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GROW OR FOLD: Book Talk and Interactive Conversation with Matt Ross

Thursday, February 19, 2026 @ 8:00pm



Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631

GROW OR FOLD: Book Talk and Interactive Conversation with Matt Ross. Moderated by Q104.3 DJ Ken Dashow

Join us to celebrate the release of Matt’s new book: GROW OR FOLD: Transform Yourself in Midlife and Beyond.  The book is a profound story of awakening your enthusiasm for growth that includes "life lessons from a creative entrepreneur".

Matt is best known for building two iconic creative education brands: School of Rock and One River School of Art & Design.  That was the easy part.  At 50 years old and with everything in life in freefall, Matt learned to “treat himself like a business” and documented his proven recipe to help you overcome your greatest challenges, while also teaching you how to invest in your “Pure Growth”.

The New Year Brings a Call to Action.  Are you committed to enhancing the quality of your life? If so, it comes down to a simple choice: GROW or FOLD, so join us for this inspiring event and receive a copy of the book as a bonus.

Matt Ross is an entrepreneur and media executive with over 30 years of experience building businesses that inspire passion and creativity.  Since 2012, Matt has been the Founder and CEO of One River School, a company whose mission is to “Transform Art Education®.” In 2005, Matt invested in and became the CEO of School of Rock and turned a struggling music education startup into the world leader in performance-based music education. Over the previous twenty years, he was a senior executive in the media business and led some of the most important radio brands in America. 

Matt holds an MBA in Finance from the Stern School of Business at NYU and is a Cum Laude graduate in Marketing from SUNY Albany, and his advocacy efforts focus on two main areas: supporting organizations that build communities for adults with autism, and championing artists and arts-based organizations. 




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EVENT PREVIEWS

(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.
State Theatre New Jersey presents Price is Right Live(TM) - On Stage, Hosted by Todd Newton

State Theatre New Jersey presents Price is Right Live(TM) - On Stage, Hosted by Todd Newton

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Price is Right Live(TM) - On Stage on Friday, May 1, 2026 at 8:00pm. The show will be hosted by Todd Newton. This is the hit interactive stage show that gives eligible individuals the chance to hear their names called and "Come On Down" to win.
2026 Down & Derby Wine Festival: A Day of Wine, Music, and Derby Fun in South Jersey

2026 Down & Derby Wine Festival: A Day of Wine, Music, and Derby Fun in South Jersey

(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.
RVCC presents Bill Blagg

RVCC presents Bill Blagg's Magic in Motion

(BRANCHBURG, NJ) -- Local audiences will have the opportunity to explore how physical science creates magic when the Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College presents Bill Blagg's Magic in Motion on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 11:00am.
Victoria Clark, Norm Lewis, Tony Yazbeck, Rashidra Scott, and Lea DeLaria to Perform at George Street Playhouse Gala

Victoria Clark, Norm Lewis, Tony Yazbeck, Rashidra Scott, and Lea DeLaria to Perform at George Street Playhouse Gala

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- George Street Playhouse (Christopher J. Bailey, Scott Goldman, and Laiona Michelle, Artistic Producing Triumvirate; Edgar Herrera, Executive Director) have announced the performers for their 2026 Gala Benefit, taking place on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. The evening will begin with a champagne reception and dinner at Stage Left/Catherine Lombardi followed by a cabaret and awards presentation at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center.
LIAR...LIAR - Live Storytelling with a Twist

LIAR...LIAR - Live Storytelling with a Twist

(LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- On the night of Thursday, May 8, 2026, four gifted storytellers will take the stage at the Invertas Brewing Company in Lambertville. Each will tell a personal, true-life story — or so they'll claim. The audience's job: figure out which one of them is lying.
Garden State Wine Growers Association presents SIPS, STARS & STRIPES: A NJ Wine Revolution on May 30th

Garden State Wine Growers Association presents SIPS, STARS & STRIPES: A NJ Wine Revolution on May 30th

(TRENTON, NJ) -- The Garden State Wine Growers Association (GSWGA) presents SIPS, STARS & STRIPES: A NJ Wine Revolution, an exciting and immersive wine event taking place on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the historic War Memorial in Trenton. In partnership with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, the NJ wine community is ready to celebrate America 250 at this truly historic moment.
State Theatre New Jersey

State Theatre New Jersey's A Night in Lights Annual Benefit Gala to Take Place May 30th

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey (STNJ) invites the community to its signature fundraising event, A Night in Lights Annual Benefit Gala, on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Christopher's Restaurant & Bar located inside The Heldrich Hotel. This highly anticipated evening directly supports STNJ's arts education and community engagement programs, which serve more than 30,000 children and families each year.
Visual Arts Center of New Jersey to Celebrate Spring Exhibitions with a Community Day on June 6th

Visual Arts Center of New Jersey to Celebrate Spring Exhibitions with a Community Day on June 6th

(SUMMIT, NJ) -- On Saturday, June 6, 2026, the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey will celebrate its spring exhibitions with a Community Day event. The day, which will feature artist-led walks around Summit, a live podcast recording, and drop-in workshops, will run from 10:00am to 2:00pm.
"The Global Game: The Future of Soccer, Tech & Media Summit" returns on June 9th

"The Global Game: The Future of Soccer, Tech & Media Summit" returns on June 9th

(NEWARK, NJ) -- GK Digital Ventures, in partnership with Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), has announced the return of "The Global Game: The Future of Soccer, Tech & Media Summit," set to take place on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. Following its acclaimed inaugural edition, the second annual summit arrives at the most significant moment in U.S. soccer history: New Jersey is hosting eight matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup — including the Final — placing the Garden State at the center of a global spotlight.

 

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