Student Life at ACAPA
At ACAPA, student life extends well beyond the rehearsal hall and the studio. Eastbridge is a close-knit Vermont college town, and our campus is home to a vibrant community of artists, performers, scholars, and makers. With approximately 850 undergraduate and graduate students, ACAPA offers the intimacy of a conservatory with the breadth of a full residential college experience.
Housing & Dining
Residential Options
All first-year students are required to live on campus. ACAPA guarantees housing to all undergraduate students for all four years, subject to availability and disciplinary good standing. Graduate students are eligible for on-campus housing on a first-come, first-served basis. There are four residential halls and one suite-style building on the ACAPA campus:
| Hall | Capacity | Style | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caldwell Hall | 180 | Traditional double/single rooms | First-year students; co-ed floors; built 1952, renovated 2009 |
| Merritt House | 120 | Traditional doubles | Upperclass; practice-room-adjacent; built 1961 |
| Wexford Suites | 96 | Suite-style (4-person) | Juniors, seniors, graduate students; kitchen in each suite; built 2003 |
| Aldgate Cottage | 28 | Small single rooms | Graduate students and visiting artists; built 1948 |
| Pellman Hall | 140 | Double/triple rooms | First- and second-year students; gender-inclusive floors available; built 1971, renovated 2017 |
All residential halls are smoke-free. Practice rooms are available in Caldwell Hall (basement) and adjacent to Merritt House until midnight on weekdays and 1:00 a.m. on weekends. Pets are not permitted in on-campus housing. A limited number of single rooms are available; contact the Office of Residential Life for availability.
Off-campus housing: Eastbridge has a small but active rental market. The Office of Residential Life maintains a listing board of available apartments and rooms within walking and cycling distance of campus. Many juniors and seniors choose to live in Eastbridge's South Quarter neighborhood, approximately 0.6 miles from campus.
Dining
The Brannigan Dining Commons (Brannigan Hall, first floor) serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner Monday through Friday, and brunch and dinner on weekends. A resident meal plan is required for all students living in Caldwell Hall and Pellman Hall. Upperclass students on other plans may choose from the following:
- Standard Plan — 19 meals/week plus $75 dining dollars per semester
- Flexible Plan — 14 meals/week plus $175 dining dollars per semester
- Block 80 Plan — 80 meals per semester plus $200 dining dollars
- Commuter Plan — $300 dining dollars per semester (off-campus students only)
Brannigan Dining Commons accommodates a wide range of dietary needs, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, halal, and kosher options. Students with severe allergies should contact Dining Services at dining@acapa.edu to arrange individualized meal accommodations. A smaller café, the Hartwell Café, is located inside Hartwell Library and is open Sunday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., offering light fare, espresso drinks, and baked goods.
Student Organizations
ACAPA currently recognizes 47 student organizations, ranging from performance ensembles and discipline-specific clubs to social justice groups, recreational clubs, and media outlets. All registered organizations are eligible for funding through the Student Government Association (SGA). New organizations may petition for recognition each fall and spring semester.
Performing & Creative Organizations
- ACAPA Chamber Players — student-led chamber ensemble, open audition each fall
- New Works Lab — student-produced theatrical productions and workshop readings
- Eastbridge Film Collective — student filmmaking, screening events at Crandall Cinema
- ACAPA Improv Troupe — comedy and theatrical improv, weekly performances during term
- Student Dance Company — collaborative choreography and biannual concerts
- ACAPA Jazz Ensemble — big band and small group jazz, open to all instruments
- Morrow Gallery Student Collective — organizes exhibitions in the Morrow Gallery student wing
- Composition Forum — workshopping new compositions; meets bi-weekly
- Eastbridge Voices — a cappella vocal ensemble, no formal audition requirement
- Photography Club — darkroom access, exhibitions in Hargrove Pavilion lobby
Academic & Professional Organizations
- Music Theory Society — lectures, workshops, and the annual Schenkerian Analysis competition
- Arts Management Club — career development for students in arts administration and production
- The Eastbridge Review — ACAPA's annual student literary and arts journal, published each spring
- WACA 91.3 FM — ACAPA's student-run radio station, broadcasting since 1961
- The Conservatory Courier — weekly student newspaper, print and digital editions
- Music Education Society — for students in the Music Education degree track; community outreach programs
Cultural, Social & Identity Organizations
- Black Student Alliance
- Asian & Pacific Islander Collective
- Latinx Artists Network
- LGBTQ+ Alliance at ACAPA
- First Generation College Students Network
- International Students Association
- ACAPA Veterans and Military-Affiliated Students
- Disability Arts Collective
- Green Arts Initiative — sustainability and environmental advocacy
Recreational & Special Interest
- ACAPA Outing Club — hiking, skiing, snowshoeing in the Green Mountains; weekly trips
- Chess Club
- Board & Tabletop Gaming Society
- Yoga & Meditation Circle
- ACAPA Running Club — weekly runs on the Eastbridge River Trail
Starting a new organization: Any group of five or more currently enrolled students may petition for SGA recognition. Submit a constitution and statement of purpose to the Student Government Association by the published deadline each semester. Recognized organizations receive a campus mailbox, bulletin board space in Hargrove Pavilion, and eligibility for SGA activity fund grants.
Wellness Center
The ACAPA Wellness Center is located on the ground floor of Hargrove Pavilion (Room 012) and provides integrated health, counseling, and wellness services to all enrolled students. Services are confidential and included in the student health fee. Appointments are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Same-day urgent appointments are held each morning from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m.
Health Services
- Primary care and sick visits
- Immunization and travel health
- Sexual health and reproductive health services
- Prescription management and referrals
- Testing for STIs, strep, influenza, COVID-19
- Allergy injections (by prior arrangement with home provider)
After-hours urgent care: Students are directed to Eastbridge Medical Center (2.1 miles from campus) or may call the Wellness Center's after-hours nurse line at (802) 555-0140.
Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)
CAPS provides individual short-term counseling, group therapy, crisis intervention, and psychiatric services. A specialized Performer Wellness Program addresses challenges unique to conservatory students, including performance anxiety, audition stress, musician injury, and career-related mental health concerns. Students seeking long-term counseling are assisted with referrals to community providers in Eastbridge and the surrounding area.
- Individual counseling (up to 10 sessions per year at no cost)
- Group counseling: Anxiety Management, Grief & Loss, LGBTQ+ Support Circle, Musicians in Recovery
- Psychiatric consultations and medication management
- Crisis walk-in hours: Mon–Fri, 1:00–3:00 p.m.
- 24-hour crisis line: (802) 555-0199
Musician Health & Injury Prevention
ACAPA's Performer Wellness Program includes consultations with a physical therapist specializing in performing arts medicine. Services include ergonomic assessments, injury prevention workshops, and Alexander Technique instruction (offered as a non-credit course each semester). Students experiencing performance-related pain or repetitive strain injuries are strongly encouraged to seek early evaluation. The Wellness Center partners with Eastbridge Physical Therapy Associates for on-campus PT appointments twice per week.
Wellness Programs & Resources
- Mindfulness and meditation drop-ins (Tues. and Thurs., 12:00–1:00 p.m., Wellness Center Room 014)
- Nutrition counseling (registered dietitian, by appointment)
- Alcohol and substance use education; Collegiate Recovery Support Group
- Safe sex supplies and hygiene products available at no cost at the front desk
- Narcan (naloxone) distribution and training
Full information: Wellness Center page | Email: wellness@acapa.edu
Career Services
The Office of Career Development & Professional Practice (OCDPP) is located in Hartwell Library, Room 204. Staff provide advising and programming tailored specifically to careers in the arts, entertainment, education, and related industries. The office serves current students and alumni within five years of graduation at no charge.
Services Available
- One-on-one career advising appointments (walk-in hours: Mon. & Wed., 1:00–3:00 p.m.)
- Résumé and CV review; audition portfolio preparation
- Cover letter and artist statement coaching
- Interview preparation, including mock auditions
- Grant-writing workshops and artist residency application assistance
- Access to the ACAPA Internship & Job Board
- Connections to the ACAPA Alumni Network for mentorship
Annual Events
- Arts Career Expo — held each October; regional arts organizations, ensembles, theaters, galleries, and agencies attend to recruit ACAPA students
- Spring Audition Weekend — panel discussions and live audition critiques with industry professionals
- Freelance Arts Workshop — February; taxes, contracts, health insurance, and financial literacy for working artists
- Graduate School Information Day — March; conservatories and arts graduate programs visit campus
Internship Program
ACAPA partners with over 80 cultural organizations nationally for credit-bearing internships, including theaters, orchestras, dance companies, film studios, galleries, and arts nonprofits. Domestic internships typically take place in summer or during January Term. International internship placements are coordinated through the Office of Academic Programs. Students must complete at least 48 credit hours before undertaking a credit-bearing internship.
Campus Facilities
Hargrove Pavilion
The Hargrove Pavilion (completed 1984, expanded 2001) is ACAPA's primary student union and administrative hub. It houses the Wellness Center, the Student Government Association offices, the Office of Student Affairs, the Campus Bookstore, a mailroom, a computer lab (24 accessible workstations), the Hargrove Multi-Purpose Room (capacity 220, rentable by student organizations), and a commuter lounge. The Pavilion also features a bulletin board corridor known informally as "The Arcade" where student organizations post flyers and announcements. Wi-Fi access throughout. Hours: Monday–Thursday 7:00 a.m.–midnight; Friday 7:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday 9:00 a.m.–midnight.
Morrow Gallery
The Morrow Gallery (dedicated 1969, in honor of benefactor Eleanor Morrow, class of 1954) occupies the ground floor of the Visual Arts Building. It maintains two exhibition spaces: the main gallery (1,200 sq. ft.), which hosts rotating professional and faculty exhibitions, and the smaller Student Wing (600 sq. ft.), which is programmed entirely by the Morrow Gallery Student Collective. All ACAPA students may submit work for juried student exhibitions held each fall, winter, and spring. Gallery hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; closed Mondays. Admission free.
Crandall Cinema
Crandall Cinema (est. 1971, renovated 2014) is a 110-seat screening facility located in the lower level of the Performing Arts Center. It is equipped with 4K digital projection, Dolby Atmos surround sound, and a 16mm film projection system. The cinema hosts the ACAPA Film Series (curated screenings open to students and the public, Fridays at 7:00 p.m.), student film premieres, visiting filmmaker lectures, and classes in Film Studies and Cinematography. The Eastbridge Film Collective holds monthly student screening nights. Tickets for public film series screenings: $5 general, free for ACAPA students with valid ID.
Hartwell Library
Hartwell Library is ACAPA's primary library and academic resource center. The collection includes approximately 68,000 volumes, 14,000 scores and sheet music items, 8,500 recordings, and digital access to major arts and humanities databases. Special collections include the Elspeth Vane-Hartwell Archive of early 20th-century American theatrical ephemera and a collection of manuscript scores donated by ACAPA faculty composers. The library's listening rooms (6 individual booths, 2 group rooms) support score study and audio research. Librarians with expertise in music, theater, and fine arts are available for research consultations by appointment. The Hartwell Café (ground floor) serves light food and beverages. Hours during term: Mon–Thurs 8:00 a.m.–midnight; Fri 8:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.; Sat 10:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.; Sun 11:00 a.m.–midnight.
Other Campus Facilities
| Facility | Location | Key Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Driscoll Recital Hall | Performing Arts Center, 2nd fl. | Recitals, chamber concerts, master classes (cap. 280) |
| Osgood Main Stage | Performing Arts Center, main floor | Full productions, major concerts (cap. 620) |
| Fitness Center | Pellman Hall, basement | Free weights, cardio equipment; open 6 a.m.–11 p.m. daily |
| Dance Studios (4) | Visual & Performing Arts Annex | Ballet, modern, contact improv; sprung floors; mirrors |
| Recording Studio | Music Building, Room 110 | Student booking available; Pro Tools and Logic workstations |
| Scene Shop & Costume Shop | Performing Arts Center, basement | Theater production; student shop access by arrangement |
| Ceramics & Sculpture Studio | Visual Arts Building, Room 205 | Open studio hours for enrolled VA students |
| Printmaking Studio | Visual Arts Building, Room 208 | Etching, lithography, relief; safety training required |
| Student Lounge ("The Green Room") | Performing Arts Center, 1st fl. | Informal gathering, vending, piano (upright) |
| Mail & Package Center | Hargrove Pavilion, Room 008 | Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; package pickup notifications by email |
Life in Eastbridge, Vermont
Eastbridge (pop. approx. 7,400) sits in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, bordered to the east by the Eastbridge River and framed by the Green Mountains to the west. ACAPA has been part of the Eastbridge community since its founding in 1947, and the college and town are deeply intertwined. Students, faculty, and townspeople share coffee shops, hiking trails, and performance venues, and the town actively supports ACAPA events throughout the year.
What’s Nearby
- Downtown Eastbridge (0.4 miles from campus): Main Street features a bookshop, two cafés, a vinyl record store, a hardware store, a co-op grocery, and several restaurants including the Maple & Grain Pub, a longstanding ACAPA student haunt.
- Eastbridge River Trail: A 4.2-mile walking and cycling trail along the riverbank, accessible from campus at the east end of Wexford Road. Connects to the Eastbridge State Forest trailhead.
- Eastbridge State Forest: Over 12,000 acres of hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing; accessible year-round. Popular with the ACAPA Outing Club.
- Harker Mountain Ski Area: 18 miles from campus; the ACAPA Outing Club operates weekend shuttles during ski season (November–March). Student discount available with ACAPA ID.
- Eastbridge Farmers Market: Saturdays, May through October, on the Town Green (0.3 miles). Local produce, maple products, artisan goods.
- Eastbridge Community Theater: A semi-professional regional theater at 44 Mill Street; ACAPA students regularly collaborate on productions and internships.
- Kingdom Brewing: A local craft brewery adjacent to downtown; open to students 21+.
Transportation
Students without cars can navigate Eastbridge easily on foot or by bicycle. ACAPA provides a limited fleet of loaner bicycles through the Green Transportation Program (sign out at the Hargrove Pavilion desk). A regional bus connects Eastbridge to Burlington (1 hr 45 min) and Montpelier (55 min) three times daily on weekdays and twice daily on weekends. The nearest Amtrak station is in Montpelier Junction (37 miles). ACAPA does not permit first-year students to have cars on campus.
Seasonal Life
Vermont's seasons define campus rhythm. Fall brings foliage, apple picking, and ACAPA's largest production season. Winter is defined by skiing, frozen pond skating on the Eastbridge Commons, and end-of-semester concert marathons. Spring arrives late but emphatically—mud season is real and rubber boots are recommended— and gives way to outdoor rehearsals, graduation ceremonies on the South Lawn, and the Eastbridge Arts Festival (held the first weekend of May, organized jointly by ACAPA and the town).
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
ACAPA is committed to building a campus community that is equitable, inclusive, and representative of the full range of human experience. The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (ODEI) is located in Hargrove Pavilion, Room 106. ODEI coordinates programming, policy advocacy, and resources supporting students of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities.
Programs & Initiatives
- ACAPA Affinity Housing: Gender-inclusive floor options in Pellman Hall; Affinity Living community for students from historically underrepresented groups (opt-in, Pellman 3rd floor)
- Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT): Students may report bias incidents to BIRT, which conducts follow-up and provides support to affected individuals
- Diversifying the Canon Initiative: A curricular project, in partnership with the academic departments, to expand representation of women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and non-Western artists across ACAPA's course offerings and required repertoire lists
- Cultural Heritage Month Programming: ODEI sponsors events throughout the academic year recognizing Black History Month, AAPI Heritage Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Pride, Native American Heritage Month, and others, in collaboration with student identity organizations
- Accessibility Services: Students with documented disabilities may register with ODEI to receive academic accommodations. Contact accessibility@acapa.edu or visit Hargrove Pavilion Room 108. Requesting accommodations early in the semester is strongly encouraged.
- Title IX: ACAPA's Title IX Coordinator is available in the Office of Student Affairs, Hargrove Pavilion Room 101. Resources and reporting options are available at acapa.edu/title-ix.
- First-Generation Scholars Program: Mentorship, stipends for summer internships, and peer community for first-generation college students; coordinated through the First Generation College Students Network.
- International Student Support: ODEI, in coordination with the Registrar, assists international students with visa maintenance, cultural adjustment, and connecting to the International Students Association.
ACAPA's non-discrimination policy applies to all programs, activities, and employment. ACAPA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Full policy: Non-Discrimination & Equal Opportunity Policy.
Student Government Association
The Student Government Association (SGA) is the elected representative body of ACAPA students. The SGA allocates the student activity fund, advocates to the administration on behalf of student interests, recognizes new student organizations, and appoints student representatives to college governance committees (including the Faculty Council, Academic Standards Committee, and Curriculum Committee). SGA general meetings are open to all students and take place every other Wednesday, 5:00 p.m., in the Hargrove Multi-Purpose Room. Elections are held in April each year.
Campus Safety
ACAPA Campus Safety operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Officers patrol campus on foot and by vehicle and provide evening escort service upon request. Emergency blue-light phones are located throughout campus and connect directly to Campus Safety dispatch.
- Emergency: Dial 911 or Campus Safety extension 5555 from any campus phone
- Non-emergency: (802) 555-0133
- Evening Escort Service: Call (802) 555-0133, available nightly 8:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.
- Annual Security Report: Available online and at the Campus Safety office, Hargrove Pavilion Room 001