San Antonio’s lively art scene and richcultural celebration supply interestedchildren with numerous options to express themselves through whatever medium they choose. For example, the Alamo City boasts more than 25 dance companies ranging from classical ballet troupes, such as the San Antonio Metropolitan Ballet, to clogging, to flamenco, to folkloric, to the San Antonio Street and Dance Company. The talented young dancers in all these companiesperfect their skills while gaining valuableperformance experience.

In addition, almost 60 studios offer instruction for children as young as age 2, including professional-level classes at a number of highly rated and nationally recognized dance academies such as Mayra Worthen Ballet and the University of the Incarnate Word Ballet School.

Dance
Lessons for other forms of dance, from tap to hip-hop and country-western, are also readily available, as are expert instructors to help kids prepare for cheerleading, dance and drill-team tryouts. The city’s parks and recreation department sponsors a vigorous schedule of dance classes and performance groups.

Music
Budding musicians should seek out the Youth Orchestras of San Antonio. This group offers superior music education for 260 students, ages 6 to 12, who audition twice yearly for places in four orchestral levels, from beginners to the Philharmonic Orchestra.

Children’s Chorus, in its 21st season, provides the best in choral music education and performance opportunities to singers age 7 to 18. Five choir levels, distinguished by age and experience, serve approximately 170 audition winners from 48 zip codes throughout South Texas. While Children’s Chorus is the only community-based chorus opportunity for children, many schools, churches and cultural centers also have active youth vocal-music programs.

Theater
San Antonio’s theater scene is thriving,and youngsters interested in theater arts will find much to encourage their muse. From workshops, to magic, to acting classes leading to stage work, to instruction on specifics of TV and radio commercials, students here have excellent resources to prepare fora career or simply to gain confidence inpresenting themselves to an audience of one or 1,000. Check out the Steven Stoli Playhouse, where kids learn the basics of creative and fun acting; the Playactors Lab; San Pedro Playhouse Academy; or Actors Workshop West.

Visual Arts
Several museums offer workshops and classes in the visual arts. Also in San Antonio is ArtWorks Inc., a private art studio with a public mission: to encourage the enjoyment of the art creation process. ArtWorks does this by introducing children of all ages to famous artists and art forms. They also provide guides, space and supplies for artistic expression by all age groups. The Coppini Academy of Fine Arts offers individual and group instruction to young adults, as do a number of renowned local artists. Photography and video buffs will also find plenty of local encouragement and exhibition opportunities here.

Storytelling
South Texas has a warm welcomefor youngsters interested in creative communication. Each of the San Antonio Library System’s 19 branches offers extensive and varied storytelling and interactive programs. Local booksellers also hold programs for young readers and would-be writers.Barnes & Noble and Gemini Ink, an independent literary center (www.geminiink.org), are two resources for children interested in expressing themselves.


Cultural Learning
Since San Antonio’s population encompasses diverse ethnic and cultural groups, there are many associations whose primary aim is to preserve their heritage and, justas importantly, to share it with theirAlamo City neighbors. The City of San Antonio, along with other public andprivate groups, supports community centers whose programs introduce children todifferent cultures and their art forms.Centro Cultural Aztlan and the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center are among ourarea’s treasures.

A child in San Antonio may learnand perform Greek, Cajun or Mexicanfolkloric dancing, or even belly dancing. Many cultural organizations also teachchildren how to sing songs and play instruments in the styles that are unique to their heritage, such as the traditional mariachiband music of Mexico. The InternationalFolk Culture Center is an excellent placeto begin exploring the traditions ofthe world.

Crafts
Arts and crafts classes abound here, too. From the beading classes at Nomadic Notions to the cartooning and printmaking courses at schools like the Southwest School of Art & Craft, San Antonio children can find endless means to express themselves.

Educational Pursuits
Children and teens who want to pursue a particular intellectual interest have many options from which to choose. For example, Palo Alto College offers computer science courses, including programming instruction for children ages 6 to 12. Scobee Planetarium provides continuing-education classes for teens from ninth grade and on. The San Antonio Zoo holds “zoo school” — Kinderzoo — for children ages 2 and 3 and Kidzoocation for kids ages 4 and 5.

Trinity University’s Saturday Morning Experience is a wonderful enrichment program for 180 gifted, talented and creative children in grades one through eight. The program provides experiential, hands-on intellectual and social-learning opportunities. The children work in small groups with their mentors, specially selected Trinity students. Half-day, twice-monthly programs that integrate the disciplines of English, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies and the fine arts build on the interests of each small group and its mentor.
The Lonestar Scholars Academy is held during the summer on the campus ofTexas Lutheran University in nearby Seguin. Top-tier secondary students from throughout the state explore subjects not normally encountered in the traditional classroomsetting and can earn up to two hours ofcollege credit.