Paramount Arts Education Program
215 East Main Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902
About
The Paramount Arts Education Program offers a live educational theater experience for youth through school time shows and other live performing arts events. These events take place in a historic nonprofit theater setting and are structured as arts education experiences for the program’s youngest audience members.
• Price: All tickets are available at subsidized prices for students and teachers. Students who qualify for free and reduced meals participate at no cost.
The mission of the Paramount Arts Education Program is to provide a live educational theater experience for youth throughout Central Virginia, enhancing learning while fostering an appreciation, understanding, and love of the performing arts. Since the program began in 2004, it has served 254,684 students and teachers, including 43,125 served through financial assistance and outreach. The program meets Virginia Standards of Learning objectives and offers financial assistance so that no child is precluded from participation.
The program serves youth, students, and teachers from throughout Central Virginia and relies on support from individuals, foundations, corporations, and support from the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Students from all schools, income levels, and backgrounds come together at the theater, bridging a broad spectrum of area students. Exposure to arts and culture in this context is described as powerful in driving innovation and creativity, promoting social cohesion, advancing educational excitement and love of learning, and furthering the economic prosperity of the community.
The Arts Education Partnership leadership team includes Aaron Eichorst, Coordinator of Fine & Performing Arts for Charlottesville City Schools; Dama Schneider, Lead Coach, Visual and Performing Arts for Albemarle County Public Schools; and Cathy von Storch as the contact for the Arts Education Partnership.
Parents, educators, and students have shared feedback about the program. Aaron Eichorst describes the theater as a safe space that welcomes all regardless of race, class, ability, gender, or other labels, and notes feeling proud to bring students to experience the arts there. Dama Schneider describes how the theater setting connects students’ experience of performing arts events to their learning in the classroom, to one another, and to the fabric of the community, and notes the joy and energy children share when attending events in a space that holds cultural history. A 3rd grade student from Trailblazer Elementary School describes standing up and dancing, learning a lot, and says, “In general, it was not great, but it was PERFECT. I didn't like it but I LOVED it!!!” A 6th grade student from Walton Middle School describes the theater as incredibly beautiful, from the balcony to the chandeliers and from the seats to the stage.
Last updated July 25, 2026.
• Price: All tickets are available at subsidized prices for students and teachers. Students who qualify for free and reduced meals participate at no cost.
The mission of the Paramount Arts Education Program is to provide a live educational theater experience for youth throughout Central Virginia, enhancing learning while fostering an appreciation, understanding, and love of the performing arts. Since the program began in 2004, it has served 254,684 students and teachers, including 43,125 served through financial assistance and outreach. The program meets Virginia Standards of Learning objectives and offers financial assistance so that no child is precluded from participation.
The program serves youth, students, and teachers from throughout Central Virginia and relies on support from individuals, foundations, corporations, and support from the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Students from all schools, income levels, and backgrounds come together at the theater, bridging a broad spectrum of area students. Exposure to arts and culture in this context is described as powerful in driving innovation and creativity, promoting social cohesion, advancing educational excitement and love of learning, and furthering the economic prosperity of the community.
The Arts Education Partnership leadership team includes Aaron Eichorst, Coordinator of Fine & Performing Arts for Charlottesville City Schools; Dama Schneider, Lead Coach, Visual and Performing Arts for Albemarle County Public Schools; and Cathy von Storch as the contact for the Arts Education Partnership.
Parents, educators, and students have shared feedback about the program. Aaron Eichorst describes the theater as a safe space that welcomes all regardless of race, class, ability, gender, or other labels, and notes feeling proud to bring students to experience the arts there. Dama Schneider describes how the theater setting connects students’ experience of performing arts events to their learning in the classroom, to one another, and to the fabric of the community, and notes the joy and energy children share when attending events in a space that holds cultural history. A 3rd grade student from Trailblazer Elementary School describes standing up and dancing, learning a lot, and says, “In general, it was not great, but it was PERFECT. I didn't like it but I LOVED it!!!” A 6th grade student from Walton Middle School describes the theater as incredibly beautiful, from the balcony to the chandeliers and from the seats to the stage.
Last updated July 25, 2026.
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