From the desk of SOCSA's Artistic Director, Ray Woods...

A Letter From Ray Woods, SOCSA Artistic Director and Vocal Music Instructor, winner of the 2007 Outstanding Arts Educator Award from Arts Orange County

Many high schools in the southern Orange County area have outstanding visual and performing arts programs. At Dana Hills High School, the South Orange County School of the Arts goes a very important step further than these traditional programs.

At SOCSA we offer a curriculum which is designed to serve the educational needs of each individual aspiring artist. A high degree of emphasis is placed on individualized instruction at an advanced level, often taught by successful professionals in the arts, under the supervision of our credentialed staff.

Our yearly schedule includes a wide variety of classes not found at most high schools, including specialized, focused subjects such as Theatrical Production, AP Art History, Film and Television Production, and AP Music Theory. All this individual attention is incorporated into a very full calendar of live performances, shows, and community appearances. Two full-scale Broadway musicals and two full-length non-musical plays are presented every year, along with art shows, concerts and student showcase performances.

A major advantage to the SOCSA program is the fact that it exists within the context of an outstanding, comprehensive high school. Dana Hills High School offers many Advanced Placement courses, has complete, modern facilities in every department, and is home to very successful athletic and activity programs. It has been designated a National Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education.

Students leave Dana Hills and SOCSA extremely well-prepared to compete and succeed in the world of college and career. Our philosophy and approach dictate that we find every way possible to work cooperatively with the many arts education organizations in our area, as our primary goal is the advancement of the arts in the community and in the lives of our young people.

Wishing you another great year in support of arts education!

Ray Woods
SOCSA Academy Artistic Director
Phone: 949.496.6666 Ext. 2101


CLICK HERE to read Ray Wood's biography.