Our Story

FPAA has recently evolved into a collaboration of 3 individuals Kimberly Awbrey and Joanna Pitzak (Fusion Dance and Performing Arts Academy), and Jocelyn Schmidt (Training With Jocelyn).  We have an expanded board that includes enthusiastic people experienced in non-profit organizations and fundraising efforts.

We have joined forces to create a dance and theater academy in Grants Pass, Oregon. We are committed to providing high quality dance and theater training to kids and young adults. We provide a program for our students that promotes life skills such as team building, physical development, artistic expression, and self-esteem.

As a non-profit in Grants Pass, we are sensitive to the fact that many in our community are low-income families unable to experience training in the arts. With the extensive background of our team, our plan is to provide the best dance performing arts training in the area.

We feel passionately that our organization has a far-reaching effect on the young people in our community. Similar to sports, dance and theatre can offer college scholarship opportunities. In addition, the impact of the recent pandemic on our youth cannot be underestimated. Our academy understands that kids working in dance and theater experience many benefits. It is not only an incredible physical discipline, but also requires them to learn and remember choreography and staging as well as listening and social skills that allow them to understand and experience the value of working as a team. Our students get to experience the rewards of being able to feel the accomplishment of acquiring new skills, putting them to the test, all the while being in a positive, creative environment.

As a non-profit in Grants Pass, we are sensitive to the fact that our community is made up of low-income families with many unable to experience training in the arts (90% qualify for the school lunch program). We intend to offer affordable rates for a wide population of families. We are pursuing grant opportunities for scholarship funds and other expenses.