Restoration Hall Inc. – Bellaire, Ohio The Celeste Theatre & Children’s Music Program
A creative home where veterans and children discover their voices, build confidence, and grow through music, theatre, and the performing arts.
Our Vision
At Restoration Hall Inc., we believe that music and performance are not luxuries—they are essential tools for healing, learning, and community-building. The Celeste Theatre and the Children’s Music & Creative Learning Program together create a welcoming, intimate space where veterans and young people can practice, perform, and be seen.
Located inside our historic Restoration Hall campus in Bellaire, Ohio, the theatre and music spaces serve the Ohio Valley with year-round programming that blends arts education, creative expression, and community connection.
The Celeste Theatre
The Celeste Theatre is a small-format performance and rehearsal space dedicated to storytelling, music, and the performing arts. It supports:
- Music and vocal workshops for veterans and youth
- Small ensemble concerts and recitals
- Theatre scenes, readings, and staged performances
- Community showcases and seasonal events
As veterans progress through Restoration Hall’s broader transition and support programming, the theatre offers a space to share stories, rebuild confidence, and return as guest performers or mentors for younger participants.
Recording Booth & Production
At the rear of the theatre, a 4’ × 8’ recording booth allows participants to:
- Record original songs, spoken word, and small group projects
- Capture live performances for family, friends, and digital sharing
- Build basic skills in audio recording and production
Children’s Music & Creative Learning Program
The Children’s Music & Creative Learning Program serves young people approximately ages 3–18 through the Restoration Hall Early Learning Center and youth programs.
Program elements include:
- Hands-on instruction in voice, rhythm, piano/keyboard, guitar, and percussion
- Exploration of gospel, jazz, musical theatre, contemporary, and world music
- Creative composition, improvisation, and beginner songwriting
- Group activities that build listening skills, teamwork, and confidence
- Student performances on the Celeste Theatre stage for families and community
Many of the children we serve come from low-income or under-resourced families in the Appalachian Ohio Valley. The program ensures that cost is never a barrier to learning, making music, and performing.
Space & Capacity
Auditorium
Approx. 870 sq. ft. with 15 ft ceilings, suitable for intimate performances and workshops.
Stage
24’ × 14’ platform for music, theatre, and spoken word performances.
Seating
Flexible seating for roughly 50 guests with folding chairs and open floor space.
Recording Booth
4’ × 8’ booth for basic recording, voice-over work, and small ensemble projects.
Impact for Veterans, Children, and the Community
The Celeste Theatre and Children’s Music Program together:
- Create a safe, encouraging environment for self-expression and exploration.
- Help children and veterans build confidence, discipline, and communication skills.
- Provide meaningful alternatives to isolation, boredom, and negative influences.
- Offer opportunities for leadership as alumni and older youth mentor new participants.
- Bring families and community members together around positive, uplifting events.
For veterans, the theatre provides a space to contribute, teach, and perform even after they complete other parts of the Restoration Hall program. For children, it may be the first place they hold an instrument, step on a stage, or hear an audience applaud.
Support The Celeste Theatre & Children’s Music Program
You can help us keep this space active, equipped, and accessible to those who need it most. We welcome:
- Financial contributions toward instruments, sound and lighting, and student scholarships.
- Donations of quality instruments, equipment, or technical expertise.
- Partnerships with schools, arts organizations, colleges, and music programs.
- Volunteers with experience in music, theatre, youth work, or stage production.
Music Therapy Program
At Restoration Hall Inc., we recognize that healing extends beyond physical recovery—it includes the heart, mind, and spirit. Our Music Therapy Program is designed to provide a creative and emotional outlet for veterans, using the power of music to foster self-expression, connection, and renewal.
Music has long been known to bridge emotional and psychological barriers, offering a universal language through which veterans can explore and express their experiences. Whether through listening, performing, or creating music, participants are guided by trained facilitators to reconnect with themselves and others in a safe, supportive environment.
For many veterans, the transition from military to civilian life can be challenging, often accompanied by feelings of isolation, anxiety, or depression. Music therapy helps to ease these burdens by stimulating positive emotions, improving cognitive function, and enhancing social interaction. Sessions may include drumming circles, songwriting workshops, guided relaxation with music, and small ensemble performances—all tailored to individual and group needs.
In addition to its therapeutic value, the program encourages teamwork, discipline, and creativity—qualities deeply rooted in military culture. Through structured music-based activities, veterans rediscover purpose, build confidence, and develop new coping mechanisms for daily life challenges.
The Music Therapy Program at Restoration Hall stands as a cornerstone of our holistic approach to veteran wellness. By combining evidence-based therapeutic practices with the restorative power of music, we help our heroes find harmony—within themselves and their community.
Mrs, Celeste Holmes Nelson – Director of Music Therapy & Performing Arts and Music Education
Mrs Celeste Holmes Nelson is a distinguished performer, educator, and mentor whose career spans decades of excellence in music, theater, and the performing arts. With years of experience performing in Broadway musicals and national theater productions, Celeste has graced stages with her commanding presence, dynamic voice, and deep emotional artistry.
Her journey in the arts extends beyond performance. As the founder of her own music and voice studio, she has dedicated much of her life to nurturing the next generation of talent—providing vocal training, stage coaching, and theatrical development for aspiring artists. Her approach blends technical mastery with soulful expression, empowering students to find their authentic voices both on and off the stage.
Through her extensive theater work and musical leadership, Celeste has built a legacy rooted in creativity, discipline, and passion. Her contributions continue to inspire artists and audiences alike, reinforcing her belief that the performing arts have the power to heal, unite, and transform lives.