The United States Postal Service has temporarily suspended delivery and retail operations in parts of Florida as Hurricane Ian bears down on the state.

USPS announced Tuesday night that it was stopping services in Southwest and Central Florida until further notice. The hurricane was expected to make landfall in Florida sometime Wednesday along the state's Gulf coast.

The move means more than 200 post office locations will be closed.

Cities with offices closed are in: Alturas, Alva, Apollo Beach, Anna Maria, Arcadia, Aripeka, Auburndale, Avon Park, Babson Park, Balm, Bartow, Bay Pines, Bloomingdale, Brandon, Boca Grande, Bokeelia, Bonita Springs, Bowling Green, Braden River, Bradenton, Bradenton Beach, Bradley, Brandon, Brooksville, Bushnell, Cape Coral, Captiva, Carrollwood, Center Hill, Chokoloskee, Clearwater, Coleman, Commerce, Cortez, Crystal Beach, Crystal Springs, Dade City, Davenport, Dover, Dundee, Dunedin, Durant, Eagle Lake, East Naples, Eaton Park, Ehrlich, Elfers, Ellenton, Embassy Crossing, Englewood, Estero, Euclid, Everglades City, Falkenburg, Felda, Florence Villa, Forest Hills, Fort Meade, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Ogden, Frostproof, Gibsonton, Glengarry, Golden Gate, Goodland, Gulf Gate, Gulfwinds, Haines City, High Point, Highland City, Hilldale, Homeland, Hudson, Immokalee, Indian Rocks Beach, Intercession City, Istachatta, Kathleen, LaBelle, Lacoochee, Lake Alfred, Lake Hamilton, Lake Panasoffkee, Lake Placid, Lake Wales, Lakeland, Lakewood Ranch, Land o' Lakes, Largo, Laurel, Lehigh Acres, Lithia, Longboat Key, Lorida, Loughman, Lutz, MacDFill Air Force Base, Madeira Beach, Mango, Marco Island, Mulberry, Murdock, Myakka City, Naples, New Port Richey, New Tampa, Nichols, Nobleton, Nocatee, Nokomis, North Fort Myers, Ochopee, Odessa, Oldsmar, Ona, Oneco, Osprey, Ozona, Palm Harbor, Palmdale, Palmetto, Parrish, Pineland, Pinellas Park, Placida, Plant City, Polk City, Port Charlotte, Port Richey, Punta Gorda, Riverview, Ruskin, Safety Harbor, Saint James City, Saint Leo, St. Petersburg, St. Pete Beach, San Antonio, Sanibel, Sarasota, Sebring, Seffner, Sulphur Springs, Sumterville, Sun City, Sun City Center, Sydney, Tallavast, Tampa, Tarpon Springs, Terra Ceia, Thonotosassa, Tice, Trilby, Valrico, Venice, Venus, Wauchula, Waverly, Webster, West Tampa, Wimauma, Winter Haven, Ybor City, Zephyrhills and Zolfo Springs.

"The Postal Service appreciates its customers and their understanding as we temporarily adjust operations due to inclement weather," USPS said in an emailed news release Tuesday night.

"We will continue to monitor tropical weather conditions and well restore service when it is safe to do so."

Sad as it is to see the remains of the old piers — barely jutting above the surface of the slow-flowing Withlacoochee River near Istachatta — they do have the benefit of revealing secrets about old-time bridge construction.

Workers apparently drove steel tubes into the riverbed, along with — right down the middle of these tubes — sturdy, reinforcing timbers. The tubes were then filled with a mixture of concrete and fist-sized rocks, forming pillars about 2 feet in diameter and nearly 20 feet high.

The piers were still standing as recently as three weeks ago, said Charles Lee, Florida Audubon's director of advocacy, who lives near the river.

But when he paddled by them on Jan. 27, he said, they had collapsed into the river.

"A part of history now gone," Lee wrote in an email to me last week.

True enough, though it's probably a little different than the history Lee heard from neighbors and passed on to me in his email and when he met me on the river Saturday — that the bridge was built by slaves during the Civil War, originally for rail, and was later converted for use by cars.

Melba Ward, 66, is an Istachatta resident who grew up in the Peters family, one of the first to settle in the tiny community in the northeast corner of Hernando County. In 2007, she wrote an extensive report about it, Istachatta: History of the First 100 Years, 1850-1950, published by the Hernando Historical Museum Association.

Ward was not able to find a record of when the bridge was completed. She did discover when the County Commission approved a $2,200 contract to build the bridge — in 1908.

She agrees with Lee on another point. It was the only bridge in the area available for car traffic until the steel and concrete bridge for what is now County Road 476 was finished in the early 1940s.

There was no record of a rail bridge before that — only of several ferries, including one that began operating near present-day Nobleton in 1859.

Those ferries were basically small barges with decks attached to ropes strung across the river. Horns made of conch shells were hung at the landings on either side so customers could summon the ferry.

As to another part of Lee's email — "The bridge had an infamous history involving lynchings" — there could definitely be something to that.

In 1926, Brooksville's Southern Argus newspaper reported that a black man named Charles Davis, accused of killing a white Pasco County deputy in eastern Hernando County, had been seized by an armed mob near the river as he was being led back to Brooksville from Ocala.

"I believe Davis was taken and thrown into the Withlacoochee River," Sheriff W.D. Cobb told the paper. "Maybe in a day or two the body will come to the surface."

The apparent lack of concern in Cobb's comment isn't surprising once you know, as some historians believe, that he was complicit in this killing and several other acts of racial violence in the 1920s.

That's not in Ward's book. But here are some things that are.

Istachatta appears on early maps as Magnolia or Magnolia Bluff. The current name didn't show up until 1884, when F.M. Townsend filed a plat map with the county.

Nearby Townsen Lake and Lake Townsen Regional Park were named after him, Ward said, which means both have been misspelled on maps and in county documents for years; she thinks somebody in the county mistakenly dropped the final "d" and the result took on a life of its own.

But even Townsend didn't really found the town, which didn't take its current shape until a developer mapped a grid of streets during the 1920s land boom.

Of course, you don't need to know about this history of the bridge or the town — if, with a population of 116, it can even be called a town.

But maybe hearing about the bridge will encourage you to get in a canoe or kayak and take a trip along the river to see what's left of the piers.

It's a good trip, even when you don't know the history. Just a little more so when you do.

This article coincides with citizen comments and “Update Regarding Relocation of Gopher Tortoises to Environmentally Sensitive Lands at Lake Townsen Preserve” agenda items of the Board of County Commission meeting April 9, 2019

Pat Miketinac submitted prepared packets to the board and commented on the destruction of the Lake Townsen Forest as part of an ongoing habitat restoration project. Miketinac reports that many other species of trees are being destroyed except for scattered Longleaf Pine. “The stated reason is … for habitat restoration, for the creation of gopher tortoise recipient sites.” He went on to say that destruction of the other types of vegetation because the back five acres of our property is the same Arredondo soil classification, that’s still home to native vegetation, with many gopher tortoise burrows. Miketinac said that some protected areas are left with nothing but Longleaf pines. “It looks like Hiroshima after the blast.”

Shirley Miketinac addressed the board, and began with, “Today I have a fairy tale for our children. Once upon a time there were great, lush diverse forests all across Hernando county. The envy of the world, deep shade canopies, a mystery, a joy, a wonder.

“But alas, they’ve all been burned, shredded and poisoned to create pine tree farms to sell cheap lumber to corporations … they sell much of it to China. The corporations don’t pay for the land, taxes or employees. The citizens do all of that for them. Chassahowitzka, Withlacoochee, Chinsegut, Perry Oldenburg, to name a few. And now they’ve added Lake Townsen Regional Park to that list.

“I’m devastated that our children will never know the great forests of Hernando County, except in fairy tales, or pictures.

“Lake Townsen is a Hernando County Park. Of the 375 acres, 100 have just recently been destroyed, not a green plant left on the mechanically shredded acres, just sand and rubble and scraggly pines.

“Another 180 acres are slated to be destroyed by fire, machines and / or chemicals and harvesting over the next six months. Everyone, please needs to go out to Istachatta / Nobleton and witness the destruction of this once-proud forest firsthand.”

In closing, Miketinac said, “Lake Townsen was granted to Hernando County in 1974 … for the express purpose of public recreation. The people of the neighborhood fund-raised to pay for the fencing, ballpark and playground. The county put in equestrian trails, but who’s … going to want to ride out there now when the shade canopy has been destroyed? You’ve got burned ashes, chopped up rubble and scrub, lingering carcinogenic chemicals. There’s RoundUp™ being used. Will that get into the lakes and river?”

Pam Everett, who lives in the area described by the Miketinacs, asked the board if any member or staff has witnessed the current state of the forest. “I’m overrun with wildlife now. Everyone likes to see a deer in their backyard, but I have 20-30 every single night.” Everett said squirrels, opossum and other wildlife are overtaking her yard because they have no place to go.

According to Everett, horse trails are sporting brand-new signs that they are protected, yet there is highway visible from the trails that used to be shielded by trees. Visitors from surrounding counties have not been as numerous, and the decrease in visitors threatens two small businesses in the area.

During Board/Staff Responses, Interim County Administrator Rogers mentioned that the concerns regarding Lake Townsen would be addressed during the meeting. Dukes added, “Unfortunately, I’m the person who started that process, because we were paying $2000 a piece to have our turtles taken by contractor. St. Lucie County had a program where they were keeping (the tortoises) in the county. The program has taken so long because of the restrictions put upon individual counties by the state. I had no idea that it had gone to this size, and that’s a question for staff. I know that there had to be underbrush … but to cut trees down… I’m not sure how a gopher tortoise interacts with a tree… so I’m concerned about that, because it was not the intent in my mind. I’m not the person who makes the rules… I am eager to hear from staff, and I am concerned about that.”

Michael Singer Conservation Land Specialist, began the presentation on the habitat restoration and gopher tortoise recipient site project, covering the history of Lake Townsen, already mentioned by citizens. Additionally, the BOCC directed the Environmentally Sensitive Lands (ESL) committee to develop a gopher tortoise recipient site in 2012.

Commissioner Wayne Dukes said he was surprised that the Lake Townsen project has taken 7 years. “I thought there was already a turtle hotel out there,” Dukes said.

Singer explained that in response to questions from the public, the legal department reviewed the project and determined that “creation of the recipient site on the property as well as habitat restoration and management activities were consistent with the deed and the application for obtaining the property.”

Preparing to explain the specifics of restoring the site, Singer displayed an aerial map from 1974, indicating areas of sparse tree growth and vegetation, ostensibly that have since become overrun with trees and vegetation.

Commissioner John Allocco asked Singer how the determination is made that a site has been ‘restored.’ Singer answered that there is a classification system that is used. Lake Townsen is classified as “Upland conifer forest” and the specifics of its restoration were not available during the presentation.

Singer did show that timber is being harvested from Lake Townsen, however it is for the purpose of restoring Longleaf Pine for the tortoise habitat, while maintaining canopy cover required by FWC.

Shirley Miketinac was the first to ask Singer, “If you had a chance to save the gopher tortoises and our beautiful mixed hardwood forests, wouldn’t you do both?” Miketinac invited the board and staff to call her directly to arrange a meeting so she can take them to the areas she has spoken about. “Gopher tortoises are not endangered… their status is ‘Threatened’ due to growth of industry and habitat destruction.” Regarding the destruction of trees, Miketinac said, “Some of them got sent over to CEMEX to be burned … (others) are on a ship to China for tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. This is the game the industry plays.” She went on to say that the tortoises don’t need to live in the forest, as they can live anywhere.

Miketinac also expressed concern about an upper respiratory ailment affecting tortoises of the Perry Oldenburg preserve and the fact that juvenile tortoises consume a lot of acorns. “So what did we do? We cut down all the oak trees.”

Steven Dix supports the project. “I’ve hiked that area for many years. I’ve always considered it to be too overgrown, too many oaks for the type of habitat it should be. All the practices I’m seeing there match very closely what I see the Division of Forestry, the Water Management District, and Fish and Wildlife are doing.” Dix stated he owns similar property in North Florida, and maintains it by a system of mechanical shredding and burning. He commended the county on a great job.

Eugene Kelly of Brooksville introduced himself as a Conservation Biologist of 30 years. Kelly reported previously serving on the county’s ESL Committee until it was dissolved. Kelly was on the committee in 2012 when the Lake Townsen project began, and like Dukes, has thought about the amount of time spent so far, with more work to do. Kelly summarized that a habitat restoration project like this is “like hitting the reset button. The reason we’ve lost 5 years is because we didn’t take out these hardwoods in 2012.”

Singer expects 6-12 months for the timber reduction to be completed.

The following media release was distributed by the county late last month:

Habitat restoration project to temporarily close portions of Lake Townsen Preserve

“(Brooksville, FL) Portions of the equestrian trails at Lake Townsen Preserve, located at 28011 Lake Lindsey Road in Brooksville, will be temporarily closed over the next six months due to a habitat restoration project. This project is being conducted by the Environmentally Sensitive Lands (ESL) program to improve native sandhill habitat for the creation of a permitted gopher tortoise recipient site. An equestrian trail closure schedule will be posted at the preserve’s parking area pay station as well as on the Hernando County website once it becomes available.

“Several phases of this project have been completed since the Board of County Commission directed ESL staff to begin moving forward in 2012 including two mechanical treatments, one chemical treatment and two prescribed burns. For the current phase of the project, the County has partnered with the Florida Forest Service (FFS) to administer a timber harvest. This harvest will selectively reduce nuisance, overgrown hardwood and sand pine trees while retaining and enhancing growth of native longleaf pines and beneficial herbaceous ground cover. Target conditions for this area are 50 percent or greater of herbaceous ground cover and 40 percent or less of canopy cover. Following the timber harvest habitat restoration phase of this project, the FFS will assist County staff in installing fresh fire breaks surrounding the perimeter of the restoration project site to mitigate for potential wildfire and perform a prescribed burn to further enrich the native conditions.

“The creation of a gopher tortoise recipient site will be beneficial to more than just area tortoises, the restored habitat will provide a more vibrant ecosystem supporting a wider variety of native plants and wildlife. Additionally, County projects requiring gopher tortoise relocations will be less costly, saving taxpayer dollars, and interagency partnerships formed during these projects will carry on into the future.

Contact Environmentally Sensitive Lands at (352) 754-4057 for additional information.”

Editor’s Note: The area is known as Lake Townsend, Townsen Lake and Lake Townsen. The Lake was named after Istachatta’s founder and postmaster Francis M. Townsend. He built a ferry across the Withlacoochee River in hopes of becoming a stop on the stagecoach route. The alternate spelling Townsen is the result of a transcription error.

The Hernando County Legislative Delegation was held Monday, December 6, 2021. This is the meeting where local officials meet with state officials to request changes or additions to law, and request state funding for county projects. This meeting was attended by State Representatives Blaise Ingoglia and Ralph Massulo. Senator Wilton Simpson was absent from this meeting.

In the Public Testimony segment, the delegates heard from Dr. Timothy Beard, President of Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC), Elke Cumming of Gulf Coast JFCS (Jewish Family and Community Services), Chris Lemon of the Pace Center for Girls, Ashley Hofecker of Mid Florida Community Services, Inc. and Mark Barry with the Arc of the Nature Coast.

Dr. Timothy Beard, President of Pasco-Hernando State College

Dr. Beard thanked the state officials for prior legislative funding that built the STEM Center for Student Success & Community Engagement in Dade City earlier in the year, and for the funds that were allocated for the college’s operations. “The job is still not totally done,” Beard said. He requested $4 million to cover the underestimated cost of the STEM Center. An additional $3 million is requested for the West campus to repair aging buildings

This year, the focus is on the Corporate College that will be a part of the Dr. Dennis Wilfong Center for Success. “I believe, like you believe, that we ought to leave Hernando County better than we found it,” Beard said, prefacing his request for $12.5 million for the Corporate College.

Beard reported that nursing education for LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurses) will be downsized next semester due to a lack of faculty. The college is seeking to incentivize instructors for this program, who can reportedly triple their salary outside of academia. Additionally, clinical space and simulation equipment is needed for nursing students’ experiences. $7.5 million was requested for these programs.

Pasco Hernando State College is also planning a Regional Logistics Academy, in partnership with Polk, Hillsboro and St. Petersburg State Colleges to train truck drivers and other logistics professionals for careers in the transportation and distribution industries. Beard asked the delegation to consider $160 million for the program, to be divided between the participating colleges.

Representative Massulo said at the conclusion of Beard’s presentation, “Education is expensive, and our state prioritizes education, particularly career education. Because we believe as the legislature, and as the governing body in this state that people don’t have to go to college to get a good job and to be able to raise their family well. But as we invest in this education… We want our kids to learn the facts of how to be productive citizens and we don’t necessarily want to influence their political philosophy. We want to stick to the reading, writing and arithmetic, and in (PHSC’s) case, the jobs and skills training.”

Elke Cumming, Vice President of Programs and Administration of Gulf Coast JFCS

Cummings’ agency offers a Non-Custodial Parent Employment Program. The unique program that began in 1995 allows parents ordered to pay child support an avenue to maintain payments. Almost half of the participants in the program are court-ordered to Gulf Coast JFCS for employment assistance and to report child support payments.

“For every dollar the state invests in the program, four dollars is returned to the coffers, whether that’s through child support or fees that are paid.” Cummings did not request a specific amount during the meeting.

Since the slowdown in the court system produced by the COVID-19 pandemic, JFCS has been actively seeking participants at job fairs and other public events.

Chris Lemon of the Pace Center for Girls

The non-residential, free and voluntary Pace Center for Girls is an early-intervention program with academic and counseling services. Girls attending Pace do so as a result of personal or family trauma and are given special attention to overcome and succeed academically as well as individually. Participants attend school at the Pace facility and graduate from their original school.

Lemon had with him Leah, a current student at the Pace Center who told her story of success.

Over the past few years, Pace has expanded their Reach Therapeutic Services, which according to their website, “Delivers supportive therapy specifically designed for girls in middle and high school in a variety of convenient, easy-to-access locations, including in their home, school, community or online.”

Lemon reported that of 6 graduates in 2020, all are attending college or employed.

No request for funding was made during the meeting.

Miranda Maldonado, Community Transportation Coordinator of Mid Florida Community Services

Maldonado requested continued support for the Innovative Service Development grant. The annual grant was originally established in 2019.

The grant helped Mid Florida to expand service hours and access to rural areas including Ridge Manor and Istachatta, and increase the number of trips provided for employment and education purposes.

Maldonado reported that their Veteran Ride Program is the biggest success, providing reduced fares for veterans and their families. Qualified riders pay a fare of $1.00 each way, reduced from the regular fare of $5.00.

Mid Florida also transports veterans to the James A. Haley Hospital in Tampa free of charge.

Mark Barry with The Arc of the Nature Coast

Barry told representatives that he “wanted to do the happy dance,” about the construction of their Life Skills Center on their Neff Lake campus. Barry asked the representatives to consider rate increases in order for the Hernando County agency to survive.

Prior to The Arc and agencies like it, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities were housed in institutional settings. The Arc was born out of the deinstitutionalization trend in the the 70s to better serve the needs of these individuals, and Barry reports that space has always been an issue as the program grows. According to their website, The Arc still provides services at the 30 acre chicken farm in east Hernando County, as well as 20 other locations, serving more than 280 individuals and their families in Hernando and Pasco counties.

The Arc’s rates are set by the Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA), and cannot be changed. “We have always been a low-funded industry, and consequently a low-wage industry,” Barry reported that charitable funds have allowed the Arc to survive in many cases.

In October, The Arc Nature Coast acquired The Arc in Sumter County, in what Barry described as a “desperate and necessary move” in order for the Sumter agency to survive due to increases in the state’s minimum wage. However, Hernando’s Arc will most likely be impacted after 2022, when the minimum wage increases again. Without a rate increase, they will likely not be able to make payroll.

Representative Massulo, who is a medical doctor, acknowledged that healthcare is experiencing a problem in the areas of nursing homes and the like that are having staffing issues due to the low salaries often offered. He assured Barry that the state is aware of the problem.

Andi Sperduti Garner returns to the Live Oak Conservatory to teach five different dance programs:

Live Oak Theatre and Conservatory Welcomes the Return of Andi Sperduti Garner

Jazz From Broadway to hip hop, come explore musical theatre from past to present. In this class you will learn a new combination every week from Broadway musicals past and present with an emphasis on all styles of jazz. Learn original choreography from George M! A Chorus Line! Even Hamilton! Thursdays 11:00-11:50am

Ladies Dance Want to move and get in shape while having fun? Calling all adults! Learn everything from line dances maybe swing ballet tap and jazz. Whatever we feel like! Meet friends and get in shape Thursdays 10:00-10:50am

?Musical Theatre Hip Hop Ages 12 and up. This dance class is geared towards Musical Theatre performers who would like to learn current technique used in many of the musicals that are currently on Broadway. Mondays 6:00-6:50pm

Tap (level 1) Ages 8-12 learn techniques in Tap with emphasis on form and aspects of performance. Learning Tap gives ear training and learn complicated rhythm patterns. Thursdays 12:00am-12:50pm

?Tap (level 2) Ages 12 and up learn techniques in Tap with emphasis on form and aspects of performance. Learning Tap gives ear training and learn complicated rhythm patterns. Mondays 5:00-5:50pm

Ms. Garner, Live Oak President Randi Olsen, and Live Oak Vice President Vince Vanni first appeared on stage together in the then Show Palace Dinner Theatre’s first production of Fiddler on the Roof. “It’s really great to have the team back together again,” said Vanni. Ms. Garner recently directed the Acorn Theatre production of Shrek Jr. and will direct Live Oak’s Main Stage production of Newsies!, presented through the sponsorship of Pasco Hernando State College.

An open house and registration for classes at the Live Oak Conservatory will be held on Saturday, August 21 from 11 am to 2 pm at the Carol & Frank Morsani Center for the Arts, 21030 Cortez Boulevard, Brooksville, Florida 34601.

For information about Live Oak Conservatory go to www.LiveOakTheatre.org/Conservatory, call 352-593-0270 or email liveoakconservatory@gmail.com.

Andi Sperduti Garner has performed professionally for the past 30 years. She has been choreographing and directing for the past 20 years. She has performed/ choreographed and Directed for Empress Cruise lines, Universal Studios, Fl., Theatre by the Sea, RI., Peach State Summer Theatre, GA., Big Band at the Savoy with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, SC., Lees-McRae professional summer theatre, NC., She was on the artistic staff and resident dance captain for Show Palace Entertainment 2001-2016. Andi has taught Tap, Acting, Modern and Musical Theatre at John Leggio’s school of performing arts. Artistry Dance and theatre Academy, Diana’s Dance Express and Andi’s Academy of Performing Arts and Elsa Pardo in Tampa. She was a judge with Fusion National Dance. She also started the Theatre program at Bishop McLaughlin And Notre Dame Catholic schools. Favorite roles: Millie Dillmount (Handy Award Best Actress) In ThoroughlyModern Millie, Norma Cassidy in Victor/ Victoria, and Lois/ Bianca in Kiss me Kate just to name a few.

Reviews:

Swing!

…. Show Palace’s choreographer Andi Sperduti could tailor each dance to the strengths and talents of his cast members and the physical requirements of the Show Palace’s stage. The result is nothing short of amazing.

Tampa Bay Times

Sentimental Journey

……Dancing is where this revue really shines. Five couples put on a show of a lifetime…. Hats off to this ensemble and to Choreographer Andi Sperduti for making everything happen.

Jack’s Theatre

Crazy for you

…Start with Andi Sperduti-Garner’s imaginative and sometimes downright dangerous choreography and the dancers who execute it with exactness and energy. The footwork is intricate, the use of props flashy.

Tampa Bay Times

Kiss Me Kate

…and brilliantly choreographed by Andi Sperduti-Garner, this show is fresh, funny, sophisticated, and highly energetic.

Tampa Bay Times

About the Live Oak Conservatory Programs

Live Oak Theatre & Conservatory is – above all – a family friendly theatre program which exists to enrich families, individuals, and the community by providing positive artistic experiences in the Performing Arts – including excellent, affordable, and edifying family friendly entertainment, performance, and educational opportunities.

We offer group classes and private lessons in acting, improv, youth art, musical theatre, singing, hip hop, tap, jazz, ballet, Acro, and most musical instruments including piano, guitar, and violin.

To compliment Live Oak Theatre’s tradition of bringing top notch musical theatre entertainment and training to our community, our Conservatory offers classes in dance, music and drama which together make up a well-rounded and versatile performing arts educational program. Children… and adults… can take these classes to enhance their creative and artistic skills and combine them with other fine arts and performing arts skills. The Live Oak Conservatory is Hernando County’s one stop destination for education in the performing arts!