Founder and Executive Director of The Performance Academy, Inc. (TPA), Kathryn McAvoy has dedicated her career to providing a safe, creative space for the youth of Duval County, Jacksonville, Florida. Through TPA, she has empowered young people to use the creative arts as a healing tool, fostering self-expression, resilience, and growth. McAvoy established TPA with great vision andintentionality, ensuring that the organization stays true to its mission: to inspire, cultivate, and transform youth through art, education, and technology.

In 2024, McAvoy appointed award-winning filmmaker, mental wealth advocate, author, and executive producer DeShaun Davis as Director of Operations and Artistic Programs. Working alongside McAvoy, Davis will lead TPA into a new era of mentorship, innovation, and artistic excellence, further strengthening its impact.

At its core, TPA develops tailored programs we call “Elements” that integrate the arts with essential life skills, shaping a future where every young person has access to high-quality arts education and tangible skills to empower real world technique by nurturing individual talent, self-expression, and skill development, TPA equips youth with the tools they need to thrive in all aspects of life.