Encouraging a love of fine arts is one of the greatest gifts you can give your child. Formal fine arts programs provide students the opportunity to gain an appreciation and understanding of some of the greatest achievements in human history. RISD offers numerous award-winning programs in the area of fine arts.
Visual arts are offered to students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. All students receive sequentially based instruction in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for art through four basic strands:
A strong foundation sets the musical stage for RISD elementary students with a focus on music literacy through lessons emphasizing singing, playing instruments, creating, moving and listening to music. These activities develop functional familiarities with beat, intervals, musical notation, rhythmic movement and performance. District programs are sequential and parallel students’ physical and emotional development.
Students have the opportunity to perform within grade-level school choirs in their junior high attendance area choir festival. Outstanding 6th grade singers are chosen by audition to perform throughout the school year with the All-District Elementary Choir (ADEC), which is comprised of approximately 100 students from across the district.
RISD’s outstanding secondary choir program is a continuation of choral experiences that are built at the elementary level. Emphasis is placed on the development and refinement of choral techniques including sight-reading, tone production, diction and ensemble skills.
RISD’s band and orchestra programs are recognized as outstanding at the state and national level. Beginning in 6th grade all students have the opportunity to further their music study through the challenging curricular study of a musical instrument.
Theatre programs begin in 7th grade at RISD junior high schools and are followed with a full range of courses and activities offered in high school. RISD’s goal is to educate students to explore, develop and synthesize all elements involved in theatre performance, including interpreting and performing, as well as knowledge in the technical aspects of productions.
Back to ProgramsThe dance program is most active at the high school level and a full range of courses and
activities are offered. Some of the offerings include but are not limited to; Dance 1-3, Drill Team, Country Western Dance Team, Drill Team Prep, Folklorico at RHS, LHHS and PHS, Country Western Prep, Folklorico (LHHS), and Pom Squad (PHS).
Our goals are to educate students through experiences in exploring, developing and synthesizing in dance technique and performance. These elements include choreographing, interpreting, and performing as well as increasing knowledge in the technical aspects of dance education.
Jeff Bradford
Executive Director Fine Arts
469-593-0430
Myron Stennett
Director of Visual Arts
469-593-7450
Stephanie Miller
Elementary & Vocal Music Coordinator
469-593-0430
1123 S. Greenville Avenue
Richardson, TX 75081
469-593-0430
Executive Assistants
Ann Brown
Cynthia Rea