ENRICH.

EDUCATE.

ENTERTAIN.

Asase Yaa School of the Arts Dancer

ABOUT THE ASASE YAA SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

The School of the Arts  was founded in 2010 with the mission to provide quality dance and drum instruction to boys and girls students ages 3 to 18. Through intensive study and technical training in various dance forms that include tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, modern, and African, students become well versed in their genre over the course of the 37 week program (which typically runs from October to June).

The first three months of the program is focused on technique and the remaining months are focused around creating routines and choreography designed for a culminating recital annually held in June at a distinguished local venue.

Asase Yaa School of the Arts Dancer

Based on the belief that art is a powerful tool in helping youth learn about their historical connection to Africa, our approach to instruction is intentionally holistic. So beyond teaching dance and drum, we seek to develop students’ self-esteem. In a safe and nurturing environment that honors one’s unique contributions while also respecting the collective body, students gain confidence, learn important interactive social skills, and develop a sense of cultural pride that enables them to become productive citizens of the world.

The School also serves as a cultural and performing arts space which is committed to the growth, preservation and presentation of the arts in the Brooklyn community. It is located in the heart of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn at 1803 Fulton Street. It also serves as an affordable event space for the community-at-large. It hosts lectures, panel discussions, film screenings, book-signings, parties, and other events.

The School offers two major youth programs annually in addition to the classes and regular curriculum they offer in public, charter, and public schools.

SCHOOL PROGRAMS

CHILDREN’S SUMMER ART CAMP

ARTS OUTREACH PROGRAM

Asase Yaa School of the Arts Dancer
Asase Yaa School of the Arts Dancer
Asase Yaa School of the Arts Drummers

CHILDREN’S ARTS CAMP

 

July 5, 2023- August 11, 2023

Six Weeks, Mon-Fri, 8 AM – 5 PM • For Youth 4 – 13 years old  • Brooklyn, NY
Camp Theme: Scientists of The Diaspora​

2023 Summer Camp Registration fee: $100
Camp Tuition: $1200

2023 Letter from the Director

We’re very excited to be celebrating the 17th season of our Children’s Art Camp. The theme for this year’s camp is “Scientists of The Diaspora,” which is intended to highlight some of the amazing inventors and scientists that have paved the wau throughout the diaspora, and also to share the deep history of math and science discovery and ingenuity that has existed within our culture and communities forever.

This year we are returning to many of our traditional camp activities; the celebration of African Flag Day which will be held on July 27th 2023. We will of course engage our youth in dancing, drumming, trips and take delight in them showcasing it all during our annual camp performance. This summer the campers will present an original Asase Yaa play entitled, “The Mad Scientist.” This comical play tells the stories and discoveries of famous African-American Scientist and Inventors. The youth will explore and investigate the science around them like many of the great scientists we will learn about. And of course, all of our campers help produce and star in the play.

As an educator and parent I am always conscious of the many safety precautions that must be taken throughout the day and especially during trips and outdoor activities. The community that is developed between staff, counselors, and participants requires that everyone is responsible for the next person.

Each summer is a reflection of the individuals who participated and contributed to that unique summer experience. Hopefully this year will include a reflection of your children. I am looking forward to another great summer and I hope you are as well!

-Rubie I. Williams, Director of Operations, Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation

Asase Yaa Children's Summer Arts Camp
Asase Yaa Children's Summer Arts Camp

Our Children’s Summer Arts Camp is a 6-week multidisciplinary performing arts program and day camp which is the only summer program that offers youth (ages 4-13) a chance to contribute, create, and produce an original live production. We teach writing, dancing, music, singing, drama, set building, costumes, choreography, staging, lighting, and sound.

At the end of camp, we present the original theatre piece they created to a captive audience of family and friends. In addition to our camp staff, we attract top artists who have mastered their artistic discipline and come and work with our students. Many whom volunteer their time throughout the camp experience.

During the six weeks, youth engage and interact daily starting with a morning circle, which is followed with various games, activities, and development of the musical presentation. We also include several field trips and celebrate African Flag Day.

We’re dedicated to creating a family atmosphere and environment for our campers  that encourages fun, creativity, encouragement, and education. We strive to create memorable experiences to help youth develop self-confidence, stronger mental and physical health, and meaningful friendships.

We expanded our Summer Arts Camp in 2019. Click here to learn more. 

ARTS OUTREACH PROGRAM

From Our Program Director

“Children are Brave when they feel secure.”

Kwesi Nkroma, Managing Director Asase Yaa School of the Arts Outreach

Kwesi Nkroma, Managing Director Asase Yaa School of the Arts Outreach

Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation directors and instructors have witnessed the truth of this statement over our 15 + years of working with youth. We’ve seen firsthand that cultural exploration is simultaneously grounding and uplifting. Achievement in the arts empowers young people to recognize and express their light.

Our in-school residencies bring world-class cultural arts entertainment into your learning environment. Traditional African, Ballet, Hip Hop, Tap and Modern Dance is taught immersion style, as is music instruction featuring arrangements from Ghana, Guinea, Cuba, etc. Students effortlessly absorb the rich cultural and historical wisdom that informs the choreography and composition. The same is true for our theater, visual arts and vocal instruction: the cultural framework authorizes young people to find their voices and share their vision; the structure inspires confidence and develops discipline.

Asase Yaa School of the Arts Outreach features curriculums tailored to the range of interests and capacities of children from kindergarten through grade 12. Our instructors are teaching and performing veterans who share expert knowledge of worldwide cultures and arts traditions. They easily build rapport with students and are experienced at working harmoniously with school professionals.

We look forward to the opportunity to meet with you, to answer any questions you might have and to demonstrate the value that Asase Yaa School of the Arts Outreach can bring to your school.

Kwesi Nkroma
Managing Director
Asase Yaa School of the Arts Outreach

- New in 2023! -

Asase Yaa School of the Arts Outreach 45 minute Ensemble Performance:

“Illuminate the Principles”

ABOUT THE ARTS OUTREACH PROGRAM

Bring world-class cultural arts entertainment into your learning environment

Our Asase Yaa Arts Outreach programs were originally founded as T.E.A.C.H in September 2012, which was changed to Arts Outreach in 2018. Our mission has always been to offer in-school instruction for students within the City of New York public and charter school system. The curriculum we have developed is optimized for students in kindergarten through the 12th grade and features instruction in multiple performing arts genres, including African and African diasporic dance, African drumming, musical theater, vocal, ballet, tap, martial arts, hip hop, modern dance, acting, visual arts and instrumental performance.

Our Arts Outreach programs include in-school Residency Programs in dance, drumming visual arts and theater. We also offer special performances for schools and community events that feature our abbreviated dance and drum ensembles and presentations of original musical theater productions performed by youth casts from our School of the Arts.

Arts Outreach focuses on the dissemination of knowledge related to African, Caribbean, and African American history and cultural art forms, enriching children’s educational, social, and physical development. Through Arts Outreach, Asase Yaa hopes to share the creative vision of some of New York’s most seasoned and qualified teaching artists and the spirit, energy and passion of our young talent with schools throughout the Tri-State area.

We advocate and reinforce our belief that the arts encourage tenacity, creativity, confidence and critical thinking, all qualities that are important to the educational learning process and development of young students.

Arts  Outreach Residency Programs and Classes

Asase Yaa offers a series of class programs that comprise a different number of daily and weekly sessions. Traditional African, Ballet, Hip Hop, Tap and Modern Dance is taught immersion-style, as is music instruction featuring arrangements from Djembe, Conga, drum line, piano, guitar, and violin. Students effortlessly absorb the rich cultural and historical wisdom that informs the choreography and composition. The same is true for our theater, visual arts and vocal instruction: the cultural framework authorizes young people to find their voices and share their vision; the structure inspires confidence and develops discipline.

PROGRAM OPTIONS

Up to 5 sessions per day, 5 days a week. 

  • 1 week
  • 4 weeks
  • 8 weeks
  • 12 weeks (one semester)
  • 30 weeks (one school year)

Classes:

  • Drumming (Djembe, Conga and drum line)
  • Dance (African, Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop and Modern)
  • Theater (Original productions)
  • Visual Arts
  • In School Performance/Lecture Demonstration

New in 2023

“Illuminate the Principles”

Illuminate the Principles is a interactive concert created for schools grades k -12. This concert will take students on a journey through the Nguzo Saba (seven principles of Kwanzaa).

Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26 – January 1. It celebrates the seven principles of Kwanzaa, or Nguzo Saba (originally Nguzu Saba—the seven principles of blackness). It consists of “the best of African thought and practice in constant exchange with the world.” These seven principles comprise Kawaida, a Swahili term for tradition and reason. Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the following principles, as follows:

  • Umoja (Unity): To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
  • Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.
  • Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together. To make our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our problems, and to solve them together.
  • Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.
  • Nia (Purpose): To make our collective goal of building and developing our community. This is in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
  • Kuumba (Creativity): To always do as much as we can, in the way we can. This allows us to leave our community more beautiful and better than we inherited it.
  • Imani (Faith): To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
“Illuminate the Principles” will be available for booking from October 1, 2023 – March 30, 2024.
For further information about Arts Outreach, please contact Kofi Osei Williams, Executive Director,
Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation at (646) 468-0710.

New in 2021

Rhythm Connection

“Rhythm Connection” is a virtual interactive concert curated and created by our Asase Yaa School of the Arts Outreach program is available for bookings for schools grades K-12. 

Our concert will take students on a virtual rhythmic journey from America throughout Africa and the African Diaspora, and the Caribbean. 

An ensemble cast of artistic teachers, musicians, and dancers will share folktales, traditional music, instruments and dances that shaped and developed the historical growth of African arts and culture throughout the world. 

The 45-minute concert will enrich, educate and entertain youth using indigenous African call-and-response to engage students. They will learn the history of the Djembe drums, take part in sing-along performances of popular Ghanaian songs, join in the internationally renowned Limbo line dance which originated in Trinidad, and have a brief Q & A session with members of the performing ensemble.

We are offering “Rhythm Connection” as an in-person or virtual concert experience, and  can change and tailor some of the performance elements to fit your school’s unique needs.

If you’re interested in treating your school, students and community to a unique, interactive and fun concert, please contact us for more specific details about booking the concert at your school. We will present “Rhythm Connection” throughout the entire school year for 2021-2022.

CONTACT THE ARTS OUTREACH PROGRAM

[email protected]
646.468.0710