advanced high-school students interested in professional theatre operations.
SFJAZZ High School All-Stars
Audition-based jazz training program at SFJAZZ in San Francisco that selects 20-25 of the Bay Area's top young jazz musicians for the All-Stars Big Band and Combo each year. Members rehearse weekly with professional jazz educators and perform at SFJAZZ Center venues. Tuition is $500 per ensemble (with discount for both); need-based scholarships available. Audition video due in July.
Young People's Symphony Orchestra (YPSO)
Oldest independent youth orchestra in the nation, based in Berkeley, drawing Bay Area musicians ages 11-21 for weekly rehearsals, a retreat, and subscription concerts.
ECFinder provides links to outside extracurricular opportunities for informational purposes only. Students and families should research each program before applying. ECFinder does not operate or control the listed organizations and is not responsible for their actions or policies.