Adult Dance Classes
ADULT DANCE CLASSES
Adult Tap Class Schedule
Tuesdays from 10-11am
September 8 - November 10, 2026
Join Mary Frances Massey for an upbeat Adult Tap Class and rediscover your rhythm! Combining exercise and creative expression, this class is perfect for movers looking to brush up on their tap steps, rhythms, and short combinations. Tap shoes or hard-soled shoes are recommended. Sessions are held in the Watkins Studio Theater on Tuesdays from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. The cost is $140 for the full 8-week session, or $20 per drop-in class There will be no class on October 13 and November 3.
Questions: Emily Hefley at emily@gpacweb.com or 901-751-7665
CLASS INFORMATION
Dance Classes
DANCE CLASSES
Fall 2026 Class Schedule
Tuesday
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 8-12 (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 as fun choreography to pop and Broadway tunes.
Important Dates TBD
August 11-12: Classes Begin
October 13-14: No classes, Fall Break
November 24-25: No classes, Thanksgiving Break
December 6: Dress Rehearsal 2-4pm
December 7: Recital at 5:30pm
CLASS INFORMATION
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 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.
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
CAMPS
CAMPS
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
Jenn King
Education and Engagement Coordinator
jenn@gpacweb.com
(901) 751-7665
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
2026-2027 Concerts
Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 4pm
Sunday, April 25, 2027 at 4pm
Chamber String Ensemble 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 11:30 -12:45pm. 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.
2026-2027 SCHEDULE
2026-2027 AUDITIONS
Auditions will be held on August 15, 2026 at GPAC. Note some positions may already be filled.
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
Peanut Butter & Jam Series Sponsor
