All instrumental, vocal and compositional areas can be accommodated at PGSA except organ, harp and unusual instruments such as bagpipes or hammered dulcimers. Students develop their own schedules for study. They recieve one intensive private lesson in their applied area each week and divide other time among small ensemble experiences, individual practice and courses in music fundamentals, improvisation, ear training, theory, music history, music criticism, conducting, contemporary music and many other optional classes. Vocal music studies emphasize calssical and operatic experiences. Percussion emphasizes non-mallet performance.
Actors study acting technique and text analysis, improvisation, movement and voice.
Design students study play analysis, research, drafting, rendering, painting, carpentry and state management. An emphasis is placed on the student's creative problem solving and knowledge of language, ideas and culture. All students participate in daily warm-up exercises. Electives All PGSA participants select one elective art area to pursue during weekday afternoons. Students are required to go entirely outside of their major art area to select an elective.