The Arts Academy

Inspiring Creativity, Fostering Discovery, Building Community

Overview

The Arts Academy offers a blend of curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular opportunities, including:

  • Dance Classes

  • Theatre Classes

  • General Music Classes

  • Co-Curricular Vocal & Instrumental Classes

  • Extracurricular Vocal & Instrumental Ensembles

  • Extracurricular Theatrical Productions

  • The Night of Shorts & Dance Showcase

  • Thespian Honor Society

  • Tri-M Music Honor Society

Purpose

The Arts Academy is designed to...

  • PROVIDE students with a comprehensive arts education through focused instruction in Dance, Music, and Theatre.

  • DEVELOP students' artistic and creative capabilities.

  • APPLY skills from curricular courses in a variety of extracurricular & co-curricular activities at DVRHS and in the wider community.

  • EXPLORE diverse career pathways and CONNECT artistic passions with real-world experiences.

Why Enroll in the Arts Academy?

  • We are a vibrant community that immerses students in diverse creative opportunities.

  • Arts education builds essential skills that apply to all career paths and future success.

  • Courses & activities in Dance, Theatre, and Music—available both during and after school.

  • Fulfills multiple graduation requirements, including:

    • Fine & Performing Arts (5-credit minimum)

    • Practical Arts (5-credit minimum)

    • Junior/Senior English

  • Earn college credit through our Concurrent Enrollment Program.

  • Engage with highly qualified faculty dedicated to student success.

Preparing for Life Beyond Del Val

  • In their final year, students can continue to take advanced courses, a Senior Capstone, or a Practicum, such as an Internship, providing a platform to connect their artistic passions with real-world experiences.

  • These opportunities help students explore career pathways, develop professional skills, and prepare them for their future after Del Val.

Lasting Impact of the Arts

  • Studies show that involvement in the arts reduces stress and improves focus.

  • Arts participation bolsters academic performance.

  • Students develop creative thinking and problem-solving skills.

  • Students become more empathetic, self-aware, and confident.

  • They learn to receive and apply constructive criticism.

  • Students meet, work, and learn from dedicated, talented faculty.

  • They develop communication and interpersonal skills.

  • They gain 21st-century skills applicable to real-world careers.

  • The arts enrich students' lives forever.

Courses Offered (25-26)

DANCE COURSES

Introduction to Dance (Foundational Course; 9-12; One-time Enrollment)

Commercial Dance (Practical Art Credit; 11-12; Repeatable Enrollment)

Dance Technique & Performance (10-12; Repeatable Enrollment)

Unified Dance (2.5 credits; 9-12; Repeatable Enrollment)

THEATER COURSES

Taking the Stage (Foundational Course; 9-12; One-time Enrollment)

Stagecraft (Practical Art Credit; 10-12; One-time Enrollment)

Contemporary Drama (English Credit; Concurrent Enrollment; 11-12; One-time Enrollment)

VOCAL & INSTRUMENTAL COURSES

Concert Choir (Foundational Course; Concurrent Enrollment; 9-12; Repeatable Enrollment)

Vox Auri (Audition Required; Concurrent Enrollment; 10-12; Repeatable Enrollment)

Concert Band (Foundational Course; 9-12; One-time Enrollment)

GENERAL MUSIC

Piano (Foundational Course; 9-12; One-time Enrollment)

Guitar (Foundational Course; 9-12; One-time Enrollment)

Music Technology (10-12; One-time Enrollment)

Songwriting & Theory (9-12; One-time Enrollment)

AP Music Theory (Concurrent Enrollment; 10-12; One-time Enrollment)

Music Appreciation (9-12; One-time Enrollment)

Unified Music (2.5 Credits; 9-12; Repeatable Enrollment)

Performance Opportunities

Dance & Theatre

  • Annual Fall Play & Winter Musical Productions

  • Annual Night of Shorts & Dance Showcase

  • Annual Unified Theatre Cabaret

  • Thespian Coffeehouses

  • Hunterdon County & NJ Teen Arts Festival

  • Bucks County Playhouse Student Theatre Festival

  • Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards

  • Quadriennal Trip to Disney World (2026)

Music (Instrumental & Vocal)

  • The Golden Regiment Marching Band

  • The Golden Blues Jazz Band

  • Vox Blue

  • CJMEA Region II HS Chorus & Band

  • NJMEA All State Mixed & Treble Chorus

  • NJMEA All State Band

  • Holiday Caroling and Community Performances

  • Quadriennal Trip to Disney World (2026)

  • Choral Invitationals & Adjudications

  • Annual Winter & Spring Concerts

  • Annual District Arts Festival

  • Annual Winter Musical

  • Winter Musical Pit Orchestra

  • Hunterdon County & NJ Teen Arts Festival

Slider is playing

Honor Society Opportunities

Concurrent Enrollment Opportunities

SETON HALL UNIVERSITY

  • AP Music Theory with Mr. Hayden or Mr. Chojnacki (Theory of Music, MUTH2500-PDV, 3 credits)

  • Concert Band* with Mr. Hayden (Instrumental Chamber Ensemble, MUAP1183-PDV, 1 credit)

  • Contemporary Drama with Mr. Ambs (Introduction to Theater, COTR2621-PDE, 3 credits)

  • Vox Auri* with Mr. Chojnacki (Chamber Choir, 1 credit)


    * May only be taken once for college credit.

Please email Kristina Sterbenc for more information on Concurrent Enrollment.

Seton Hall University

Interested in Enrolling?

  • Any student is eligible to apply for the Arts Academy by completing the Academy Application (link below).

  • In order to successfully graduate from the Arts Academy, students must complete a minimum of 30 credits in Performing Arts courses, including one foundation course in each area (Dance, Music, Theatre).

  • NOTE: Students wishing to withdraw must submit a Withdrawal Form before being officially withdrawn from the Arts Academy.

DVRHS Academy Application Form

Check out our Programs Websites!

For more information on our programs, please click on the links below:

Questions? Contact Us.

General Questions:

Specific Area-Related Questions:

INSTRUCTORS

Mr. Clinton Ambs

Mr. Ambs is a graduate of Rowan University (’05), where he earned a B.A. in English, and Montclair State University (’14), where he received an M.A. in Theatre Studies. Now in his twentieth year at Delaware Valley Regional High School, Mr. Ambs teaches Stagecraft, Taking the Stage, and Contemporary Drama. In addition, he advises Del Val’s Thespian Troupe and Peer Leadership program. Since 2008, Mr. Ambs has directed fifteen Del Val musicals; five of which were nominated for Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical at the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards: 9 to 5 (2017), Grease (2018), Urinetown (2019), The Addams Family (2023), and, most recently, Newsies (2024). He has also been nominated five times for Outstanding Achievement in Direction, winning in 2023 for The Addams Family.

Outside of Del Val, Mr. Ambs has served on the Bucks County Playhouse Educational Institute Advisory Committee and the Hunterdon County Cultural & Heritage Commission, and he has been an adjunct professor of Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College. He currently serves as Del Val’s resident Lighting Designer and looks forward to working on this year’s exciting season of shows.

Ms. Heather Fleischman

A proud DVRHS graduate, Ms. Fleischman earned her BA in Dance from DeSales University before returning to her alma mater nine years ago with a vision: to create the dance program she wished had existed during her own high school years. That vision has blossomed into a thriving program that welcomes dancers, athletes, and novices alike.

As the musical theatre choreographer for 15 DVRHS productions, Ms. Fleischman has earned multiple Rising Star Award nominations from Paper Mill Playhouse for Choreography and Staging. Her work has also been recognized with multiple Perry Award nominations and a Perry Award win for her choreography of 42nd Street with SKIT. Under her leadership, DVRHS dance students have been recognized at county and state levels through Teen Arts New Jersey, and praised by Bucks County Playhouse for their mastery of movement and character commitment.

"I love being able to share movement with students and show them the possibilities it creates," Ms. Fleischman says. "Dance isn't just for dancers - it's for everyone."

Mr. Andrew Chojnacki

Andrew Chojnacki is the newest member of the performing arts faculty at Delaware Valley Regional High School, teaching vocal music and piano performance. Andrew graduated from Rider University ('23, '24) with a bachelor's and master's degree in music education. His undergraduate concentration was in vocal performance and his graduate concentration was in choral conducting. In addition to Andrew's collegiate studies, he has years of experience as a performer of both classical and popular music.

He participated in many collegiate ensembles during his time at Rider, including Westminster Jubilee Singers. He is also a member of Shine On, a Pink Floyd tribute band. Before starting at DVRHS, Andrew worked at School of Rock Princeton, School of Rock Doylestown, and The Westminster Conservatory. He is dedicated to developing students' agency and critical thinking skills, so they can solve any and all musical problems in their respective futures.

Mr. Thomas "TJ" Hayden

Thomas (TJ) Hayden is a graduate of Montclair State University, where he earned his B.A. in Music Education, M.A.T. in Teaching, and certifications as a Teacher of Music and Teacher of Students with Disabilities. He is currently completing his M.Ed. in Educational Leadership through William Paterson University.

Mr. Hayden lives in Milford with his wife, Isabel, son, Vernon, and daughter, Daisy. At Del Val, he serves as the Director of Bands and leads the Concert Band, the Golden Regiment Marching Band, and the Golden Blues Jazz Band. During the school day, Mr. Hayden also teaches Guitar, Music Appreciation, Music Technology, Music Theory, and Unified Music.