Education

Dance Classes

Fall 2024 Class Schedule

Registration for Spring 2025 coming the first week in December.

Tuesday

4:00-4:30 - Creative Ballet Ages 3-6 (30min) $235 

4:45-5:30 - Ballet 1 Ages 6-8 (45min) $285

5:30-6:30 - Ballet 2 Ages 8-11 (60min) $335

Wednesday

4:00-4:30 - Creative Ballet Ages 3-6 (30min) $235

4:45-5:30 - Ballet 1 Ages 6-8 (45min) $285

5:30-6:30 - Jazz Ages 7-11 (60min) $335

Creative Ballet students will learn basic ballet steps while also learning how to point feet, stretch legs, hold arm placement and remember movement phrases. Students will work on building strength, flexibility, musicality, and self awareness while still enjoying games, dance stories, and creative play. 

Ballet 1 & 2 bridge the gap between pre-ballet and more serious ballet studies. Students are introduced to more formal training through ballet barre exercises, center work, traveling steps, and choreography. Students focus on correct posture, alignment, and feet and arm placement in order to develop a strong foundation for more advanced classical ballet training.  

Jazz Dance combines techniques of ballet and modern dance with current forms of popular dance. This class will include stretching, isolations, traveling steps, turns as well  fun choreography to pop and broadway tunes. 

Important Dates

August 13-14: Classes Begin

October 8-9:  No classes, Fall Break

November 26-27: No classes, Thanksgiving Break

December 8: Dress Rehearsal 2-4pm

December 9: Recital at 5:30pm


 
 
 
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GUITAR LESSONS

GUITAR LESSONS 

GPAC OFFERS PRIVATE GUITAR LESSONS TO STUDENTS OF ALL AGES WITH SINGER/SONGWRITER JOSH THRELKELD.

Through one-on-one sessions and group lessons, students will sharpen techniques, learn compositions and understand different genres.

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REGISTRATION

To receive a registration form contact:

Emily Hefley
emily@gpacweb.com

SCHEDULE

Mon - Thurs between 2-7 pm.

PB & J on Tour

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Emily Hefley
emily@gpacweb.com
901-751-7665

PB&J ON TOUR AT SCHOOLS

GPAC recognizes that not all children are able to attend the Peanut Butter & Jam sessions that are hosted at our location throughout the season because of transportation issues, the price of admission, or both.  The PB & J On Tour Program takes music and dance artists to selected schools all over the mid south are to perform for students in grades K-2.

The goals of this program are:

  • Introduce PreK-2 children to different styles and genres of music, movement, and performing arts. 

  • Promote literacy through the performing arts

Outcomes include:

  • Spark classroom discussion and written response after viewing two different performing arts genres.

  • Engage students during live performances through both physical (clap, tap, move etc) and mental (listen, observe, understand, connect) senses. 

  • Provide students with a “Brain Break”

HOW IT WORKS:

GPAC schedules two different shows to be performed at your school in the fall and spring. Shows are specifically geared toward K-2 and vary in themes (music, dance, theater and cultural arts). GPAC provides all the necessary sound equipment (if schools do not have a sound system) to better enhance the performance. Surveys will be conducted after each performance along with a focus group at the end of the GPAC season.

This FREE program is funded through the GPAC Arts Education Fund and local grants.

 

Special thanks to our Peanut Butter & Jam On Tour Sponsor

 
 

Creative Arts Ensemble

Creative Arts Ensemble

Creative Arts Ensemble is a multi-disciplinary experience that provides adults with disabilities the opportunity to be understood and heard, to execute self-expression, to build confidence and promote self advocacy through multimedia forms of art.

2024-2025 Workshops

Friday, January 31, 6-8pm - Iris Collective

Friday, April 11, 6-8pm - Iris Collective

Friday, May 2, 6-8pm - Iris Collective

Pizza and drinks will be provided. Please reserve your spot by emailing jenn@gpacweb.com

Workshops are FREE thanks to the GPAC Arts Education Fund

Questions?

Please contact:

Emily Hefley
Programming Director
901-751-7665
emily@GPACweb.com

Jenn King
Education and Engagement Coordinator
901-751-7665
jenn@gpacweb.com

SCHOOL MATINEES

SCHOOL MATINEES

GPAC connects children, teachers and schools across the Mid-South with the performing arts during exciting weekday performances of music, dance and theater. GPAC student matinees are specifically designed to engage students on a deeper level by exposing them to high-quality performing arts, complementing school curricula and expanding cultural awareness. Reserve your spot starting today!

Ticket Prices: $8 per student and 1 Free Teacher/Chaperone ticket per 10

Frequently Asked Questions

Reservation Form

CAMPS

Summer Arts Camp 2024

GPAC offers opportunities for creative self-discovery through half-day summer arts camps in dance, music, and art for ages 3 and up. Camps are designed to stimulate artistic talents and provide enjoyable, enriching experiences.

Contact emily@gpacweb.com to inquire about financial assistance for our summer camps.

CONTACT

Jenn King
Education and Engagement Coordinator
jenn@gpacweb.com
(901) 751-7500

GPAC YOUTH SYMPHONY PROGRAM

GPAC YOUTH SYMPHONY PROGRAM

The GPAC Youth Symphony Program is dedicated to the highest standards of music and is open to career-oriented students as well as those who wish to study music for the pure enjoyment, inherent benefits of and appreciation for the art form. For more information please contact Emily Hefley at emily@gpacweb.com or 901-751-7665.

PEANUT BUTTER AND JAM

PEANUT BUTTER AND JAM

GPAC’s celebrated Peanut Butter & Jam Family Series marks its 29th season this year. Part of our Arts Education Programming, the series introduces children ages 8 and under to a variety of genres including music, dance, and multicultural arts in an informal family concert setting. Parents and children are invited to move and groove in these highly interactive performances held on scheduled Saturdays at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. (unless otherwise noted) in the Watkins Studio Theater. Tickets are Pay-What-You-Can.