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Spotlight on NJPAC's Youth Arts Education Programs

originally published: 09/10/2022


(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) Arts Education programs bring a unique approach to arts education, connecting students K-12 with their well-experienced teaching artists. NJPAC’s students enjoy the state-of-the-art performance space for innovative, diverse performance and engagement for students and teachers. Through Jazz, Hip Hop, Acting, Poetry, and more, NJPAC provides its instructors with strategies for integrating creative practices into each class.

NJPAC, a widely recognized leader in Arts Education and innovation, welcomes students from the entire state of New Jersey where they can connect with other students to build an artistic community where they grow and create what is important to them through performance. Our Saturday class offerings in jazz, acting, musical theater, band, and hip hop learn with the care and talents of professionally recognized faculty and staff.

A student-driven, collaborative, and multidisciplinary program with a civic engagement focus. It was conceived as a safe space for students to discuss and produce art as activism while building social and emotional skills. All students signing up for any Arts Education class are invited to participate in a FREE class called IN THE MIX. Students can also join Creative Coaching, a mentoring program with NJPAC alums and professional performing artists trained to offer guidance and advice. Participants will be paired with a personal mentor based on common performing art interests, career goals, life challenges, and experiences.

Since its start, NJPAC has served thousands of students in the Newark area. Every year, more than 10,000 elementary school students receive high-quality arts education at the NJPAC campus, thanks to a unique partnership with New Jersey’s public school system. Many students in elementary - school engage in creative workshops and presentations.

At NJPAC, students are the priority; they have an essential role to play and perform. Every student will find their voice and share their story. For more information and registration, visit: njpac.org/arts-education or call 973.353.7058.




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CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

Saturday Arts Training 
BAND TOGETHER FULL YEAR PROGRAMMING 
Ages: 10 – 16
Fall Semester: Oct 8 - Dec 17, 10am-2pm
Spring Semester: Jan 21 - May 13, 10am-2pm Tuition: $75 for full year including instrument rental 
Beginner to intermediate students learn how to play woodwinds, brass, or percussion during group lessons, and perform together in a final concert. Band Together will take place at Newark's prestigious Arts High School. 


JAZZ FOR TEENS FULL YEAR PROGRAMMING 
Ages: 14 – 18
Fall Semester: Oct 8 – Dec 17, 10am-5pm Spring Semester: Jan 21 – May 13, 10am-5pm Tuition: $650 per semester; $1100 per year 
This comprehensive and sequential jazz education program develops well-rounded young performers through access to life-changing experiences. 


HIP HOP FALL PROGRAMMING 
Ages: 9 - 18
Fall Semester: Oct 8 - Dec 17
Tuition: $250 for morning or afternoon, $500 for full day 
Morning Session, 10am - 12pm: Music Production & DJing 
Introduces students to beat-making, with an emphasis on drums/percussion, using a digital audio workstation to produce beats. They will explore sampling sounds to amplify their ideas and express themselves through music. 
Afternoon Session, 1pm - 3pm: Beatboxing & Emceeing 
Students use their breath, voice, and mouth to create sounds by mimicking what they hear or imagine. They will also learn to use beatboxing as an instrument for recordings or live performances. Students make a statement about what is important to them by creating a written or spoken rap with percussive or melodic rhythms and sounds. 


HIP HOP SPRING PROGRAMMING 
Spring Dates: Jan 21 - May 13
Details coming soon - be excited for Graffiti, Dance & More! 





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THEATER FALL PROGRAMMING 
Theater 
Ages: 9 - 16
Fall Semester: Oct 8 - Dec 17
Tuition: $250 for morning or afternoon, $500 for full day 
Morning Session, 10am-12pm: Acting 
Bring your actors tools of body, voice and imagination as you develop or build upon your skills as an actor. Together we will create an ensemble and explore scenes and monologues. 
Afternoon Session, 1pm-3pm: Musical Theater 
Learn the fundamentals of musical theater including vocal technique and choreography! 


THEATER SPRING PROGRAMMING 
Spring Dates: Jan 21 - May 13
Exciting announcement for Theater and Musical Theater coming soon! 


NJPAC’s Arts Education offerings reach more than 60,000 students and families through live performances, in-school residency programs and arts training classes. These programs bring the joy of dance, music, theater, and poetry directly to the classroom.  Through our innovative residencies, Teaching Artists create stimulating performing arts experiences that engage students’ imaginations and build self-confidence through positive self-expression.  Our residencies help students learn to work together and develop their creative independence. In addition to NJPAC’s innovative In-School Programs, the Arts Center’s comprehensive Arts Education Department offers an Arts Training Program that helps students at every level learn their artistic and technical skills they need to study acting, dance, instrumental music, vocal music, and musical theater.  NJPAC also presents a SchoolTime Performance Series, which introduces students and their families to a world of entertainment and culture.  NJPAC’s Arts Education programs feature professional artists from a wide variety of traditions and performances of music, dance, storytelling, puppetry, and more. 

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located at One Center Street in downtown Newark, N.J., is America’s most diverse performing arts center, and the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey – where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day. NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the state’s and the world’s best artists while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, which have reached almost 2 million children, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts. NJPAC has attracted more than 10 million visitors since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents.


EVENT PREVIEWS

(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Holocaust survivor, educator, and New Jersey resident Maud Dahme returns to the Ocean County College campus on Thursday, April 9, 2026 to share her story of being hidden by Christian families as a child in The Netherlands during World War II. This event is open to the public and admission is free.
MPAC presents An Evening of Alton Brown

MPAC presents An Evening of Alton Brown

Tickets range from $57-$230 (All fees included) and are available for purchase online. Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) is located at 100 South Street in Morristown, New Jersey.
Stockton Arts and Culture Summit Expanding to Two Days and Two Locations

Stockton Arts and Culture Summit Expanding to Two Days and Two Locations

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Stockton University's annual Arts and Culture Summit will expand to two days this year and will host events on the school's Galloway and Atlantic City locations.
MPAC

MPAC's annual Sustainability Series returns for 2026 with Free Presentation of National Geographic Live! - Rise of T.rex

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)'s annual Sustainability Series returns for 2026 with a free presentation of National Geographic Live! - The Rise of T.rex on Wednesday, April 15 at 7:30pm. Tyrannosaurus Rex is the most famous dinosaur out there, but few people know the true story of this species. This event is made possible through the generous sponsorship of BASF.
Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival to Take Place April 19th

Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival to Take Place April 19th

(MANAYUNK, PA) -- The largest food event in Philadelphia - and one of the largest food truck festivals in America - is back and bigger than ever! StrEAT Food Festival returns to Manayunk on Sunday, April 19, 2026, from 11:00am to 5:00pm. Over 85+ of the region's top food trucks and food vendors will line historic Main Street for the day, serving up menus that range from savory BBQ and global street food to decadent desserts and sweet treats.
Passage Theatre to host 41st Anniversary Gala at Trenton War Memorial on April 25th

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(TRENTON, NJ) -- To celebrate the culmination of their forty-first season, Passage Theatre, the only professional theatre company in the city of Trenton, will host their annual fundraiser gala on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at the Trenton War Memorial. The event begins at 5:00pm.
Roselle Park Arts Festival returns April 25th

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(ROSELLE PARK, NJ) -- The Roselle Park Arts Festival, a free community-wide celebration of the arts, will return Saturday, April 25, 2026, bringing artists, live music and family-friendly activities to downtown Roselle Park.
U.S. Olympic Gold Medalists Headline 2026 Stars on Ice Tour

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(NEWARK, NJ) -- U.S. Figure Skating returns from Milan with one of the most decorated American teams in Winter Olympic history. The 2026 Stars on Ice tour will bring the opportunity to celebrate their achievements to Newark on Friday, May 1, 2026 for a 7:00pm performance at Prudential Center.
2026 Down & Derby Wine Festival: A Day of Wine, Music, and Derby Fun in South Jersey

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(CAMDEN, NJ) -- South Jersey's most anticipated wine festival is back! The Fourth Annual Down & Derby Wine Festival will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 2:00pm – 7:00pm at Veterans Island in Cooper River Park. Hosted by the Camden County Board of Commissioners and Visit South Jersey, this exciting event will bring together the finest local wineries, live entertainment, delicious food, and derby-themed festivities.
2026 Princeton Festival to Take Place June 5-21 at Morven Museum & Garden

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UPCOMING EVENTS