Bringing the Sound of Inspiration to the Northshore
Since 1995, The Northlake Performing Arts Society has brought the world imaginative musical creations to the Northshore. Founded by Laura Lane, who was inspired by the profound changes music can bring to our lives, the NPAS Chorale skillfully blends a wide range of professions, experience, musical training and ages with a passion for beautiful music.

Known for musical excellence and award-winning performances, the NPAS Chorale performs major classical works as well as Broadway and contemporary music. Its repertoire ranges from Brahms to Mozart, from Pirates of Penzance and Mikado to Godspell  plus an annual Madrigal Feaste. The Chorale has performed under its founder, Laura Lane, director Dr. Meg Frazier and its current artistic director, Alissa Rowe, as well as Arthur Fagan, Moses Hogan and other distinguished conductors.

The Northlake Performing Arts Society is a non-profit organization, funded by gifts and donations from people who share a passion for great music. Find out how you can help here.

People Who Make It Happen: The NPAS Board of Directors

Jennifer West, President Ann Hall, Vice President Jan Gardner, Treasurer Tom Ballantine, Secretary Anne Duke

Tom Nowak Jack Duke Jerry Smolinki Martha Lady

People Who Make It Happen: Alissa Rowe, Artistic Director
Alissa Mercurio Rowe is an active choral conductor and voice teacher. She is currently the Director of Choral Activities and Vocal Area Coordinator at Southeastern Louisiana University. Ms. Rowe conducts the Southeastern Concert Choir, Women’s Chorale, University Chorus and Northshore Chorale.  She is active as an adjudicator, has given choral and vocal workshops in the Midwest and Southeastern states and conducted numerous Honor Choirs. Ms. Rowe will conduct the Louisiana Music Educator’s Association All-State Women’s Chorus in November of 2008.

Ms. Rowe also regularly performs as a soprano soloist. She performed Handel’s Messiah with Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra in December of 2006 and for the past five years has performed with the New Hampshire Symphony Orchestra on their Holiday Concert Series.  Having been a conducting participant in 2002, Ms, Rowe returned to the Conductor’s Retreat at Medomak (Maine) as a soloist and sang two performances of Barber’s Knoxville Summer of 1915. She also performed and recorded three roles in David Schiff’s opera Gimpel the Fool, conducted by Kenneth Kiesler, with Third Angle, Portland Oregon’s renowned new music ensemble. The recording was released in May 2007 on Naxos. In March of 2009, Ms. Rowe will perform with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.

Ms. Rowe holds a Master of Music in Conducting, a Master of Music in Vocal Performance, a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and Teacher Certification K-12 from the University of Michigan. She is currently writing her monograph for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting at Louisiana State University. 

Support for a Dynamic Cultural Resource
The primary sources of funding for the Northlake Performing Arts Society are corporate and individual gifts, donations, and ticket sales.  The Society is a dynamic, cultural resource for the Northshore. You can help it grow. For information about gifts and donations, click here.