This week, I had the opportunity to write about something that is very near and dear to my heart, CPAC. CPAC (pronounced [see-pack]) stands for the Christian Performing Arts Center and is a place for kids and teens to grow as leaders in their generation while learning singing, acting, and dancing skills. Many students from iUniversity Prep (past and present) have been, or are currently involved in this organization located in Keller, Texas. I have been involved with this group for over 7 years now, and am currently teaching classes and performing there. While I could go on all day about how wonderful I think CPAC is, I thought instead of giving you MY opinion, I would ask for the opinions of CPAC students, teachers, and even the director herself, Marcia Hall.

I started off by getting some of the students opinion’s at the CPAC studio to see how they felt about the program. “It’s really super cool,” said 4 year old Emmalynn, who can’t get enough of her favorite CPAC-taught song, “Happy Day”, which she mentioned countless times during her “interview”. Kids as young as Emmalynn all the way up to young adults are involved in this spectacular program. There are classes for beginners as well as classes for more advanced students. The professional ministry and performance group, Unity, teaches at CPAC and travels all around the U.S. performing countless numbers of shows. I asked iUPrep Counselor, Stacy Heath, whose daughter is enrolled in the program, what she loved about it. “CPAC gave her a positive peer group and a strong support system to be able to stay strong in her choices and fight the negative peer pressure.” CPAC also has a summer camp program lasting all season that is run by teachers and young interns. They started their intern program for kids 12 and up who outgrew the summer camp. The interns learn how to become teachers and leaders and assist in cleaning and maintaining the studio. 12 year old Gage told me he was thrilled about the opportunity to be an intern this summer. When asked what he was looking forward to the most, he answered back in a joking tone, “cleaning toilets”. He laughed and then added, “I’m excited!” with enthusiasm.

I went to interview my friend and fellow teacher, Kadin Pakdimounivong, who I have had the privilege of performing with for quite some time. Kadin is currently attending his second year at iUPrep and has been involved with CPAC for four years. Kadin told me about his first show with CPAC and what really got him involved. “I saw Unity at Gateway church; they were five girls and I kinda had a little crush on them and I was fangirling over them”, joked Kadin, “I joined this thing called Live Loud because they were running it and I actually got my first solo there. I decided to join CPAC because some of the kids were telling me I should.” He has been involved in CPAC ever since. “CPAC has helped me a lot through a lot of the tough times because [it’s] a place that I can go and be silly and be myself and stuff. The hospitality there is unlike any place I’ve ever been.” After three faithful years at CPAC, Kadin was promoted to the professional group, Unity. “Once I joined Unity I was put into [this] world of teaching”, Kadin told me. He teaches dance and individual performance training to kids all throughout the week every week. I asked him if there was anything he would like to tell his schoolmates and anyone else who may be reading this article. “CPAC is really cool. If you want to come and join, it would be pretty awesome!”

Next on my agenda was an interview with the founder and director of CPAC, Marcia Hall. While I have known Ms. Marcia for many years, I found out a lot of interesting things from her that I had not known before. Ms. Marcia revealed to me the reason for starting CPAC and how it all began. “I started CPAC in 1996 and I was a minister at a church where I saw a lot of talented people who never had a chance to do anything with their gifts. I always wanted some way people would have a chance to use their gifts and talents for God, instead of them having to sing at bars because they didn’t have anywhere else to sing. I wanted to have a place where they could sing and use their gifts and talents.” Her favorite CPAC performance, she told me, was when CPAC went to California. The reason? “Because the people where so moved. That was part of my dream coming true”. This uplifting program has impacted multiple lives (including my own), however Marcia Hall didn’t realize how much so until CPAC’s “ten year anniversary” when she saw a video that families had put together saying how “their lives had been changed”. “I was torn apart. I really couldn’t believe it,” said director Marcia Hall. “That was when I really realized this was going to be something great”. Ms. Marcia then told me what kept her going every day even when times were difficult. “Knowing that I have a job to do and that I have a call and it’s very clear to me now, [unlike] ten years ago. We are changing people’s lives almost on daily basis. That’s what keeps me going”. My director then left me with some very impactful words of wisdom to share with you now. “Once [you find] something [you] really feel is a part of [you] then [you] need to stick with it. So many [young people] go from one thing to the next and never really get good at anything. Once you find something that you are good at and stick with it, eventually, you will be great at it. I’m not trying to get too preachy but I do know God honors faithfulness. If you’re faithful, eventually you’ll be good at something.”

CPAC is more than just another dance studio, it changes lives and brings hope and joy to all who encounter it. The Christian Performing Arts Center has made appearances on Daystar TV, performed at professional halftime shows, Bass Hall, Six Flags, Praise in the Park in CA, Sea World, and many other places as well as iUPrep’s graduation last year. If you like what you’ve heard about CPAC and want to know more, you can check them out at CPACStudios.com where they have tons of videos and info. You can also look them up on Facebook under Unity CPAC or The Christian Performing Arts Center.