LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Southern Nevada Homeschool Performing Arts is running out of space at its current location after enrollment grew from about 70 students in 2015 to nearly 300 today.
The program began in 2015 with band, orchestra, and choir classes. It has since added elementary music classes, guitar, a ballroom dance class, and an intro to theater class for younger students.
“We started with about 70 kids and half of the classes that we offer now,” said Bonnie Buhler-Tanouye, director of the program.
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Space limitations affecting classes
The program operates one day a week out of a local church. Piano lessons are being held in what Buhler-Tanouye described as a closet, the vestry area for the church.
“Some of the issue isn’t so much that the room isn’t large enough; it’s set up in such a way that they can’t hear the teacher well,” Buhler-Tanouye said.
Buhler-Tanouye said the program may have to turn students away without a new location.
“I really think if we can’t get into a new facility, a more adequate facility, then we just have to downsize. Which is unfortunate for the families who’ve really become attached to the program,” Buhler-Tanouye said.
Families say schedule change won’t work
Rosa Orozco’s four sons play multiple instruments and attend the program for training.
“There’s not enough space. There’s not enough parking space. So every week it is… it is kind of a headache,” Orozco said.
Orozco said switching from one day a week to multiple days would not work for her family.
“Honestly, for me it would not work. I homeschool Monday through Thursday, and then Friday is our music school,” Orozco said.
Program described as unique in the valley
“It’s really important because there’s no other, there’s no other thing like it. At all… There’s no other place like it,” said Lily Runco, a student in the program.
“I feel like this is one of the few spaces, one of the few programs in the Las Vegas Valley that truly attracts all walks of homeschoolers,” Buhler-Tanouye said.
The program will finish this semester at its current location near Sahara and Maryland. It could move as early as next semester if a new location allows for more space and more students.
Southern Nevada Homeschool Performing Arts is seeking a new location in the valley. Anyone with a location that could accommodate the program can contact the school at (702) 907-1313 or [email protected].
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