- Our Kids’ Biz -
A semi-monthly briefing featuring Fort Greene’s finest youth programs
By Josh Beauregard
From clubs, sports, and activities to school- and organization-based programs, this bimonthly briefing highlights local programs serving Fort Greene’s youth in positive and meaningful ways. In this edition, we feature the Brooklyn Music School
-Devani Miles, 16, of Crown Heights, works on his bass guitar skills during a Saturday afternoon lesson at the Brooklyn Music School. In addition to the bass, Devani also plays the violin where, this year, he will share the Concert Master role in the school’s orchestra.
The Brooklyn Music School (BMS), which will celebrate its centennial year in 2012, is a community school of performing arts on St. Felix Street in Fort Greene. Housed within a collection of neighboring town houses, the school offers a unique and historic space for local youth (and adults) to engage in the performing arts including a host of classrooms, dance studios, and a Spanish-style theatre seating over 250 people.
Frank Alvarado, the school’s Executive Director, describes the school as offering to community youth an opportunity “to acquire a solid foundation in the performing arts while also learning the value of hard work, commitment, and discipline. Our students are members of a school community that places a high value on sharing, teaching, enjoying, and learning music and arts.”
BMS is preparing to kick off its 35-week class schedule. Classes, which officially began on September 15th, meet once a week, and are taught by dedicated professional art-educators.
For children, ages 3 to 19, BMS will offer a host of weekly group dance and movement classes. For example, Creative Movers, offered to children ages 3-4, focuses on developing coordination skills and movement patterns while introducing fun and imaginative ways to experience dance. Courses for older students (ages 5+) include ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, tap, and African dance.
For children ages 5 +, BMS offers vocal lessons and music lessons. Instruments include piano, violin, viola, cello, guitar, bass guitar, upright bass, saxophone, clarinet, flute, trumpet, and percussion.
Opportunities also exist for musicians and dancers interested in performing in ensemble groups, concerts, and recitals.
In addition to its traditional Saturday classes and lessons, BMS also offer an after-school program featuring music and dance lessons, music technology, as well as homework help. The program begins on October 3rd and runs Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 6:30pm. Pick-up is available from local neighborhood schools.
Finally, BMS also offers music and dance programs to youth in Brooklyn’s public schools and community centers. The off-site programs, which currently span into the neighborhoods of Fort Greene, Red Hook, East New York, and Brownsville, serve approximately 2,000 children annually. The music and dance programs, which vary in design, are based on the interests and needs of each organization. Parties interested in this service should contact Frank Alvarado at: [email protected].
For information on registration, tuition, and financial aid, visit: http://www.brooklynmusicschool.org/index.php
Also visit BMS on Facebook for information on programs, clips featuring young musicians from the community, and details on upcoming events, including its Spanish Heritage Festival on October 8th!
Readers are encouraged to provide leads about promising programs serving youth of the Fort Greene area. All suggestions may be directed to Josh at [email protected]
