Music, Dance & Theater Classes


Location	Bravo! Academy of Performing Arts Most chosen and fastest growing school in Boca Raton Bravo Central: 561-482-3700 Bravo East: 561-447-4417	Print this page

BUSINESS NEWS

Boca performing arts academy
has grand opening

Published Friday, May 5, 2006

by Corey Siggins

Boca Raton-based Bravo! Academy of Performing Arts is ready to let the general public find out more about its expanded music, dance and theater programs.

Bravo! officials will hold a special grand opening for its new 3,000-square-foot facility, located at 141 N.W. 20th Street, from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 6.

The event will feature tours of the building, teacher performances, face painting and demonstration lessons covering each performance art taught by the school.

"It should be a fun day for everyone," Bravo! Director Elena Migunov said. "We can't wait to show people what we're all about."

Migunov, a Russian-born pianist who immigrated to the United States in 1979, originally started the school in Boca 12 years ago.

Migunov had been previously known for the Prelude Music Studio, a music school she founded that became the most popular of its type in Los Angeles.

Among her students at the L.A. school were the children and grandchildren of such celebrities as Gregory Peck, Lucille Ball and John Candy.

After visiting Boca in early 1994, Migunov found herself to be quite impressed with the community.

"I thought it was someplace that would be great for business," she said. "Soon afterwards, I relocated here and opened Bravo!"

Because the school's original location was a small 500 square feet, Migunov had only enough space to teach music classes over the years.

Although being quite popular with students ranging from small children to senior citizens, Migunov longed to branch out into other areas of the performing arts.

"Thankfully, we were able to move into a larger building earlier this year," Migunov said. "Now, with our expanded performing arts line, we're better than ever."

The new facility includes six individual music studios; two dance studios; a studio for theater, choir and yoga classes; and a child's playroom.

According to Migunov, the school's music classes cover piano, guitar, violin, viola and voice. Dance classes include pre-ballet, ballet, jazz and hip-hop.

Bravo! also holds music workshop classes, as well as "Music, Mommy & Me" courses that allow parents of younger children to participate.

A staff of 20 teachers, along with Migunov, lead the offered programs. All teachers have bachelor's degrees in music, with several holding master's degrees.

While Bravo! currently has almost 500 students, Migunov is striving to bring that number to 1,000.

"This is a cheerful and positive place for everyone to learn," she said. "Our goal is to teach the performing arts and have fun doing it."

Contact Corey Siggins at 561-549-0845 or at csiggins@bocanews.com.