Valley Performing Arts Council

At Valley Performing Arts Council (VPAC), we are committed to sharing the beauty, wisdom, and truth of the classical arts with area youth dancers and school children. By including local dancers in ballet performances and assuring that thousands of students participate as audience members, we expose young minds and hearts to the sights and sounds of the classical arts.

Our Mission

Our mission is to educate children in the classical arts, instilling in them the values of compassion, integrity, personal strength, and respect for themselves and others. We believe that learning, studying, and mastering the various classical arts helps teach children the importance of these values, which are essential for their growth and development.

Our Services

VPAC offers a range of services aimed at promoting the classical arts among children and youth. Our services include:

• Ballet performances featuring local dancers and school children
• School outreach programs to bring the classical arts to local schools
• Dance instructional videos and tutorials
• Rehearsal schedules and behind-the-scenes access to our performances
• Tickets to our productions, including The Nutcracker and A Midsummer Night's Dream
• Support opportunities to help us continue our mission

Our History

Since its establishment in March 1997, VPAC has reached over 132,000 school students throughout the Valley from 25 school districts. Our nonprofit educational organization was founded on the principle of providing Central San Joaquin Valley grade school students with the opportunity to experience the classical performing arts.

Our Team

Our artistic director, Yukari Thiesen, has a passion for ballet and a vision to share the beauty of the classical arts with children. Her extensive background in ballet, from her childhood in Tokyo, Japan, to her years of dancing in California, has equipped her with the knowledge and expertise to lead our organization.