Art for Progress Music Programs

This spring AFP Arts Education Programs are celebrating the completion of our eighth school year serving NYC Public Schools with exciting, confidence building visual art and music classes and after school programs. AFP Arts Education Programs at the James Baldwin School, Humanities Preparatory Academy, and Hudson High School all expanded this year, and we continue to provide after school music programs at Quest 2 Learn, and at Hudson High School for Learning Technologies. Students at the James Baldwin School asked for an after school program where they could learn music production and beat-making, so AFP implemented a program that brings aspiring producers, rappers and singers together to learn the skills necessary to create professional quality recordings. Humanities Prep’s Music Program had unprecedented success this year, introducing a number of talented students to their first instruments, and fostering the continued development of returning students through after school opportunities.

In general, AFP has helped to cultivate the creative culture that is now a primary component of the school. Many students and faculty performed in a talent showcase to end the school year on June 6th. Sophomore Abril Tiburcio brought the house down with her interpretation of Lana Del Rey’s “Ride”, while 2014 valedictorian and class president Michelle Bello sang The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army.” They were backed by Tiana Bush on bass, and Genesis Castillo pounding out the infectious rhythm on the drums. Junior Sean Carey performed a challenging classical piano composition “Openings” by Philip Glass, and senior Aaron Pierre wowed the crowd with his rendition of Matisyahu’s “One Day”, and Rufus Wainwright’s “Oh What a World”. AFP teaching artist and Chemistry teacher Rajni Tibrewala performed Leonard Cohen’s “Halleluia”, and was asked to do a repeat performance at the Humanities Prep graduation ceremony.

Art for Progress also provided arts education workshops to community events in Brooklyn, at the “Save Our Streets Block Party,” and in the Bronx, at the Urban Yoga Foundation/American Heart Association Health Fair at the Bronx Museum of the Arts. Many kids attended and participated with various art projects and beginner lessons on guitar, bongo drums and piano. Stay tuned for highlights from this spring’s after school programs and AFP summer music workshops.