Whether you have a kid who’s a born performer in the family or a kiddo who wants to rock out with guitar or drums, attending one of the programs at bergenPAC in Englewood can be just the thing to help them get on stage and put them on a path to performing. The bergenPAC Performing Arts School and the music program, bergenROCKS, provide educational and performing opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. The unique programs both have access to the bergenPAC stage, where big name stars perform, and students gain stage presence, work with pros to hone their skills and get real world experience as a performer. Read on to learn more about opening up a world of performing arts and music to your child—and you never know, a star just might be born. (feature photo credit: bergenPAC)

Even if your kid has only sung along to a Disney soundtrack or been acting in skits at home, there’s a program for them at bergenPAC Performing Arts School. Classes are diverse and offered for all ages, starting with infants in mommy and me music classes to young adults. And no worries about having a prerequisite of skills— they offer a range of courses from beginner to advanced. Everyone can have access to private sessions or group classes in dance, including jazz, hip hop, ballet, and modern, voice, choir, acting, and musical theater classes. “Our teachers come from a wide variety of arts disciplines and are seasoned experts in their field. Many are still active performers today. They offer our students the unique perspective of knowing what it’s like and what it takes to be in the real world of a working artist,” says Becky Serico, Director of Education at bergenPAC Performing Arts School, as well as a voice instructor and opera singer. “Students also have the opportunity to work with top-notch stars performing on our stage. Past artists have been Patti LuPone and Kristin Chenoweth, among others.” And with an end-of-year show on the bergenPAC stage (this year’s musical production is slated to be The Lion King), they can proudly show off their talents to friends, family, and general audience members.  

bergenROCKS: A unique music program

If you’ve got a kid itching to shred on guitar, get their groove on the drums, or sing their heart out to a beat, the bergenROCKS program is for them. This comprehensive performance-based jazz and rock-based music program for students aged five through eighteen offers in-studio lessons and group playing opportunities. “The program covers the fundamentals of music, such as sight-reading, theory, and instrumental and vocal technique, in a rock music format,” says Kathy Sheppard, director of bergenROCKs and a musician who’s worked with rock bands and the School of Rock in New York City. Kids can take private lessons to learn electric bass, drums, keyboard, saxophone, or voice and then are evaluated to join level-appropriate ensembles. The ensembles work on short programs based on different themes, which include progressive rock, funk, and soul, and even focused ones like music from The Beatles. At the end of the programs, students feel like superstars when they perform on the bergenPAC stage while getting the chance to meet national touring artists when they come to the stage.

Whether you’re just checking out the bergenPAC Performing Arts School or interested in finding out more, you can try a new class during the week of September 11—they post an online schedule showing what’s offered each day. And for your musical kids, bergenRocks will host an open house on the afternoon of September 23. “It will feature free trial lessons and a performance by the bergenROCKS faculty members,” Sheppard says. Whichever program you choose, your kids can fulfill their performance dreams and gain experience on a professional stage, giving them a chance to shine.