b'Lights. Camera. Confidence!SOPACs art, dance and music education programs help kids believe in themselvesBY CINDY PERMANSouth Orange Middle School students rehearse with Ailey Teaching Artist Darius "Dam-azi" Williams in preparation for their 2019 Dance Residency Finale. Credit: Lianne Schoen-wiesner, Spotlights Photogra-phy.W henkidshavethestudents experience, not just observe, says Lin- artists a professional gallery experience to attentionofprofes- daBeard,SOPACsdirectorofartseducation.show and sell their work. sionalartistsandWhether its dancing on stage, picking up a paint- The Poetry Out Loud program, a partner-theopportunitiesbrush, playing an instrument for the first time, orship with national and state arts organiza-toshowcasetheirfinding their voice through poetry, our programstions, helps kids learn and perform poetry. creativework,theyare about giving young people the chance to stepThe Lux Orchestra Initiative aims to in-transform from:into the creative process and see what theyre ca- troduce kids to orchestral music through A child who drawsto an artist. A kid whopable of.professionalperformancesthataremore plays an instrumentto a musician. A youngThe arts education programs are done in con- like a rock concert, with an explosion of person who dancesto a dancer. junction with local schools and can range from alights,soundandmusic,andperform-TheSouthOrangePerformingArtsCenters60-minute performance to a 16-week educationaling classics like Beethovens Fifth (Sym-arts education programs help to make these con- program.phony) to more relatable (ahem, gateway) nections between students and professional artists,There are Arts Residencies that bring pro- soundtrackslikeStarWarsorHarry musiciansanddancers.SOPAC,whichiscel- fessionalmusicians(throughtheOrangePotter.Andyes,theyalsohostschool ebrating its 20 thyear, regularly hosts music, the- StringsResidencyintheOrangeschooltrips to shows at SOPAC, but the themes ater, dance, comedy and other shows in its theater,district and the Jazz Residency at Colum- go beyond what you might expect, includ-special events in the loft, and exhibits in its artbia High School) and dancers (from theing math, history, adventure and culture.gallery. Around 9,000 students participate in itsfamed Alvin Ailey dance company in WestSimone McCrear is a student from Maplewood education programs each year, learning, showingOrange,SouthOrangeandMaplewoodwho studied dance at a local studio and through their work and performing. schools) directly into the classroom.SOPACsartistresidencypartnershipwithAi-WebelievetheartsshouldbesomethingThe Inspired Minds program gives youngleyDance Kids at South Orange Middle School 34/ matters magazine / school 2025'