Arts & Learning Conservatory

We provide students of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels the opportunity to learn and excel in an immersive environment of world class performing arts.

The Arts & Learning Conservatory (ALC) is a non-profit organization that offers free, subsidized, and fee-for-service programs based on school/ organization eligibility; accessible to children, regardless of race, income, or experience.

We're an award-winning nonprofit, celebrating our 20th anniversary this year.
Over the past 20 years, ALC has served 30,000 children.
It began as a small summer camp and has since grown into one of Orange County’s leading youth arts education nonprofits with programming in OC, LA, and Riverside schools.
Our mission is to provide world-class performing arts education to students of every age and background, ensuring equitable access and opportunities to learn and excel for all.
ALC offers a variety of in-school classes (band/strings/musical theatre/technical theatre/Percussion) and Conservatory programs focused on equitable performing arts education.
Our programming focuses on career pathways in the arts, offering an extensive curriculum including training in technical theater, costume design, directing, script writing, and film production.
Currently have programs in 35 schools.
Who we help:

Children grades k-12
60% of children in California don't have access to the arts and arts programs are often the first to be cut, disproportionately affecting lower-income students.
Our programs empower youth, particularly from underrepresented communities, through high quality arts and music education - fostering both personal and academic growth.
Every student is welcomed, and scholarships are available to support those in need - we've provided 972 scholarships since opening.

From a modest start as the youngest of seven siblings, Founder Debora Wondercheck witnessed the transformative power of music within her own family. Propelled by unwavering determination and a commitment to excellence, she and her siblings defied the odds, earning admission to their chosen universities as accomplished string musicians. Cognizant of the profound impact that high-quality arts experiences had on her life and those in her circle, Debora harnessed her fervor to establish the Arts & Learning Conservatory (ALC). Fueled by her mother's unwavering faith in God and a resolute desire to ensure her children had access to arts education, Debora embarked on a parallel journey. Her mission: to provide all children, irrespective of background or ability, with enriching exposure to the arts. Debora's aspiration to "pay it forward," manifested through the creation of arts opportunities, has not only been realized but has become the beating heart of the Arts & Learning Conservatory. ALC remains steadfast in its mission to serve as a solution to the arts educational gap in schools, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to experience the transformative power of the arts. However, the magnitude of the challenge has grown, and we are confronted with an urgent need for sustained support to not only maintain our existing programs but to expand our reach and impact.

ALC THEATRE
For 20 years, the Arts & Learning Conservatory (ALC) has been a pillar of resilience, preserving performing arts education for children amid widespread school budget cuts. When a burst pipe from the wall of an adjoining business damaged our theater, it sparked an opportunity to reimagine a space that better serves our students. Our new 200-seat theatre features cutting-edge technology, will host concerts, plays, and workshops, and provide hands-on learning in lighting, sound, and stage management. Our performing arts center will also foster community connections through renting the space to support student scholarships and operational costs.
With a $500,000 donation towards a$6 million comprehensive campaign, we began building a state-of-the-art facility to enrich students' lives, ensuring every child can shine. Join us in making the arts accessible, and empowering the next generation of creative leaders.

Construction is expected to be fully completed throughout the Performing Arts space by the Summer of 2025.
In addition to the programming offered in the new Performing Arts space, ALC will continue to provide during-day classroom and after-school programs by partnering with local school districts. The combination of school-based opportunities means that ALC can reach a larger portion of students and connect them with a variety of theater, music, and technical classes.
Community support and investment in the organization will ensure that the theatre costs are fully covered – and that the final product will be a high-quality and innovative facility that will add to ALC’s educational offerings for years to come in Orange County.
Expansion for the conservatory includes a 4 year, 6 million dollar, comprehensive campaign called Staging the Future with a goal to support:
financial subsidy for 15 title one schools annually
Expansion serving 5000 students by 2028
technical theatre crew to operate sound/lighting and digital wall equipment
Staff to teach arts programs on school campuses at no cost to students
Upkeep of state-of-the-art equipment/replacement for community youth theatre site
Reserve funds (6mo annually)
As we continue fundraising for Staging the Future, we appreciate your support and donation. Visit us on our website at www.artsandlearning.org
Together, we can ensure that the curtain never falls on the transformative potential of the performing arts in the lives of our county's youth.

Anaheim, Buena Park, Colton, Costa Mesa, Corona Del Mar, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Huntington Beach, Irvine, La Palma, Montclair, Newport Beach, Oceanview, Placentia, Rancho Santa Margarita, Santa Ana, San Bernardino, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Tustin, Yorba Linda.

The Arts & Learning Conservatory (ALC) is proud to announce its celebration of over 20 successful years of bringing high-quality and life-changing theater, instrumental music, and technical arts education programs to thousands of youth throughout Southern California. We are dedicated to maximizing our effectiveness in reaching youth with the creative tools that will equip them for a productive and fulfilling life. Collaboration with donors and sponsors who share our enthusiasm and vision continues to help us keep the arts alive in schools where programs have been previously reduced and eliminated. ALC hopes to further grow its team of respected collaborators through the procurement of new corporate and individual donors. In this way, we can expand our after-school, performing arts classes and productions, equipping even more students with our unique training in confidence and creativity...for life.

The Arts & Learning Conservatory (A&L) is where parents go to celebrate the beautiful unveiling of the arts in their children. Whether through training in dance, music, and/or theater performance, their children will discover the powerful tool of artistic expression in enhancing the lives of others. A&L excels in its commitment to maintaining professional standards in all of the elements necessary for a masterful presentation. It is equally committed to drawing out the full creative potential within each of its students through one-on-one classical training. A&L’s aim is to establish confidence and expertise in the utilization of essential life skills learned throughout the A&L experience such as collaboration, communication, and service minded leadership. Especially
noteworthy is A&L’s passion for reaching the underserved with the message of hope that rings out through its many scholarships.