Karissa Barney is ready to get serious about her art.
Barney, a 16-year-old sophomore at San Ramon Valley High School, has been accepted to the premier independent residential arts secondary school in the nation, Walnut Hill Arts.
Located in Walnut Hill, Mass., the school was founded in 1893 by two Wellesley College graduates. Originally intended as an all-girls boarding school, it became an arts school in the 1970s.
The Walnut Hill Arts application process was much like applying to a college, Barney said. First she had to take the SSATs. Her written application also required four to five teacher recommendations that spoke about her academically and artistically. Finally, she had to fly out Massachusetts to audition. At her audition, Barney performed a monologue and a song.
“The theater director looks for passion, commitment, discipline, a moment – an emotional reality that happens for you,” said Roger Shoemaker, dean for the arts at Walnut Hill.
With only 280 students, competition to get into the school is fierce.
Shoemaker explained that Barney being accepted to the theater program as a junior and as a girl is exceptional.
“Theater for girls is tough,” he said. “For a girl to get into theater, it’s basically one out of four.”
Ever since a young age, Barney’s passion has been musical theater. It was originally her older brother who introduced her to musical theater, she said. When she saw “Annie Get Your Gun” on Broadway, the deal was sealed. Barney’s present schedule shows her dedication to improving in dancing, singing and acting.
In addition to going to school, Barney rehearses every day at Dance Fusion for her competition dance team. She also regularly takes voice lessons. And she recently performed in the Diablo Light Opera Company’s production of “West Side Story,” which closed last weekend. On weekdays she often doesn’t get home until 11 p.m.
But even with all of this, Barney wants to focus more on musical theater. An arts school, she explained, will allow her to dedicate herself entirely to her passion.
“It was really hard for me. With school and the show I was having a hard time,” she said. “Here I’m running from the studio to school. There it will all be in once place.”
Walnut Hill Arts is not for dabblers. From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Barney will receive a general high school education with regular classes like math and English. After 2 p.m., however, she will be immersed in dance, singing and acting classes.
“She’ll meet a whole bunch of kids who have a similar way of looking at the world,” said Shoemaker. “We will support her passion to be an actor. She will be immersed in a community where everyone wants to be the best they can be.”
Barney is not intimidated at all by being a small fish in a big pond. In fact, she is looking forward to it.
“It will be good for me. I want to study more seriously and be around people who are serious about the same things I am,” she said.
Before Barney begins Walnut Hill in the fall, she will continue honing her craft and having fun at the famed performing arts camp Stagedoor Manor this summer in the Catskill mountains.
Barney is going to miss her family and friends, but more than anything, she is looking forward to the new experience.
And what about those cold Massachusetts winters?
“I’m ready for it,” she said. “I love the snow. Bring it on.”
