The Art Departments at Ruth Asawa School of the Arts
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We offer arts programing in 18 distinct departments/strands. Students apply to and audition for one department or strand. Click on the department/strand you're interested in to get all details.
ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN
ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN is for students who are creative thinkers and makers, like to explore the world around them, and want to be a part of shaping the environment we live in and the objects we interact with every day.
Students in this department will develop critical skills in how to take creative ideas beyond concepts, and learn how to communicate design intentions through research, analysis, drawing, and model building, as well as visual, written, and verbal presentations.
Be ready to fill a sketchbook with ideas and drawings!
AUDITION ASSIGNMEN and OTHER INFORMATION
UPLOAD YOUR AUDITION ASSIGNMENT HERE DEADLINE: December 11, 2026
CONSERVATORY DANCE
The CONSERVATORY DANCE program offers rigorous coursework in ballet, modern, jazz, blues, and other contemporary styles of dance as well as training in choreography and composition. Students learn to combine strong technique with a sense of artistry.
Students interested in dance styles and traditions from a global perspective should visit World Dance.
More about Conservatory Dance
CONSERVATORY INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC - Classical + Jazz
CONSERVATORY INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC includes two strands, Classical and Jazz. Students audition for one or the other.
The program offers a college preparatory environment for those students who may consider pursuing music in post-secondary education, while providing an inspiring, engaging, and fun music-making community for students five days a week.
The curriculum includes instruction in strings, woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments, saxophone, bass, jazz piano, and is dictated by instrument groups to form the primary performing ensembles, Orchestra, Jazz, or Big Band, providing students a well-rounded music education, no matter the path they chose. Additional seminars in Mariachi, Chamber Music, and rhythm section workshops are also available.
We're looking for students willing to build their skills through an investment of time and energy, whether they have been playing for two years or ten. Ideal candidates have a passion for music and seek to surround themselves with colleagues and friends who inspire them to reach new heights of academic, musical, and personal success.
AUDITION ASSIGNMENT - CLASSICAL
AUDITION ASSIGNMENT - JAZZ
AUDITION INFORMATION
COMMERCIAL MUSIC - Electronic Music + Guitar
COMMERCIAL MUSIC includes Electronic Music and Guitar.
The COMMERCIAL MUSIC - ELECTRONIC MUSIC Program at Ruth Asawa School of the Arts is a four-year, project-based course where students learn to compose, produce and perform original music using industry-standard tools and techniques. Through hands-on work in digital music production, students explore beat-making, arranging, sound design, recording, mixing, scoring for media and immersive spatial audio. The course focuses not only on electronic production and composition, but provides foundational audio engineering skills. The program emphasizes technical fluency, critical listening and the development of an individual artistic voice, encouraging students to build both creative confidence and professional-level production skills.
This program is designed for students who are excited to explore music through technology and develop broader musical sensibilities as both attentive listeners and adventurous creators. Applicants should have some prior experience creating music in any style, but most important is curiosity, dedication and a willingness to experiment, collaborate and grow.
Instruments and software include: iMac, Ableton Live, Akai MPC, Akai MPK Controllers, Tascam Model 12 Mixer, Microphones, 18.1 Multi-speaker, System & Spatial Controller, Drum Machines, Samplers, Synthesizers
ELECTRONIC MUSIC AUDITION ASSIGNMENT and OTHER INFORMATION
UPLOAD YOUR ELECTRONIC MUSIC AUDITION ASSIGNMENT HERE DEADLINE: December 11, 2026
The goal of the GUITAR Program is to help students develop into well rounded, thoughtful musicians. The musical journey rests on a few key pillars:
- Technique & Tone: Mastering guitar technique, posture, fretboard navigation, scale fluency, and your own unique sound... always anchored in the repertoire.
- The Language: Reading standard notation and charts with confidence to navigate any musical score. TABs are allowed.
- The Core Method: Working through our custom Guitar Book. We will cover everything from foundational notes and rhythm studies to music theory, intervals, arpeggios, and the CAGED system.
- Ensemble Collaboration: Guitar Orchestra classes where we sharpen reading skills, learn the dynamics of large-ensemble performance, and grow together as a community of musicians. You will also have the opportunity to collaborate with other students in smaller ensembles as part of the program.
- Creative Expression: Exploring composition, world music traditions, and improvisation.
Beyond the classroom, students will challenge themselves through individual repertoire projects, collaboration performances, and semester jury evaluations, culminating in our Fall and Spring Guitar Recitals.
Whether your goal is to pursue music professionally or simply discover the beauty of the "Universe of Sound," the guitar department is here to support, challenge, and inspire you every step of the journey.
COSTUME + FASHION DESIGN
The COSTUME + FASHION DESIGN Department at Ruth Asawa SOTA gives students hands-on experience in both fashion design and costume production. Students move between designing original garments for the annual Fashion Show and creating costumes for school productions, including the spring musical.. Across every project, sewing and construction skills are at the center of the program.
Through project-based, studio-style learning, students develop skills in sewing, professional finishing techniques, self-drafted patterns, illustration, garment construction, textiles, fashion history, and styling. Students work with professional equipment, including industrial sewing machines, while learning the expectations and collaborative habits used in the fashion industry.
The department is designed for students interested in sewing, theater, fashion, art, storytelling, and design. Through productions, photoshoots, portfolio-building projects, and the annual Fashion Show, students leave with stronger technical skills, creative confidence, collaboration experience, and preparation for college or career pathways in costume and fashion design.
AUDITION ASSIGNMENT and OTHER INFORMATION
UPLOAD YOUR AUDITION ASSIGNMENT HERE DEADLINE: December 11, 2026
CREATIVE WRITING
CREATIVE WRITING students explore and develop their voices as writers over several genres: fiction, poetry, and playwriting. Students are invited to write from experience and imagination, all the while developing their craft and curiosity for writing and Literature. In Creative Writing, there is a mixture of encouragement towards publication, as well as readings and stagings that connect with the school community and beyond. Each school year students will have the opportunity to work with visiting writers and artists who offer diverse perspectives on storytelling and poetics.
For prospective students, we offer free optional workshops through 826 Valencia to aid in compiling your application.
What We Do In CREATIVE WRITING
AUDITION ASSIGNMENT and OTHER INFORMATION
UPLOAD YOUR AUDITION ASSIGNMENT HERE DEADLINE: December 11, 2026
MEDIA + FILM
Media + Film students are introduced to a variety of genres, including documentary, animation, narrative and experimental and receive instruction in all aspects of motion picture production. Film history and analysis also play an important role in the coursework.
Essential technical skills and real-world applications of these skills provide Media + Film students with a well-rounded experience: planning and executing projects from start to finish, training on equipment, submissions to film festivals, film school research, grant applications and proposals, internships, peer-teaching, and mentoring.
Students work independently and collaborate on projects and frequently interact with students in other disciplines. It is not unusual for Instrumental Music students to provide original scores or for students from Dance, Theatre, and Creative Writing to contribute to student productions in the Media + Film Art department.
Ideal candidates for Media + Film have a strong artistic interest in one or more of the following areas: script/playwriting, video production, visual arts with an emphasis on storytelling or comic art, animation, film criticism, photography, performance in video or film productions.
AUDITION ASSIGNMENT AND OTHER INFORMATION
UPLOAD YOUR AUDITION ASSIGNMENT HERE DEADLINE: December 11, 2026
MUSICAL THEATER
Musical Theatre students at RASOTA engage in rigorous, holistic training from their very first day. With dedicated instruction in vocal technique, ensemble singing, music theory, acting, ballet, jazz, and tap, they are challenged and supported as they develop into confident, expressive, and technically skilled triple-threat performers. Now an independent department, Musical Theatre offers students a comprehensive curriculum designed to nurture versatility, discipline, and artistic excellence.
SPOKEN ART
SPOKEN ART is a four-year literary and performance program where students write poetry and bring their words to life on stage. Drawing from theatre, hip-hop, jazz, and blues, students explore rhythm, rhyme, storytelling, improvisation, wordplay, movement, and audience interaction.
Students study and engage with the work of contemporary writers, poets, rappers, and performers while developing their own authentic voices. Through workshops, open mics, and live performances, they build confidence and strengthen essential communication skills, including vocal projection, body language, stage presence, and audience engagement.
TECHNICAL THEATER
The TECHNICAL THEATER Department offers project based, student-centered learning in theater stagecraft including scene design, construction, and painting, theatrical lighting design and application, sound design, mixing, and application, prop design and fabrication, shop safety, theater terminology, drawing and sketching for design rendering, color theory and painting technique, technical lettering for design presentation, historical research skills, portfolio building and review, professional Internships, and time and project management.
The Technical Theater Department supports the technical needs of performances and events produced during the academic year. Tech students collaborate with the other arts departments on more than 50 productions. Students are encouraged to explore and develop their skills in all aspects of theatrical production in a creative and unique learning environment.
The program is supported by artists-in-residence and theater professionals.
Theater Technology Audition Video
AUDITION ASSIGNMENT and OTHER INFORMATION
UPLOAD YOUR AUDITION ASSIGNMENT HERE DEADLINE: December 11, 2026
THEATER
The Theater Department at Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts (SOTA) provides a pre-professional, conservatory-style environment blending rigorous studio classes with academic study. It focuses on core performance disciplines and collaborative theatrical creation.
VISUAL ART
The Visual Art program emphasizes intensive studio instruction and the mastery of technique in drawing and painting with additional coursework in digital design and sculpture. Students focus on composition, perspective, and color theory using a variety of media including oil, acrylics, conte, watercolor, ink, and charcoal.
A year-long art history course during sophomore year exposes students to the major works, periods and themes. Senior students develop a series of works on a topic of their choice and submit their best pieces to national art competitions, the National Congressional Art Awards and the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, often with very successful results.
AUDITION ASSIGNMENT and OTHER INFORMATION
UPLOAD YOUR AUDITION ASSIGNMENT HERE DEADLINE: December 11, 2026
VOCAL MUSIC + CLASSICAL PIANO
The VOCAL MUSIC + CLASSICAL PIANO Department at Ruth Asawa School of the Arts offers a unique learning opportunity for students to delve into all facets of singing and music.
The Department provides pre-professional training and college audition preparation for students desiring a career in music and a deep exploration of music as enduring appreciation for those that may pursue other careers. This involves classes that include choral ensemble singing, solo vocal training, language study, music theory training and creative music creation, and independent learning opportunities centered around the cultural exploration of music.
Students focus on their chosen art form for 10-15 hours per week for all four years of high school. Incoming Vocal students begin with the study of both jazz and classical music simultaneously and have the opportunity to specialize starting in the junior year. All students have the option to sing in multiple choirs throughout their four years of study.
The Piano program focuses on the study of classical piano, with an emphasis on technical development, an understanding of period style and musical interpretation, and collaborative performance. The program aims to develop well-rounded pianists through a comprehensive curriculum that includes both solo and collaborative playing. Students explore a wide range of ensemble repertoire, including piano four-hands, two-piano, and eight-hand works, while also having ample opportunities to collaborate with vocalists and instrumentalists in both small and large ensemble settings.
Learn more about the VOCAL MUSIC + CLASSICAL PIANO
VOCAL MUSIC AUDITION ASSIGNMENT and OTHER INFORMATION
WORLD DANCE
WORLD DANCE at Ruth Asawa School of the Arts is a training ground for students to hone their skills as diverse movers, creative practitioners and more! Students rigorously train in a variety of dance forms from around the world, employ choreographic devices and structures to generate their own work, and explore multidisciplinary approaches to art making throughout the year. Physical training is met with exploring the social, cultural and political contexts in which dance exists. Additionally, students have the opportunity to perform, choreograph and share their work with each other, their families and community throughout the year!
WORLD MUSIC
WORLD MUSIC offers a kinesthetic approach to learning. Students journey into a rich cultural landscape integrating mind, body, and spirit, through high-energy, hands-on exploration of the local music and traditions of other countries and cultures. Students in the World Music Department study the folkloric percussion traditions of Japanese Taiko, West African, Afro-Brazilian, Afro-Cuban drumming, Balinese Gamelan and Chant, Steel Pan and Ukulele.
Prior musical background or proficiency in a musical instrument are not required to audition. We seek curious students with a strong desire to learn about the music of world cultures and a strong sense of rhythm.
More About WORLD MUSIC
This page was last updated on September 10, 2026