Caption 1 (LtoR): Pictured at the Madison Area YMCA’s School of Performing Arts Mid-Year Showcase is Ainsley Norek age 6, of Chatham, Julia Librizzi age 7, of Madison, Ben Mirettage 6, of Morristown, Quinn Turner age 9, of Madison and Harper Sackin age 8, of Madison. 

Caption 2 (LtoR): Pictured at the Madison Area YMCA’s School of Performing Arts Mid-Year Showcase is Clayssie Passos age 9, of Madison, Hannah Green age 9, of Madison, Ethan Sood age 9, of Chatham, Sophia Sood age 8, of Chatham, Sarina Havalder age 8, of Madison, Mietta age 9, of Chatham, and Alessia Exton age 6, of Chatham and Scarlet Hamilton age 8, of Madison. 

(Madison, NJ) – February 7, 2022 – On Saturday, January 22, the School of Performing Arts (SOPA) at the Madison Area YMCA hosted a successful Mid-Year Showcase with nearly 100 performers participating at St. Elizabeth University Annunciation Center.   

The showcase featured performers ranging from ages 3 to 10+ who performed a collective 19 pieces. Each repertoire was woven with unique and expressive movements, telling a distinctive story through every dazzling performance. The pieces included dance styles such as jazz, hip hop, ballet, tap, and creative movement as well as theatrical styles such as drama skits, acting, and musical theater. From sparkling green frog costumes with flowing tulle to an eye-catching fork costume, each performer shined in their costume, on and off stage. After all the students completed their repertoires, the SOPA teachers ended the day with their own energetic tap performance.  

Our School of Performing Arts Program Director Gus Ibranyi echoes the feelings of the entire Y community. “We are so proud of our students and the amazing memories they made at our showcase,” said Ibranyi.  

To ensure the health and safety of all, the performance was livestreamed for families due to COVID-19 safety precautions. Though we were not able to host an in-house audience, our students’ passion and perseverance never faltered. During the performance, parents were able to enjoy a livestreamed video performance and link to the recording. 

“Thank you to the SOPA staff for making the showcase happen despite COVID issues. We felt safe with the plan and it really meant a lot to our daughter to be able to be on stage!”, said a SOPA parent and Madison Area YMCA member. 

“Special thank you to our program director Gus Ibranyi, our dedicated SOPA teachers, our Y volunteers, our shining students, and our program parents who support their children every step of the way,” said Madison Area YMCA Vice President of Programs Kim Buccheri. 

Want to join the fun? There is still time to register online for our 20-week SOPA session that began the week of January 31 with an end-of-session showcase scheduled for Saturday, June 11. You do not want to miss the amazing line-up of classes! 

As a mission-driven charitable organization and community wellness center, the Madison Area YMCA is dedicated to nurturing the potential of our youth, providing a safe space for teens, improving the community’s health and well-being, and giving back by providing support to our neighbors. 

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