There are three main reasons we fundraise:
1). Fund additional instruction from clinicians, specialists, coaches, directors and more who work tirelessly with students to bring out the best of their artistry.
The $155 program fee music families pay at the beginning of the year covers the bare minimum for basic state-required curriculum. If that is where our directors stopped, the program would look completely different than it does and has in the past. No uniforms, no Jazz Band, no Fiddlers. No Masterworks at the winter concerts. No choreographers, playwrights or other theatre help.
The Ballard Performing Arts program has always delivered a high-quality, award-winning program that has garnered awards and invitations to perform at prestigious music halls and festivals such as Carnegie Hall and Ellington Jazz Festival. Working with coaches, specialists, clinicians, and others who support the program has been a vital part of achieving those goals. That is why our coaching and scholarships are so valuable to our booster program.
Choir accompanists, jazz teachers, playwrights, choreographers, and more—these instructors make an impact on all of our students—everyone benefits.
Read all about our instructors, specialists, and coaches on our website
Amanda Fitch, Fiddler’s Coach
Gary Hammon, Jazz Band Coach
Trevor Parrish, Jazz 2 Instructor
Denali Williams, Drumline instructor
Rachel Atkins, playwright who teaches writing to Theatre Arts students
Lisa Holmberg, Musical rehearsal accompanist
Gustavo's Gutierrez, Scenic Artist (Projections) and more
Eia Waltzer, choreographer
Serena Chin, Choir accompanist
Evan Norber, Tenor/Bass Coach
…Not to mention the dedicated time outside of classrooms from our program directors Courtney Rowley, Jay Gillespie, Elizabeth Fortune and Shawn Riley
Funding these resources represents 48%—almost half—of our Boosters budget. The funds we raise allow the instructors to fulfill their vision of the programs and the kids to have the best experience possible.
2) Offer scholarships so that all students who want to participate in the arts can afford to regardless of ability to pay.
Students should have access to an arts program that makes their heart sing. It’s good for the kids and the community. We don’t know about you, but the thought of students playing together again makes our hearts sing, too.
One of the primary commitments of the Ballard Performing Arts Boosters Club is that no student gets turned away from participating in the performing arts at Ballard High School because of their ability to pay. Whether it’s because students can’t afford the program or camp fees, or take part in trips like many families can, it doesn’t matter. We’re here to fund these things for all families. We want these programs to be an enriching and safe place for all kids to express themselves and grow.
3) Pay for the increased audio visual expenses required for livestreaming our shows, which comes with the added bonus of expanding our audience.
We are SO happy to be back in person. Kids are on stage together, live music is being played, shows are being prepared. But, we are only back in person to a point. To stay safe and play safe, per district mandates, we’re livestreaming at least the fall concerts—and likely future concerts that will be in person. Livestreaming is a great solution so that kids can perform together and put on concerts and shows.
But as we move from having to be on screens to connect and learn to using screens to record, package and broadcast and archive the concerts with a larger audience, we need funds to make it happen. In fact, the budget required for our audio and visual tech to produce these concerts have doubled.
