About Us

Performing Stars was founded in 1990 as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization with the belief that providing involvement in art, music, theater and other enrichment opportunities for low income and at-risk children would help them "reach for the stars" as they grew and matured rather than acting out in negative ways.

Since then Performing Stars has served over 3,000 low-income youth in Marin. Thirty-two years of history shows that youth participating in Performing Stars have become strong young people who are poised to make good personal decisions.

Our Mission

Performing Stars transforms the lives of low-income, primarily multicultural, children throughout Marin County by using enrichment programs to build pride, character, discipline and self-esteem. Our programs help youth develop good work habits and positive social skills, enhance academic performance and professional readiness, improve critical thinking and communication skills, and gain the confidence they need to overcome the limitations imposed by poverty.

32 Years, 3,000 Kids

The Performing Stars Story

When I was a little girl growing up in Georgia, I watched little white girls go off to ballet class and I desperately wished I could go too, but it was unthinkable at that time due to segregation. However, I never let go of that dream, and I wanted to find a way to help other children of color fulfill their own dreams.

In 1989, I shared my dream with some of my mentors and they supported me in many ways. Performing Stars was born out of this dream, with a zero budget, but lots of faith, passion and hard work. It has become an organization dedicated to providing multiple enrichment experiences to our local children who may be under- served due to economic, cultural or social barriers.

Marin County is one of the wealthiest counties in California, where the income of many is over $100,000. Yet, there are children who live in isolated and segregated communities here where poverty is concentrated and the annual income is less than $18,000.

We at Performing Stars believe that every child deserves to "star" in roles that will help build the self-esteem necessary to face the challenges of successful adult- hood. We provide professional training in dance, music and theater as well as access to digital literacy, reading, civic education and a variety of after-school activities and summer camps. We continue to provide them with costumes, feed them, transport them to classes, teach them social skills and manners and watch them thrive.

Over the past 30 years we have created many paths to success for thousands of children. Our programs enhance their academic performance and professional readiness. We work hard to improve their ability to communicate and help them gain the confidence they need to overcome limitations imposed on them by circumstances beyond their control.

As Performing Stars of Marin approaches its 30 year anniversary in 2020, I am proud to tell you that over 90% of our alumni graduate from high school! Of that number at least 50% go on to college or trade school and the remainder get jobs, because the ultimate ‘performance’ is to become productive members of society. Performing Stars has numerous success stories from our alumni who have become teachers and coaches, bankers, retail managers, medical assistants, cosmetologists, actors, a professional ballet dancer, a pastry chef, a videographer, and many careers.

Performing Stars has moved children from being like me, that little girl in Georgia who was forced to be a spectator on the outside looking in, to becoming en- gaged participants on the inside looking out.

Performing Stars has evolved into a hugely successful non-profit organization, serving not only children, but their families, communities and the county as well. We have a vision for 2020: we are working on continuing our transition from a small grassroots organization into a broader, stronger entity that can grow and be sustained into future generations.

- Felecia Gaston