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Above photo:
(Left) Paula Kosiorek, former President of GPAS (Greece Performing Arts Society) and (Right) Eric Vaughn Johnson, new GPAS President
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12/12/16
Media Contact: Charyll Monk (585) 764-4431
New GPAS President Eric Vaughn Johnson welcomed in Greece
Long-time Greece resident Paula Kosiorek recently stepped down from her position as President of the Greece Performing Arts Society (GPAS) after serving 12 years on the board of directors. The GPAS board appointed Eric Vaughn Johnson, a City resident, as the new GPAS President.
"Eric's theatrical and musical experience, as well as his community involvement, made him an ideal candidate," said Kosiorek. "He is full of energy and new ideas that can take GPAS to the next level."
GPAS was founded in 1969 to bring a broad range of artistic activities to Greece. Currently there are five GPAS groups: Greece Symphony Orchestra (Director Dr. David Fetler), Greece Choral Society (Director Dr. Rollo Fisher), Greece Concert Band (Director BJ Comer), Greece Community Orchestra (Director Jonathan Allentoff), and Greece Jazz Band (Director Gary J. Samulski). These groups provide opportunities for hundreds of community residents-both in and out of the Town of Greece-to grow as musicians and artists while performing throughout the Greater Rochester community. GPAS is one of the oldest established non-profit performing groups in New York State.
Kosiorek helped shape the direction of the GPAS from 2004 to 2016. Her contributions to the GPAS include overseeing the success of several GPAS fundraisers including the Annual Garden Tour, Holiday Gift Wrapping Booth at the Mall at Greece Ridge, Frontier Field Concessions, and the Annual GPAS Pops Concert.
"Paula Kosiorek has worked tirelessly in support of GPAS, with a level of commitment and energy that will be hard to replace," said Sarah Lentini, President and CEO of the Greece Chamber of Commerce. "Under her leadership, GPAS has thrived, providing the Greece community with a broad range of quality offerings in the performing arts. She will be missed."
As the newly elected president, Johnson has some fresh ideas and new plans for GPAS in 2017. Johnson will be working with the five groups and their directors to focus on branding, increasing membership, and developing new arts-based programs.
"Expect to see us at festivals, online social media and at even more events with an eye-catching new look and countless opportunities to get involved," said Johnson.
Johnson is not new to the performing arts. Over the last several years he has been in the theatre community spotlight and referred to as "Rochester's finest up and coming theatre director."
Johnson is most well-known as the Business Manager and Program Director of the Rochester Association of the Performing Arts (RAPA) coordinating all educational programs, theatre bookings, and Youth Theatre & RAPA Family Theatre seasons. He also serves as the Managing Director of OFC Creations and as the Artistic Director of SNAP Musical Theatre. Most recently, Johnson directed West Side Story, Mary Poppins, and Miracle on 34th Street as RAPA's first Main Stage productions at the Kodak Center for Performing Arts.
Johnson believes strongly in community partnerships. In 2014 he partnered with Facing Race, Embracing Equity for a benefit production of The Wiz at the Rochester Science Museum. In 2015 Johnson brought RAPA and the Rochester Latino Theatre Company together to produce the first Rochester production of In the Heights for seven sold-out performances. In 2017, Johnson will be continuing his partnership with the LGBT Giving Circle and Broadway Cares to produce a production of The Wild Party, after originally forming the partnership in 2015 for Bare: A Pop Opera and in 2016 with Spring Awakening. Johnson plans to work with the board to form several partnerships for GPAS within the community over the next year, specifically between RAPA and other downtown arts organizations.
Greece Chamber of Commerce 2402 West Ridge Road Rochester, NY 14626
Tel. 585.227.7272 Fax: 585.227.7275
www.GreeceChamber.org
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