South Orange Performing Arts Center Inc

Programs: In 2017 154 performances took place at sopac. Sopac's programming is a carefully considered mix, with both popular appeal and cultural significance,reflecting the diverse communities served. Sopacs superb acoustics and small size create a unique and untimate connection between artists and audiences, and its niche has become presenting singer-songwriters. Sopac honors americana,jazz and blues;supports the work of nj's choreographers and dance companies and presents inspiring children's programming. Sopac presented 23 shows to school audiences,serving more than 7000 students from over 42 school districts in essex, union, hudson, morris, somerset and passaic counties. Sopac's long time commitment to providing public school children with the opportunity to experience live performances and interaction with professional artists is at the heart of its charitable mission. For many of the children who attend our school performances, it is their first, and sometimes only exposure to a live performance by professional artists. Sopac piloted a classical music artists-in-residency program in east orange, nj. 30 east orange public high school music students received instruction from juilliard-trained instructors in a residency program tailored to provide advanced classical music instruction while aligning with curricular goals. The classical music sopac/juilliard in-school residency pilot program offered underserved students learning opportunities with high-caliber teaching artists,exposure to higher education options and a heightened awareness of classical music as a professional pursuit. This residency fostered the growth of sopac's arts education program and gave the musically taleneted high school students in east orange the chance to study with professional artists.