WHARTON INSTITUTE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, INC
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Arts education is the very soul of Wharton Arts. We believe in the positive and unifying influence of music and the performing arts. Arts education should be accessible to all people regardless of their ability to pay.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Paterson Music Project
The Paterson Music Project creates a supportive community centered on the joyful pursuit of musical excellence, empowering and equipping children to achieve their full potential. Inspired by the global El
Sistema movement, PMP uses music education as a vehicle for social change in its home city of Paterson.
OVERVIEW
The Paterson Music Project provides tuition-free musical training to 500 students in grades 1-12 throughout Paterson in school, after school, and on weekends. Students study a primary instrument and participate in ensemble practice, instrumental sectionals, and private lessons three times a week. Students perform frequently for the community. PMP provides accessible, affordable, and high-quality instrument training to students. The program focuses on musical excellence, life skills through group training, and community. PMP prioritizes introducing students to music at a young age and following students for multiple years as they grow and develop their skills and talents.
New Jersey Youth Symphony
The New Jersey Youth Symphony (NJYS), founded in 1979, is a tiered orchestral program offering ensemble education for students in grades 3-12 across New Jersey. NJYS has grown from one orchestra of 65 students to over 500 students in 15 different orchestras and ensembles, including the internationally recognized Youth Symphony. NJYS ensembles have performed in venues including the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Carnegie Hall, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. NJYS has received numerous prestigious awards for its adventurous programming from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and has had six European tours, including participation in the Summa Cum Laude International Youth Festival and Competition (Vienna), winning First Prizes in July 2014 and 2017.
Performing Arts School
Wharton Arts' Performing Arts School (PAS) is dedicated to engaging, educating and enriching the community through a broad spectrum of musical programming. PAS offers private and group music lessons in all instruments and voice, musical theater and drama classes, and summer camp programs for children, teens, and adults, regardless of their ability to pay. Serving nearly 700 individuals annually, PAS welcomes beginning students as well as those with advanced musical abilities. In addition to providing performing arts education, we are involved in our community in many ways.
New Jersey Youth Chorus
New Jersey Youth Chorus (NJYC) is an auditioned choral ensemble program for students grades 3-12. The New Jersey Youth Chorus provides music education that encourages a love and appreciation of choral music while nurturing personal growth and creative development.
Where we work
External reviews

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Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Work for Excellence:
1. Develop programs that will have a solid educational framework and provide students the opportunity to extend their education as they desire
2. Promote the idea that students, faculty, and staff feel valued
3. Improve facilities and equipment will to enable excellence to be achieved
4. Ensure all programs and staff are regularly evaluated
Financial Stewardship:
1. Achieve 5% surplus on annual budgets
2. Increase annual development goals
3. Strengthen Board of Trustees
Advocate for Performing Arts Education:
1. Provide resources for students and parents to understand the importance of performing arts education
2. Provide opportunities for students to mentor and volunteer
3. Communicate regularly with school, community, and elected officials about activities and their importance to the community
4. Work collaboratively with other organizations to further our mission
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Strategies include:
- Increasing music theory offerings at our Performing Arts School to reach all students
- Hiring a marketing consultant to increase and strengthen our reach
-Introducing early childhood education programs
-Beginning chamber music programs
-Creating a New Jersey Youth Symphony advisory counsel of student liaisons
-Touring our premier Youth Symphony on an annual basis, either domestically or internationally
-Providing opportunities for Performing Arts School students to participate in the Achievement Program and/or the Royal Conservatory Music Development Program.
-Compensating all faculty members fairly and in accordance with education and experience
-Providing professional development opportunities for staff and faculty
-Increasing technical capacity of the theater will be enhanced with additional lighting and sound equipment
-Evaluating all programs regularly by students, parents, and faculty
-Observing all new teachers to ensure excellence and providing mentoring opportunities
-Providing resources for students and parents to understand the importance of performing arts education
-Providing opportunities for student musicians to mentor, volunteer, and perform within their communities
-Work collaboratively with other organizations to further our mission
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
WHARTON INSTITUTE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, INC
Board of directorsas of 01/20/2023
Bob Hamburger
Grace Park
Jacqueline Phillips
Charissa Wong Horton
Helen Ahn
Libby Corydon-Apicella
Levy Kelman
Lenore Davis
John Levine
Julia Sen
Ingrid Dillon
Joe Serzan
Courtney Pantirer
Phil Evans
Michele Johnson
Dan Kornick
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
The organization's co-leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data