The Nevada School of the Arts has molded young talent for the past 45 years.
The school is growing and working to make the arts accessible to all young talent. It's holding a fundraising gala Tuesday, December 6 at The Smith Center.
Jean-Paul Louissaint, who goes by J.P., is a promising piano student at the school.
"I really love the sound of classical music," says J.P.
As J.P. plays, his instructor, Raja Rahman, listens intently. Rahman is also the president and CEO of the Nevada School of the Arts.
"He struck me as being very committed and very diligent," says Rahman.
Louissaint's diligence paid off. It earned him a $10,000 yearly scholarship through The Howard Foundation.
A Las Vegas couple founded the organization.
"I think he understands the weight of this privilege. We're very passionate about providing scholarships for]our students," says Rahman.
Rahman's mission is to remove barriers and make music more accessible to any young person, of any background, with talent and drive.
"I practice every day for an hour and thirty minutes," says J.P.
Besides proving more access, Rahman shares another goal for the school.
"I was really bent on making the school grow," says Rahman.
A Juilliard grad, he's modeling the school after his alma mater by creating a program for all the performing arts.
The school is also working to connect performers in the "Entertainment Capital of the World" to students at the school.
"We're doing Peter and the Wolf for the Christmas holidays...in partnership with the Smith Center and going to hospitals," says Rahman.
The school also scored a partnership with Cirque Du Soleil. The mentorship program will start when the school launches its drama program early next year.
And the number of young performers in every program is growing.
"Our orchestra is the biggest we've ever had apparently in our 45-year history," says Rahman.
At this performing arts school, growth isn't only measured in hitting the right notes or perfecting pieces.
"It's about the work ethic they're learning and the discipline of what it takes to be good at everything you do," says Rahman.
For J.P., he's learning life lessons fueled by persistence and honed through his passion.
"Music is something that I love", he says.
Jean-Paul has big goals. He plans to attend a performing arts school, like Juilliard, and become a bio-medical engineer.
The dream gala will help provide scholarships for students.
It's Tuesday, December 6th at The Smith Center.
For more info, you can visit the NSA's website.