Back Row: Saul Hernandez-Trejo, Guitar; Micaela Campos, Choir; Jeffrey Hall, Orchestra; Starr Taylor, Art
Front Row: Ruth Lim, Band; Melissa LeBlanc, Dance; Erica Vallejo, Theatre; Dawn Piper, Art; Arnie Yanez, Band
Fine Arts Staff
With over 125 years combined teaching experience, our Covington Fine Arts staff is looking forward to working with all students at Covington, from beginner to advanced. Join us for an excellent creative experience here at Covington Middle School.
Covington Fine Arts Academy is comprised of award winning students and faculty in music, theatre, dance, the visual arts, and digital arts. Along with a high quality fine arts program, the academic core teachers are using drama based instruction and visual arts enhanced strategies, as a part of the AISD Creative Learning Initiative in their classrooms to increase rigor and develop a deeper and richer understanding of the state curriculum.
This creative learning is an integral part of the educational process that stimulates our students’ intellect and peaks their curiosity, creativity and imaginations.
The beauty of these techniques is that they easily engage students and immediately help create an environment for focused inquiry and cross-curricular learning opportunities. The instructional techniques used with this focus emphasize the broader goals of problem-solving and creative thinking through the creation of kinesthetic and interactive experiences.
If you submit a transfer request for a priority or general transfer prior to applying to this program, acceptance into this program will supersede an approved priority or general transfer.
Fine arts application timeline for the 2026-27 school year:
November 2025 - January 30, 2026 – FFA Application window opens https://tinyurl.com/covingtonfaa202627
December 13, 2025 – CMSFAA Application Workshop in Fine Arts Building Foyer 10am-Noon Q&A and guidance on application/audition process.
January 30, 2026- Deadline for submitting applications for 2025-2026 school year Completed applications include: essay, teacher recommendations, report cards, and standardized test results.
Week of February 2, 2026 – CMSFAA will notify qualified applicants their advancement letter indicating advancement to Audition Phase. Students will be contacted with an assigned audition time.
February 14, 2026 – FAA Theatre and Art Auditions/Interviews at Covington 9am-1pm.
February 21, 2026 – FAA Art, Dance, Music (Band, Choir, Guitar Orchestra) Auditions/Interviews at Covington 9am-3pm.
March 2, 2026– CMSFAA Decisions Emailed.
You must reply to ruth.lim@austinisd.org to notify that you are accepting Covington’s Decision.
TBA – Deadline for Students to Accept Seat at CMSFAA in Enroll Austin
The following dates are subject to change; due to AISD Enroll Austin deadlines. Submitting earlier is recommended.
