Sheri Melcher
Sheri Melcher, Director of the Creative and Performing Arts Academy of NEPA, is a professional pianist, musical theater director, choral conductor and educator. She is the recipient of the 2016 PA Theater Guide’s Person of the Year Award and has been selected as one of Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal’s Top 25 Women in Business for 2017. She has enjoyed an extensive performance career, including chamber music recitals at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall with Philadelphia Orchestra musicians Richard Amoroso (violin) and Adam Unsworth (horn). She has performed in recital with internationally acclaimed violinist Eugene Fodor at the Kennedy Center, bass-baritone Eric J. Owens and with members of the Baltimore and National Symphony Orchestras. Sheri has collaborated with The Concert Opera of Philadelphia, Astral Artistic Services, The Choral Society of Montgomery Country, The Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia and The Philadelphia Singers
As a sought after music director for middle and high school, college and community theater programs, Sheri has directed hundreds of productions. Sheri is particularly proud of her work as the music director for Harry Connick, Jr’s new children’s musical, The Happy Elf, which premiered in 2012 at the Pennsylvania Youth Theater in Bethlehem, PA. She served as music director for an extended run in Scranton, PA in 2014 and for the cast recording, which can be heard through Musical Theater International. She is the music director for Northampton Community College’s fall musicals, an adjunct faculty member at Marywood University and the organist/choir director at Jarrettown United Methodist Church in Dresher, PA.
As a member of the music faculty at Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy in Philadelphia for 20 years, Sheri taught upper and middle school music history, music theory and world music, while co-directing the Boychoir, Upper School Chamber Singers and the Middle School Drama Program. During her tenure at SCH, she was honored with the E. Perot Walker Prize for Teaching Excellence and named a Cy Nathan Faculty Chair as the representative for the combined music and art departments.
A graduate of The Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University and Temple University’s Esther Boyer College of Music, Sheri holds Bachelor degrees in Piano Performance and Music Education as well as Masters Degrees in Piano Accompanying and Pedagogy. Her teachers have included Fernando Laires, Marian Hahn and Lambert Orkis.
Participation in an acting class is not just about memorizing lines or reciting a monologue. This is where children are encouraged to think creatively. This is where they develop self-confidence as they step out of their comfort zone in an environment where they are allowed (and encouraged!) to make mistakes and learn from them. Through experiences in acting class, children learn to break down…
Singing produces benefits and results that might surprise you. The urge to sing- and to hear others sing- is in our genes. Singing, like laughter, play, sunshine and exercise- helps maintain our well-being and happiness. Singing is therefore fundamentally enriching. Through group music making, especially singing, children take an inner experience and move it into a shared creative experience.
While dance is a good source of fun exercise for young children, it is also an important creative outlet for imagination and emotion. Through dance, children learn to interpret the effect their movement has on the world around them. Coordination improves through dance, which is vital in developing skills learned in other parts of life. It also develops strength and endurance from an early age.
Testimonials
My son has been at CaPAA for a few years now and all I can say is WOW! From the first time he stepped into the doors he was welcomed with open arms and felt so involved in all aspects of everything they do. He first started with their plays (which is his absolute favorite) he loves the energy and immediate response from the audience! Then he got involved in acting techniques and some dancing and singing. Because of his start at CaPAA, he has done films, commercials, TV shows, PSA’s and modeling! We owe a lot to Sheri and Mike and our CaPAA family
My daughter, Jolie started with CaPAA when she was just 6 years old as a little orphan in Annie Jr. She is just days away from 10. It’s amazing how much she has grown in these last few years with the acting and singing instruction she has received at CaPAA. These years of having the most fun, building great friendships and developing lifelong skills while at CaPAA will surely go down as some of the best years of our lives!
When I started my daughter at CaPAA, I thought it would be where she would learn to sing, act, and dance within the theater world. Little did I know, it would become a place where friendships are forged and my family has increased by several hundred. CaPAA is beyond amazing, with an incredibly talented, supportive, and loving staff. We couldn’t be happier.
Our son’s music teacher suggested we try a CaPAA summer camp, and we were blown away. Our 9 year old son immediately fell in love with CaPAA and couldn’t wait to sign up for the next show. The staff and environment at the theater is beyond professional. Our teenage daughter saw how happy her brother was, so she decided to give CaPAA a try. She has now also found her home on stage at CaPAA . =We couldn’t ask for a better place to send our children to learn and have fun!
My daughter has been involved with CaPAA for 5 years. She cannot wait to go to rehearsals as she feels completely comfortable with her castmates and with all of the staff that run the programs. She has found a place that not only teaches her the skills of theater and dance but also how to work with a team. She has said she loves CaPAA and that it is like her home.
As a parent, I am blown away by the professional way the programs are run. From the audition process to the rehearsals, to the way the children are taught and treated is incredible. The staff treat the children as young professionals and with respect and teach them to be respectful of others and themselves. The shows are amazing and so well put together in such a short period of time. I would highly recommend CaPAA for any child interested in theater and /or dance. What a wonderful atmosphere of a kind, caring professionals. I’m so happy to be a part of the CaPAA family.
If someone told me 15 years ago that my first-born was not going to play sports, I would’ve laughed and certainly doubted them. My son tried so many different things, but it wasn’t until he walked through the doors at the Ritz, for a Summer Camp at CaPAA in August of 2018, that he found his niche. The staff at CaPAA saw something in him, and truly believed in him, and he hasn’t looked back since! He has been in several shows and has found a home up on that stage! CaPAA has been so welcoming to him. The staff has pushed him to be the best that he can be. His confidence has soared and we have never seen him happier. The arts are a whole new world to us, but I have to say that they have opened not only our ears and our eyes, but also our hearts! I know this is mostly about our son, but our daughter also goes to CaPAA and loves to shine on that stage too!!! We are forever grateful to CaPAA for all that they have done for not only our kids, but all of the CaPPA kids!!!