Schools

Dublin High Invites Community to Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Center for Performing Arts and Education

The ceremony will be held on June 2 beginning at 6 p.m. on the DHS campus.

By Michelle McDonald, DUSD

It is time to raise the curtain on Dublin High School’s Center for Performing Arts and Education, a sparkling new facility that will be a jewel for the entire community.

“We are thrilled to see this amazing facility open to our students and our school community,” said Dublin superintendent Stephen Hanke. “It would not have been possible without the backing of the Dublin residents and their support of Measure C. We can’t wait for our students to reap the full educational benefits of this state-of-the-art complex.”

Work that began in the summer of 2012 has been completed on the $22.9 million project, including:       

  • Band, drama and choir classrooms
  • A video production studio and classroom
  • A 500-seat theater
  • A fly system and orchestra pit
  • Dressing rooms, scenery shop and green room
  • Band and choir practice rooms and storage
  • Staff offices       
  • Outdoor amphitheater, student quad and replacement parking area
Students moved into the classrooms earlier in the month and have been appreciating their new spaces for their roominess, their storage and their acoustics.

And the theater, which has not officially been christened, has hosted its first event, the annual Jazzin’ for a Cure fundraising concert on May 14.

“We are settling into the new building,” said DHS Band Director Paul Everts. “We are learning how to best use the facility. But the students are loving the new band room. More space and the acoustics are amazing.”

Choir director Jonathan Ulrich said the facility is the best he’s every worked in.

“Now that we have begun using the facility, I can truly say this experience is worth all of the hard work, long hours and patience,” Ulrich said. “I have taught in several school facilities in my career, but all pale in comparison. For me, I feel privileged and blessed; few teachers are able to say that they were the first teacher in a classroom, even fewer can say that they had input into the design and construction of the facility that they spend so much time educating tomorrow’s leaders.”

And Dublin High students are already inspired by their new surroundings.

“I really like the feeling that the new building emits. There is a sense of professionality that inspires me to write more music and work diligently.” - Cindy Won, Grade 10

Dublin High is inviting the community to a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 2 beginning at 6 p.m. on the DHS campus. The ceremony will be followed by both guided and self-guided tours of the sparkling new facilities, as well as special performances by Dublin High performing arts students on the stage of the theater. A gala opening is being planned in the fall.

“This facility provides a first-class professional environment for student performances in instrumental and choral music, drama productions, guest lecturers, as well as district and community-wide events,” said DHS principal Carol Shimizu. “DHS staff and students are extremely fortunate to have tremendous support from our Dublin community.”    

What the Dublin High students are saying about the new Center for Performing Arts and Education: 
  • “The little theater had character and old memories, but we will create new memories and good times in this new big classroom” - Christina Allen, Grade 11 
  • “All the performing arts programs are finally getting the recognition that they deserve.” - Hannah Gehrmann, Grade 12 
  • “My friends and I have been talking about this since we were Freshmen so it’s like a breath of fresh air to be in here!” - Julia Poutant, Grade 11 
  • “There’s so many more things we can do now.” - Suelyn Pewitt, Grade 10 
  • “The acoustics are amazing and we’re very privileged to use it.” - Courtney Varela, Grade 11 
  • “I’m excited to be in the new building and even more excited to spend the next 3 years in it and see the choir grow in it.” - Sarah Grier, Grade 9 
  • “To tell you the truth, I’m jealous. I’ve waited for 4 years for the new Performing Arts Center, and I’ll be leaving soon. But the fact it’s finally here makes me happy.” - Swarna Lnu, Grade 12 
  • “The new building is amazing. There is no other word to describe it.” - Cameryn Plummer, Grade 10 
  • “We have waited a long time for it and it provides us with endless opportunities.” - Kendra Clingerman, Grade 12 
  • “I have been in the music program for four years, and this is the most wonderful way to end my high school years.” - Kavya Maddali, Grade 12 
  • “The space just naturally fosters and encourages artistic growth and collaboration.” - Patrick Wallace, Grade 12 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here