Summer Residential Governor’s Schools such as this one are highly-selective institutes for gifted 9th, 10th and 11th-graders. They are sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education and held at university campuses around the state, providing intensive educational experiences in such areas as engineering, humanities, mathematics, medicine, agriculture and the arts.
Jessie is one of just 200 students statewide invited to the Visual and Performing Arts School, which has programs in five separate disciplines -- dance, theater, visual arts, vocal and instrumental music. Schools may nominate only one student, who must be a Virginia resident, for a given discipline. Those who pass through the initial application stage attend regional auditions.
A small number of students are recommended to the state selection committee and even fewer get to attend the program, which takes place June 28 through July 25 at Radford University. Jessie's selection is especially noteworthy as the Northern Virginia district in which she competed is very large and talented. It includes Virginia residents who attend several schools in the District of Columbia as well as students from 14 independent schools in the area.
“We’re extremely proud of Jessie,” said Ulmer.
The dance curriculum at the Governor’s VPA School is varied and vigorous, with students receiving instruction in improvisation, modern, jazz, ballet, tap, Ultra Barre, and more by top dance instructors. Faculty members include Salvador Barajas, Ariella Brown, Jenefer Davies, Aleksey Plekhanov, Caitlin Potosnak, Jennifer Speiden, Amy VanKirk, and Katie Wells.