Music Industry Apprenticeship Program, All City Orchestra Summer Academy, Voices of Hope celebration of Black excellence, and Milestone Mashup highlight Summer of Arts and Cultural Enrichment for Greater Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (July 30, 2026) – While audiences gather at Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts this summer for some of the biggest names in music, another story is unfolding across its campus.

The Institute of the Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts is in the midst of its largest season of free educational, workforce development, and community engagement programming to date, connecting hundreds of young Philadelphians and community members with opportunities in music, arts education, work-ready and technical skills, and cultural enrichment.

As Highmark Mann celebrates its 50th anniversary season, the Institute's summer programming, completely free, reflects a core belief that a performing arts center can serve as more than an entertainment destination – it can be a catalyst for opportunity, learning, and community connection.

"Highmark Mann's 50th anniversary is a celebration of what happens both on our stages and what happens when we have reach and impact throughout our community," said Catherine M. Cahill, president and CEO of Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts. "Through the Institute, we are creating opportunities for young people to discover their talents, develop career skills, build meaningful relationships, and engage with the arts in ways that can shape their futures. This summer represents our most ambitious effort yet to ensure that the benefits of a world-class performing arts institution extend far beyond our performances."

BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION OF MUSIC INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS

On July 13, the Institute's Music Industry Apprenticeship Program (MIAP) welcomed a new cohort of emerging professionals for an intensive eight-week summer experience designed to provide pathways into Philadelphia's vibrant arts and entertainment industries.

Now in its third year, MIAP bridges the gap between education and employment by combining culturally responsive professional development, financial literacy and empowerment, industry instruction, and hands-on experiences with leading arts and entertainment organizations throughout the region.

Participants are engaging with industry professionals before transitioning into on-the-job training experiences later this year with partner organizations like Rising Sun Presents, Philm Factory, Bank on It Entertainment and others.

"The arts economy offers tremendous opportunities for young people, but many don't know how to access them," added Cahill. "Initiatives like our Music Industry Apprenticeship Program help create a pathway from interest and exposure to real-world experience and ultimately meaningful careers."

ANNUAL SUMMER CAMP FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS EXPANDS TO FOUR WEEKS

The Institute is also preparing for its largest Albert M. Greenfield All City Orchestra Summer Academy (ACOSA) in program history, beginning on Monday, July 20 and concluding on Friday, Aug. 21.

183 students are registered for the 2026 academy, making this ACOSA’s largest class yet. It includes two weeks of orchestral training, followed by a week of dedicated jazz master classes and workshops, and—new—a full week dedicated to pop music education. ACOSA will provide students with opportunities to explore multiple genres while learning from acclaimed musicians, educators, and industry professionals.

Participants will work alongside partners including teachers from The School District of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Play On Philly, Project 440, Network for New Music, Lyra Society, the PYO Music Institute, and more.

New elective offerings will allow students to customize portions of their experience with coursework ranging from songwriting and percussion to wellness and movement.

Students will also participate in master classes, side-by-side experiences with professional musicians, and special performances throughout the summer.

CELEBRATING PHILADELPHIA THROUGH COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING

This summer's programming also includes several free community events designed to celebrate Philadelphia's creativity, culture, and civic spirit.

On June 23, Highmark Mann hosted its annual Voices of Hope: An Event in Celebration of Black Excellence, honoring Philadelphia leaders who embody a culture of compassion, service, and positive change. This year's honorees included Council President Kenyatta Johnson, Philadelphia City Council; Tiffany Tavarez, vice president, community impact and strategic partnerships, Jefferson; Dr. Ashley Jordan, president and CEO, African American Museum in Philadelphia; Kenneth Lawrence, senior vice president of corporate affairs for Southeastern Pennsylvania, Highmark Blue Shield; Kelly Richards, president and director of Free Library of Philadelphia; Monique Moore Pryor, Esq., president and executive director of The Free Library Foundation; and Charlie Mack, community advocate.

Integral to this year’s celebration was Philadelphia's High School for Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA), whose alumni and faculty were spotlighted during the event. CAPA was recognized for contributing to the city's rich artistic legacy and its commitment to nurturing future generations of creative talent.

On August 22, Highmark Mann will present Milestone Mashup, a free, campus-wide community celebration marking three historic anniversaries: the nation's 250th birthday, the 150th anniversary of the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Fairmount Park, and Highmark Mann's own 50th anniversary.

The event will transform the campus into a family-friendly festival featuring live performances, community sing-alongs, interactive activities, educational demonstrations, local vendors, and cultural programming designed to bring Philadelphia's history to life.

A VISION COMING TO LIFE

When Highmark Mann launched the Institute in 2025, leaders envisioned a hub connecting arts education, workforce development, and community engagement. This summer represents a significant step toward that vision.

"One year ago, we introduced a vision for what a performing arts institution could be," said Cahill. "Today, we're seeing that vision come to life through programs that connect young people with opportunities, bring communities together, and use the arts as a vehicle for education, workforce development, and civic engagement. We're incredibly proud of the momentum we're building and even more excited about what's ahead."
For more information about the Institute at Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts and its summer programs, visit www.highmarkmann.org.

_{About Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts
As one of the foremost outdoor music centers in the country, Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts, a leading non-profit organization, has a historical legacy of artistic excellence as a world-class entertainment destination presenting premier artists, in association with Live Nation Entertainment. Each summer season, renowned symphony orchestras, iconic rock stars, and the latest touring artists in indie rock, hip hop, R&B, jazz and pop take the stage here. Highmark Mann is the summer home of The Philadelphia Orchestra and has presented critically acclaimed performers in every decade since the 1930s. Located in the heart of Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, Highmark Mann hosts more than 400,000 visitors annually. Signature concert experiences are surrounded by Philadelphia’s stunning skyline and include seats beneath Highmark Mann’s acoustically acclaimed TD Pavilion; picnics, blankets, and music under the stars on its Russ and Wendy Palmer Great Lawn or at the top of the hill at the Skyline Stage @ Highmark Mann; and dining in Crescendo Gift of Robert and Nanette Zakian, the venue’s spectacular tented restaurant, and the Acclaim Lounge, gift of the Gdula Family. In addition, Highmark Mann’s Institute for Creative Arts & Community Impact reaches tens of thousands of young people annually through free programming and educational initiatives. Highmark Mann's unique setting also provides an unparalleled opportunity to activate the campus's six unique event spaces available to host concert presentations, intimate gatherings, corporate events, and private functions. For more information, visit www.HighmarkMann.org.}
 

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