07/23/2019
Port Performing Arts Executive Committee Announcement
Port Performing Arts (PPA), a community organization committed to supporting, advocating and celebrating the arts in our school district, is pleased to announce the selection of Amber Barbere as its new President.* Amber comes to PPA with a strong commitment to working collaboratively to expand
the enrichment of the performing arts within our community schools.
Amber has a long history as a performer herself and is heavily involved in Newburyport’s thriving theatre
community. Amber has two children in the Newburyport schools, and her family are all artists. Her husband is a professional photographer, her daughter, a musician and actress and her son is a drummer.
We are thrilled that someone with personal experience and such a depth of passion for the performing arts will lead the PPA initiative into its next chapter. Neal and Stacie Grasso, who respectively chair the Treasurer and Secretary seats, look forward to partnering with Amber to continue PPA’s efforts to
support the arts in Newburyport schools.
Although PPA is excited to have Amber join the executive committee, it is not without some sadness as we say a heartfelt thank you to Nicole O’Connor, who tirelessly spearheaded the development of PPA. With the much appreciated assistance of our growing membership, all the performing arts directors, Principal Wulf, and Superintendent Gallagher, Nicole was able to launch PPA last fall at the American Music and Harvest Festival. This fundraiser was a huge success and will continue this year with expanded
school group participation. PPA also focused on enhancing the continuity of the music program from middle to high school and altering the music offerings to make music more accessible to more students. PPA is currently working with staff to enhance the NHS website to highlight our arts programs and ended the year by supporting the district with an amazingly successful Waterfront Performing Arts
Festival.
Nicole would like to give a special thanks to all the members of the former Band Parents Association for their support during the transition to PPA. She is also forever grateful to Stacie and Neal Grasso, for their hard work on the executive committee, to Amy Roberts for tackling the complex city and Waterfront Trust logistics for our first partnerships with vendors at the Waterfront Festival and to Ray Coutu for
helping out with just about everything.
Please join us in welcoming Amber as the incoming President and wishing Nicole a fond farewell. We look forward to working with you, our teachers, staff, community and school children as we spearhead the 2019-2020 PPA projects!
*If any PPA member is opposed to the appointment of Amber Barbere to the position of President of PPA, please
contact PPA Secretary, Stacie Grasso at [email protected] by Friday, August 16.
