Program Builds Confidence, Dreams for At-Risk Students

NPAC students perform the song "No More Tears (Enough is Enough)" from the "Throwback" musical revue in 2014.

NPAC is now a sought-after program with up to 75 new students joining each school year, some of them going to great lengths to participate.

“What's amazing is that many of the students who come from other schools have to travel miles to get here,” Kitsu said. “In fact, we have two students who catch two buses and walk a mile to get here and then have to do the same to go home; that's pretty impressive.”

Another important factor in the program’s staying power? The message of equality.

“Our philosophy is that everyone is important and that it doesn't matter if you are chorus or ensemble, you are as important as the lead,” said Kitsu, adding that no one needs to audition to participate. “You can have two left feet or be tone deaf, it doesn’t matter. Creating this accepting culture allows students to try new things and make mistakes and grow.”

Student Samuel Hedin said before joining the program as a freshman, he was “closed off and lonely.” NPAC changed all of that. 

"I can't really describe the feeling of your first performance,” Hedin said. “It's one of those things you would say is one of your greatest accomplishments."