Harlem School of the Arts Now Accepting Students for Spring 2015 Classes

Yvette L. Campbell, President and CEO of the Harlem School of the Arts at the Herb Alpert Center (HSA) announced earlier this month a full program of classes for children and young adults interested in exploring the world of music, dance, theatre, and the visual arts. Spring 2015 classes are designed for students ages 2 - 18 from all backgrounds in the New York City Metropolitan region. Campbell offers insight into the variety of classes offered at HSA, one of New York City's premier cultural arts institutions: "At HSA, we are committed to providing access to quality arts programs for all of our students. There's something for everyone ages 2 and up, whether you are a curious toddler just discovering the arts, a talented teen aspiring to Broadway, or young person who simply wants to take private guitar lessons. We offer a wide variety of arts enrichment classes for everyone and a more intensive course of study for our aspiring talented artists in our highly-regarded, scholarship program." Detailed information about HSA, classes, schedules, FAQ's, and how to register can be found online at www.hsanyc.org or by contacting Tyeesha Jones, Registration Manager, at 212.926.4100 ext. 324 or via email at: tjones@HSAnyc.org.

HSA serves more than 3,500 young people annually on-site in its facility and off-site at 25 New York City schools. Every child that wants to study at HSA has the opportunity thanks to major donors like Herb Alpert, who support financial aid scholarships. HSA started with humble beginnings in the basement of St. James Presbyterian Church next door with 20 children taking piano lessons. It has blossomed into an extraordinary cultural institution, serving more than 50,000 students over the last 49 years.

SPRING 2015 HIGHLIGHTS
For the new season, HSA has great announcements and a new focus. Campbell notes a few highlights: "Our success is measured by the transformation we witness each and every day in our students. Jordan Hall (age 11) joined [HSA] just two years ago to study musical theatre and dance. Today, he's just returned after a year on the road starring as Young Simba in the National Tour of Disney's The Lion King! Jordan's family couldn't be prouder. And this year, HSA celebrates Harlem! You'll notice our Harlem theme woven into this year's various class offerings and featured throughout our public family performances and exhibitions - 2014-15 Family Enrichment Series." She adds "We are honored to have as our 2014 Artist-in-Residence, legendary artist Paco Cao, who will be offering a semester in the Hidden History of the Harlem Renaissance for the advanced visual arts students."

ABOUT HSA DEPARTMENTS
MUSIC
The HSA Music Department introduces students to the irresistible force that is music. The goal of the Music Department is to equip each individual with the tools to be a proficient musician, while fostering their creative spirit. Whether laying a foundation for the beginner or helping a more advanced musician refine their technique, our faculty offer a rigorous introduction to the discipline of making music while instilling in each student a love of music as an art. At HSA we offer private and group instruction in strings, woodwinds, brass, piano, guitar, percussion and voice. In addition to a long tradition of excellence in Western classical music, our faculty also offers instruction in jazz and a variety of folk and popular music. We encourage all students taking private lessons to participate in an ensemble and take a musicianship class. Ensemble and group experience offers the joy of creating music with others, encourages a cooperative work ethic, and allows students to enhance their overall technique.

DANCE
At HSA, our dance programs seek to nurture talent while strengthening the students' relationship to their inner self, their fellow students, and their community. Through rigorous dance training, respect, and teamwork a child can aspire to become a professional dancer or simply enjoy dance as an outlet for self-expression. HSA provides students with discipline, hope, and purpose, stressing the importance of presentation, punctuality, and etiquette. With these skills, our students and their families exemplify what it means to strive for excellence and achieve their unlimited and unique potential. HSA is proudly one of just six schools in the world offering the American Ballet Theatre's (ABT) National Training Curriculum. Through this effort, ABT aims to provide dance students with a rich knowledge of classical ballet technique and the ability to adapt to multiple styles and techniques of dance offered at Harlem School of the Arts.

THEATRE
Theatre at Harlem School of the Arts explores the many rewarding and enjoyable elements of performing on stage. Through a range of classes, presentations and performances, students share their deep learning and experience with one another and the community. Learning begins with well-trained teachers implementing exciting strategies for rigorous study and innovative performance. Studying theatre benefits students by seamlessly and richly connecting many learning styles while preparing students with practice in collaboration, communication, critical thinking and creativity. HSA has a long roster of substantial alumni that are professionals in theatre, and are life-long theatre lovers whose learning was deepened by their time at Harlem School of the Arts.

VISUAL ARTS
HSA offers a wide variety of classes in the visual arts fostering individual creativity and expression. Classes include a full spectrum of media, including digital art, drawing, filmmaking, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture; taught by a faculty of world-class professional artists and guest lecturers. Annually, the Visual Arts Department hosts two group exhibitions of the students' work at the school along with providing several opportunities for students to participate in Harlem community gallery showings. Beyond the curriculum, HSA seeks to cultivate an appreciation of the arts within the Harlem community by presenting guest artist and faculty exhibitions that are open to the public.

MORE REGISTRATION INFROMATION
The Harlem School of the Arts accepts all students ages 2-18 without an audition. Register your child today for our quality education programs in music, dance, theatre, visual arts, and musical theatre!

The Registration Process

1. New to HSA? Review courses offered in the HSA Catalog and Course Schedule at www.HSAnyc.org.

2. Complete required registration forms:
-2014-2015 Registration Form
-Student Medical Form
-Enrollment Policies Agreement

3. Submit completed registration materials, registration fee, and tuition by January 31, 2014

Detailed information about HSA, classes, schedules, FAQ's, and how to register can be found online at: www.hsanyc.org/the-childrens-program-2/2014-2015-registration or by contacting Tyeesha Jones, Registration Manager, at 212.926.4100 ext. 324. Ms. Jones can also be contracted via email at tjones@HSAnyc.org.