Our Kids’ Biz

A monthly briefing featuring Fort Greene’s finest youth programs

By Josh Beauregard

From clubs, sports, and activities to school-and organization-based programs, this monthly briefing highlights local programs serving Fort Greene’s youth in positive and meaningful ways. In this edition, we feature The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center.

Students from the School’s Student Company rehearsing for a new work by Student Company Director and MMDG dancer, John Heginbotham

The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center, located at 3 Lafayette Avenue in Fort Greene, is kicking off its spring semester with classes beginning on January 30th.

The School offers a host of weekday and weekend classes for children and adolescents (ages 4-17). On a given Saturday, the School offers over 35 different youth classes including modern dance, jazz/hip-hop, ballet, and tap, among others. In total, the school serves approximately 1,300 students per semester.

According to Sarah Marcus, the School’s Director, the School offers to community youth “a nurturing, non-competitive venue for kids to both learn and enjoy learning various styles of dance with peers on a weekly basis.”

For children, ages 4-6, the school offers two levels of creative dances classes in which students learn fundamentals while developing their imagination. These classes offer a blend of movement, music, improvisation, and basic dance steps and are an excellent introduction for the future study of dance techniques.

For kids ages, 6-17, the School offers courses in modern, basic jazz/hip-hop, ballet, and tap. The School’s approach to its modern classes is to develop strong, creative dancers through the study of technique, improvisation, and composition. The jazz/hip-hip class is designed for students interested in learning basic jazz/hip-hop dance principles such as syncopated rhythms and body isolations as well as classic jazz and hip-hop moves. Ballet classes introduce students to basic ballet vocabulary while developing strength, proper alignment, and musicality. The School’s tap classes introduce students to basic tap dance technique while developing rhythmic skills, musicality, and precision.

In addition to these courses, the School also offers a unique dance class for boys ages 7-10. This class introduces young male students to the fundamentals of dance in a nurturing, all-boys classroom setting. Taking a diverse approach that mixes modern and ballet techniques with strength training, students in this course develop musicality, coordination, flexibility, and physical fitness within a fun, supportive environment.

Finally, the school offers music & singing classes for students ages 7-15 who are interested in learning vocal production and developing rhythm, solfege, and basic harmony.

In celebration of the School’s 10 year anniversary, the School will offer free classes for everyone on Sunday, February 12th from 10am-3pm. Families are welcome to take part in any or all classes. The day will conclude with performances by the Mark Morris Dance Group, The School’s student companies, and students from the music & singing classes.

To learn more about the February 12^th event, as well as the School’s classes, registration, fees, and tuition assistance, visit the Mark Morris Dance Group website at mmdg.org or call Elise Marafioti , the School’s Administrator at (718) 624-8900.

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 semi-monthly briefing highlights local programs serving Fort Greene’s youth in positive and meaningful ways. In this edition, we feature Pratt Institute’s Design Initiative for Community Empowerment (DICE)

Established in 2005, DICE is a grant funded, after-school program that offers high school students an introduction to design through studio work, tours of design studios, public exhibitions and visits from accomplished designers. The goal of DICE is to introduce local youth to career and advanced educational opportunities in design and to prepare them to pursue these opportunities through a creative and rigorous design education program.

CLASSES:

All classes meet from October 25 – April 19 at Pratt Institute on Tuesdays & Thursdays, from 4:30 - 6:30pm
.

Graphic Design
Graphic design is the visual language of everyday life, present in everything from advertisements and film titles to household items. Using a multi-media approach, students will explore the function of type and image in branding, marketing and book design. Students will confront real-world design challenges and develop creative strategies through each phase of the design process, while learning Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator techniques.

Product Design
Products and tools that are intended to make our lives easier, more productive and more beautiful surround us. Exploring familiar products, students in this class will learn how to design products for a client by developing the skills needed to express ideas and the context of the field. The class includes ideation, technical drawing and model making.

Fashion Design
In this class, students will be introduced to the historical and cultural practices of contemporary fashion design, while exploring various hands-on techniques such as: fashion illustration, hand and loom weaving, fabric coloring and printing. The cycle of fashion and textile design and its production will be investigated while considering the effect it has on the community and environment.

HOW TO REGISTER:

Bring completed application form to in person registration, or you may return the form to us by email, fax or mail to the address below.

In-person registration: Tuesday, October 18^th 4-6 PM; South Hall, Room 203.

For more information and registration form, please visit: www.pratt.edu/dice.

Questions?

Tel. 718-636-3654

Email: [email protected]

Department of Art and Design Education
Pratt Institute/ 200 Willoughby Ave SH 203/ Brooklyn, NY 11205

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 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]