THE WHARTON INSTITUTE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS INC

Programs

1. The performing arts school is a leading educational center that offers private lessons and group classes for children, teens, and adults of all skill levels. Students perform multiple times each year and there are programs for extended learning through classes and ensembles. Pas also holds master classes and workshops throughout the year to keep students engaged and challenged. What sets pas apart is its breadth of classes and the variety of performance opportunities offered. From aspiring young actors starting with the basics, to seasoned musicians looking to hone performance skills, there is a class for everyone. Pas programming includes instrumental and vocal instruction, and group classes for children, teens, and adults. Group course topics for children and teens include fundamentals of musical theater performance, theater and acting, vocal technique, and more. Group course topics for adults include song and video production, acting, ensemble playing, and more. In both private and group lessons, pas instructors provide individualized instruction. We keep our class sizes small and our faculty makes sure that technique and repertoire are age and developmentally appropriate.

   $1,254,106 spent$1,156,685 earned by the program
   36% of program spending

2. The new jersey youth symphony (njys) is a premier provider of orchestral training for 550+ student musicians in grades 3-12 from 12 counties in new jersey. Njys sets the standard for excellence through 15 ensembles led by renowned conductors. In 2023, njys celebrated its 45th season with performances at venues including njpac and union county pac. Njys offers a scholarship program ensuring that all gifted artists can participate regardless of financial need. Beyond performance, njys fosters a lifelong community of musicians, with many alumni pursuing professional careers or supporting the arts as adults. Njys also provides free education concerts for over 1,000 local elementary students annually.

   $1,066,679 spent$782,726 earned by the program
   31% of program spending

3. Paterson music project (pmp), an el sistema program, provides tuition-free, high-quality instrumental instruction to children in paterson. The program emphasizes musical excellence, the development of life skills through ensemble-based learning, and a strong sense of community. By introducing children to music at a young age and supporting them as they progress, including access to private lessons, pmp helps students build essential skills such as teamwork, focus, confidence, and leadership. Pmp students study a primary instrument and participate in ensemble practice and instrumental sectionals 4 hours/week for 30 weeks during the school year. Students from pmp, as well as any youth musician in paterson, can also participate in pmp's saturday program at ps16. This free program is offered for 3 hours/week during the school year. Students are grouped into city-wide string, band, guitar, percussion, jazz, and latin ensembles and chamber groups. Pmp also provides summer camp, travel to special conferences, and youth leadership opportunities.

   $789,027 spent$411,288 earned by the program
   23% of program spending

4. New jersey youth chorus (njyc) was founded in 1992 as a premiere, auditioned choral program, and serves 190 children in grades 3-12 in 5 separate ensembles. The ensembles are primo coro (girls and boys in grades 3-5), cor amici (boys in grades 6-8), sola voce (girls in grades 6-8), camerata (boys in grades 9-12), and coriste (girls in grades 9-12). Njyc provides a unique musical education that encourages a love and appreciation of choral music while nurturing personal growth and creative development through community. Njyc offers a scholarship program ensuring that all gifted artists can participate regardless of financial need. Choristers perform frequently with many professional ensembles, including the new jersey symphony orchestra and canadian brass. Additionally, njyc was a featured choir at the 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2026 american choral directors association's eastern division conference, and the only children's choir to be invited to sing at chorus america's 2009 national conference.

   $354,281 spent$333,175 earned by the program
   10% of program spending

The 4 programs described on its FY2024 Form 990, listed largest first by expense. Program spending in total: $3,464,093.