Above / Now in its fifth year, the benefit concert for KidsMatter returns to Wentz Concert Hall on April 16. (PN File Photo)
UPDATE: LINE UP ANNOUNCED April 3, 2016 / Student performers represent all six Naperville area high schools, from the Benet Jazz Combo, award-winning musical theatre vocalists from NNHS, MVHS, a cappella groups from The School of Performing Arts and NCHS, Benet Academy, The School of Performing Arts Main Melody Show Choir and Dance Ensemble students, and an ensemble from Bollywood Rhythms. Special needs student performers from Artful IMPACT’s SPECTRUM programs will perform in both musical theatre and dance numbers. 360 Youth Services Operation Snowball student leaders will present an improvisational skit.
Included in the cast are Bryn Michaels – Ballet Solo; Bailey Cochran – Vocal Solo, self accompanied on guitar; Elise Druhan & Kyle Halford – Contemporary Dance Duet; Nora Snyder – Musical Theatre Vocal Solo; Seven Acosta – Vocal Solo, self accompanied on piano; Tish & Arushi Krishan – Contemporary Violin Duet; Isabella & Michael Isherwood – Piano Duet; Axel Hageman – Musical Theatre Vocal Solo; Bollywood Rhythms; Chorelles – Female A Cappella Choir; Main Melody – Show Choir; Spacappella – Mixed A Cappella Choir; Empower –Dance and Vocal; Spectrum – Musical Theatre Scene; Lucy Wang – Classical Piano Solo and the Benet Academy Jazz Ensemble.
POSTED March 28, 2016 / For the fifth year in a row, Naperville’s School of Performing Arts has signed on as presenting sponsor of Ignite the Nite, a concert to benefit KidsMatter, set for 7PM on Sat., April 16, at Wentz Concert Hall on the campus of North Central College.
The 2016 concert, followed by a fundraising dinner at 8:20PM, will celebrate the talents and abilities of all Naperville youth and honor several organizations that support Youth Mental, Developmental and Behavioral Health in the community. WGN radio personality and Naperville resident Steve Cochran will host the concert and VIP Dinner.
“The School of Performing Arts and KidsMatter share a common goal of building self-awareness, self-esteem, cooperation, communication skill, behavioral self-management and mental health in young people,” said Barbara Yokom, founder of the School of Performing Arts. “In our teaching and not-for-profit endeavors at the school, we see the effective role the arts can play in aiding emotional, mental and behavioral health in both young people and adults.”
Yokum thinks events such Ignite the Nite are a great expression of how the arts help meet that goal.
“KidsMatter is an organization that cares about the well-being of our kids and creates opportunities for our children to become caring, capable and successful adults,” Yokum added. “We are truly proud to help them continue to make such a difference in so many lives.”
The annual concert will feature nearly 100 talented Naperville area high-school-aged musicians, dancers and actors including a few acts presented by youth with mental, developmental or behavioral challenges. Participation by students representing Operation Snowball also will take part.
The event will also salute nine other Naperville area organizations dedicated to supporting youth mental, developmental and behavioral health, 360 Youth Services, Artful IMPACT!, The Education Center, Gi Gi’s Playhouse, Little Friends, Linden Oaks Hospital, NAMI, Samaritan Interfaith Counseling and Turning Pointe Autism Foundation. All of the organizations will be honored during the concert.
VIP ticket buyers will be treated to a pre-concert VIP jazz cocktail reception from 5:30-7PM, concert at 7PM and a post concert Rainbow Room Jazz Cabaret Dinner at 8:20PM featuring a performance by Chicago vocalist and recording artist Rose Colella.
VIP, General Admission and student concert tickets can be purchased through the North Central College box office at www.tickets.noctrl.edu or (630) 637-SHOW. For more information, call (630) 637-SHOW.
Rainbow Room Reception and Dinner Sponsor again is Marquette Companies, Developers of Water Street District in Downtown Naperville. They are joined by Ryan Hill Realty. Honoring Sponsor for Champions of Youth Mental and Behavioral Health is the William Thompson Family.
Do you you about KidsMatter?
KidsMatter is a Naperville-based nonprofit organization that equips youth and families with tools to manage the stress of everyday life through dynamic school and community programs, practical education, resources and youth recognition. The organization helps build resilient kids and families who say NO to destructive behaviors and YES to endless possibilities. Programs offers community leaders, public safety officials, kids and parents programs to address at-risk situations and be strengthened to educate and challenge youth choices about social issues, drugs and alcohol.
For more information visit www.kidsmatter2us.org.
RELATED POST: Search “Ignite the Nite”
