Pacifica Realizes a Treasure in Spindrift

Spindrift School of Performing Arts is a radiant example of Pacifica's deeply rooted love of the arts. In a town full of great arts programs and artists, it should be no surprise we have such a dynamic organization spreading a love for performing, and all the gifts which come with it.

The Sanchez Art Center, Mildred Owen Hall, The Rob Schneider Music Foundation, and Pacifica Spindrift Players are all indicators of a thriving community art scene, and a dedication to ever-expanding opportunities to explore. It was the Pacifica Spindrift Players board of directors who opened the curtain on Spindrift School of Performing Arts, and to them we are to be humbly grateful.

In 1992, that board asked Alex and Martha Bootzin to start a music school. Alex had been the music director for a couple of PSP productions, and the board clearly recognized his talent and passion. In 1993 spindrift obtained their non-profit status. Together with David Ilvedson, the Bootzin's taught the first classes mostly to adults on the weekends to fit around their busy schedules. By 1997 other performing artists were teaching children's classes in theater.

The beloved summer camps Spindrift does in schools across Pacifica got their start that year at the main building Spindrift School of Performing Arts  shares with the Pacifica Spindrift Players at 1050 Crespi Drive.

1998 was the year the Spindrift School of Performing Arts hired a fireball of a 19 year old, Noelle DeWeese, to began teaching dance classes. She offered ballet, tap, and jazz instruction to children as young as kindergarten-age.  Noelle is now the Executive Director of Spindrift, with children of her own just now old enough to start their dance and musical theater training.

Those early years were volunteer driven, and people like Keira Robalino worked full time for years without a salary, dedicated to an inspiring mission statement.  "To train and inspire students of all ages in the performing arts while instilling the qualities of confidence, self-discipline, creativity and respect for others."

To this day dedicated theater and music professionals and parents pour in endless hours to make incredible performing arts events happen all year long.

I can personally attest to the fact that all involved with the Spindrift organization walk the talk when it comes to living the mission statement. I moved here in 1998. My eldest daughter Isabel was four in 2002 when she took her first class from Noelle. Sparks flew over those next few years as Izzy fell in love with dance and Noelle, Natalia Luna, Brianna Anthony and Jenna Monroe instilled in her all the values espoused by the mission statement.

"In reality, it is adherence to that mission statement  that has allowed SSPA to grow and expand. SSPA is all about introducing the arts to children and giving them the venue to take it as far as they want to go," says Keira.

"It is about learning to work in a group, it is about the incredible gifts a child gets when they demonstrate competence in something. The arts are about taking chances, and exploring and pushing the envelope. SSPA provides a safe space for kids to be themselves and take those chances," continued Robalino.

This nurturing environment brings children's strengths to the surface and empowers the child to embrace their weaknesses and challenges with confidence. Once a shrinking violet, my youngest daughter Charlotte is now far from it and her years of performing with SSPA are at the heart of the comfort with which she wears her skin.

Music and voice lessons continue to be offered on a group and private basis, and help to round out Spindrift performers' skills and overall musical knowledge. Performing artists are the teachers at Spindrift. Each is still striving to express their art at the highest level, degree-holders from San Francisco State' s art programs and the Conservatory of Music in San Francisco are among those on the roster.

Each and every teacher lives and breathes the art they impart to our children and the youth of Pacifica.

Entering their seventeenth year, SSPA shows no sign of slowing down. If the website is any indication, www.spindriftschool.org, things are just getting started.

Annual winter productions are a big hit and have become a favorite Holiday tradition for many Pacificans. Classics like Oliver and Music Man, and modern productions such as  Suessical are just a few of the musical extravaganzas which have been staged...entirely by youth, even the tech team.

Look under productions and you can see all of the events produced over the years. The progression from that first summer camp for ages 4-19 in 1997 to what the summer camp program today offers is astonishing.  Musical Theater camps are spread throughout Pacifica in the summer. There are three camps for ages 4-7, three for ages 7-12, a teen camp, and two actor's studio camps for ages 10-19 which focus on staging comedies and dramas.

Virtually all of these camps take place on campuses here in town. This close relationship with both the Pacifica School District and Lincoln Unified School District has developed in to a beautiful symbiosis essential to all involved.

Next time we write, we'll focus more on these vital relationships between Pacifica schools and the Spindrift Dance Company, another example of the level of excellence Spindrift inspires.

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