First Week of Classes Down - 35 More to Go!

Our first full week of classes and private lessons is coming to a close with only a few more students to schedule and most classes completely filled. Yes, you can beg but there is a waiting list; we will be happy to add your name to it in case someone drops out. All scholarships for courses and private lessons have been awarded for the year.

The good news is...

There is always room in EL CEO (East Liberty Community Engagement Orchestra) for young musicians of all ages and ability levels, and their musically-inclined parents. A few spots are open in Voices of Hope Jr, our free Wednesday after school music class for 5 to 8 year olds (from 5 to 6 pm) and Boys Dance! for 8 to 12 year old boys (from 5 to 6 pm); as well as in our Saturday Ballet I class for 9 to 12 year olds (from 1:30 to 2:30 pm). We will accept students into these classes on a first-come, first-served basis until they are filled.

Welcome to Michael Chapman - Hope Academy's Music Director

Michael Chapman

Music Director, Hope Academy of Music and the Arts

Michael Chapman came to Pittsburgh from Trinidad and Tobago in 1996 when he was offered a scholarship to study music at Duquesne University. Sensitivity to the life transforming effect that music had on his own life, and the vital role that the arts play in human existence, inspired him to seek ways of sharing fine art with others. With the vision of the guitar as a gateway into the arts, and the merging of his artistic and administrative talents, he founded the Guitar Society of Fine Art in April 2001. He joined the guitar faculty at Duquesne University as adjunct professor and Classical Guitar Ensemble Director in 2002. Since 2003 Michael and the Guitar Society of Fine Art have been partnering with Hope Academy of Music and the Arts to give regional young people of diverse ethnic, social, economic and religious backgrounds an opportunity to further their personal and artistic growth through the study and performance of music. 

As the new Music Director of Hope Academy, Michael will  oversee all public performing activity of the various performing ensembles (EL CEO, HAT Co and all three Voices of Hope groups). Additionally, Michael will work with Hope Academy teaching artists, students and parents to increase the effectiveness and outcomes of the music instruction program.

Michael Chapman's position and Hope Academy's partnership with Guitar Society of Fine Art is being funded by the R.K. Mellon Foundation.

Congratulations to HAT Co and HAT Co Rock Band Members

After auditioning in August, 24 students were selected to be part of the Hope Academy Theater Company (HAT Co) and HAT Co Rock Band. The group met for the first time last Saturday.They will be performing on Friday, OCT 15 @ 6 pm before the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's Community Engagement Concert at East Liberty Presbyterian Church.

EL CEO in Preparation for PSO Concert on Oct 15

The first day of EL CEO (East Liberty Community Engagement Orchestra). Over 40 young musicians,  and their musically-inclined parents, are getting ready to perform in their first concert on Friday, Oct 15 prior to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, here at East Liberty Presbyterian Church. Join us as a musician or an audience member, and support music education in our community.



For more information about joining the orchestra or buying tickets for the concert, call 412-441-3800 x11.