Broadway Star David Burnham Announces Performance With CSArts-SGV At Bonita Center For The Arts

California School of the Arts - San Gabriel Valley (CSArts-SGV) Musical Theatre, Acting and Integrated Arts students in grades seven through 11 collaborate with Broadway actor and singer David Burnham for the school's first-ever "Performing with the Pros" event. Burnham has been an artist-in-residence at the school for several weeks helping to direct, create and rehearse the show. Best known for originating the role of Fiyero in the popular musical "Wicked," Burnham was also an original cast member in "The Light in the Piazza," performing both on the Tony Awards and the PBS telecast "Live From Lincoln Center." He replaced Donny Osmond as Joseph in the national tour of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." Acclaimed for his "dazzling singing" and "infectious energy" (The Hollywood Reporter), Burnham also performs solo and with symphonies across the nation.

"Performing with the Pros" is open to the public and takes place Saturday, March 31, at 7 p.m. at the Bonita Center for the Arts, 822 W Covina Blvd, San Dimas, CA 91773. Tickets are $25 online, $27 at the door and can be purchased at sgv.csarts.net/boxoffice.

Karen Rymar, the assistant director of Orange County School of the Arts' (OCSA) Musical Theatre Conservatory, is helping to bring this exciting performance to CSArts-SGV students and the San Gabriel Valley community. "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to bring this long-standing OCSA tradition to the students of our sister school. When I created this program 14 years ago, I would never have guessed that I would be able to bring it to another location," Rymar said.

"Performing with the Pros" is an excellent learning experience for the 32 participating students. Associate Dean of Arts Stephen Cook said the students are receiving unparalleled knowledge in work ethic and rehearsal technique. "It is our hope that students involved in Performing with the Pros experience not only the discipline and thrill of performance and the preparation necessary for it, but to engage our guest artists on a more personal level. Our students are afforded the opportunity to ask individual questions and learn specific traits that have contributed to our guest artist's success and stability in the craft," Cook said.

"Performing with the Pros" is part of CSArts-SGV's Master Artist Series, which brings talented artists and arts professionals to the campus to provide students with once-in-a-lifetime learning experiences and master classes.

About California School of the Arts - San Gabriel Valley

California School of the Arts - San Gabriel Valley (CSArts-SGV) provides a creative, challenging and nurturing environment that offers bright and talented students unparalleled preparation for higher education and a profession in the arts. CSArts-SGV is modeled after the award-winning arts and academic programs of Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA), one of the premier arts schools in the country.

The public charter school opened on Aug. 14, 2017 in a unique public-private partnership with the Duarte Unified School District, and is a tuition-free, donation dependent program. CSArts-SGV is currently accepting applications for the 2018-2019 school year, which will serve students in grades seven through 12. Prospective students are encouraged to attend Preview Day on March 24, 2018. Applications are being accepted only until enrollment is full.

CSArts-SGV students study in one of the 10 arts conservatories offered including acting, classical & contemporary dance, commercial dance, creative writing, instrumental music, integrated arts, musical theatre, production & design, visual arts and vocal arts. Students receive opportunities to participate in master classes, guest artist presentations, field trips and performances, as well as a variety of campus clubs and activities. Small student/teacher ratios in academic and arts classes allow for personalized attention to students. CSArts-SGV is located at 1401 Highland Avenue, Duarte, Calif. For more information, visit sgv.csarts.net

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