Student Experiences

Each year, thousands of students ride buses to the Lensic to enjoy free matinees. For many, it’s an essential introduction to the performing arts and a once-a-year opportunity to experience a live performance. The Lensic partners with the Santa Fe Public Schools PASS  (Performing Arts for Student Success) program to bring children in grades K through 6 to the Lensic at least once during each academic year. Different, age-appropriate art forms are presented for each grade level.

We are so grateful to Enterprise Bank and Trust for their generous support of the Lensic’s COMPPASS events!

Students have a chance to learn directly with professional dancers, musicians, actors, and filmmakers in classes led by Lensic Presents artists. Masterclasses take place at local schools or here at the Lensic and include activities such as skills workshops, discussions, and performances.

In the 2024-2025 school year, we presented 13 visiting artists who impacted over 300 students.

• Jazz legend Branford Marsalis worked with New Mexico School for the Arts music students.
• The Second City led improv workshops with theater students at Santa Fe High.
• Paul Taylor taught pieces of their repertoire to Capital High School Dance students.
• The musicians of International Guitar Night—Alexandra Whittingham, Niwel Tsumbu, Sönke Meinen, and Lulo Reinhardt—led a workshop with student guitarists from Santa Fe Indian School.
• Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Luther S. Allison coached Santa Fe High School band students.
• American Spiritual Ensemble’s founder, Dr. Everett McCorvey, led a music clinic with Los Alamos High School choir students.