Every year, the Las Vegas Academy hosts a gala to raise funds and showcase what LVA has to offer, as well as the past year’s accomplishments. This year’s event, was held the evening of Jan. 26, at the Planet Hollywood Las Vegas Resort and Casino. On this one night, the funds raised benefit every major, consequently all of the school’s conservatories are represented and exemplify the evening’s theme, which for this year was, “Muse.” As in years past, the gala provided a unique opportunity for students, faculty, parents, and benefactors to meet and review school activities, resulting in a night that never disappoints.
Performers at the gala included students from various majors and ranged from freshman to seniors. “The gala is so much fun,” responded Jamie Pacheco, when asked how they felt about performing “Bend and Snap,” the last time with some of the cast members representing the theater department. Pacheco is a senior majoring in theater and portrayed “Paulette,” in LVA’s production of Legally Blonde. “You can play around backstage as you usually do at LVA, but it’s more of a responsibility being here,” Pacheco added and then said, “Of course, there’s a band right behind you; you just have to be prepared for anything and a lot of changes in your choreography.”
Now that Pacheco is a senior and has to say goodbye to LVA they will be taking all of the memories that they made while being here. “It’s like I’ve kind of created a home here with a bunch of different people, especially this year. I really only have this year left with them. It is so upsetting, but I’m really excited to go out into the world and do other things and finally be my own person,” said Pacheco. It is apparent from this and similar interviews that moving onto a new stage of life is always hard, but the memories will never be forgotten.
Freshman Mariachi major Tania Arellanituta, is one of the freshman members of Mariachi International. “I feel really excited, nervous too, since this is my first time doing this,” said Arellanituta. Continuing, they added how being a freshman can be overwhelming sometimes since you aren’t used to everything that high schools bring especially while being in a top group. “I feel really lucky to be in the top group in my first year in high school,” said Arellanituta.
This year, Mariachi, which is one of the new majors among those that comprise the music conservatory, featured new uniforms for its members. Although they are few in number, they are mighty and they are growing in numbers, year after year.
Along with the dance conservatory is one of the most populated majors on the LVA campus, there are related elective programs that are offered to anyone, such as ballroom and among the teaching staff members of these programs is Brooke Dickerson.
Dickerson has been teaching at LVA for the past three years, but has been with the ballroom program for 11 years, attending first as a sophomore, and then, instructing as a student teacher for 7 years. While Dickerson has been a part of the school system for many years, for nearly that same amount of time she has been shaping the program and keeps expanding it every year. “It continues to grow and is my favorite thing,” said Dickerson. “The students I get to work with are wonderful kids who work hard, focused, and energetic. Because it’s not a major, it’s not exclusive to other majors. So, we get a mix of everybody in the school together in a safe space, dancing together.” Students are required to take a physical education class during their freshman and sophomore years of high school, this class is offered as another way to get that credit. It gives students more options for expressing themselves and could cause them to want to continue past the years that are required for graduation.
This year’s venue for the gala was different from last year’s and it was roomier compared to last year’s location. “The space is nice, it’s a very inviting stage and the set up is really nice and all the different groups can use it,” said Dickerson. “The way that they’ve decorated the tables with the centerpieces is thoughtful and the auction items are set up beautifully as well.” The pleasant appearance of the room was no accident. There were many people that put forth their efforts into making this gala the success that it was. Judging by numerous overheard comments, the attendees seemed to love the venue for the night.
While this wasn’t Dickerson’s first gala, she did express her feelings about this year’s event by saying, “I’m just happy to be able to participate in the gala. It’s a wonderful experience for the students to be able to perform in such an important event. We benefit from the gala and it’s what brings funds for the school in just one night.”
The night wasn’t just about the teachers and the performers, but the guests as well, one among them was Angela Bacon, whose son attends LVA. Bacon heard about the school from her son’s tuba teacher at Pinecrest. Her son, who is a band major, is now in his junior year.
This wasn’t the first gala Bacon has attended and it won’t be her last. “We really enjoyed the first one. The second one felt really cramped, but this one, I’m so glad they’ve opened it back up, made it more inviting. They prepared everybody, which was really good as far as dress attire goes,” said Bacon. The gala always motivates people to return, because every year is never the same as the previous year, and people want to see what comes next.
Bacon offered this advice to other parents who want to send their child to LVA, but don’t know what to expect. “Push them, don’t let them tell you no matter how many times they want to quit. There are so many more opportunities than any other school district and these kids will appreciate it later in life. They will realize that even this right now is something that a lot of schools don’t do,” said Bacon. It can be scary for students, sending them to a school that they may not know, but LVA offers so many great benefits it is worth the challenge.
Senior Vocal major Marlie Chambers, has been at LVA for all four years, and performed with one of the vocal electives offered to sophomores through seniors though it is audition based. Chambers is also the president of Echo, a club that is also an acapella group run by students.
This year was not the first time Chambers has performed at the gala, or performed in general. There is a difference when performing in a larger and a smaller group, since the group that performed was no more than 20 students and there are more than 100 students in the combined symphonic group. “There is a difference definitely, especially because you have more of a spotlight on you when it’s less people and when you’re in a bigger scene it’s a different experience,” said Chambers.
Though this is Chambers’ last year for performing at the gala, it was a bittersweet night for her. “LVA has brought me so many opportunities and like it’s made me a person. I never thought I could be there and I love it. So, it’s always gonna be in my heart,” said Chambers.
Public magnet school funding only goes so far and must be shared across every magnet school in the Clark County School District. The gala is a way for LVA to raise funding for all of the programs, so they can get new instruments, equipment, help with trip funding, and so much more. Donations help the school greatly, and in exchange, get a night to remember.
To watch a video compilation of Muse performances, click here.
The “Muse” Gala included a reception, dinner, live entertainment, and auctions. For more information about the gala, visit Las Vegas Academy or Give Smart for more information for all events.
