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Students with dreams of becoming musicians, dancers or creative artists are turning those dreams into reality right here in Aurora!
The Charles Burrell Visual and Performing Arts Campus (Burrell Arts), Aurora's only rigorous, arts-integrated educational campus for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, launched last August and has recently completed a beautiful renovation. The Burrell Arts Campus students, families and staff recently came together with the Aurora Public Schools community to mark this special occasion and celebrate the campus' namesake, Charles Burrell.
"My dad would always say that if you're going to be good, stick to it and practice, practice, practice," said Charles Burrell's daughter Joyce Burrell Garcia. She delivered a heartfelt speech on behalf of her father and the Burrell family.
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Mr. Burrell is commonly referred to as "the Jackie Robinson of Classical Music" for being the first Black person to be a member of a major American symphony orchestra. After performing for 50 years, Burrell retired from the orchestra in 1999. During that time, he also performed in the Colorado Opera Orchestra and the Central City Opera Orchestra.
He will turn 103 this year and was thrilled to join the celebration with the students that proudly carry on his creative legacy.
"The students and staff here at Burrell Arts are like family where we support and embrace each other's creativity," said Burrell Arts ninth-grade student Nilaja'nai Lloyd. "I couldn't have asked for a better place to learn and grow as an aspiring musician."
At Burrell Arts K-8, students will enjoy a new music room along with new digital, STEAM and art labs. The school is excited for its students to take advantage of many state-of-the-art lab and learning spaces. At nearby Aurora Central High School, which houses the Burrell Arts 9-12 Pathway, students now have a new digital music lab and a newly-renovated media center and makerspace, a collaborative and creative space for hands-on learning.
The K-8 school is housed in the former Peoria Elementary School building. Both the K-8 building and Aurora Central High School were built in the 1950s.
Aurora Public Schools is powering student potential through Blueprint APS, the district's long-term education and facilities plan. With magnet schools or programs like the Burrell Arts Campus, we equip students with the knowledge and unique skills to follow their dreams.