Robert and Bridget Townsend found each other and their lifelong calling at age 8.

Growing up together in the same Flint, Michigan, Baptist church, they became friends as they worked in children’s and young adult ministry. He went on to study music and education in college and graduate school. She focused on marketing and management and earned an advanced degree in human resources. Eventually, the two married.

Their work with youth in ministry and in the church choir remained a constant when they moved to Indianapolis as adults. As the duo brought together musicians and dancers at Eastern Star Church, the structure and vision for a new nonprofit took shape. The Townsends co-founded The Performing Arts Conservatory in 2010. Two years later, their students performed the organization’s first showcase.

“We started looking at, ‘OK, who are we? And what do we really want to do? And what impact do we want to make within this community that will help to strengthen youth, that will help to develop them, that will make them stronger adults ready to face life and use the performing arts to do that?’” said Bridget, who’s the conservatory’s executive director.Since then, the organization has grown to encompass a team of facilitators who teach dance, drama and music. The program that meets after school gives students a chance to be involved in productions, an opportunity that’s often lacking — especially in schools with competitive arts programs, Robert said. Conservatory students also study work by African American composers, which has often been left out of traditional music education institutions.

In the organization’s production of “The Nutcracker Story” last month, for example, students created their own twists on the classic tale to include actors, storytellers and music by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn.

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“If we don’t see people who look like us at any point, we might make an assumption that there aren’t people that look like us in certain worlds and that’s not possible to do. So that was one of the things that I wanted to make happen,” said Robert, the conservatory’s artistic director.

In a weeklong summer program, students entering grades five through eight are introduced to dance, drama, choral music and instrumental ensembles. That helped Glenndon Golder, now a 14-year-old freshman at University High School, figure out what he enjoyed best when he attended during a summer in middle school.

“It just really kind of opened our minds to see what we’re good at and things that we can be a part of. And then on top of that, just fellowshipping with one another and kind of building that community,” Glenndon said. “I remember playing a really intense game of UNO.”

He’s now in the choral ensemble for the after-school program, in which students in grades six through 12 can specialize in one of the disciplines. Glenndon also developed acting chops in summer camp and “The Nutcracker Story.”

Selections from Gaetano Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor” and Glenn Burleigh’s Nguzo Saba Suite are among works the conservatory students have performed recently. In addition to the organization’s own showcases, students have been on stage in partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Philharmonic Orchestra of Indianapolis, at the Circle City Classic and at the City of Lawrence’s Black History Month celebration. In June, students sang at New York’s Carnegie Hall.

“Sometimes as leaders, we have to pause and demonstrate for these kids how to (be confident),” Bridget said. “Once they understand it, now they can start exercising that muscle. They learn how to problem-solve, they learn how to memorize. They even learn discipline. … There’s so many skills that they learn.”

In the future, the Townsends’ goal is to open a fulltime school that infuses the performing arts into its curriculum to instill more of the life lessons they teach.

What is your organization’s mission?

Through lessons in dance, drama and music, The Performing Arts Conservatory teaches students to grow in their talents, make a difference in their communities and develop into leaders in whatever career path they choose.

How many people do you serve?

The conservatory will serve 25 students for its 2025 summer camp and is currently working with 23 students in the after-school program.

What is your organization’s No. 1 need?

Overall, it is support, Bridget said. That can take the form of funding, participating in the programs, attending events, partnerships and collaborations.

How can people get involved?

Visit the “contact” page at tpacindy.org and let The Performing Arts Conservatory know that you’d like someone to reach out to you. The organization will be in touch to ask how you want to be involved and about the skills you’d like to contribute. Volunteers have included ushers, photographers and seamstresses, Bridget said.

About The Performing Arts Conservatory

Physical address: 7160 Shadeland Station

Mailing address: 7399 N. Shadeland Suite #178, Indianapolis, IN 46250

Phone: 317-436-7997

Website: tpacindy.org

How to help through Season for Sharing

The mission of IndyStar’s annual Season for Sharing campaign is to harness the power of local journalism and you to make a difference in the lives of Central Indiana youth.

This year, Season for Sharing is joining the Summer Youth Program Fund, a partnership of Indianapolis funders that supports high-quality programs serving more than 80,000 Marion County youth each year. Your gift to Season for Sharing makes it possible for kids to hike, play sports, act, sing, paint, grow food, perform experiments, build robots, solve problems, explore the city, do service projects, gain job skills and earn money during their time out of school.

Last year, the Summer Youth Program Fund was able to provide only 55 cents for every dollar requested. Your generosity makes a big difference in the lives of young people in our community.

To contribute, visit indystar.com/ocdonate or mail a check to: Central Indiana Community Foundation, Attn: Season for Sharing, 615 N. Alabama St. Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

Because IndyStar covers all fundraising and administrative costs, 100% of your gift will go directly to Central Indiana agencies.

Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or [email protected]. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter: @domenicareports.