![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
Current and prospective members of the Harker Conservatory connected and learned about various performing arts departments and events during the Conservatory Kickoff at the Rothschild Performing Arts Center from 5 to 7:30 p.m on Wednesday.
Director of Performing Arts Laura Lang-Ree began the information session by sharing this year’s theme for the conservatory: play, create, belong. She hopes that students will embrace those three tenets while rehearsing and performing throughout the year.
Instead of faculty members explaining the premise of the Conservatory program, student representatives Taylor Summers (12), Jessica Skylar Chen (11) and Megha Unny (11) performed a humorous skit that summarized the basics of the program.
Upper School Assistant Division Head Kelly Horan delivered a keynote address reflecting on the Conservatory program and her children’s experience in it.
“In a world that seems to want you to focus and limit earlier than you should, the conservatory and the certificate program encourage you to expand,” Horan said. “When there’s pressure for you to play it safe and conform to the norm, the conservatory encourages you to take healthy risks to see if you can stretch just a little bit more, to amaze and astonish yourselves.”
Following Horan’s speech, faculty members from the dance, instrumental music, vocal music, musical theater and theater departments introduced this year’s key performances and events, from the 2025-26 Concert Series to the New York Trip for all vocal ensembles. Dance teachers Rachelle Haun and Jill Yager also unveiled the theme for the 2026 Dance Production: “Once Upon a Time.”
After the informational session ended, frosh and their parents split into discipline-specific groups to talk with the faculty mentors of those programs about the certificate program and its requirements.
Frosh Nila Gunaratnam appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the performing arts program and meet other students.
“I was a bit worried I wouldn’t know a lot of people, but this program is definitely helping me get to know a lot more people,” Nila said. “I learned a lot of new things I didn’t know, for example that you still had until sophomore year to decide what discipline you wanted to take [in Certificate].”
Instrumental teacher David Hart invited Harker alumnus Spencer Cha (’22) as a guest speaker to close off the evening. Spencer highlighted the strong community he found playing piano and oboe in orchestra and the importance of embracing challenges in the performing arts.
“I really encourage everyone to involve themselves in interdisciplinary arts because they give the arts more meaning and more impact,” Spencer said. “I’m not one for cliches, but I do believe that you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. You might not discover a performing art that you’re truly good at or that you love if you never give yourself a chance to try it.”
Before the event, Conservatory members gathered in front of the RPAC for pizza, dessert and socialization. Students also painted rocks to contribute to a performing arts rock garden and took pictures with friends at a photo booth.
Theater teacher Brandi Griffith valued this opportunity for bonding prior to the main session.
“The information [session] is so necessary and needed, and it answers a lot of questions that people have,” Griffith said. “Before the kickoff we have about an hour together as a community, welcoming new members and celebrating a step up for the folks that were already here.”
Senior Holly Templeton, who performs in the fall play, spring musical and Downbeat, is one of the four Student Directed Showcase (SDS) directors this year. She looks forward to welcoming frosh and other new members to the conservatory.
“I’m excited for new people to enjoy the Conservatory experience,” Holly said. “I think that everyone should try out for something, if it’s the play, or dance, or SDS, or the musical or literally anything. It’s really great when someone finds out that they love theater or love anything in the Conservatory.”
