Search
Close this search box.

Portsmouth Music and Arts Center Expands Leadership Team with New Staff Roles

PMAC is pleased to announce the promotion of two key staff members, reflecting the organization’s commitment to delivering high-quality, inclusive arts education to students of all ages throughout the Seacoast area.

Eli Kaynor, previously Director of Development, has stepped into the newly created role of Chief Development Officer (CDO). In this expanded role, Eli will oversee all aspects of fundraising and development, with a particular focus on cultivating and stewarding strong relationships with PMAC’s philanthropic partners, corporate sponsors, and individual supporters.

Dr. Michelle Shoemaker, who has served as PMAC’s Director of Education on a part-time basis since 2019, has transitioned to a full-time role. This expanded position will allow Michelle to further support the growing PMAC team and enhance the student experience across a wide range of programs.

Russ Grazier, CEO and Co-Founder of PMAC, expressed his enthusiasm for these changes, stating, “Eli’s promotion to Chief Development Officer is significant for PMAC’s leadership team. His unique ability to speak to our mission as a fundraising expert who is also a professional musician will help propel us to new heights in our development efforts.”

Russ also shared his excitement about Michelle’s transition to a full-time role: “Michelle has been an incredible asset to PMAC’s educational programs, and will continue to have a significant impact on program development and community outreach. I’m thrilled that she will be able to dedicate even more time and energy to supporting our teaching artists, students, and their families. This investment in our team is a testament to our dedication to providing the best possible arts education to the Seacoast community.”

Our News and Articles

The New Horizons Chorus sings together by a piano

Join an Open Music Rehearsal for Adults – Choir or Band

January 15, 2025

🎶 Try an Open Rehearsal with PMAC 🎶 PMAC’s New Horizons Chorus and New Horizons Band warmly invite you to join for a free open music rehearsal. Are you looking for a creative outlet? Have you been wanting to reconnect with your instrument, try singing in a group, or simply explore music in a fun […]

Youth art class opportunity with instructor

Grow, Create, Perform: Spring 2025 Opportunities for Youth and Teens

January 14, 2025

Grow, Create, Perform: Spring 2025 Opportunities for Youth and Teens Spring 2025 opportunities at PMAC include art classes, music classes, and music ensembles! Check the list below to find the best fit for the youth/teen artists and musicians in your life. Spring Art Classes for Youth (Ages 8-14) Unleash creativity this spring with fun and […]

Dream a Little Dream musicians Russ Grazier, Eric Klaxton, and Josh Gagnon on saxophone and trombone.

Dream a Little Dream: Celebrate Valentine’s Day with PMAC’s 18th Annual Jazz Night

December 12, 2024

This coming Valentine’s Day weekend, experience the romance of jazz with a special two-night event at The Music Hall Lounge as PMAC’s Jazz Institute faculty return for the 18th Annual PMAC Jazz Night: Dream a Little Dream – A Valentine’s Celebration. Each night will feature a unique program, as some of the region’s finest jazz […]

From left to right are new PMAC board members Rick Wallis, Susan Wolowitz, and Brooks Jalbert.

Brooks Jalbert, Beth Wagner, Rick Wallis, and Susan Wolowitz Join PMAC Board of Directors

December 4, 2024

Portsmouth Music and Arts Center (PMAC) is proud to announce the addition of four distinguished community leaders to its Board of Directors: Brooks Jalbert, Beth Wagner, Rick Wallis, and Susan Wolowitz. Their collective expertise spans education, business leadership, professional development, and the arts, bringing new perspectives to help PMAC continue its mission of building community […]

Teaching artist Aris Moore works with a teenage PMAC student who is holding a paintbrush.

PMAC Teaching Artist Aris Moore Awarded Prestigious Artist Advancement Grant

November 8, 2024

We are delighted to highlight that Seacoast artist and PMAC teaching artist Aris Moore has been awarded the 2024 Piscataqua Region Artist Advancement Grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. This annual $25,000 grant is one of the largest unrestricted grants awarded to a single artist in the country, and promotes the artistic growth of […]

150+ musician performers from the Unity of Sound Festival stand together in a big group photo

Unity: Election Day Thoughts from Russ Grazier

November 5, 2024

Music can bring us together. Saturday was PMAC’s Unity of Sound Festival. Internally, our staff lovingly refers to this event as the “US Fest,” as in the pronoun ‘us.’ This festival brings us together, in unity, to make and share music. The music is diverse – Saturday’s concert featured classical music, jazz, folk, film scores, […]

A photo from Mike Jacobs' "Portsmouth and Other Delights" that used vibrant colors on a black background to show an abstract painter painting on a canvas propped on an easel. The canvas shows a lighthouse and building in the same style.

Mike Jacobs’s Vibrant “Portsmouth and Other Delights” Art Exhibition Explores Local Culture and Nautical Themes

October 24, 2024

Mike Jacobs’s “Portsmouth and Other Delights” art exhibition offers a dynamic exploration of Portsmouth’s nautical heritage and the creativity of music and art, brought to life through his bold, unconventional artistry. On display November 15, 2024-January 17, 2025 at PMAC, “Portsmouth and Other Delights” showcases Jacobs’ distinct self-taught style, which combines colored pencils, gel pens, […]

Eli Kaynor and Michelle Shoemaker

Portsmouth Music and Arts Center Expands Leadership Team with New Staff Roles

October 10, 2024

PMAC is pleased to announce the promotion of two key staff members, reflecting the organization’s commitment to delivering high-quality, inclusive arts education to students of all ages throughout the Seacoast area. Eli Kaynor, previously Director of Development, has stepped into the newly created role of Chief Development Officer (CDO). In this expanded role, Eli will […]

Congratulations, Class of 2024!

July 6, 2024

We are so proud of our PMAC students who graduated this spring! Congratulations to everyone on their accomplishments and best wishes for their future journeys! Owen N   What did you study at PMAC? I take guitar lessons with Nick Phaneuf. Can you describe a specific moment or experience within the arts that profoundly impacted […]

PMAC’s 17th Annual Jazz Night to Include Tributes to Jazz Legends J. J. Johnson and Max Roach

April 30, 2024

PMAC is thrilled for the highly anticipated return of the 17th Annual Jazz Night concert on May 11th, 2024. The region’s top jazz musicians will ignite The Music Hall Lounge with the electrifying ambiance of an authentic NYC-style jazz club for two performances, at 7pm and 9pm. This year, the diverse set list will also […]

Eric Gold’s “Growing Up Portsmouth” Exhibit is Unveiled at PMAC

March 5, 2024

Eric Gold’s “Growing Up Portsmouth” – a captivating celebration of Portsmouth’s cultural evolution – is on display following three years of community collaboration. Over 1,000 individuals contributed painting segments to the vibrant exhibit, which features 12 oversized portraits of key figures that indelibly shaped Portsmouth’s cultural landscape. Among the individuals featured are JerriAnne Boggis (The […]

New Bucket Drumming Class for Ages 10–14

February 23, 2024

This spring PMAC is launching a new bucket drumming class, as well as a free bucket drumming workshop, where students ages 10-14 can explore rhythm in a fun, interactive group setting. Whether you have musical experience or are a curious beginner, bucket drumming is a welcoming space for everyone. All materials are provided.  Interactive Learning, […]

Office Closure

PMAC is closed from December 23—January 5 for our Holiday Break.
PMAC will reopen and resume the Fall Semester on Monday, January 6. 
 
Administrative staff will be unavailable during the break. We will respond to emails and voicemails when the semester starts.
 
PLEASE NOTE: if you are a current Saturday lesson student, you may have a make up lesson on 1/4. Please confirm with your instructor.