Sharron Miller Academy: Scholarship Benefit

Sharron Miller Academy awards those who truly love dancing.

This year, the Sharron Miller Academy for the Performing Arts will be performing a concert that will also double as a “Salute to Our Teachers,” this year’s theme. This theme was chosen to honor the SMAPA faculty “for their dedication and incredible talent in passing on the torch to the next generation of dancers through their incredible talent,” as stated in a press release.

Sharron Miller Academy will also be graduating a senior member, Briana Marshall. Marshall will attend the University of the Arts in the fall and is also a recipient of the “Star Ledger Scholarship.”

Sharron Miller Academy aims to bring together children, teens and adults to teach them the art of performance and dance. Additionally, the academy hosts this in an environment that is free from judgement based on race, ethnicity, gender or economic class.

SMAPA was founded by the current director, Sharron Miller. According to the SMAPA website, “[Miller is] a 501c3 arts education organization whose mission is to provide comprehensive, inclusive developmental training in dance and related theater arts to children, teens, adults and seniors.” Miller has had experience with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater  as well as acting in Broadway, film and television productions.  Miller is also involved in the Actors’ Equity Association, Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

This benefit show will celebrate the 17 years the academy has spent as a non-profit arts education organization that has served Montclair and the neighboring communities. All proceeds from this event will benefit scholarship funds that serve  countless children every year.

SMAPA also finds a great amount of support from the surrounding community. Studio042, a local printing company, has shown its support since 1997, when Miller was just starting the academy. Pilar Kennedy, owner of Studio042,  was honored for her support of the arts at the first concert of this series. Kennedy and Studio042 are proud to continue their support to Miller and her academy.

  benefit, montclair, scholarship, sharron miller, sharron miller academy for the performing arts