A percussion ensemble in the TECo Theater lobby performs durign the opening of the Patel Conservatory.

Rock school music (rock, hip hop, alternative, Latin), jazz orchestra, opera or individual instrumental catch your fancy? Or a classical ballet training program, flamenco, Indian, world, jazz, tap and ballroom dance? Maybe you want to try out your hand at on-camera for auditions, theater and movies or acting techniques? Or you want to be behind the camera setting up lights and sound design, stage management, video production and professional sound recording?

Whatever your interests in music, dance, theater, production or television shows, you can now take advantage of it all under one roof: the Dr. Pallavi Patel Performing Arts Conservatory at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, which officially opened to the public on December 4.

More than 600 students, adults and children both, already have signed up for classes at the 45,000-square-foot educational center. The four-story building is equipped with 20 studios, workshops and stages for theater, music and dance.

Physicians Pallavi and Kiran Patel, who donated $5 million toward the $32 million school, are excited about the conservatory�s opening. �Since childhood, I have enjoyed song and dance and hope that children will be able to take advantage of the conservatory and make the most of their artistic abilities,� said Pallavi Patel.

Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, The Center Chairman Frank Morsani and Artist-in-Residence Fred Johnson attended the opening ceremony of the Patel Conservatory. �We are so thrilled to have this beautiful building up and running for the winter season,� said Judith Lisi, president of The Center. �The fact that it is completely paid for and running debt-free makes The Conservatory a real asset to the Tampa Bay area.�

The Patel Conservatory entry doors appropriately feature a giant treble clef and images of children and adults working in different facets of the arts, such as music, dance and behind-the-scenes staging.

For more information, call (813) 222-1002 or visit www.patelconservatory.org
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