Last week, the lights dimmed and a hush fell over a large crowd of parents gathered behind me in Success Academy Williamsburg’s auditorium. Fifty middle schoolers from the Success Academy Youth Chorus walked down the aisles and processed to the stage, singing “Seed to Sow,” a song about making an impact on the world, in perfect harmony.

Joel Klein joined Success three years ago as an associate teacher in our Teacher Residency program. He quickly progressed to become the lead music teacher at SA Union Square, and has been putting his expertise and passion to work by introducing scholars to the world of notes and rhythm.

Tonight, more than 50 scholars will transport an audience of families and friends to “Never Never Land” for sixty minutes, as they act, sing, and dance in Peter Pan — Success Academy Williamsburg’s first-ever musical performance.

When I arrived at Summer Arts Institute in July, I was nervous and excited. But again the nerves went away — from the minute I stepped through the door, we sang non-stop every day.

This summer, Success Academy connected scholars with several experiential programs, setting up camps for students who excel in chess, basketball, and soccer and partnering with the renowned Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts, where four of our middle school scholars indulged their passion for art, creative writing, and choral singing.

This Friday and Saturday, 22 scholars from Success Academy High School of the Liberal Arts will perform in the school’s musical production of Schoolhouse Rock Live! It’s a show that follows a nervous new teacher on his first day with students.

Twenty-five middle school musical theater scholars from SA Harlem North West and SA Harlem North Central have been busy preparing to perform Charlie Brown, Success Academy’s first-ever middle school musical!

My scholars love the challenge and the creativity of acting. But what is an actor without an audience? That’s why we are putting on a show – the first-ever Success Academy middle school musical…

Scholar and dancer Lala Diallo discusses her love of dance, the impact it has had on her school experience and the excitement of preparing for and dancing in the Performing Arts Showcase.