About Hope Academy

Classes & registration

Performances & events

Videos & pictures

Teaching artists

Private & group music instruction

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Special announcements
	Due to the state of emergency and snow/ice conditions in Pittsburgh and surrounding communities, ELPC has cancelled all programs and worship services tomorrow (February 7th). Dr. Szeremany’s sermon and reception have been rescheduled for February 14. Saturday’s (February 6) Mardi Gras celebration has also been cancelled.

Welcome to Hope Academy

Welcome to Hope Academy, part of East Liberty Presbyterian Church. Hope Academy offers low-cost or no-cost after-school and Saturday courses and private lessons in dance, music and theater for 4- to 18-year olds.

Coming up on February 13, 2010, is our red-hot “Love and All That Jazz” show, our annual benefit performance, held at East Liberty Presbyterian Church. Performers this year include spoken word artist Vanessa German, Flamenco music and dance, our own “Voices of Hope” choir, and more. This year we are celebrating Hope Academy’s tenth anniversary, and honoring our founding director, the Rev. Dr. J. Richard Szeremany. Adult tickets are $10 at the door. Children and youth 18 and under are free. Click to view the event poster (PDF, ~352K). Hope to see you there!

During the year, Hope Academy offers a range of music and fine arts learning opportunities. Courses include Musical Theater (singing, dancing and acting), Shakespeare Workshop, Pittsburgh Ballet Theater dance (creative movement, pre-ballet and ballet 1), “Voices of Hope” vocal and drumming ensembles, HAT Co (our new teen theater company), EL CEO (our new community engagement orchestra for music students and their musically-inclined parents), and private music instruction for piano, composition, violin, viola, cello, classical and electric guitar, bass, clarinet, flute, organ, percussion and voice students.

With a combination of tuition-based and free courses there is something for everyone! View our 2009 - 2010 course brochure, registration form, and scholarship applications for the year 2009 - 2010. To register, print them out and mail them in or bring them to the church.

Our classes give students a chance to learn, play, and grow. This year, we continue to offer Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre dance classes (Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet and Ballet 1), Musical Theater, Shakespeare, Voices of Hope Vocal and Drumming Ensembles, private music instruction for piano, composition, violin, viola, cello, classical and electric guitar, bass, clarinet, flute, organ, percussion and voice.

Sing your way to success!

Recent research shows that singing in one of the 270,000 choruses in the U.S., such as a community, school or church choir (or Hope Academy’s “Voices of Hope’) is strongly correlated with qualities that are associated with success throughout life. Choral singers exhibit increased social skills, civic involvement, volunteerism, philanthropy, and support of other art forms, when compared with non-singers. So what are you waiting for? Kids and teens from 5 to 18 can sing in one of Hope Academy’s choirs on Wednesdays after school. Come sing with us!

East Liberty Community Engagement Orchestra (EL CEO)

Announcing our NEW East Liberty Community Engagement Orchestra (EL CEO) A Youth Orchestra for Kids with a Passion for Music! Young musicians, and their musically-inclined parents, are invited to join EL CEO to experience the joy of making music together in an orchestra. Conductor Federico Garcia (Artistic Director of Alia Musica Pittsburgh) will create arrangements to suit each student's ability. The music will be selected from the symphonic and popular repertories, ranging from pieces by Tchaikovsky to the theme from the Harry Potter movies—and everything in between. Musicians of all levels are welcome to join and participate! (Singers are encouraged to join one of our "Voices of Hope" community choirs, which meet on Wednesdays after school.) Weekly rehearsals will take place on Saturdays from 3:00 to 4:30 pm throughout the year and will begin on September 19.

Everyone is welcome and no one is required to audition. Registration forms are available online. There is a $10 registration fee for each musician. If you have questions or would like more information about any of Hope Academy's programs, please call (412) 441-3800 x11.