The British International School of Houston (BISH) celebrated the Grand Opening of their innovative 275,000 square-foot campus with a star-studded line up.
Guests included STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS Actor and The Juiliard School Alumnus Adam Driver, Olympic Gold Medalist Laura Wilkinson, world-renowned musicians and Juiliard Alumni Charles Yang and Peter Dugan, and Juiliard President Dr. Joseph W. Polisi.
The event highlighted the groundbreaking collaboration between Juilliard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and BISH. Guests and speakers were treated to Student Showcases featuring MIT-inspired activities including LEGO EV3 Robots, musical performances by the school’s Jazz Band, Trumpeters and more.
Following the Student Showcases, Nord Anglia CEO Andrew Fitzmaurice delivered an inspiring opening address and was followed by Houston-based Olympic Gold Medalist Laura Wilkinson. Wilikinson is no stranger to ambition, resilience, determination, persistence and taking risks, all qualities she shares with the students at school. Later, Dr. Joseph W. Polisi addressed students and guests regarding the exciting collaboration between Juilliard and BISH. Dr. Polisi has been the Juiliard school President for 32 years and is an arts administrator, educator, public speaker, author, and bassoonist.
Driver, whose performance in GIRLS opposite Lena Dunham has garnered him three consecutive Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and a 2015 Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, answered student questions regarding his experiences during his time at Juilliard.
A musical performance by violinist Charles Yang and pianist Peter Dugan was another highlight of the program. Yang’s improvisational crossover abilities as a violinist, electric violinist, and vocalist have led him to featured performances with a variety of artists in festivals and venues around the world. A sought-after crossover artist, pianist Peter Dugan is equally at home in classical, jazz, and pop idioms. Principal Andrew Derry concluded the program with exhuberance for the coming school year. Before joining BISH, Derry successfully led international schools in the North America, Europe and Africa.
“As the most pedagogically advanced school in the world, our students and teachers benefit from the expertise of the world’s preeminent education institutions. With our performing arts curriculum developed in conjunction with The Juilliard School, and our exciting collaboration with MIT, we have ensured that BISH is a leader at the forefront of innovative education and that our students leave us fully prepared to compete and thrive on a global scale.”