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. Ashley Mims, DAIS Head of Performing Arts: “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.”
Ms. Terry Saez, Choir Teacher at DAIS: "It was an inspiring two weeks! Honestly, it was excellent—even better than I had hoped for. From my perspective as the choir teacher, watching Nick and Brian interact with our students was a masterclass in itself. They aren't just curriculum specialists; they are incredibly skilled performers and educators who know exactly how to connect with young musicians. Seeing our students' energy and hearing the immediate growth in their understanding was a wonderful confirmation of why we started this partnership. Speaking for myself, I believe the atmosphere in the performing arts department was hopeful in the potential growth and support for such a collaboration."
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, Music Curriculum Specialist: “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.”
Ms. Terry Saez: "The goal was really about observation and connection. They came in with fresh ears and open minds. They sat in on our classes, observed our current routines, and listened to our students. The idea was for them to get a genuine feel for who we are as a learning community right now—our strengths, our culture, and our areas for growth. They weren't here to "fix" anything or impose a new curriculum overnight. They wanted to see the foundation we've already built so that, moving forward, the Juilliard enhancements feel like a natural and powerful extension of what we do every day."
Mr. Mahmat, Drama Curriculum Specialist: “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.”
Voices from both our performing arts team and the visiting Juilliard experts highlight the powerful impact this partnership will be having on teaching, learning, and creative growth.
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.
Ms. Saez: "The benefits are going to be incredible and very hands-on. For my students, the biggest gift is getting to work face-to-face with these artistic role models. Nick gave a master class during Musical Theater that enhanced our teaching and learning, offering new methods and clear, level‑appropriate explanations that immediately made sense to students. Brian worked with my middle school group, focusing on creating music through their own background knowledge, and it was remarkable to see how this approach resonated with both bilingual students and native speakers; everyone had a point of entry, and everyone felt their ideas mattered. Those “aha” moments from a new voice are priceless. As a teacher, this collaboration is just as exciting because it goes beyond a single visit. Having a discipline-specific collaborative voice means I now have colleagues at Juilliard to brainstorm with, and I know that at any point during performance preparation I can reach out and ask, “How would you approach this?” That kind of ongoing support makes me a better teacher, and a better teacher means better learning for the students."
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.“
Ms. Saez: "Working with them this week also served as a masterclass for us music teachers directly. Watching them work reminded me, especially, why it is so useful to simply pause and ask the students why they are doing what they chose to do during the process of learning. It’s about keeping the class engaged in communicating what they are thinking. That reflective moment—asking them to articulate their choices—deepens their understanding so much more than just singing the right notes. That’s a technique I am absolutely working on to keep doing as part of my routine despite the language barrier in some classes.
As for the program, the best part is that this is just the beginning! Nick and Brian will be coming back again next year to do it all again. The fact that they remain assigned to our school specifically is a game-changer. It means we don't have to start over each time. We can build a multi-year plan to grow our programs in a really thoughtful and progressive way. It’s the start of a long-term artistic relationship, and I can't wait to see where our programs will be this time next year."
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.
