On February 27, the Board of Directors of the non-profit Performing Arts Academy, known as the PAA, located in Middletown, Ohio, voted unanimously to begin the biggest fundraising drive in its history.  The PAA’s goals are to find a permanent local home for its growing music and theatre arts programs, and to ensure that it continues its mission for years to come.

Nina Markle, Executive Director for the PAA, together with Dawn Cooke, Assistant Director, have worked with dozens of instructors and hundreds of area children for the past seven years. With the help of dedicated volunteers, instructors and choreographers, they have presented extraordinary stage productions, prepared and coached voice and instrument students to the highest standards of performance, and have helped adults to utilize their talents and gifts in the performing arts. The PAA managed this incredible success without having a permanent school or theatre.  Most recently, the PAA was located at the Towne Mall Galleria, where, with the help of many volunteers, parents and community businesses, they turned a retail space into a first-class stage and theatre.

Mrs. Markle says that the PAA’s successful fundraising drive and the acquisition of a permanent building will assure that the PAA mission will continue. “This Academy has become a vital part of the Miami Valley and this capital campaign will ensure that it remains a successful part of our community for years to come.”

The PAA focuses on children from ages five to eighteen. Students of the PAA come from Middletown and the surrounding communities of Carlisle, Franklin, Springboro, Centerville, Lebanon, Mason, Hamilton, Trenton and Monroe. Many of the PAA’s students have gone on to college to study theatre, dance, and voice-performance. Students have recently appeared professionally at La Comedia.   Many PAA music students have earned excellent and superior ratings in the Ohio Music Educators Association’s district contests.

The PAA changes lives by fostering the development of children’s potential in music and theatre while teaching them life skills, which many parents see quickly after enrolling in the PAA programs.  The PAA programs give students an opportunity to commit to a project, practice their work with a team, and succeed in public. Shy students learn to be more self-confident, while others find self-esteem. All gain an early sense of accomplishment by performing on stage. The PAA offers unique and valuable instruction and experience, in class and on stage. The tuition for classes is very affordable and if the parents cannot afford the tuition, scholarships are available.

The PAA board has set January 31, 2018 as the success date for this capital campaign.  The Performing Arts Academy’s positive impact on children in the Miami Valley is priceless.  Classes are ongoing. Please consider entering your child in class, and please, contribute generously. The results are amazing. 

The PAA is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt entity. Gifts to the PAA are tax deductible as charitable contributions. Check out the PAA at www.theperformingartsacademy.com