Some children walk into a room carrying more than backpacks.

They carry noise.

The noise of uncertainty. The noise of expectations. The noise of circumstances they did not choose. The noise inside their own heads.

In this episode of Schmooze with Suze, I sit down with Kathryn McAvoy, founder and executive director of The Performers Academy, for a conversation about what happens when creativity becomes something much bigger than performance.

Because this isn't just about singing, acting, dancing, or stepping onto a stage. It's about identity, belonging and confidence.

It's about building environments where young people can discover who they are before the world tells them who they aren't.

Kathryn shares the vision behind The Opportunity Project and discusses the deeper mission behind after-school programs, mentorship, arts education, work-readiness experiences, and creating pathways for young people who may not always see opportunity reflected back at them.

We tackle:

• What "opportunity" really means for young people
• The barriers students in Jacksonville are facing today
• Why self-esteem and identity matter just as much as academics
• The surprising things creative expression unlocks in children
• Why consistent adult presence changes outcomes
• The difference between helping communities and strengthening communities
• Kathryn's own journey as an entrepreneur, leader, and advocate

Because when a child finds their voice... confidence becomes choice. Choice becomes behavior. Behavior becomes pattern. Pattern becomes life.

And if we want different outcomes, we have to build different environments.

Kathryn McAvoy is the Founder and Executive Director of The Performance Academy, a Jacksonville-based nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of young people through arts education, mentorship, and creative expression.

For more than fifteen years, Kathryn has worked to create spaces where youth, particularly underserved and vulnerable populations, can discover confidence, identity, and purpose through the arts. Her journey spans entrepreneurship, community leadership, and advocacy, but at the center of her work is a simple belief: creativity can be a tool for healing.

Kathryn founded The Performance Academy with the vision of giving young people more than performance skills. She wanted to create environments where they could feel seen, heard, and empowered. Today, she remains actively involved with students and programming, continuing to lead with a hands-on approach that keeps relationships and impact at the center of the work.

The Performance Academy (TPA) is a registered nonprofit organization in Jacksonville, Florida that uses art, education, and mentorship to inspire and transform young people.

TPA's mission is to inspire, cultivate, and transform youth through art, education, and mentorship. Its vision is to create safe spaces where young people can discover their unique gifts and develop confidence, courage, and conviction.

Programs and initiatives include:

• The Opportunity Project
• Creative Genius programming
• Summer camps and after-school experiences
• Truth & Proof Arts Open Mic
• Shakes/Sphere
• Work-readiness and life-skills development
• Youth mentorship and artistic training

Students engage in disciplines including:

• Acting
• Film and storytelling
• Dance and choreography
• Visual arts
• Music and lyricism
• Technology and AI
• Wellness and movement

At its core, TPA is not simply teaching kids how to perform.

It is helping them build identity, discipline, resilience, and direction so they do not just dream differently...

They live differently.

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