Challenges
#GivingPack Passion Match Challenge
| Platform | Instagram Stories |
| Time | All day March 26 until 200 posts are made |
| Prize Amount | $20 per post and a $3,000 bonus |
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Use NC State’s #GivingPack “Add Yours” sticker (available on their Instagram Story) to post a story mentioning DPAT, and $20 will automatically be donated to DPAT!
But wait — there’s more! When the 200-post threshold is reached, the college, program or unit mentioned in the most eligible posts will win an additional $3,000.
We are the undefeated champs in this challenge! Help us keep up the streak! Let’s show NC State how big the dance and music community is!
READ THESE REQUIREMENTS BEFORE YOU CREATE YOUR POST
SHARE YOUR INSTAGRAM STORY
- Use NC State’s #GivingPack “Add Yours” sticker (available starting on Day of Giving).
- Tag @NCState and mention @NCStateArtsTech.
- Stories that mention any of our other official accounts (@NCStateDance, @NCStateMusic or @NCStateMarchingBand) without mentioning @NCStateArtsTech will NOT count.
- One post per account.
- Official NC State accounts cannot participate.
- Make sure your account is set to public!
- Keep your posts positive.
HOW TO USE THE “ADD YOURS” STICKER
- Find the #GivingPack “Add Yours” sticker in @NCState’s Instagram Story.
- Tap the sticker (it’s a clickable box).
- When the prompt pops up, tap “Add Yours” again.
- Choose or take a photo/video that tells us why you love dance or music.
- Post it to your Story by tapping “Your Story.”
HOW ELSE CAN I HELP?
Spread the Word
If you’ve made your post or do not have an Instagram account, you can help us by asking others to participate!
For this challenge, there’s strength in numbers. Share your story and encourage at least two friends or family members to join the challenge and share their love for dance and music at NC State!
#GIVINGPACK CHALLENGE STORY TEMPLATES — DANCE
Share your love for dance with these Instagram Story templates.
#GIVINGPACK CHALLENGE STORY TEMPLATES — MUSIC
Share your love for music with these Instagram Story templates.
Music Enhancement Fund Gift Challenge
| Goal | 200 gifts to the Music Enhancement Fund |
| Time | All day March 26 |
| Prize Amount | $100,000 to the marching band |
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Celebrate 100 years of music with us! When the Music Enhancement Fund reaches 200 gifts, it will unlock a generous $100,000 challenge gift for the marching band, ensuring the next century of music is as vibrant as the last. Every gift counts — help us make history today!
KEEP IN MIND: our goal is a certain number of gifts rather than a certain amount of money. One gift can be as low as $5!
HOW TO HELP
- Give to the Music Enhancement Fund if you’re willing and able.
- Spread the word to anyone who might want to support music at NC State!
We made a media kit with pre-written captions/messages and images so you can spread the word about this challenge in just a few clicks.
- To send a text message, select WhatsApp as the platform you want to use, copy the text, and paste it into your messaging app rather than WhatsApp.
Why Give?
Fuel the future of dance and music at NC State and beyond
Our students join our programs to find a sense of belonging on campus and an outlet for their creativity and self-expression through music and dance. Our graduates leave with lifelong friends and memories of their time at NC State that they’ll always treasure. Your support of the Department of Performing Arts and Technology provides those experiences and memories to a new generation of NC State students.
On NC State Day of Giving, you can celebrate and support the Department of Performing Arts and Technology with your dance and music community. Whether you are a mover, musician or friend of our department, by #GivingPack, you share your vision with us as we move dance and music at NC State forward.
“There are so many different opportunities here to find a group and just join, and you probably will meet your best friends.”
Annabelle Sharp
Terrain Dance Project
Gifts Can Help Provide…
- High-quality performance experiences for students
- One-of-a-kind interactions with exceptional visiting artists
- Expanded hands-on music technology offerings
- Access to high-quality instruments, equipment, and facilities
- Faculty development
- High-impact student travel experiences
- Access to acclaimed guest artists through residencies and master classes.
Get the Picture:
#GivingPack Gallery
Thanks to your support…
Welcome, Colby Vasquez, our new assistant director of bands! 🎉 Originally from Tollhouse, a small town in California`s Sierra Nevada foothills, Colby`s education and experience has had him crisscrossing the country. He joins us most recently from the University of Florida, where he is currently a doctoral candidate, pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Instrumental Conducting. While at UF, he conducted the Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Brass Band, New Music Ensemble, and Trombone Choir. Colby also worked with the Gator Marching Band and the athletic pep bands, including directing the band for the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship Game in San Antonio, Texas. 🎶
Colby brings a wealth of experience. Prior to his time in Florida, he was an instrumental music director at two California high schools where he was recognized as "Teacher of the Year" and awarded the "Crowd Award: Medal of Merit."
Colby earned his BA in Music Education from California State University Fresno, where he was a member of the Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band and the Bulldog Beat scholarship pep band. He earned his Masters of Music Education with a focus in Wind Conducting from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. And he continues to serve as Drill Writer for the 400-member UMass Minuteman Marching Band. Plus he marched in the Santa Clara Vanguard and is a former staff member.
We`re so thrilled for Colby to join us, and look forward to an exciting year!
Jul 7
We have our last performances of the semester next week! If you`re looking for a fun way to relax before finals start, come check out our music and dance performances! 💃🪈
🎟️ Jazz Orchestra and Cates Avenue Jazz have their spring combo concert! They will be playing an amazing mix of jazz standards and modern classics 🎷 (Free tickets for NC State students)
🎟️ Wind Ensemble has its second concert of the spring semester! Performing challenging wind ensemble and traditional concert band repertoire, you don`t want to miss this show! (Free tickets for NC State students)
🎟️ Symphonic Band is performing a night of "Fantasy and Wonder!" The band will transport us to the worlds of Harry Potter, How to Train Your Dragon, Wicked and more! (Free tickets for NC State students)
🎟️ Spring Dance Sharing will feature a variety of dance works hosted by the Dance Repertory and Performance Spring `25 Cohort. The performance will feature works by Assistant Teaching Professor Brianna Forbes, Guest Artists Bernadine Fields, Hannah Harris, Myaja Watson, Southern Durham High’s Dance Company and student choreographer Jordan Kaplan! (Free for everyone! Claim your ticket through the link in our bio)
For NC State students wanting to claim their free tickets, head to: http://go.ncsu.edu/freeticket
Apr 10
Next week, we have another amazing set of performances, from two nights of dance, to choir a cappella and an orchestra performance! Come join us for these great shows! 🤍
🎟️ First up is Terrain Dance Project, which will include new work by guest artists Kathryn Logan and Katherine Moore which will premiere at this performance. Terrain co-director Autumn Mist Belk will also premiere her newest work The Science of Joy, dedicated to the memory of NC State arts patron and former FANS board member Dan Cook. Happening at “Reds and Whites” on @ncstatecentennial campus!
🎟️ The State Chorale has their spring concert: Northern Lights and Southern Skies. Featuring works by both Nordic and Latin American composers, the concert brings together great choral music from all across the world! (Free tickets for NC State students)
🎟️ Wolfgang A Cappella has their spring concert: Y2K!
🎟️ Raleigh Civic Symphony Orchestra will be presenting ‘Hymns of Hope and Healing’, which, through music, dance, and visual art, takes us on a journey through adversity, emerging triumphant through the power of the human spirit and creativity (Free tickets for NC State students)
For NC State students wanting to claim their free tickets, head to: http://go.ncsu.edu/freeticket
Apr 3
Make Your Gift by #GivingPack
Support all Department of Performing Arts and Technology areas with a gift to the Dance Enhancement Fund or Music Enhancement Fund.