Open Days
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At DAIS, we create life‑changing experiences for our students through global NAE collaborations with world‑leading institutions and organizations. Alongside our successful partnerships with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), UNICEF, and IMG, this academic year we are beginning a landmark collaboration with another global leader: The Juilliard School.
The Juilliard School in New York City is one of the world’s leading institutions for performing arts education. This collaboration is one of Nord Anglia’s most unique and special, giving students access to world‑leading performing arts delivered by our outstanding teachers. The program is designed for all learners, including those with career aspirations both in and beyond the arts. Creativity is a key that can unlock the imagination and significantly transform your child’s education across every subject.
Our teachers will enjoy the benefits of being trained by world-leading performing arts educators, with each school having designated Juilliard Curriculum Specialists assigned to work with them. This active community encourages collaboration and professional development through frequent communication and school visits.
Just before the holidays, two Juilliard Curriculum Specialists — Mr. Nick Mahmat and Mr. Brian Drye — visited the Dalian American International School and Dalian Huamei School campus. Their visit resonated deeply with our community.
Ms. Mims: “Our very first visit was nothing short of excellent! Nick and Brian are top-notch professionals, and our students had a wonderful time connecting with such skilled performers and educators.”
During their visit, the Curriculum Specialists joined our performing arts classes, participating in activities and working directly with students. They also met with our performing arts team — Ms. Ashley Mims, Mr. Logan Bryant, Ms. Terry Saez, and Ms. Katie Cooper — to begin shaping the next steps of our collaboration.
Ms. Mims: “For our first visit, our specialists simply wanted to come in and see what our students at DAIS/DHS are already doing in our performing arts programs. From there, we'll be establishing how the Juilliard program enhances our students' current learning.“
Mr. Drye: “I taught a Juilliard lesson with the middle school band, the middle school chorus, and a 5th grade elementary class from the bilingual school. I also observed Ashley and Katie delivering a Juilliard activity with their classes.”
Mr. Mahmat: “During my time at Dalian American International School, I observed a Band class, a Choir class, and the Musical Theatre class. I also taught Juilliard workshops with the Musical Theater class, the High School Drama class, and the Middle School Drama class. In addition, Logan Bryant and I met for planning sessions to explore how Juilliard resources can be incorporated to further support his current curriculum.”
Mr. Drye: “The students at DAIS are very talented and have a lot of curiosity and interest in music. This is in no small part to the talents of the teachers at DAIS who are passionate about providing an engaging ensemble experience and music classroom environment for their students.”
Mr. Mahmat: “It was wonderful to witness the Musical Theatre students’ creativity and thoughtful decision-making. The class is filled with independent thinkers who approach their work with intention and take genuine ownership of the artistic process. It was especially encouraging to see the culture Mr. Bryant has cultivated, one that empowers students to work as artists, make confident choices, and take leadership in their own creative work. It was also a pleasure to teach these students during the drama masterclass.”
Mr. Drye: “While students were a little shy at first to improvise and create their own ideas for articulations and rhythms in the band ensembles, they became more comfortable as they worked with their stand mates. Similarly, working with a brand-new middle school choir class on an original composition based on visual prompts was also a highlight. At first, they were providing some ideas they thought to be silly, but as we developed these themes into a larger composition, they became excited about the process.”
Ms. Mims: “Our students are going to benefit immensely and directly from working intentionally and in-person with our specialists. Every new teacher you get to work with shows a new perspective, a new strength, a new way of thinking. Furthermore, our teachers are going to benefit from having access to a discipline-specific collaborative voice in their planning throughout the year.”
Mr. Mahmat: “A defining strength of the Juilliard–Nord Anglia Performing Arts collaboration is the year-round support schools receive through contact with their Juilliard Curriculum Specialists and access to Juilliard Creative Classroom teaching resources, lesson plans, and recordings of professional dance music and drama performances.
In the year ahead, we look forward to building on this foundation by working closely with teachers to integrate Juilliard resources in ways that align with and deepen their existing curriculum and teaching goals. Building on the strong work already underway, we are eager to further cultivate students’ creative and critical thinking, deepen their capacity for reflection, and nurture the confidence and agency that empower young artists to take ownership of their growth.”
Mr. Drye: “As students get more comfortable with creative collaborative group work in their ensembles and music classes, I see that their engagement with the music program is going to grow. I’m excited to see how these students grow in their capacity to be curious and engaged with creative approaches. As they continue to develop more agency, I’m excited to see how that advances their skills on the instruments. I am also excited to see how the Juilliard resources become part of the fabric of the music curriculums both in general music classrooms and ensembles.”
Mr. Mims: “Nick and Brian will be coming back again next year to do it all again! The great thing about this program is that our specialists remained assigned to our school which allows us plan for growth over the years.“
Collaboration with The Juilliard School marks an exciting step forward for performing arts at DAIS and Huamei, and we look forward to seeing our students grow in creativity, confidence, and global understanding.
