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St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly and friends joined hands to inaugurate the new St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists. (MPR Photo/Marianne Combs)

A new public arts school is celebrating the start of its first year in downtown St. Paul, but already it's looking to becoming a national center for arts education.

St. Paul, Minn. — Standing outside the Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul in the full midday sun, Mayor Randy Kelly seemed especially proud as he addressed the students of the new St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists.

"You know you are making history here as the first year of students in this wonderful school," says Kelly. "You guys will be pioneers."

From the beginning of his term four years ago Mayor Kelly says it's been his vision to create a state of the art, nationally recognized high school; a place where talented young people can train to become performing artists while gaining an exceptional academic education as well. Kelly says he is sure the conservatory will become the crown jewel of Minnesota's professional arts education, and grow into a destination for young artists not just around the region, but the country. The conservatory's executive director, Terry Tofte, agrees, but admits they've got a ways to go.

"I'd like to introduce my staff but I barely know them myself," Tofte jokes, "we just got started."

Still Tofte says the school has gotten off to an excellent start, drawing students from five states.

"We were planning on 140 students. We have 160 and we treasure every one of those students," says Tofte.

The St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists makes its new home in the Landmark Center. The Landmark Center was built in 1902 and originally served as the Federal Court House and Post Office for the Upper Midwest. The St. Paul Conservatory is just one of many cultural organizations housed in the building; others include the American Association of Woodturners, the Minnesota Boychoir, the North Star Opera Company and the Schubert Club. Students will attend academic classes in the Landmark Center, but for dance they'll head over to the RiverCentre and for theater they'll rehearse on the stages of the neighboring Ordway Center for Performing Arts. The Ordway is the official sponsor of the new school. Ordway President and CEO David Galligan is quick to remind the audience that the Ordway is the number one cultural destination for Twin Cities student field trips.

"So we're already well into the education business," says Galligan, "but of course it's a particular thrill to be in partnership with a school and to work with young men and women, young artists who are just at the threshold, the starting points of their careers."

Many of those young artists enrolled in the conservatory even though they have only one year left in high school. Emily Harringshaw is 18 years old.

"I'm a dancer, ballet particularly, and for me this was just so exciting to hear about - I wanted the opportunity to take [lessons] from some excellent teachers and here the teachers are incredible," says Harringshaw. "It's exciting and nerve-wracking and exciting!"

Jessica Schuett is also interested in dance. She left home-schooling to attend the St. Paul Conservatory for her senior year.

"I like being at this school because I get the social opportunities, and I also liked being home-schooled because it allows you to be independent," says Schuett. "But this school allows for a lot of independence also; I just feel really blessed to be allowed to come to a school like this."

The St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists is offering dance and theater in its first year, but in the coming years plans to add vocal music, instrumental music, film and television production.