The New York High School for the Performing Arts is well known from its depiction in the Fame movie and subsequent TV series. The school merged with a sister school and is now known as the Fiorello H. Guardia High School of Music, Art & Performing Arts, based in Manhattan. The prospectus includes programs for Dance, Drama, Visual Arts, Vocal, Instrumental Music, and Technical Theatre. In addition to their chosen arts subject, students must study a required curriculum, including English, Math, Science, History, Language and Physical Education. This Performing Arts School (from the original school) has produced an impressive number of alumni over the years, including Laura Nyro, Suzanne Vega, Jennifer Aniston, Adrien Brody, and Wesley Snipes.

The Juillard School in New York City is housed at the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts. It has an international reputation for its program of dance, drama, and music. The school’s alumni are particularly well represented in the world of classical music and jazz. Jazz trumpeter Miles Davis, cellist Yo Yo Ma, and minimalist composer Philip Glass all attended Juillard. Famous actors have also come through its doors, including Kelsey Grammar, Kevin Spacey and Robin Williams. All music students at this Performing Arts School must study sight singing and music theory, along with their chosen instrument. The Juillard is well known for its school orchestras, jazz orchestras, string quartet and vocal and choral groups. The Juillard Orchestra represented the school when touring China in 2008. The school has a collection of manuscripts and scores by Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Chopin and others.The Brit School in London for 4 – 19 year olds is the only Performing Arts School in the UK that is state funded. Students can study Performing Arts, Media, Art and Design, and Technology. Facilities are top notch with a school theatre, dance studios, and television and radio studios. The annual Brit Awards for music raises money to help with the running of the school. A number of successful female singers have graduated, including Amy Winehouse, Leona Lewis, Kate Nash, Katie Melua and Adele.

When Paul McCartney’s old school building in Liverpool fell derelict, he joined forces with Mark Featherstone-Witty (the founder of the Brit School), to create a new Performing Arts School. The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) has been a great success. The prospectus consists of nine BA Hons. Degrees, and Post Graduate Diplomas and a Master of Arts program. Subjects covered include Music, Dance, Acting, Sound Technology, Arts Management and Theatre Design. There are also weekend classes for children aged 4 – 19 years old. A number of well known musicians and actors have appeared as guest speakers, including John Hurt, Nitin Sawhney, Terence Stamp, Robin Gibb and Joan Armatrading.