Garden Players Musical Theater For Kids

I am indebted to Betina's Garden Players for fostering my artistic development and shaping my character. Her program provided a supportive environment that ignited my love for music and paved the way for my acceptance into LaGuardia High School. Today, as a member of a choir that performs at Carnegie Hall, I continue to benefit from the skills and values I learned during my time at the Garden Players twenty years ago. Thank you Betina!

The Garden Players is a true neighbor gem! Betina Hershey is one of a kind—patient, innovative, and talented. My three daughters studied with Betina and each have had such wonderful experiences. The classes are so fun and it’s so great to see the student’s confidence grow with each semester. My one daughter graduated the program in 8th grade and was so committed to Garden’s Players that she stayed with the program throughout high school as an assistant. She learned so much as a student and then really had so much appreciation to see the show come together from start to finish. The program is a great way to meet friends in the neighbor and beyond. Garden Players helps young people to build confidence, express themselves creatively and work together to create a fantastic show!

Garden Player programs are my son's favorite and we have been with Betina for many years until my son got accepted by both LaGuardia Performing Arts High School and Frank Sinatra HS drama studios. We appreciate the enthusiastic guidance and classes offered by Betina. We wish her program continue broaden the vision of young children with beautiful performance and songs!

Starting with Garden Players to private lessons for school auditions, my daughter only has good memories of Garden Players and all the theater plays they put on. The environment was so warm and welcoming. She made a lot of friends! The skills she learned from the weekly theater rehearsals still stick with her today. When She was getting coached by Ms. Betina, she not only lead her to improve her skills in singing, but she enhanced the enjoyment and beauty of singing. Ms. Betina’s techniques helped my daughter bring out her real voice, and because of her guidance, she got accepted into Fiorella H LaGuardia high school as a vocal major! Thank you Ms. Betina!

This was my 12 year old daughter’s first big performance and my family’s first experience with Garden Players. We were so impressed with it all! The play, the music, the sets- everything. We attended both shows and what a treat it was. To see these kids get up there and do it was so amazing. In this day and age where everything is so screen oriented, I feel like kids are losing their abilities to interact in person. I’m So proud of my daughter for getting out of her comfort zone. She was over the moon after, and the whole family has been singing the songs all week! Betina is a former Broadway performer and brings that experience and professionalism. What she is doing in the community is so valuable and special and I’m glad we have her. I can’t wait to see her band play when they perform locally this summer.