Business Details
12 Years
experience
Faith-Based Performing Arts Education & Community Programs in Oakland
Lyric Performing Arts Academy (LPAA) is a faith-based performing arts organization dedicated to inspiring, educating, and serving communities through culturally relevant arts programming. Founded in 2014 by three Oakland-native African American women, we utilize dance, theater, and music as tools for liberation, healing, and social justice education. Our team of experienced artist-educators delivers tailored classes, performances, and workshops to students of all ages, emphasizing accessibility and community engagement. With over two decades of combined teaching experience, our instructors specialize in African American cultural traditions while offering diverse styles including West African dance, hip-hop, musical theater, and jazz.We provide programming for schools, community centers, and organizations, focusing on trauma-informed healing conferences, racism eradication workshops, and historical education through live performance. Our mission combines artistic excellence with social impact, creating safe spaces for personal growth and community transformation.
Services
Performing Arts Classes
Educational Performances
Healing Conferences
Dance Instruction
Theater Production
Cultural Workshops
Social Justice Training
Vocal Ensemble
Music Education
Community Outreach
Details
- Year established: 2014
Highlights and features
- We integrate performing arts with trauma-informed healing and social justice education
- Our instructors have 20+ years of combined teaching experience in multiple dance styles
- We offer customized programming for schools, churches, and community organizations
- We specialize in African American cultural traditions and historical education through performance
- Our team includes certified life coaches and activists with performance expertise
Services
Performing Arts Education
We provide comprehensive training in dance, theater, and music for all ages. Our curriculum combines technical skill development with cultural education and social justice themes. Students learn from professional artists while exploring self-expression and community engagement through multiple performance styles.
Cultural Workshops
Interactive sessions covering African American history, jazz music, and Negro spirituals. Our workshops combine performance with historical education, using music and dance to explore cultural narratives and social justice themes in an engaging, participatory format.
Healing Conferences
Specialized programs transforming trauma through artistic expression. These conferences use performing arts as therapeutic tools for survivors of abuse and assault, combining creative expression with healing practices developed through 20+ years of community work.
Theater Production
Full-scale productions combining music, dance, and drama to educate audiences. Our shows cover historical narratives and social justice themes, creating immersive experiences that entertain while promoting critical thinking about cultural and societal issues.
Dance Instruction
Comprehensive dance training in multiple styles including West African, hip-hop, tap, and ballet. Our instructors bring decades of professional experience teaching students of all skill levels while emphasizing cultural context and artistic expression.
People
Kehinde Salter
Artistic Director
21-year educator with theater arts degree, specializing in hip-hop and West African dance. Accomplished vocalist and founder of Grace and Mercy Ministries, with extensive teaching experience at universities and Bay Area schools.
Taiwo Kujichagulia-Seitu
CEO/Music Director
Coloratura soprano and educator with MBA in marketing. Expert in African American spirituals and cultural history, teaching experience at Berkeley City College and Madison Park Academy. Co-founder of LPAA and heritage keeper for Negro Spirituals.
Juhandryn Dessames
Chief Financial Officer
20+ year performing arts professional with liberal arts degree. Oakland native specializing in dance instruction and youth development, with 15 years of nonprofit management experience and community service focus.
Paris Dupree McClellan
Vogue Instructor
Hip-hop specialist with 10+ years teaching experience. Oakland-based instructor since 2016, bringing street dance expertise and performance experience from San Francisco Bay Area venues.
Questions
What types of performing arts classes do you offer?
We teach dance (West African, hip-hop, tap, ballet), theater, musical theater, and vocal ensemble for all ages and skill levels.
How do you incorporate cultural education into your programs?
Our curriculum integrates African American history, social justice themes, and cultural traditions through dance, music, and theatrical performances.
Do you offer community workshops beyond performing arts?
Yes, we provide healing conferences for trauma survivors and racism eradication workshops using interactive performing arts techniques.
Can you bring programs to schools or organizations?
We offer on-site instruction and performances for schools, churches, and community centers during and after regular hours.
What makes your approach to performing arts unique?
We combine technical training with social impact, using arts as tools for healing, education, and community transformation.
