Miller South to celebrate 30 years of making magic through the arts

Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts is a place that's bursting with creativity from the minute you approach the vibrantly painted entrance that proclaims, "We are stars!"

Integrated into the multicolored mural are these words: Scholars. Equity. Dreamers. Musicians. Artists. Opportunities. Heart. Inclusive.

On the adjacent brick wall, a painted Miller South sign encircled in purple stars says "Est. 1993."

This year is a big one for Miller South, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary with the theme "30 years of magic." The school will mark the occasion with a celebration at 7 p.m. March 3 featuring current students, staff and alumni in performances and art displays.

The free event will celebrate all of Miller South's arts programs, from an alumni show choir performance to a visual art slide show to a poetry reading of "Miller South Where," by language arts teacher Marcia Skidmore's seventh grade students.

In true Miller South fashion, the evening will begin with staff and alumni staff singing "Miller South Where Dreams Come True," composed by original vocal music teacher, Sarah Kaufman. It will end with Miller South's own special birthday song, also by Kaufman.

Jamar "The Goalgetta" Blackmon, a motivational speaker and Miller South alumnus, will emcee. He's the father of current vocal student Jada Blackmon, a seventh grader who will perform in show choir that night.

Nods to the past will include an alumni slideshow video.

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Fourth grade teacher Amy Heffernan, who has taught at the school since its second year, has about 20 show choir alumni coming, including daughter Hallie, a performer based in new York. They'll re-create numbers "Anything Goes" and "You Can't Stop the Beat."

Heffernan's also directing the fourth graders in an "Aladdin" medley. It's an homage to school alumnus Marcus Martin, who plays Genie in the national tour of "Aladdin" and whom the students will see perform at Playhouse Square next month.

Miller South alumna Marissa Hughes now teaches at the school

Chairing Miller's anniversary event is band teacher Marissa Hughes, a 2006 Miller South alumna. Her arts experience at Miller South gave her extra confidence to continue band studies at Firestone High School and the University of Akron, which led to her career as a band teacher.

"I found my niche in band" as a saxophonist, she said.

"Miller South is a place to grow and belong to and we're truly a family here in every way. I think of the skills that students gain and the knowledge in the arts and beyond, and that really provides the students with confidence to thrive in," Hughes said.

For the celebration, she'll direct the combined concert band and jazz band in "A Friend Like Me" from "Aladdin." Twenty band alumni will join the students for the tune "Jazzmanian Devil," a jazz band tradition since its early days under the direction of original band teacher Eric Langreder.

The event, to be held in the Margo Snider Auditorium at 1055 East Ave., is free. To reserve seats, see teachtix.com/millersoutharts.

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History of Miller South

Generations of kids have become immersed in band, orchestra, vocal, piano, dance, theater and visual arts since Akron Public Schools opened Miller South in 1993.

"From the beginning we had two goals: Give those artistic kids a wonderful opportunity to increase their potential in the arts and integrate the arts into the academics," Margo Snider, the school's first principal, said by email.

Miller South opened in the former South High School building, which closed in 1980. APS was awarded federal magnet school funds under former Superintendent Terry Greer after a community survey indicated support for a visual and performing arts school.

The key for the school was integrating the arts into every academic subject.

"We were not the typical school. Some parents actually saw us as a last-ditch effort to get their kids to enjoy school," said Snider, who will speak about the vision and history of the school at the anniversary event.

The first year, all 156 student applicants were accepted at Miller South. Auditions for admission began the following school year.

"Our first year was not easy but because of a hand picked staff who loved kids and the arts we made it work," Snider said.

The audition format changed in late 2021 for students entering the fourth grade this school year. Now, auditioners do a two-hour workshop in four arts focus areas where teachers assess their talent, enthusiasm and determination to improve. The goal is to make Miller South open and accessible for all.

After 30 years, Miller South’s future home is up in the air as maintenance and repair needs grow at its current building. APS is in the middle of a long-term facilities planning process, and board members have discussed the possibility of moving Miller South into the former Kenmore High School building.

Eighth grade Miller South students look back

Eighth grader Tessa Patton of Akron said she's learned a lot as a theater and vocal student.

"When I was little I wasn't the best singer in the world but I feel like now I've grown more confident in myself," said Tessa, 13, who's a lead in this year's musical, "Seussical," and will join the cast in "Oh, the Things You Can Think!" March 3.

Visual art student Luca Ratay, 13, also plays flute for band and tenor saxophone for jazz band. He plans to join the marching and jazz bands next year at Cuyahoga Falls High School.

He gave a shoutout to art teacher Alison Rich: "She teaches you to be yourself."

Eighth grader Jordin Vaughn of Akron has enjoyed trying new things at Miller South, including playing the viola, and studies dance.

She's also liked doing arts integration projects, including a student rap about tectonic plates for science class.

"We did a rap with the band and collaborated on that" for a morning performance and in band and strings concerts, said Jordin, 13.

Arts writer Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or kclawson@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Miller South shares 30th anniversary celebration with Akron community