The YMCA's new Performing Arts program held its first winter recital performace in December and plans to eventually takes its shows on the road into the community.
(Photo courtesy YMCA)
By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – A local performing arts program that many don't even know exists is getting a grant that might enable more young people to join.
Dede Verplaetse runs the Bloomington-Normal's YMCA new Performing Arts Program.
"There's still many people that will say 'There's dance at the Y?," Verplaetse asked. "We have them It's just another form of fitness if you think of it that way, keeping kids fit but having fun with it."
The program now offers classes for students from three months to 18 years covering dance, drama, voice and piano lessons.
The local Jerome Mirza Foundation is providing a $10,000 grant to cover scholarships for some 120 youth to take part in the program. Verplaetse says this will open the program to the community at large – and covering the tuition for those unable to pay.
"For a lot of the kids in the program, this is their only outlet to express themselves," Verplaetse said.
She said with more than 50 enrollees in its third session since it began, the Y's Performing Arts program is planning a spring recital in May. She hopes the performing arts program will eventually be able to go out on the road and do performances throughout the community.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
