CPAA WEEKLY NEWSLETTER 9/4

Christmas Gala Update: Moving to Spring!

Since our Parent Meeting and initial season communications, we have welcomed so many new families to CPAA! We wanted to take a moment to reiterate an important update for the 2026–2027 season. One of the biggest changes for the 2026–2027 CPAA season is that our traditional Christmas Gala is moving to the SPRING!

This was an intentional decision designed to give our students more time to train, build technique, and grow during the first semester. With classes beginning in August, preparing for a large December production requires instructors to move into choreography and rehearsals very quickly. By shifting our major performance to spring, we can spend the first several months building a strong foundation and preparing students to be even more confident performers by the end of the year.

More Family Time at Christmas

We also know how busy the holiday season is for our families. Between school, church, travel, Christmas programs, and family events, December fills up quickly. Removing a major Gala production gives our students, staff, and families more breathing room to enjoy the Christmas season together without the added commitment of rehearsals and a large performance.

Holiday Open House Week

We will still celebrate the Christmas season at CPAA! During our Holiday Open House Week, families will be invited into the studio to watch their student's class, see what they've been learning, and enjoy a small holiday performance prepared by the students.

This gives families a more intimate look at their student's training and progress while still creating a fun and festive Christmas experience.

A Bigger Spring Celebration

The Gala isn't going away — it's being reimagined! Our goal is to incorporate elements of the Gala into our Spring Showcase, creating a larger year-end celebration that highlights everything our students have accomplished throughout the season.

Our Spring Showcase will be our students' major stage recital and year-end performance, so please keep CPAA dates in mind when planning end-of-year travel and activities. More details about this year's Spring Showcase will be shared as plans are finalized!

Mini October Silent Auction

We will also hold a Mini Silent Auction this October featuring some favorite CPAA & CCA experiences and perks, such as reserved parking, show tickets or reserved seating, graduation tickets, and more!

Beginning next school year, our vision is to incorporate these auction opportunities into our new Spring Showcase Gala. Details about the October Silent Auction will be coming soon!

CLICK HERE for the full Parent Meeting RECAP!

CPAA follows all Cornerstone Christian Academy school closures and half-day schedules. If CCA has a school closure or scheduled half-day, all CPAA classes will also be canceled for that day unless otherwise noted.

Please be sure to review the school calendar and watch for CPAA communications regarding any exceptions or schedule changes.

*CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE*

As we settle into the new season, please keep the following tuition and payment policies in mind:

• Tuition is due on the 1st of each month.
• A $35 late fee will be applied to accounts with an outstanding balance on the 10th of the month.
• A credit card must be kept on file for all CPAA accounts. If you do not currently have a card on file, please log in to your Studio Director account to add one. CLICK HERE TO LOG IN
• Monthly tuition does not fluctuate based on shorter months, holidays, breaks, or school closures. Tuition is calculated and averaged across the full August–May season, with scheduled holidays, school breaks, closures, and events already factored into the monthly rate.

If you have questions regarding your account or need financial assistance, please reach out to Christina Engelson at cengelson@ccanv.com. We are always happy to work with families who communicate with us proactively so we can find the best solution together.

For dress code requirements specific to your child’s class, please CLICK HERE to visit our website. Select the Classes & Dress Code tab, where you’ll find the appropriate dress code listed under each class description.

Thank you for helping your student come to class prepared and ready to learn!

We have officially received the upcoming CCA Athletics game schedules and are working closely with Sports Director Robert Berkey to coordinate priority dates, game schedules, and CPAA commitments for students participating in both programs.

Over the next week or so, families with students who are impacted by scheduling conflicts can expect to receive individual communication outlining any specific arrangements or expectations, including which dates students will be expected to prioritize CPAA classes, rehearsals, practices, or athletic commitments.

Please be on the lookout for these emails, as they will only be sent to families whose students are directly affected. Our goal is to work together across both programs and make expectations as clear as possible for our students and families.

We are so excited to officially begin the audition and production process for Beauty and the Beast Jr.!

Audition Dates:
7th–12th Grade: September 21 | 4:30–6:30 PM
3rd–6th Grade: September 23 | 4:30–6:30 PM

Audition preparation has officially begun in class! Students have started working through their audition materials, and we will continue building on them over the next several classes.

As choreography is taught, we will send home practice videos, along with vocal tracks, so students can continue preparing outside of class. Please be diligent in having your student practice these materials at home. Coming to class prepared allows us to spend more time refining choreography, vocals, acting, and performance quality rather than reteaching previously covered material.

We want every student to walk into auditions feeling prepared, confident, and ready to do their best! Thank you for helping us reinforce the importance of practicing and being prepared at home.

Following the initial auditions, there will be a series of callbacks as we work through the casting process. Additional callback details and schedules will be communicated after auditions.

We cannot wait to get started and bring Beauty and the Beast Jr. to life! If you have any questions regarding the audition process, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

What is our main performance this year?

Our 2027 CPAA Spring Showcase will be our main performance of the season and will take place May 21st & 22nd. Please save the entire weekend! Specific show assignments, rehearsals, and call times will be shared closer to the event.

Are we having a Christmas Gala?

No. As outlined above, we are replacing our traditional Christmas Gala with a CPAA Holiday Open House this year, allowing more time for training and growth during the fall semester.

Will all CPAA classes participate in the Spring Showcase?

Yes! Our regular dance classes and Competition Teams will participate in the Spring Showcase. Musical Theater students will also prepare a special production number in addition to their main-stage musical.

How much are Spring Showcase costumes?

Costumes are $125 per costume. Students enrolled in multiple performing classes may require more than one costume. Additional ordering and payment information will be provided.

Is there a recital fee?

Yes. There is a $50 recital fee per student for the Spring Showcase.

Will there be other performance opportunities?

Possibly! Select classes or groups may have additional opportunities to perform at CPAA, CCA, Cornerstone Church, or other special events throughout the year. These will be communicated directly to participating families.

Where can I find more information?

Please refer back to the performance information at the beginning of this newsletter for additional details. If you still have questions, please feel free to email CPAA and we’ll be happy to help!