José Ochoa Selected To Head Chicago High School For The Arts

July 21, 2008 - PRLog -- The Chicago High School for the Arts moved a step closer to a proposed September 2009 opening with the hiring of an executive director.

José Ochoa, 34, an arts educator and administrator and the former Superintendent of Cultural Arts for the Metro Parks and Recreational Department in Nashville, Tenn., will serve as the chief executive of the school.  (Photo available upon request)

The announcement was made by the board of directors of the Chicago High School for the Arts (CHSA), a volunteer organization made up of civic, arts and education leaders who conceived and have been planning the school for the past two years.

In his former position, Ochoa supervised the dance, music, theater and visual arts departments for Nashville’s Metro Parks, creating a number of new programs directed to both children and adults.  

He previously taught English as well as music, dance and theater in both traditional schools and arts programs in his native Texas.  He also has had an extensive career in the performing arts as a professional musician, actor, dancer and choreographer.

Ochoa is a graduate of the North Carolina School for the Arts in music performance and has a master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (dance, music, theater) from West Texas A&M University.

“We were extremely fortunate to find someone with professional experience in several art forms plus arts administration and an academic background,” says Jim Mabie, chairman of the CHSA board.  “The fact that Jose Ochoa began as a self-taught musician gives him exceptional insight into the difficulties faced by talented students who are not exposed to professional training early in life.”

Chicago is the only city of its size not to have a public high school that concentrates on the arts, according to Mabie, citing similar schools in Los Angeles, Orange County, Boston, Miami, Dallas, Houston and Denver.  “New York has three or four,” he adds.

CHSA will offer a four-year college preparatory academic curriculum combined with professional instruction in dance, drama, music and visual arts.  The school will open with an initial class of 150 freshmen.  By 2012, enrollment is expected to reach its full capacity of 600 students.

Applications for the class of 2013 will be taken in December of 2008.  Admissions will be based on an audition (or portfolio review), potential ability and academic record.

CHSA, a contract school under the auspices of Chicago Public School system, has the support of more than 50 Chicago arts organizations committed to providing exceptional experiences for students working toward careers in the arts.  Plans call for locating the school near public transportation, with several locations under consideration.

The CHSA mission is to provide students from diverse backgrounds with exceptional preparation in the fine or performing arts while providing a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum.  For additional information: 312-924-3495 or www.chiarts.org.