At The Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts in downtown Los Angeles (known as Grand Arts High School) we have produced an original music video – Dream It! Do It! –directed and choreographed by Emmy, Golden Globe, NAACP Image, Drama Desk, Astaire and Olivier Award winner Debbie Allen. 

Dream It! Do It! had its World Premiere on July 15 at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.  The event featured remarks from arts education leaders, including Mark Slavkin, Director of Arts Education at The Wallis, and Denise Grande, Director of Arts Education at Los Angeles County Arts Commission.

Bruno, former Principal of the famous Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts (the renowned “Fame” School) in New York City, conceived the project as a way to celebrate the lives of young artists pursuing their dreams. Bruno said, “Dream it! Do it! inspires us to work together to ensure the arts thrive for future generations. It was exciting to collaborate with Ms. Allen on this project, which gave our students a way to share with the world the joy we create everyday at Grand Arts High School."

The video was filmed on location at the school’s state-of-art $232 million campus and stars students from the Los Angeles school system. Director and Choreographer Debbie Allen enlisted the help of some of the top professionals in the film and television industry, including cinematographer Oliver Bokelberg, currently Director of Photography of ABC’s hit drama “Scandal.”   

“Dream It! Do It!” is written by Norm (Thump) Nixon with musical direction by Grammy Nominated composer Stormy Sacks; vocal arrangements by Angel Hart, vocal coach to music celebrities including Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson. The song was recorded in Ricky Minor’s Red Lotus Studio at Sunset Gower Studios.  Kim Bruno produced the video. 

About Grand Arts

Located in the heart of downtown, Grand Arts opened in 2009, attracting LAUSD high school students from across Los Angeles. Grand Arts mission is to provide aspiring young artists with a uniquely balanced educational experience that combines conservatory arts training with college preparatory academics. Students major in one of the following disciplines: Dance, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, or Film & Television. At Grand Arts, passion for the arts is the basis for admission. The state-of-the-art campus is enriched by culturally and socio-economically diverse students who share a commitment to follow their artistic dreams and to lead creative lives.

Situated on the Grand Avenue corridor, Grand Arts offers an exciting arts-integrated public education and access to the rich cultural vibrancy of the Los Angeles arts community. Grand Arts students Dream It! Do It! and bring it to the world.