Columbia Arts Academy®'s Podcast

PAALS Fundaiser 11/15/25!

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 22:00:00 -0400

Join us on Saturday, November 15th, from 7–11 PM at the South Carolina State Museum for Diamonds, Dogs & Denim, PAALS’ biggest event of the year! This unforgettable UN-Gala promises an evening overflowing with entertainment, indulgence, and purpose.

Here’s what’s waiting for you:

High-energy live music from The Killer Beez
Custom hat creations by Southern Ruetz
Whimsical portraits by Cassandra’s Caricature Art
A fun, bedazzling station to glam up your denim
Unlimited food all night long
An open bar to keep spirits high
And even more surprise experiences you won’t want to miss!

Plus, our live and online auctions will feature one-of-a-kind treasures, valuable stays, and unique experiences—all to raise funds for PAALS.

And that’s the best part: every ticket, every bid, and every sponsorship supports PAALS’ mission: to enrich and empower children and adults with physical, intellectual, and emotional disabilities by training service animals and providing animal-assisted educational, therapeutic, and recreational programs.

We are currently seeking sponsors to help make this incredible evening possible. Sponsorships not only showcase your support for PAALS but also connect your business with hundreds of passionate community members. To learn more or to become a sponsor, please contact either Melissa Payne at mpayne@paals.org or Edith Bailey at ebailey@paals.org.

🎟️ Tickets are available, get yours today and be part of this sparkling night of music, laughter, and purpose! If you only want to register for the auction, register to bid below!

Trunk Or Treat! Join Us At the Irmo Music Academy!

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 14:00:00 -0400

Academy Admin team talk about our upcoming Trunk or Treat!

Join us for an afternoon of spooky music fun! In conjunction with Columbia Arts Academy and Lexington School of Music, Irmo Music Academy will be hosting our very first trunk or treat event - free of charge!

Trunk or treat while you:
Win prizes
Learn about the instruments we offer
Support and meet local businesses (like our friends at Irmo Fire District, Irmo Branch Library, Snug Harbor Animal Rescue, and more!)
Vote for best decorated trunk
meet our furry friends from Final Victory Animal Rescue and support them with a supply drive
and more!

Follow us to keep up to date on more announcements and learn more about the wonderful businesses we are lucky to have joining us!

Jay Matheson - Midlands Audio Institute, Jam Room Studio

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0400

For this episode we interview a local legend Jay Matheson. He's got an amazing community "Music Industry Job Fair" event coming up August 16th at the Richland County Public Library on Assembly, 11 a.m. that you won't want to miss. Open to anyone and everyone, free and primarily for aspiring musicians and audio engineers. We cover a lot of ground in this episode, so be sure to check it out.

Varna International South Carolina Concert Series

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0400

The Varna International Music Academy (VIMA), based in Columbia, SC, specializes in classical concerts and international music academies. VIMA has 25 years of experience producing choral-orchestral concerts and fully staged operas in over 30 countries. Co-founding directors, Kalin and Sharon Tchonev, believe music plays a vital role in making the world a more intimate, unified, and loving place. Since its inception in 1999, Varna International's goal has been to provide aspiring and professional musicians with the opportunity to hone their craft through expert training and unparalleled performance opportunities in global venues. Enjoy this special podcast with guests: Kalin Tchonev (CEO and International Director) Sharon Tchonev: (Operations Director) and Ava Rodgers: (Event Coordinator and Academy Manager) discussing their upcoming concerts in South Carolina!