PRograms & Events
Performing Arts
How can Urban Impact affect the lives of children who don’t play sports? To us, the answer seemed obvious: through performing arts! Directed by Urban Impact co-founder Tammy Glover, the Performing Arts Program gives children, middle school and high school youth the opportunity to share their talents by singing, dancing, and acting in venues across the country.
I am a part of the Urban Impact Singers, which is a traveling choir that travels around the country to share our faith through singing. I have been involved with Urban Impact since the fourth grade through basketball, summer day camp, soccer, and of course the choir. The choir has been a huge help in my life, it kept me out of trouble and taught me to grow in my faith and walk right with Christ. I feel as if it weren’t for the choir I’d be lost in life. 
Use the links below to explore Performing Arts Program details.
Director of Performing Arts: Tammy Glover
Performing Arts Staff:
Brittany LaPalme
Eric Anderson
Kelly Bramble
Ryan Manners
Matthew Mason
Lorenze Jefferson
Urban Impact
801 Union Avenue, 4th floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Phone: 412-321-3811
Fax: 412-321-2369
Email: performingarts@urbanimpactpittsburgh.org
Urban Impact Choir
(Grades 6-12 Fall & Spring)
Fall Program start date: September 11, 2012
Spring Program start date: February 5, 2013
The big picture: The Urban Impact Choir is the flagship of the Performing Arts Department. This program reaches out to students in grades 6-12 who are vocally talented with a passion for learning to use their talents for the Lord. Students gather weekly for dinner, a Bible study, and to practice the choir’s repertoire. Dance and step groups that perform with the choir meet weekly before choir rehearsals.
Since its beginnings in 2005 with 12 members, the choir now accepts over 100 dedicated middle and high school students annually.
General choir registration begins in August. Although the roster fills quickly in the fall, some spaces become available in January for the winter/spring semester. Register today for the upcoming semester!
Time commitment: Weekly rehearsals on Tuesday evenings, 5:45pm-9pm
Venue: Meet at Union Place on the North Side and travel by bus to Christ Church at Grove Farm in Sewickley, Pa. At the end of the evening, the bus returns to Union Place.
Have questions? Call Tammy Glover or Matt Mason at 412.321.3811.
Urban Impact Children's Choir
(Grades 1-5 Fall & Spring)
The big picture: Our goal is to disciple, train, and equip the choir members to grow in their relationship with Jesus and in the musical gifts He has given them.
Time commitment: Thursday Nights 6:30 - 8:00pm
Venue: 4th Floor of 4AC, Room 10
Have questions? Call Sheri Turnbull at 412.321.3811.
Urban Impact Singers
(Summer Program)
The big picture: The Urban Impact Singers is an invitation-only group that travels across the country throughout the summer and school year. They spread the word about Urban Impact ministries and proclaim the personal difference Christ has made in their lives.
Time commitment: Students meet several days per week in May. They then begin touring throughout the summer and school year, in addition to meeting once per week during the school year.
Venue: Allegheny Center Alliance Church Choir Room, North Side of Pittsburgh
Have questions? Call Matt Mason at 412.321.3811.
Urban Impact HOPE Singers
(Summer Program)
The big picture: The Urban Impact HOPE Singers group endeavors to take post-high school-aged students and equip them to do ministry. They travel throughout the summer and school year to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through song. The members of this group are students who have graduated from UIF programs and desire to become leaders and disciple-makers for Jesus Christ.
Time commitment: Students meet several days per week in May. They then begin touring throughout the summer and school year, in addition to meeting once per week during the school year.
Venue: Allegheny Center Alliance Church Choir Room, North Side of Pittsburgh
Have questions? Call Matt Mason at 412.321.3811.
Urban Impact Shakes
(Summer Program)
The big picture: Using the work of William Shakespeare, middle and high school students develop acting skills, increase vocabulary and expand their understanding of classic Literature, all set against a Biblical understanding of Christ and the Gospel. Students perform regionally, continue study in the fall and compete in the Spring Pittsburgh Shakespeare Competition.
Urban Impact Shakes applies the "Understanding by Design" model of instruction, and was a topic of discussion at the Association of Christian Schools International conference in 2012. Read more about the conference >>
Time commitment: In June & July the Shakes meet 4 days/week in preparation for national performances in August. December-February is spent preparing for the Shakespeare Competition.
Venue: Summer rehearsals are at Allegheny Center Alliance Church, second floor of the Whiteside building.
Have questions? Call Eric Anderson at 412.321.3811.
Performing Arts Academy
(Grades 1-12 Fall & Spring)
Thursday Nights 4:30-8PM
The Performing Arts Academy consists of a variety of classes that meet weekly. Students learn how to improve their skills and explore how their gifts and talents can be used to glorify God.
Students can take lessons in voice, visual arts, drama, dance, instrumentals, and jazz band. Classes take place on Thursday evenings. Times vary depending on the class. There is a $20 fee per semester required with registration.
If you would like to register for Performing Arts Academy, you must download and review the
Urban Impact Registration PDF and the Class Selection Form. You will need Adobe Acrobat to view. If you don't have it, you can get it for free here. This form MUST be signed by a parent or legal guardian and returned to Urban Impact upon its completion.
Performing Arts Academy: Ballet
Program start date: Fall - September 20, 2012/ Winter - January 31, 2013
The big picture: Ballet classes are offered for all ages on Thursday nights. Modern and Step dance classes are also available to members of the Urban Impact Choir. Register now for the upcoming semester!
Time commitment: Thursday evenings.
Elementary: 4:30PM-6PM
Middle and High School: 6:30PM-8PM
Venue: Union Place, North Side of Pittsburgh
Have questions? Call Eric Anderson at 412.321.3811.
Performing Arts Academy: Drama
Program start date: Fall - September 20, 2012/ Winter - January 31, 2013
The big picture: Drama classes are offered for all ages. Middle and high school students are also given the opportunity to perform creative dramatic expressions along with the choir. Register now for the upcoming semester!
Time commitment: Thursday evenings.
Elementary: 4:30PM-6PM
Middle and High School: 6:30PM-8PM
Improv (MS/HS):6:30PM-8PM
Musical Theatre (MS/HS): 4:30PM-6PM
Venue: Union Place, North Side of Pittsburgh
Have questions? Call Eric Anderson at 412.321.3811.
Performing Arts Academy: Voice
Program start date: Fall - September / Winter - January
The big picture:The voice program of the Urban Impact Performing Arts Academy gives middle- and highschool students a chance to use and perfect their vocal talents.
Register now for the upcoming semester!
Time commitment: Thursday evenings.
Middle and High School: 6:30PM-8PM
Venue: Union Place, North Side of Pittsburgh
Have questions? Call Eric Anderson at 412.321.3811.
Performing Arts Academy: Visual Arts
Program start date: Fall - September / Winter - January
The big picture: Visual arts is a great creative outlet for our student to express themselves in a safe environment. Our visual arts classes teach the basic elements of design while working in several different media. Register now for the upcoming semester!
Time commitment: Thursday evenings.
Elementary: 4:30PM-6PM
Middle and High School: 4:30PM-6PM and 6:30PM-8PM (2 class section)
Venue: Union Place, North Side of Pittsburgh
Have questions? Call Eric Anderson at 412.321.3811.
Performing Arts Academy: Mime
Program start date: Fall - September / Winter - January
The big picture: The elementary mime class provides students an opportunity to worship God without using any words. They learn fundamental mime techniques, including the proper use of stage makeup and gloves for performances. Register now!
Time commitment: Thursday evenings.
Elementary: 4:30PM-6PM
Venue: Union Place, North Side of Pittsburgh
Have questions? Call Eric Anderson at 412.321.3811.
Performing Arts Academy: Instrumentals
Program start date: Fall - September / Winter - January
The big picture: The Performing Arts Academy will debut three instrumental classes for middle- and highschoolers for the fall 2012 semester. Flute and guitar lessons will be offered for beginners, and a jazz band will be offered to students with some experience playing an instrument. Register now!
Time commitment: Thursday evenings.
MS/HS Guitar: 4:30PM-6PM
MS/HS Jazz Band: 4:30PM-6PM
MS/HS Flute: 6:30PM-8:30PM
Venue: Union Place, North Side of Pittsburgh
Have questions? Call Eric Anderson at 412.321.3811.
Program-specific Events
Urban Impact Singers/Shakes Retreat
May 31 - June 2
Grove City College
SHAKES PERFORMANCE
July 26-28
Students will perform "Much Ado About Nothing" at 8PM on July 26 & 27 and 2PM on July 28 at the August Wilson Center.
Public events
annual football clinic
June 4
This special event for North Side kids and families will be held at Pittsburgh Oliver Citywide Academy. Registration begins at 5:30PM.
ManUp Pittsburgh Dads' Conference
June 8 at Orchard Hill Church.
Pastor ed's speaking engagements
See the schedule for upcoming speaking engagements or make a request to have Pastor Ed speak at your event or service.