Central Florida Vocal Arts & Opera del Sol

Central Florida Vocal Arts (CFVA) is making waves by providing arts education to young people. This non-profit, founded by Theresa Smith-Levin in 2013, is dedicated to transforming the community through music. Smith-Levin is the Executive Director of Central Florida Vocal Arts (CFVA) and also serves as the Executive Director of Opera del Sol, which operates under CFVA's umbrella. She passionately believes in the organization's purpose. "We're on a mission to transform our community through arts education for all and professional performances that inspire," says Smith-Levin. CFVA engages in numerous community programs, offering free voice lessons to more than 120 students weekly. These lessons are facilitated through partnerships with Orange and Osceola County Public Schools, the Boys and Girls Club, and other organizations. Their objectives are far-reaching, aiming to provide the transformative impact of arts education. "Everyone in our community deserves to have access to the transformative impacts of arts education, and they belong in the professional production setting, so that they can see their own humanity, their own experience reflected back to them on the stage," Smith-Levin asserts. The non-profit emphasizes that the arts can teach valuable life skills. "When we put our children into youth sports, we don't do it because we think they'll be the next Cristiano Ronaldo. We do it because we know that they're going to learn teamwork, resilience, and collaboration. And you can do all of that in the art space," Smith-Levin explains. A recent initiative with the Pace Center for Girls further exemplifies CFVA’s impact by offering access to arts education to at-risk young women. "Pace serves young women who have found themselves in crisis, who maybe don't believe that they are capable of great things anymore. Being able to bring art into these students and say, if I can teach you to sing, I can teach you to use your voice to advocate for yourself," says Smith-Levin. CFVA is also planning for a permanent space to continue its valuable work. Smith-Levin encapsulates the broader vision: "We're able to make sure that the most vulnerable in our community are still able to have meaningful arts experiences.” Rather than seeking applause, Smith-Levin and her team find fulfillment in seeing young individuals connect, grow, and gain confidence. "I want our work to be about pouring into the next generation to make a better community for all of us," she states. Central Florida Vocal Arts exemplifies the profound impact of arts education on young lives, making them a WESH 2 CommUNITY Champion. Connect with CFVA here: https://lnkd.in/ekY-GekK

We are proud to welcome Victoria Wells to the team as Director of Development! Victoria Wells, MBA is thrilled to join Central Florida Vocal Arts & Opera del Sol as the new Development Director. Victoria's passion for music and activism intersect perfectly in this role, having experienced the transformative power of music personally. She began piano lessons at the age of five and has since devoted her life to the art form. With a Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance and a secondary focus in voice, Victoria has taught, performed, and trained at esteemed institutions and locations including Stetson University, Italy, Washington D.C., and throughout Central Florida. Her favorite quote and guiding principle is: "To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable." This philosophy drives her commitment to music and her approach to leadership and community engagement. Victoria's career is marked by a dedication to fostering connection and community. She has a rich background in fundraising, community engagement, and nonprofit leadership. In her most recent role, she worked to increase disability inclusion, developing broader brand awareness, engaging new corporate funders, enhancing event success, and assisting in restructuring the development department and annual plan. Additionally, Victoria serves as the VP of Public Relations with the Winter Park Toastmasters, a group renowned for nurturing accomplished public speakers and presenters. She is excited to contribute to the mission of Central Florida Vocal Arts and support the vibrant arts scene in Central Florida. "I could not be happier to join the team at CFVA. It is clear that this is a team dedicated to providing equitable arts access and creating a kinder, more connected community. Join us in giving her a warm, CFVA welcome!

Happy National Non-Profit Day! National Nonprofit Day commemorates August 17, 1894, when the Tariff Act became law and gave exemptions for charitable institutions and nonprofit organizations. We are lucky to serve the Central Florida community as a 501c3 organization. If you aren't familiar with the work that Central Florida Vocal Arts does, we would love for you to attend one of our community classes, productions, special events, or visit our website to learn more. Central Florida Vocal Arts, along with sister company Opera del Sol, are using our platform in the performing arts to build a better Central Florida community through education, performance, and appreciation. A non-profit music advocacy organization, we are dedicated to re-imagining the future of vocal arts. We provide the highest quality training to artists of all ages while also offering performance opportunities to emerging and professional artists. We use the arts to create tangible social good in our community. Through community partnerships including educational programs at Boys and Girls Club, PACE Center for Girls, Orange, Camp Boggy Creek,Center for Health & Wellbeing, grant-funded programs to provide arts accessibility to all students through Orange and Osceola Counties, productions at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, The Plaza Live, Orlando Fringe and in unique spaces such as CityArts, we are bringing meaningful arts experiences to venues and classrooms all over Central Florida! We encourage you to get involved by subscribing to our newsletter, volunteering, making an inquiry about lessons or showing up to a performance or audition! https://lnkd.in/geZ5cc6X #NonProfitDay #NationalNonProfitDay #NonProfit #501c3 #ArtsNonProfit #CentralFlorida #Orlando #CentralFloridaVocalArts

Tickets are now on sale for "The Light in the Piazza! Click here for tickets: https://tr.ee/TOey-cel5j DATES: Friday, November 15 at 8:00 pm Saturday, November 16 at 2:00 pm Saturday, November 16 at 8:00 pm Based on the 1960 novella by Elizabeth Spencer, the show is set in the 1950s and tells the story of Margaret Johnson, a wealthy Southern woman, and Clara, her daughter, who is developmentally disabled due to a childhood accident. The two spend a summer together in Florence, Italy. When Clara falls in love with a young Italian man, Fabrizio, Margaret is forced to reconsider not only Clara’s future, but her own deep-seated hopes and regrets as well. The winner of six 2005 Tony Awards, including Best Original Score, CFVA’s production will be directed by lauded performer and director, Ayò Jeriah Demps, with music direction by the talented Philip King. The Plaza Live 425 North Bumby Ave. Orlando, FL 32803 #TheLightInThePiazza #Musical #MusicalTheatre #Theatre #Theater #LocalTheatre #Performance #OrlandoPerformance #ThePlaza #ThePlazaLive #OrlandoFlorida #ThingsToDoInOrlando #thingstodoorlando #StuffToDoInOrlando #StuffToDoOrlando #OrlandoEvents #Tickets #TheatreInOrlando #ShowsInOrlando #OrlandoShows #CentralFlorida #NonProfit #CentralFloridaVocalArts #November #November15 #November16 #TicketsOnSale #ProfessionalProduction #professionalTheatre

Thank you the32789! Looking forward to engaging some new, local talent! Send in your auditions today! https://lnkd.in/e6Fb8uCf

Our Executive Director, Theresa Smith-Levin appeared on WESH 2 CW18 News with Jason Guy as a CommUNITY Champion. Check out her interview here: https://lnkd.in/enj8e528 #News #Wesh2 #Interview #Interviews #NonProfit #NonProfits #NonProfitOrganizations #ExecutiveDirector

"Pinder added that Gilbert and Sullivan, and “Pirates” more specifically, is a great gateway into opera for those who don’t think they are “opera people.” “There is such a whimsical, ridiculous and fun aspect to ‘Pirates’ that sort of draws you in,” he says. The cast also features Sarah Beth Ganey as Mabel, Chris Teixeira as the Pirate King and Susan Neves as Ruth, the “Piratical Maid of all work.” Thank you Watermark Publishing Group, Inc. for sitting down to chat with Eric Pinder, Adam Morales, and Michaela Wright! We can't wait for you to all see this production come to life! https://lnkd.in/ehft9ECw

Tune in TOMORROW! Theresa Smith-Levin is on WESH 2 CW18 News this Thursday August 1st at 9:45 for their CommUNIUTY Champion segment! We are so proud of out CommUNITY Champion! #News #Wesh2 #WESH #CommunityChampion #LIVE #ExecutiveDirector #NonProfit #Founder #CentralFlorida #Orlando #OrlandoFL

Have you heard the big news? 😮 We are proud to share some breaking news concerning everyone's favorite mouse!🐭🎠🏰 We are making 'Magic' with Camp Boggy Creek! CFVA is thrilled to announce a partnership with Camp Boggy Creek to expand our impact, by bringing the power of the performing arts to medically vulnerable youth. As part of our mission, we are dedicated to ensuring arts education access for all. Camp Boggy Creek serves youth with medical diagnoses to ensure they and their families can have the joy of a Summer camp experience in a safe and nurturing environment. Together, with Central Florida Community Arts, we will offer arts programming modeled after our successful Summer Institute, building campers confidence and creativity through performing arts education. We are thrilled to share that this collaboration is made possible through the award of a 2024 Disney Grant! This powerful community partnership, supported by The Walt Disney World Foundation , will serve the incredible campers at Camp Boggy Creek, inspiring the next generation of resilient, creative and kind leaders. We are also proud of our two staff members who graduated from Disney Institute's session on Disney's Approach to Quality Services (Meghan Hone, our Director of Operations, and Michaela Wright, our Studio Manager and Assistant Director of Marketing!) Congratulations all and thank you Walt Disney World! #Disney #Mickey #Partnership #CampBoggyCreek #CentralFloridaCommunityArts #CFCArts #GrantRecipient #GrantAward #DisneyInstitute #Mickey #ChipNDale #News #BreakingNews #CentralFloridaVocalArts #CFVA #Orlando #OrlandoFlorida

This is going to change so many lives! 🥹We were honored to have Sahid Pabon speak on our behalf at The Winter Park Health Foundation ’s Well Together Grant Challenge Tea! We look forward to sharing at the event on October 11th. #NonProfit #Grant #Award #ChangedLives #MusicEducation #Music #ArtsEducation #MusicEducation #CentralFlorida #CentralFloridaVocalArts