ARTS
We believe the arts are essential to a well-rounded education. Through visual arts, music, theater, and dance, students are encouraged to explore their creativity, develop their voice, and share their God-given talents with confidence.
From their earliest years to graduation day, the arts are woven into every stage of the FRA experience. Whether performing on stage, painting in the studio, or composing in our recording lab, students discover the power of creative expression.
Culminating experiences allow students to showcase their progress and passions in over 30 on-campus arts events grades K-12. For students interested in pursuing the arts at the highest levels, we proudly offer AP courses in the arts for AP Drawing, AP 3-Dimensional, AP Art History, and AP Music Theory.
Lower School
For our youngest learners, the arts are about joyful discovery. Through weekly enrichment activities in music, movement, and visual art, students explore self-expression, build confidence, and begin to uncover their unique gifts.
Middle School
In middle school, creative exploration expands. Fifth and sixth graders can choose between choir and band, while seventh and eighth graders delve deeper into theater and music, discovering new talents and building artistic confidence along the way.
Upper School
Upper school students take their creativity to the next level with enriching electives, productions, and co-curriculars. Many travel for performances or gain acceptance to selective programs, such as the Governor’s School for the Arts. Whether preparing a portfolio, leading a band, or performing on stage, our students leave FRA with refined skills and a lifelong love for the arts.
Friends of the Arts (FOTA)
Franklin Road Academy's Friends of the Arts (FOTA) was established to provide comprehensive support for the school's arts programs across all grade levels, from pre-k through 12th grade.
FOTA offers financial assistance, moral support, and volunteer opportunities for students and teachers involved in music, drama, and visual arts.
While the annual FOTA Flower sale contributes to fundraising efforts, the organization primarily relies on memberships to sustain its mission of enriching the arts community at FRA.
Arts News
![FRA Sophomore Charlotte Hefferan Admitted to Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1776286144/franklinroadacademycom/c8izt85ggdbydxowqu6k/CharlotteHAP-1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1776286144/franklinroadacademycom/c8izt85ggdbydxowqu6k/CharlotteHAP-1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1776286144/franklinroadacademycom/c8izt85ggdbydxowqu6k/CharlotteHAP-1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1776286144/franklinroadacademycom/c8izt85ggdbydxowqu6k/CharlotteHAP-1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1776286144/franklinroadacademycom/c8izt85ggdbydxowqu6k/CharlotteHAP-1.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1776286144/franklinroadacademycom/c8izt85ggdbydxowqu6k/CharlotteHAP-1.jpg","width":2200}])
Franklin Road Academy sophomore Charlotte Hefferan has been accepted into the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts for the summer 2026 session. She will participate in the visual arts program, along with fellow FRA student Elizabeth Weaver ’27.
![AP 3-D Art Students Get Pro Tips in Glassblowing at Nashville Studio]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1776860680/franklinroadacademycom/ugrrbvzsod4aodk9emw6/Glasshaus1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1776860680/franklinroadacademycom/ugrrbvzsod4aodk9emw6/Glasshaus1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1776860680/franklinroadacademycom/ugrrbvzsod4aodk9emw6/Glasshaus1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1776860680/franklinroadacademycom/ugrrbvzsod4aodk9emw6/Glasshaus1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1776860680/franklinroadacademycom/ugrrbvzsod4aodk9emw6/Glasshaus1.jpg","width":1344}])
A group of Franklin Road Academy upper school AP 3-D art students felt the heat of the furnace and the exhilaration of creating their own glass sculptures during a visit to Nashville Glasshaüs. Founded and owned by FRA alumnus Wyatt Maxwell, Nashville Glasshaüs is the city’s first glassblowing studio.
![Two FRA Juniors Accepted Into Carnegie Mellon Summer Drama Program]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1774460961/franklinroadacademycom/jg6jwnq9gr6xpbu0uqzu/CarnegieMellon-AvaKateAP-8.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1774460961/franklinroadacademycom/jg6jwnq9gr6xpbu0uqzu/CarnegieMellon-AvaKateAP-8.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1774460961/franklinroadacademycom/jg6jwnq9gr6xpbu0uqzu/CarnegieMellon-AvaKateAP-8.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1774460961/franklinroadacademycom/jg6jwnq9gr6xpbu0uqzu/CarnegieMellon-AvaKateAP-8.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1774460961/franklinroadacademycom/jg6jwnq9gr6xpbu0uqzu/CarnegieMellon-AvaKateAP-8.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1774460961/franklinroadacademycom/jg6jwnq9gr6xpbu0uqzu/CarnegieMellon-AvaKateAP-8.jpg","width":2200}])
Franklin Road Academy juniors Ava Dinkel and Kate McGuire will participate in Carnegie Mellon University’s pre-college drama program this summer. The Carnegie Mellon School of Drama ranks among the best training programs in the world.
![Bob Chandler Named Nashville Jazz Educator of the Year]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1774356514/franklinroadacademycom/drsnccjlo1iqaqve8jsl/BobChandlerAP-1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1774356514/franklinroadacademycom/drsnccjlo1iqaqve8jsl/BobChandlerAP-1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1774356514/franklinroadacademycom/drsnccjlo1iqaqve8jsl/BobChandlerAP-1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1774356514/franklinroadacademycom/drsnccjlo1iqaqve8jsl/BobChandlerAP-1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1774356514/franklinroadacademycom/drsnccjlo1iqaqve8jsl/BobChandlerAP-1.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1774356514/franklinroadacademycom/drsnccjlo1iqaqve8jsl/BobChandlerAP-1.jpg","width":2200}])
Esteemed Franklin Road Academy music teacher Mr. Bob Chandler has been named the 2026 High School Jazz Educator of the Year by the Nashville Youth Jazz Ensemble. Chandler, the director of instrumental music, has taught at FRA for nearly three decades.
![FRA Junior Elizabeth Weaver Admitted to Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1774359033/franklinroadacademycom/rlk1ewtfvmoxvi8k4ynx/ElizabethWeaver.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1774359033/franklinroadacademycom/rlk1ewtfvmoxvi8k4ynx/ElizabethWeaver.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1774359033/franklinroadacademycom/rlk1ewtfvmoxvi8k4ynx/ElizabethWeaver.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1774359033/franklinroadacademycom/rlk1ewtfvmoxvi8k4ynx/ElizabethWeaver.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1774359033/franklinroadacademycom/rlk1ewtfvmoxvi8k4ynx/ElizabethWeaver.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1774359033/franklinroadacademycom/rlk1ewtfvmoxvi8k4ynx/ElizabethWeaver.jpg","width":2200}])
Franklin Road Academy junior Elizabeth Weaver has been accepted into the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts for the summer 2026 session. She will participate in the visual arts program.
![Franklin Road Academy to Stage U.S. Premiere of ‘Watership Down’]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1774375583/franklinroadacademycom/jlnovbhvwoysxuediko2/Theater_Stage.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1774375583/franklinroadacademycom/jlnovbhvwoysxuediko2/Theater_Stage.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1774375583/franklinroadacademycom/jlnovbhvwoysxuediko2/Theater_Stage.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1774375583/franklinroadacademycom/jlnovbhvwoysxuediko2/Theater_Stage.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1774375583/franklinroadacademycom/jlnovbhvwoysxuediko2/Theater_Stage.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1774375583/franklinroadacademycom/jlnovbhvwoysxuediko2/Theater_Stage.jpg","width":2200}])
The upper school at Franklin Road Academy will present “Watership Down,” based on the highly acclaimed novel by English author Richard Adams. The production is the U.S. premiere of this script adaptation.
![Jaden Holtschlag ’20 Joins Global Tour of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1758803190/franklinroadacademycom/g2eq9lfr87xej5xxmo1e/JadenHoltschlag.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1758803190/franklinroadacademycom/g2eq9lfr87xej5xxmo1e/JadenHoltschlag.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1758803190/franklinroadacademycom/g2eq9lfr87xej5xxmo1e/JadenHoltschlag.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1758803190/franklinroadacademycom/g2eq9lfr87xej5xxmo1e/JadenHoltschlag.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1758803190/franklinroadacademycom/g2eq9lfr87xej5xxmo1e/JadenHoltschlag.png","width":1418}])
Franklin Road Academy alumnus Jaden Holtschlag has joined the global tour of the award-winning Broadway musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
![Ross Bolen Receives Outstanding Teacher Award]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1757593603/franklinroadacademycom/udjwsoauucdsetqo52vi/RossBolenAP-1-edit.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1757593603/franklinroadacademycom/udjwsoauucdsetqo52vi/RossBolenAP-1-edit.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1757593603/franklinroadacademycom/udjwsoauucdsetqo52vi/RossBolenAP-1-edit.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1757593603/franklinroadacademycom/udjwsoauucdsetqo52vi/RossBolenAP-1-edit.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1757593603/franklinroadacademycom/udjwsoauucdsetqo52vi/RossBolenAP-1-edit.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1757593603/franklinroadacademycom/udjwsoauucdsetqo52vi/RossBolenAP-1-edit.png","width":2200}])
Director of Theater Ross Bolen has received an outstanding teacher award from the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts.
![FRA Announces Upper School and Middle School Musicals]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1755703350/franklinroadacademycom/vy5b9hxqnvh9elojfpyg/MusicalAnnouncementsAP-6.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1755703350/franklinroadacademycom/vy5b9hxqnvh9elojfpyg/MusicalAnnouncementsAP-6.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1755703350/franklinroadacademycom/vy5b9hxqnvh9elojfpyg/MusicalAnnouncementsAP-6.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1755703350/franklinroadacademycom/vy5b9hxqnvh9elojfpyg/MusicalAnnouncementsAP-6.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1755703350/franklinroadacademycom/vy5b9hxqnvh9elojfpyg/MusicalAnnouncementsAP-6.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1755703350/franklinroadacademycom/vy5b9hxqnvh9elojfpyg/MusicalAnnouncementsAP-6.jpg","width":2200}])
Franklin Road Academy announced that the upper school will perform “Grease: School Version” as its fall musical and the middle school will present the musical “Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Jr.” in the spring.