Dear friends of Omaha Performing Arts,

As an integral part of our mission, Omaha Performing Arts offers many educational and community outreach activities throughout the year. Artists Encounters are one example of how we bring together professional performing artists and local students through school visits, free of charge to qualified schools and organizations. Our first upcoming Artists Encounter will be in January and February with Broadway performer Dave Barrus.

Dave Barrus is a co-founder of the Broadway Dreams Foundation and has performed in the Broadway and national tour of LES MISÉRABLES. In addition, he has performed in several regional productions and has recorded two CDs showcasing the Broadway songbook. In January and February, Dave will visit area schools to work one-on-one with students in vocal auditioning, choral technique, sectional technique and individual lessons. Then on Sunday, February 19, Dave will also serve as the Artistic Director for the Broadway Songbook Young Artists Night in the Scott Recital Hall at the Holland Center. This performance will showcase Omaha’s next generation of talented performers singing tunes from the Broadway songbook.

Our other upcoming Artists Encounters will take place in February and March.

• James Kinney is a Broadway performer and Artistic Director of the Broadway Dreams Foundation and has appeared on Broadway in FOSSE and the recent revival of SWEET CHARITY. During his school visits in early February, he will demonstrate musical theatre singing and dance techniques in local classrooms and then teach a Fosse Dance Master Class in the Cassling Education Center at the Holland Performing Arts Center Thursday, February 2.
• A percussion educator, performer and world traveler, Mark Powers will visit area schools in February and March. Students will benefit from Powers’ vast knowledge of percussions—he has performed and studied in China, Thailand and Ghana. Mark will train students in West African drumming, percussion techniques and creating rhythm with “junk” instruments. Powers will also serve as the Artistic Director for the Community Rhythms Young Artists Night Sunday, March 18 in the Scott Recital Hall at the Holland Center.

Omaha Performing Arts is excited to offer these and other educational activities to local students throughout the year as part of our commitment to enhance and expand appreciation for the arts.

Sincerely,
 
Joan H. Squires
President, Omaha Performing Arts