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, Dr. 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 Dale Johnson

Gabrielle Casebonne Jack Duke Jerry Smolinski

People Who Make It Happen: Alissa Rowe, Artistic Director

Dr. Alissa Mercurio Rowe is an active choral conductor and voice teacher. Since 2002, she has held instructor positions at Southeastern Louisiana University. During the summers of 2003 and 2004 she served as a member of the All-State voice faculty at Interlochen Arts Academy. She conducts the Southeastern Concert Choir, Southeastern Louisiana University’s premiere choral ensemble, with which she conducted the world premiere of Theodore Morrison’s Canzoni d’amore and Stephen Suber’s His Rhythm! She is active as an adjudicator, has given choral and vocal workshops in the Midwest and Southeastern states and has conducted numerous Honor Choirs.

Dr. Rowe is also the current Vocal Area Coordinator at Southeastern.  In December of 2006, she was the featured soprano soloist with Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra for their performance of Handel’s Messiah. For the past five years, she 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. Dr. Rowe is a versatile performer who regularly performs a wide variety of works such as the Beethoven’s Mass in C, Messiah of Handel, Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater and Schubert’s Mass in G, as well as opera roles in La Cenerentola, The Consul, Magic Flute and La Perichole, among others. She is also active as a recitalist.

Dr. Rowe holds a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from Louisiana State University, 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.

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.