BWW Featured Studio: Celebrating 5 Years with PROJECT PERFORMING ARTS

Project Performing Arts (PPA) is a community organization based in Harlem, NY, under the leadership of its Founding Artistic Director, Nina Klyvert-Lawson, that uses the performing arts as way to move children forward both on an everyday scale and into the future. Classes are offered throughout the year for students ages 4-17 whether for those interested in the arts as a form of recreation, as a hobby, or for the pre-professional. This year, PPA celebrates its' 5th anniversary!

PPA's story begins in August of 2013. Ms. Klyvert-Lawson had a meeting with the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Center. During this meeting, the center expressed an interest to connect with the Harlem community in a way that artistically engages the youth. Ms. Klyvert-Lawson, having recently left the Boys and Girls Harbor, realized she had a similar mission in providing services for kids. From there, the center welcomed her, and on September 14, 2013, PPA opened its doors for the first time for class.

Over the past few years, the program has grown as children and their parents are encouraged to investigate and be engaged into this special community through the arts. Classes are offered in dance, theater arts, and music. During the fall and winter/spring semesters, students as young as 4 start in the PreK Kindergarten program- a dance and musical drama program that teaches basic dance vocabulary. Students then progress into the first position and 3 style program in various dance styles such as tap and jazz while teaching basic dance mechanics and how they relate to other dance forms. Then, students move into classes with a focus on ballet fundamentals and musical theater. During the summer, PPA offers a 6-week arts program for children ages 7-12. Here, students take daily classes in a variety of art forms including West African dance and drumming, Hip Hop, Chorus, Bucket drumming, Acting, and Musical theater just to name a few. PPA has a pre-professional liturgical and contemporary dance company and offers community West African dance classes where the younger students are able to take class alongside their older peers.

There is truly something special happening at PPA. They certainly have a diverse group of instructors. Ms. Klyvert-Lawson has crossed paths with many of them over the past 20+ years! Some folks have previously danced professionally or been on Broadway. Others have been students of Ms. Klyvert-Lawson. But one thing they all have in common is that they are all amazing, selfless artists, with big hearts who are very supportive of their students. They are also people whom she personally respects.

PPA is a unique organization, where in addition to teaching the arts in a rigorous and disciplined way, it is a place that is looking to teach the whole child. It's a place that is looking to enhance one's developmental growth and where to learn if you don't know how to pursue the arts. It is also a place for recreational fun! And because of that, it has created such a vibrant energy. The students are hungry to learn, they feel good about themselves, and the parents are interested and curious to get their children involved. Some students have gone on to study dance and the arts in college.

What is next for PPA over the next 5-10 years? To continue growing as an organization with more visibility as a performing arts program, to grow the launch of their new after school program in partnership with the Harlem Village Academy, and to build up their young men's program- getting more males involved in the arts.

To learn more and support the initiatives of PPA, please visit their website at http://www.projectperformingarts.com/.

Photo Credit: Nina Klyvert-Lawson