- 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 15^th, 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 3^rd 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 8^th!

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]

- 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 Museum’s Gallery/Studio Program

-Above is the artwork of various local teenagers participating in the Brooklyn Museum’s Gallery/Studio Program studio art courses this summer. This work was inspired by Brooklyn-born artist and photographer, Lorna Simpson.

The Brooklyn Museum’s Gallery/Studio Program (GSP) offers a host of courses to students ages six to adults in the summer, fall, and spring. Courses range in topic including classes in drawing, painting, sculpture, collage, and mixed media among others. In all, the program serves approximately 600 students who enroll in various courses annually.

Maya Valladares, GSP’s coordinator, describes the program as having two main goals: “First, to provide students with a solid studio education – to develop their skills in drawing, sculpture, etc. Second, to promote among students the feeling that the museum is their space where as future artists, professionals, and community members, they feel both inspired and at home through their connection with the Museum.”

The GSP will offer a total of ten courses to students from 6-17 years of age this fall. The courses take place on Saturdays or Sundays and vary widely in topic. “Hero Meets the World,” for example, which draws inspiration largely from contemporary art and comic books, gives students ages 10-12 an opportunity to create a character, develop a plot, imagine a world, and draw, paint, and print to produce an original artist’s book. “Art for the People,” a course offered to students ages 15-17, allows to students to experiment with paper, printmaking, and multimedia and learn how to make art that viewers may interact with and literally help in creating. For the full schedule of fall classes, registration information, and scholarship applications, visit: http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/education/gallery-studio/gallery-studio.php

In addition to courses, there are other opportunities for students to participate in the Museum’s GSP program. GSP’s work-study program offers students ages 14-18 an opportunity to both assist and learn under Museum instructors working with younger students. Note that the deadline for applying for the work-study program is September 7^th so interested students should apply soon! Here’s the link: http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/education/teens/gallery-studio-work-study.php

The Museum’s Teen Night Open House, scheduled for early January, is another opportunity to become involved. The event is planned by teens (often those participating in the work-study) for teens and other members of the community. Past events have offered hands-on art-making activities, open-mic sessions, and gallery tours.

For the most recent GSP news and a behind-the-scenes look at the program, check out “Making At the Brooklyn Museum” on Facebook.

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]

- Our Kids’ Biz -

A bimonthly 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 Conrad McRae Youth Basketball League.

-Damon Lawrence of Fort Greene rises up for the layup under heavy defense this past weekend at the Conrad McRae Youth Basketball League on Dean Street.

The Conrad McRae Youth Basketball League, established in 2000, provides a setting in the spring and summer for hundreds of kids ages 5 to 18 to take part in an organized weekend hoops league that attracts local teams in addition to teams from other parts of the state and beyond.

According to Anton Marchand, one of the league’s founders, the league’s mission is straightforward; “we aim to provide young student athletes with an organized, safe, and competitive atmosphere to take part in a game that they love to play.” The league offers tournaments for both girls and boys. The girl’s league (or Rose Classic) takes place at the Edmonds Learning Center on Adelphi Street on Saturdays and Sundays during the months of September to November and April to June. The boy’s league runs weekends in July and August and takes place outside in Dean Street Park.

Junell Council, a resident of neighboring Park Slope whose two sons have played in the league since its inception, describes it as offering her sons lessons in “teamwork and focus as well as opening doors for them educationally.” Her oldest son, Vincent, now attends Providence College where he is a member the men’s basketball team.

For more information on the league and how to get involved, visit the Conrad McRae Youth League on Facebook.

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]