Creative Programs for All Ages at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center. The Michael A. Guido Theater is more than a performance venue—it’s the home of Dearborn’s community arts programs. Operated by the City of Dearborn Parks & Recreation Department, these programs give residents of all ages the chance to explore music, theater, dance, and visual arts through hands-on classes, workshops, and full-scale productions. Participants gain real-world experience while building confidence, creativity, and collaboration skills.
Vanguard Voices
Established in 1992, Vanguard Voices is a 70-member adult mixed choir that presents the best in traditional and contemporary choral music.
The group, under the direction of G. Kevin Dewy, performs a capella or with orchestras or other choral groups. Vanguard Voices, whose members range from professional to dedicated amateur choristers, rehearses weekly from September through May and performs several concerts throughout the year.
Dearborn Civic Theater
Dearborn Youth Theatre is designed to introduce aspiring young actors, singers and dancers, ages 7-14, to the world of live theatre. Participants will learn to sing, dance, and act, while building confidence, expressing their creativity, and learning teamwork in a fast-paced, supportive environment.
Dearborn Youth Theater climaxes with a full, on-stage production of a well-known musical in the Michael A. Guido Theater.
Dearborn Community Chorus
The Dearborn Community Chorus, created in 1963, is composed of adults–aged 16 and over–who love to sing.
The group rehearses weekly from September through May and performs in the Michael A. Guido Theater as part of the end-of-the-year holidays celebration and again in May. The Dearborn Community Chorus also performs at community events and entertains at Senior Citizen facilities.
Dearborn Youth Symphony
Dearborn Youth Symphony was established in 1975 to provide young musicians with symphonic ensemble experience and to foster interest in instrumental music.
Currently composed of four groups–String Orchestra, Flute Choir, Concert Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra–the Dearborn Youth Symphony gives young musicians the opportunity to advance their skills and work with professional instructors and musicians. Auditions are conducted in May and September. The group rehearses Monday evenings and presents three annual concerts in the Michael A. Guido Theater.
Motor City Brass Band
Motor City Brass Band is Michigan’s first competing British-style brass band. MCBB presents a concert series at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, Michigan as well as competing annually in the Great Lakes Brass Band Championships, the Dublin (OH) Festival of Brass, and the North American Brass Band Championships.
Dearborn Youth Voices
Created in 2024 for youngsters ages 10-16 who love to sing, Dearborn Youth Voices performs a wide range of songs from pop to musical theater and even foreign language.
The group, directed by Vanessa El-Zein Lai, rehearses Saturdays and performs two concerts during the September through April season in the Michael A. Guido Theater.
Dearborn Community Concert Band
Composed of adult musicians from the Dearborn area, the Dearborn Community Concert Band performs a variety of music, including the tunes of John Philips Sousa, George Gershwin, George B. Cohan, Irving Berlin and John Williams.
Dearborn Community Concert Band performs three annual concerts in the Michael A. Guido Theater, as well as concerts at various other venues in the Metro Detroit area. Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings and membership is by audition.
Dearborn Big Band
Dearborn Big Band is a swing-era group specializing in the big band hits of Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Bennie Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and other legendary conductors. Dearborn Big Band rehearses Wednesday evenings and performs several annual concerts in the Michael A. Guido Theater.
Membership is by audition.
Dearborn Summer Chorus
Composed of adults, ages 17 and over, Dearborn Summer Chorus rehearses Wednesdays, beginning in early June, before presenting its Summer Concert in early-to-mid July in the Michael A. Guido Theater. The group, conducted by G. Kevin Dewey, presents music in the light classical and popular genres.
Membership requires no audition.
Henry Ford Big Band
The vocal and instrumental ensembles at HFC are directed by Anthony Lai. They are open to all HFC students (regardless of major) and to members of the community. Music selection is as diverse as its membership, with emphasis on music by living composers, underepresented composers, and music relevant to the our community.
Padzieski Art Gallery
The Padzieski Art Gallery, located in the west wing of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, directly across from the theatre, is operated by the Dearborn Community Fund in cooperation with the Dearborn Recreation & Parks Department.