Adult Dance Classes
ADULT DANCE CLASSES
Fall 2025 Class Schedule
September 9 - October 21, 2025 (No class on October 14)
Adult Tap Class
Tiptoe back into tap dance with a fun adult class designed to help movers brush up on basic tap steps, rhythms and short combinations. Tap shoes or hard sole shoes are recommended. Classes will be held on Tuesdays from 10-11:00am in the Watkins Studio Theater. The fee is $100 for a 6 week session or $20 drop in.
Dance Classes
DANCE CLASSES
Fall 2025 Class Schedule
Registration starts July 14, 2025
Tuesday
10:00-11:00am - Adult Tap (60min) - $100 for 6 week session/$20 drop in
4:00-4:30 - Creative Ballet Ages 3-6 (30min) $235
4:45-5:30 - Ballet 1 Ages 6-8 (45min) $285
5:30-6:30 - Ballet 2 Ages 8-11 (60min) $335
Wednesday
4:00-4:30 - Creative Ballet Ages 3-6 (30min) $235
4:45-5:30 - Ballet 1 Ages 6-8 (45min) $285
5:30-6:30 - Jazz Ages 7-11 (60min) $335
Creative Ballet students will learn basic ballet steps while also learning how to point feet, stretch legs, hold arm placement and remember movement phrases. Students will work on building strength, flexibility, musicality, and self awareness while still enjoying games, dance stories, and creative play.
Ballet 1 & 2 bridge the gap between pre-ballet and more serious ballet studies. Students are introduced to more formal training through ballet barre exercises, center work, traveling steps, and choreography. Students focus on correct posture, alignment, and feet and arm placement in order to develop a strong foundation for more advanced classical ballet training.
Jazz Dance combines techniques of ballet and modern dance with current forms of popular dance. This class will include stretching, isolations, traveling steps, turns as well fun choreography to pop and broadway tunes.
Important Dates
August 12-13: Classes Begin
October 14-15: No classes, Fall Break
Dec 7: Dress Rehearsal 2:30-4:30pm
Dec 8: Recital at 5:30pm
GUITAR LESSONS
GUITAR LESSONS
GUITAR LESSONS
GPAC OFFERS PRIVATE GUITAR LESSONS TO STUDENTS OF ALL AGES WITH SINGER/SONGWRITER JOSH THRELKELD.
Through one-on-one sessions and group lessons, students will sharpen techniques, learn compositions and understand different genres.
REGISTRATION
To receive a registration form contact:
Emily Hefley
emily@gpacweb.com
SCHEDULE
Mon - Thurs between 2-7 pm.
PB & J on Tour
PB & J on Tour
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Emily Hefley
emily@gpacweb.com
901-751-7665
PB&J ON TOUR AT SCHOOLS
GPAC recognizes that not all children are able to attend the Peanut Butter & Jam sessions that are hosted at our location throughout the season because of transportation issues, the price of admission, or both. The PB & J On Tour Program takes music and dance artists to selected schools all over the mid south are to perform for students in grades K-2.
The goals of this program are:
Introduce PreK-2 children to different styles and genres of music, movement, and performing arts.
Promote literacy through the performing arts
Outcomes include:
Spark classroom discussion and written response after viewing two different performing arts genres.
Engage students during live performances through both physical (clap, tap, move etc) and mental (listen, observe, understand, connect) senses.
Provide students with a “Brain Break”
HOW IT WORKS:
GPAC schedules two different shows to be performed at your school in the fall and spring. Shows are specifically geared toward K-2 and vary in themes (music, dance, theater and cultural arts). GPAC provides all the necessary sound equipment (if schools do not have a sound system) to better enhance the performance. Surveys will be conducted after each performance along with a focus group at the end of the GPAC season.
This FREE program is funded through the GPAC Arts Education Fund and local grants.
Special thanks to our Peanut Butter & Jam On Tour Sponsor
MASTER CLASSES
MASTER CLASSES
MORE INFORMATION
Emily Hefley
Programing Director
emily@gpacweb.com
901-751-7665
GPAC CONNECTS THE COMMUNITY TO NATIONALLY RENOWNED ARTISTS THROUGH MASTER CLASSES, LECTURE DEMONSTRATIONS, AND WORKSHOPS.
Artists participate in these educational programs in conjunction with their season performance.
Creative Arts Ensemble
Creative Arts Ensemble
Creative Arts Ensemble
Creative Arts Ensemble is a multi-disciplinary experience that provides adults with disabilities the opportunity to be understood and heard, to execute self-expression, to build confidence and promote self advocacy through multimedia forms of art.
2025-2026 Workshops
October 3, 2025 6-8pm - Iris Collective (music)
November 14, 2025, 6-8pm - Angi Cooper (art)
January 30, 2026, 6-8pm - Iris Collective (music)
March 13, 2026, 6-8pm - Angi Cooper (art)
May 1, 2026, 6-8pm - Iris Collective (music)
Workshops are FREE thanks to the GPAC Arts Education Fund
SCHOOL MATINEES
SCHOOL MATINEES
GPAC connects children, teachers and schools across the Mid-South with the performing arts during exciting weekday performances of music, dance and theater. GPAC student matinees are specifically designed to engage students on a deeper level by exposing them to high-quality performing arts, complementing school curricula and expanding cultural awareness. Reserve your spot starting today!
Ticket Prices: $8 per student and 1 Free Teacher/Chaperone ticket per 10
Memphis Jazz Workshop presents “Zip Zap, Boom Bop”
February 11, 2026 at 10am
Grades 4-12
Zip Zap, Boom Bop is a free flowing interactive exploration of Hip-Hop and Jazz presented by the Memphis Jazz Workshop. From the beginnings with a voice and a drum to the communal break beats of the Bronx and beyond, join us as we freestyle through the history and interconnectivity of these two distinctly American genres. Huah!!
March 12, 2026 at 10am
Grades KK-6
Grammy-nominee Uncle Jumbo layers heartfelt lyrics with messages of positivity that inspire young minds to dream big and chase their passions. His concert performances include hits from his “Taste the Sky” and “Garden Groove” albums, with upbeat songs and dance-alongs that focus on joy, connection, kindness and wellbeing.
CAMPS
CAMPS
Summer Arts Camp 2025
GPAC offers opportunities for creative self-discovery through half-day summer arts camps in dance, music, and art for ages 3 and up. Camps are designed to stimulate artistic talents and provide enjoyable, enriching experiences.
Contact emily@gpacweb.com to inquire about financial assistance for our summer camps.
CONTACT
Jenn King
Education and Engagement Coordinator
jenn@gpacweb.com
(901) 751-7500
GPAC YOUTH SYMPHONY PROGRAM
The GPAC Youth Symphony Program is dedicated to the highest standards of music and is open to career-oriented students as well as those who wish to study music for the pure enjoyment, inherent benefits of and appreciation for the art form. For more information please contact Emily Hefley at emily@gpacweb.com or 901-751-7665.
GPAC YOUTH SYMPHONY PROGRAM
GPAC YOUTH SYMPHONY PROGRAM
The GPAC Youth Symphony program (GYSP) gives opportunities for young musicians across the Mid-South area to perform musical masterworks under the direction of experienced conductors and teachers, to improve upon their technique, learn basic music theory, work with an ensemble and interact with professional guest artists performing at GPAC. With four distinct ensembles, GYSP’s excellent music education fosters musical growth with an emphasis on the interconnectedness of art, music, culture, history and society. Through this program, our students are equipped with the tools to become the next generation of music advocates, educators, performers and patrons. View our past concerts on our Youtube Channel
2025-2026 Concerts
Sunday, November 23, 2025 at 4pm
Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 4pm
String Quartet Performances
TBD
Season Partners
in the news:
MOZART STRING ENSEMBLE
The Mozart String Ensemble is for students 9-14 years of age. Mozart SE is a training group under the direction of Ms. Britta Hall with beginner to intermediate level. Student placement is based on ability, talent and skill along with their age and maturity. This group meets on Tuesdays from 4:30-5:45pm. Tuition is $410 (Spring semester only $205)
MENDELSSOHN STRING ORCHESTRA
The Mendelssohn String Orchestra is for students 12-16 years of age under the direction of Mr. Alex Perry. Mendelssohn SO is a training group with an intermediate to advanced level. Designed to hone their orchestral skills and further develop their abilities, this program prepares students to advance to the Youth Symphony Orchestra. This group meets on Tuesdays from 5:45-7pm. Tuition is $410 (Spring semester only $205)
WIND ENSEMBLE (WE)
Wind Ensemble under the direction of Ms. Susan Spain is made up of woodwind, brass and percussion students ages 12-18 from across the Mid-South. The focus is to provide a high quality musical experience for its members built on fundamentals and musicianship through the great and ever-expanding concert repertoire specifically for wind ensemble. Rehearsals are held on Saturdays from 11:45-1pm. Tuition is $410 (Spring semester only $205)
GPAC YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (GYSO)
The GPAC Youth Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Jonathan Schallert is a full orchestra consisting of strings, winds, brass, percussion, harp, and keyboard. Admitted by audition, GYSO musicians are advanced students from 14-19 years of age and participate in weekly orchestra rehearsals, sectional rehearsals and weekly music appreciation class. Rehearsals are held on Saturdays from 9:30-11:30am. Tuition is $560 (Spring semester only $285).
Chamber Strings Group
The Chamber Strings group, under the direction of Dr. Sheryl Lane, is open to all GYSO string players and serves as the outreach division of the GPAC Youth Symphony. Each Saturday from 11:30 - 12:30, participating students will study and rehearse string quartet repertoire. Throughout the season, students will showcase their talents at a variety of venues, including GPAC art receptions, the Germantown Fire House, the GPAC Gala, Arts in the Loop, and the Kirby Pines Lifecare Community. Those who are interested should sign up during the first two weeks of GYSO rehearsals.
*Please note that the ages listed above only the suggested range. Students are placed into groups based on their audition results.
**A T-Shirt is included in tuition for all members.
2025-2026 SCHEDULE
2025-2026 AUDITIONS
We will audition throughout the first semester. Please fill out the registration below.
AUDITION & TUITION PAYMENT
Pay online
Payment Plan Agreement
FINANCIAL AID
GPAC believes that finances should not prevent a motivated and talented student from participating in our youth symphony program. The GPAC Arts Education Fund provides tuition assistance to families each season. Financial aid is awarded based on many factors including family size, annual income and extraordinary situations.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Sheryl Lane (Orchestra Manager)
gpacyso@gmail.com
901-299-7147
Proud Partner
PEANUT BUTTER AND JAM
GPAC’s celebrated Peanut Butter & Jam Family Series marks its 30th season this year. Part of our Arts Education Programming, the series introduces children ages 8 and under to a variety of genres including music, dance, and multicultural arts in an informal family concert setting. Parents and children are invited to move and groove in these highly interactive performances held on scheduled Saturdays at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. (unless otherwise noted) in the Watkins Studio Theater. Tickets are Pay-What-You-Can.
PEANUT BUTTER AND JAM
GPAC’s celebrated Peanut Butter & Jam Family Series marks its 30th season this year. Part of our arts education programming, the series introduces children ages 8 and under to a variety of genres including music, dance, and multicultural arts in an informal concert setting
Proud Partner
