Sharron Miller’s Academy for the Performing Arts (SMAPA) is a nonprofit arts organization whose mission is to provide comprehensive, developmental training in dance and related theater arts to students at every stage of life. Our holistic philosophy nurtures the potential in each student by encouraging creativity, fostering self-discipline, and bolstering self-esteem, inspiring students to believe they can achieve. We have been a proud, Black-led organization in Montclair, NJ for over 25 years. OUTREACH PROGRAMS: SMAPA provides free in-school and after-school instruction in dance throughout the school year to elementary students in local public schools. We currently have programs at eight public schools in Paterson. We also provide a yearlong dance residency for high school students in Newark. SCHOLARSHIPS: Scholarships are available for students who demonstrate interest and ability and where financial support would be beneficial. SMAPA is proud to be a participating organization in New Jersey’s Families First Discovery Pass program, providing dance tuition assistance for families who receive benefits through SNAP, WFNJ, the Child Care Subsidy Program and/or WIC. FREE BOYS BALLET: SMAPA offers free boys-only ballet classes every Saturday for boys ages 6 and up. This program is made possible in part by a grant from the Stone Foundation of New Jersey. SENIOR EXERCISE: SMAPA offers low-cost exercise classes for adults ages 65 and older. We strive to create an encouraging environment to help seniors increase physical mobility in this low-impact fitness class that can be done standing or in a chair.
