About Us
Inspiring the next generation of performers through dedicated training, creative expression, and the transformative power of the performing arts.
Ann Paris, with the help of friends and family, produced Alice in Wonderland in 2016 as an opportunity for her students that she had trained, both privately in voice lessons and in her Musical Theater troupe 88634 at Buddy Taylor Middle School. The following year, the non-profit organization, Flagler Performing Arts Academy (FPAA) was formed. Since then, it has been a Palm Coast summer tradition that families look forward to every year.
Many of our "alumni" have gone on to major in performance art and even work in the entertainment field. It is exciting to follow their careers as we continue to offer music and theater education and produce professional-quality performances every summer.
Since 2016, in addition to Alice In Wonderland, we have produced The Lion King, Mary Poppins, Matilda, Into the Woods, Legally Blonde, Frozen, Shrek, The Lightning Thief, and Anastasia. We hope to continue making these productions possible as we try to find a more permanent home. With the help of our young artists, their parents, our advisory board, and our supportive community we can continue to serve the people of Flagler County and beyond.
In addition to the summer intensive and classes and lessons we provide, the students of Flagler Performing Arts Academy have been able to experience special opportunities to perform in theaters throughout the community, and with professionals in the industry such as pictured here, in concert with Mandy Gonzales (Angelica in Broadway's "Hamilton" and Nina "In the Heights"). Other exciting opportunities await as these young people continue improving their skills.
Our Mission
Flagler Performing Arts Academy is dedicated to providing high-quality performing arts education in a nurturing, inclusive environment. We believe every student deserves the opportunity to discover their artistic voice and develop the confidence, discipline, and creativity that the performing arts instill.
Founded with a passion for theater, dance, and music, our academy has grown into a vibrant community of young artists, dedicated instructors, and supportive families. We are committed to excellence on and off the stage.
Our Creative Director
Ann Sharrer Paris
Founder & Artistic Director
ANN SHARRER PARIS (B.A., B.S., MA Ed.) has hands-on experience not only as an instructor, but as a performer. After private study in Hollywood and upon receiving degrees at California State University, Long Beach in Musical Theater and Music Education, she worked in Summer Stock Theater companies in the west and mid-west, choreographed various music groups in the Los Angeles area, and taught dance in studios throughout Long Beach and Anaheim. In addition to theme park entertainment, she has toured the U.S., Eastern and Western Europe, Australia, Egypt, Israel, and Canada with Continental Singers and Orchestra, California State University Choir, and American Entertainment Productions.
Ann is a master at turning nothing into something. She chartered the choral and dance program at Gateway High School (Osceola County) and has been known to "resurrect" struggling choral programs. Ann has been Music Director at the Helen Stairs Theater and Choreographer at the Sands Theater (now the Athens Theater), as well as choreographer for the Daytona Beach College show choir and a dance instructor there.
About ten years ago, Ann founded Flagler Performing Arts Academy — a younger equivalent to summer stock theater — producing professional-level musical productions with children ages 8–18 in only three weeks of rehearsal time. Her most recent productions include "The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical" and "Alice in Wonderland." She also appeared in "The Producers" and "Anything Goes" as a singer/dancer, and organized and directed a professional-level singing group to perform in concert with Broadway star Mandy Gonzalez.
Upon earning her Master's Degree from the University of Phoenix, Ms. Paris retired from directing chorus, dance, drama, and musical theater in Flagler County Schools to devote more time to her non-profit organization and private voice students. She has been an adjunct instructor at Daytona State College and runs a highly successful private voice studio.
As a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), the Florida Vocal Association (FVA), the Florida Music Educators Association, and the Florida Elementary Music Educators Association, Ms. Paris adjudicates and coaches students throughout Florida. Her students have earned college music scholarships, community theater and professional roles across the U.S. and Europe, and currently perform at Disney, Universal Studios, in New York, and in Vienna, Austria. Ann has choreographed numerous college productions, produced children's music, dance, and art festivals, served as an adjudicator for Thespian Festivals statewide, presented at the National EdTA Convention in Las Vegas, and contributed to lesson plan curriculum for CPALMS through a program under Florida State University.
Since retiring from full-time classroom instruction after 30 years, Ann continues serving her private voice studio clients and is also the author of the "Vocal Relaxation System," a comprehensive singing course available upon request. For more information, visit www.annparis.com.
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