The Performing Arts School at bergenPAC Welcomes New Managing Director

bergenPAC announces its newest addition to both its creative and administrative teams at The Performing Arts School at bergenPAC through the appointment of talented and experienced performer, voice teacher, and arts administrator, Becky Hinkle as Managing Director of the school. Efforts Hinkle will help to launch include an expansion of both the theater and music programs in addition to management of the school's operational policies and procedures. She will collaborate with the various departments at bergenPAC to establish administrative and financial management of the school including teaching artists and community partnerships, registration database, and statistical reporting for the institution.

"I am beyond thrilled and honored to join the team here at bergenPAC. In this exciting time of growth and development for The Performing Arts School, I look forward to serving the students and families of the greater Englewood area by bringing high-quality arts education programs to The Performing Arts School and into the community," explained Hinkle. By taking advantage of her talents and experience, she is sure to be an asset to the team through her adoption of a number of critical responsibilities at the venue.

An enthused Dominic Roncace, bergenPAC CEO explained the significance of bergenPAC's recent acquisition. "We are excited to welcome Becky to the team here at bergenPAC. She will prove to be an incredible asset with her years of experience and the knowledge that she has amassed over those years," Roncace said.

Since her graduation from Ohio Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Music in addition to her earning her Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Hinkle's list of accomplishments throughout the course of her career seems unending, including a host of experience at prestigious institutions as well as charitable organizations.

Most recently, Hinkle held the position of Director of Arts Education at New Jersey Performing Arts Center, where she oversaw after-school and summer programs in music, dance, and theater for students ages ten to eighteen. Prior, she dedicated her time with Carnegie Hall's education arm, the Weill Music Institute, managing community programs and artist training programs, including The Achievement Program, a national initiative launched to establish assessments for students studying music privately. She also managed projects within the Musical Connections program, which brings music to those living in challenging circumstances, including homeless shelters, hospitals, and correctional facilities.

Additionally, Hinkle served as an integral part of The Metropolitan Opera's Lindemann Young Artist Development Program. In her position at The Met she helped recruit aspiring professional singers and pianists, and was a liaison to artists such as Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Maestro James Levine. Becky has held teaching positions at Brooklyn-Queens Conservatory of Music and at The Performing Arts Center of Metrowest in the greater Boston area where she was Voice Department Chair.

Over the course of her career, she has also been teaching voice privately for over 14 years and was recently a board member of the NYC Chapter of The National Association of Teachers of Singing. As a singer, Hinkle has performed with such acclaimed festivals as Central City Opera in Colorado, and at numerous festivals in Italy and Salzburg, Austria.

Hinkle is planning on utilizing all of her knowledge and experience in order to advance programs and continue the mission of community outreach of The Performing Arts School. She explained, "I wish to expand and strengthen existing programs and student connections to the many incredible artists who perform on bergenPAC's mainstage." Her mission is one that will strengthen the influence that the school has over students in The Performing Arts School and in the community as a whole and her presence will foster a sense of growth within the school to improve a number of administrative functions and educational procedures.

The Education program at bergenPAC features a series of classes, school residencies, workshops, live performances, student productions and ensemble groups in the performing arts for students ages 2 1/2 months to 21 years old for all ability levels including special programming for individuals with special needs. The program provides students with unique and "hands-on" arts training by industry professionals that allow them to gain real world experience and enhance academic achievement through the arts. bergenPAC's arts education initiatives occur on-site at our new Performing Arts School building at 1 Depot Square, Englewood, NJ or off-site at other schools. Through programs, classes, outreach, school shows, and presented shows, the school reaches more than 30,000 students and community youth annually.

The Performing Arts School offers basic and professional level performing arts classes and ensemble groups and productions in theater, dance, and music for students of all ages. The school also offers beyond bergenPAC, a school Partnership Program with school districts throughout the area. The school also offers scholarships for those in financial need - no-one is turned away for inability to pay.

To enroll now or for more information contact 201.482.8194 or education@bergenpac.org.

Founded in 2003, the 1,367-seat Bergen Performing Arts Center, or bergenPAC, is the area's cultural mecca. Housed in a historic Art Deco-style theater boasting one of the finest acoustic halls in the United States, bergenPAC attracts a stellar roster of world-class entertainment. The jewel in our crown is The Performing Arts School at bergenPAC - the innovative, educational performing arts initiative that, through programs, classes, outreach, school shows, and main theater presented shows, reach more than 30,000 students and community youth annually. The Performing Arts School provides community youth, age 2 months to 21 years, with unique, "hands-on" training in music, dance and theater by industry professionals. It is through the ongoing generosity of sponsors, donors, members, and patrons that the not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) corporation bergenPAC and The Performing Arts School are able to thrive and enrich our community.