Artistic Leaders:
Kenya Lawrence Jackson,
Music Director
Northlake Performing Arts Society
Dr. Vera Zholondz,
NPAS Pianist
Northshore Performing Arts Society
The Northlake Performing Arts Society was founded in 1995 as an auditioned community choir to establish a venue for fine choral arts performance. Over the years, the NPAS Chorus has developed into an organization known for musical excellence and a high level of professionalism. NPAS recognizes that great music can inspire profound change in our lives, our community and our culture.
NPAS is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to enhance and enrich the cultural life on the Northshore by using choral music as a catalyst to embrace and promote other art forms.
The NPAS Chorus is truly a community organization with a wide range of professions, experience, musical training and ages blending together in a singular passion for beautiful music.
Board of Directors:
Sandy Hughes, President
Vickie Kelley, Vice President
Linda Busfield, Treasurer
Stacy Melvin – Secretary
Tim Ellzey – Facilities
Julie Bowling
Kelly O’Connor
Support Members
Suzan Bosarge -Music Librarian
Jerry Smolinksi – Facilities
Kenya Lawrence Jackson
NPAS Music Director
Northlake Performing Arts SocietyKenya Lawrence Jackson
NPAS Music Director
Ms Jackson currently serves as the Director of Music and Worship at St. Timothy United Methodist Church in Mandeville, LA where her duties include coordinating a large and diverse music program. She conducts the much anticipated Christmas on the Northshore concerts, showcasing the talents of the 100-voice St. Timothy Choir and the Northshore Orchestra, an ensemble of over 40 local musicians. She also created, produces and directs the annual Of Thee I Sing patriotic celebration each Memorial Day weekend. Ms Jackson has produced many children’s theater productions, including Seussical the Musical, Alice in Wonderland, and Godspell Jr, in addition to several original productions.
Ms Jackson also enjoys performing and is currently the Principal Soprano with New Orleans based opera company Opera Créole. She was last seen as Mother Juliette Gaudin in the award-winning original production of Les Lions de le Reconstruction. She also sang the title role in the award-nominated production of Treemonisha and also helped make Opera Créole history in the title role of Flamenca in the award-winning La Flamenca.
A native of Hammond, LA., Ms. Jackson holds a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Southern Methodist University and a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Southeastern Louisiana University, where she was recognized with the James Wilcox Award for Outstanding senior. She currently studies with LSU Professor, Dr. Loraine Sims.
Ms Jackson was recently awarded the Performing Artist Award at the 2021 St. Tammany President’s Arts Awards ceremony.
Dr. Vera Zholondz
Pianist
Northlake Performing Arts SocietyDr. Vera Zholondz
NPAS Pianist
Dr. Vera Zholondz is a native of Russia. She has a lengthy career as a pianist, music instructor, accompanist, violinist, and singer. Dr. Zholondz has a Bachelor’s Degree, Summa Cum Laude, in Piano Performance from Alcorn State University; a Master’s Degree in Piano Performance from Louisiana State University; and a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from Louisiana State University. She has won many awards and honors including: The National Mozart Violin Competition in Russia in 2006; the TSU National HBCU Piano Competition is 2010 and 2011, the Alcorn State University’s National Piano Competition in 2012, and numerous LSU Music Scholarships and Graduate School Tuition Awards.
Currently Dr. Zholondz serves as full time music faculty member at Louisiana Academy of Performing Arts and consistently performs as pianist, violinist, organist and vocalist. She has recently done a performance with Trisha Yearwood (March 2020, Baton Rouge, LA) and also has given several local concerts with her brother Anton Zholondz, performing an all – Piazzolla program. Dr. Zholondz is the pianist for Northlake Performing Arts Society and is music director position at First Methodist Church in Covington, LA.
NPAS Music Director, Kenya Lawrence Jackson, accepting her Performing Artist Award at the 2021 St. Tammany President’s Arts Awards ceremony.
Emma St. Cyr – 2023 NPAS Scholarship Winner
Emma St. Cyr is a 2023 graduate of St. Tammany Parish’s Northshore High School. While is high school, Emma was very active in the LA Music Educators Association District Honor Choir, ACDA All State and National Choir, the Thespian Troupe, and National Honor Society. Emma plans to become a Vocal Performance major at either LSU or Loyola.
Emma believes that music is a point of connection. It can remind us we are not alone. Help us through grief, bring us joy, and connect us to others. Emma will use her music degree to connect with others and remind them that they are not alone.
Natalia Turchin – 2022 NPAS Scholarship Winner
Turchin came to the U.S. to work on her master’s degree in vocal performance at Southeastern. She has been accepted by La Musica Lirica, International Opera Festival for singers, which takes place from June 18 to July 22 in Novafeltria, Italy.
The festival will give her the opportunity to work with nationally and internationally recognized musicians. Turchin will be a participant in the festival’s Opera division and has been awarded the role of Elvira in “L’Italiana in Algeri” by G. Rossini. The opera will be fully staged and performed with the professional Symphony Orchestra from Ravenna, Italy.
Articles: https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/entertainment_life/article_dd518b6a-cafe-11ec-a8cf-e77c8ec9e998.htmlhttps://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/entertainment_life/article_24d3485a-d178-11ec-80f1-c32f61fd2bc0.html
Jessica Clayton – 2021 NPAS Scholarship Winner
SLU student majoring in vocal performance. Jessica would love to make opera and classical voice more accessible to our community.
2020 NPAS Scholarship Award
Alyssa Carranza’s Fountainbleu Junior High
Ukulele Music Program
William Dopp – 2019 NPAS Scholarship Winner
SLU student. Finalist in the NATS (National Association of Teacher’s of Singing National Competition, June 2019. Accepted to the AIMS (American Institute of Musical Studies) in Graz, Austria, Summer 2019.
William was accepted in 2021 into the prestigious American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS), where he spent the summer studying and performing as a soloist in Graz, Austria. William’s most recent accomplishment was performing the role of Don Magnifico this summer in FIO Italia’s production of La Cenerentola by Rossini. William’s vocal achievements include receiving 1st place in competitions such as NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) state division in 2020, the Marjorie Stricklin Concert competition in 2019, NATS regional division in 2018, and the New Orleans Opera Association’s Donald Wood Opera Competition. After graduation, William plans to attend graduate school where he will continue his study of vocal pedagogy and performance. William is in the vocal studio of Dr. Kristen Marchiafava.
Sarah Cage – 2018 NPAS Scholarship Winner
SLU student. 1st place winner of the Jessica’s Voice Scholarship Fund. May 19, 2019
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