Pearl Arts empowers Northeast Indiana youth to become leaders, creators, and entrepreneurs, providing programs and services that instill the mindset and skills needed to chart their own course and shape their future.
Pearl Arts is the vision of a small group of committed volunteers, including local philanthropists Chuck and Lisa Surack, to create a one-of-a-kind community hub for the arts, music education, and entrepreneurship.
The investment into Fort Wayne will foster cultural growth and prosperity to the city, community, and the youth & residents of of the Summit City.
I want Pearl Arts to provide every child with the joy of music because the benefits of study, discipline, and perseverance will be life-changing. Anything is possible with the gift of music. Chuck Surack Founder, Sweetwater Sound
Team Effort
Pearl Arts is a non-profit organization that works alongside local leaders and volunteers to bring growth opportunities to the residents and youth of the Fort Wayne area.
The team at Pearl Arts works with an sincere passion to create meaningful connections and opportunities in our community and promote a friendly, safe, and welcoming environment to everyone.
James W. Palermo is the founding executive director of Pearl Arts, Northeast Indiana’s new community arts and education destination, which opened in September 2024.
From September 2015 until January 2022, Jim was Managing Director of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, where he revitalized fundraising and ticket sales programs. Prior to moving to Fort Wayne, he was president and executive director of Bravo! Vail, Colorado’s premier international six-week summer music festival, the Colorado Symphony, and artistic and general director of Chicago’s Grant Park Music Festival, where he was involved with the opening of Millennium Park, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this summer.
His career in classical music and arts management spans 35 years. After earning undergraduate and graduate degrees in trumpet performance from Indiana University, he performed professionally in the United States, Europe, and South America before entering the arts management field.
On numerous occasions he has served the nation as a music panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts and in 2007, he became the first administrator ever to be awarded the Distinguished Musician Award by the Union League Club of Chicago.
Jim is an amateur genealogist, enjoys travel, furniture refinishing, and cooking, and is currently trying to master the art of sourdough bread baking.
Dr. Scott Humphries currently serves the Director of Education at the Pearl Street Arts Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Humphries earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in music education at Boston University. He received a Master of Arts in Education from Virginia Tech, and a Bachelor of Music Education from James Madison University. He studied saxophone with Gunnar Mossblad. He studied piano with Nadine Lockhart, Marion Perkins, Mary Louise Hallauer, and Ruth Slenczynska. He studied conducting with Patrick Rooney and James Glazebrook. His research areas include community and lifelong music making, intergenerational ensembles, and Serious Leisure Perspective.
Dr. Humphries was named the 2020 Indiana Music Educators Association College/University Outstanding Music Educator. He has published works for young bands through MSB Publishing, Inc. He has co-authored an article in the journal Psychology of Music and presented research at the NAfME national conference and the IMEA Professional Development Conference. He has also presented at faculty seminars on assessment practices as well as online teaching methods. Additionally, he remains an active clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States.
Alyssa Noble currently serves as the Operations Manager for Pearl Arts, Inc. Alyssa received her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with a specialization in Public Relations from Indiana University. After college, she took a position with the Altoona Curve, Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and immersed herself in professional sports. When she returned to Indiana, Alyssa started her career at Sweetwater Sound and held many positions within the company during her 5 years there. After working for a local healthcare foundation, Alyssa came on board at Pearl Arts, the perfect blend of music and philanthropy. In her free time, Alyssa enjoys spending time with her family and friends, visiting new places, serving on the Board of Directors at McMillen Health and cheering on her Hoosiers!
Pearl Street Arts Center
Pearl Street Arts Center is focused on growth and community enrichment in a location that fosters collaboration, sparks creativity, and acts as an arts incubator for the benefit of the entire community.
Performance Auditorium
Flexible event layouts – up to 400 guests
Public Concourse & Viewing Area Spacious pre-event areas
Corridors & Community Hub
Large hallways, meeting spaces & kitchen area
