SHARE

Haworth Musician Heads Up bergenPAC's Early Stars Program

ENGLEWOOD, N.J.– Wendy Bain was recruited five years ago by bergenPAC to lead an early childhood class called "Music Speaks."

Wendy Bain and Performing Arts School Managing Director Becky Hinkle.

Wendy Bain and Performing Arts School Managing Director Becky Hinkle.

Photo Credit: Anthony Locicero

This fall, Bain, a mother of two from Haworth, will be in charge of the Performing Arts School's debuting "Early Stars" childhood program. 

“The Early Stars program is designed to be the beginning of their journey at the school, and it will help lay the foundation to create lifelong learners of the arts,” Bain said. “Students can then advance through the school with any one of our many class offerings. As the only Performing Arts School in Bergen County attached to a prominent theater, our students have the opportunity to perform either on a major stage or in our smaller Black Box Theater, which gives them a real performance experience.”

Classes will be offered to children as young as three months and up to 5 years old "in the pursuits of music, dance, and theater," said Director of Communications Nina Bachrach. 

The classes will feature a mix of traditional and contemporary songs from around the world and explore the wonders of music while playing with developmentally appropriate instruments, she added. 

Bain began teaching music in 2003, switching careers – she worked in marketing and sales in Manhattan –after the Sept. 11 attacks. 

“Music has always been a passion of mine," said the singer, who trained at the Center for Music and Young Children in Princeton. "It changes lives.”

Bain ran her Music Speaks program in Northvale, Franklin Lakes and –starting in 2011 – at bergenPAC. 

"She was recruited by bergenPAC to help formulate and direct Early Stars as the premier early childhood performing arts education program that will offer educational services to a much younger demographic for many families who participate in their Performing Arts School," Bachrach said. "Bain plans on creating an environment in which teachers engage and connect with students and their caregivers in all types of musically and theatrically driven activities so that everyone enjoys the learning process."

The activities offered are intended to provide a structure for the natural movements of participants and utilize innate skills to develop coordination, strength, flexibility, and focus, she added. 

"There are more opportunities for arts," Bain said. "It's critical for learning.

“After students age out of Early Stars, they transition seamlessly into The Performing Arts School’s voice, music, beyondDANCE, theater, recording, and musical theater offerings,” Bain added. 

Two free trial classes will be offered on Sept. 7 and 8 at the Performing Arts School, located at 1 Depot Square. 

Classes are scheduled to begin on Sept. 12 and run every week day. 

For a complete schedule of available classes and for more information, click here or call (201) 482-8194.

to follow Daily Voice Northern Valley and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE