Harlem School of the Arts Youth Programs
Harlem School of the Arts – The Herb Alpert Center, 645 Saint Nicholas Avenue, New York, NY 10030
About
Harlem School of the Arts Youth Programs include activities in ballet, contemporary dance, jazz dance, tap dance, hip hop dance, African dance, musicianship, composition, ensemble technique, voice, acting, drawing, painting, illustration, digital media, animation, cinematography, comic book production, mural design, mural painting, storyboarding, lighting, editing, production techniques, digital painting, character design, and walk cycles. The programs also include HSA Dance, HSA Music, HSA Media & Design, HSA Musical Theatre, HSA Theatre, the Harlem Summer Arts Experience, and the HSA Prep scholarship program.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Price: $100 off each session (now through March 19); 10% off automatically when siblings register (now through June 3); 20% off for Harlem Academy students (now through June 3); The Package discount will activate when 3 camp sessions appear on an invoice for 14%
Harlem Summer Arts Experience is described as dynamic and is for children ages 5–14 years old in grades K–8, and it consists of learning new concepts, exploration of artistic disciplines, field trips, and community building. Camp attendance is described as flexible and may be attended in consecutive sessions or as needed. Summer programs are described as intended to inspire and nurture young talents in various artistic disciplines.
HSA Dance immerses students in ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, hip hop, and African dance disciplines and in Harlem's rich dance history, and dance students participate in master workshops, performances, and events. HSA Music students learn with a focus on the jazz genre, and HSA Music is described as standing on the shoulders of the Harlem Renaissance and some of the greatest musical artists the world has known. Emerging musicians are encouraged to participate in HSA organized performances.
HSA’s Media & Design program is rooted in drawing, painting, illustration, digital media, animation, and cinematography, and students learn how to produce comic books, cartoon animations, and short films. Digital Painting students learn how to use Photoshop and other visual arts software in industry-standard media labs. HSA’s Animation Program introduces students to storytelling with both digital and hand-drawn animation, and the Cinematography program introduces students to visual storytelling through the lens of a camera and provides hands-on experience. Comic Book Art introduces students to sequential art from concept to finished comic. HSA Media & Design is described as celebrating Harlem’s legendary artists through a curriculum facilitated by a positive, supportive faculty.
HSA Musical Theatre introduces the fundamentals of musical theater to young actors. HSA Theatre is described as housing young performers from a long line of actors from the Harlem Renaissance. HSA Prep is a highly selective, pre-professional scholarship program for students ages 12–18 that provides advanced arts training in music, dance, theatre, and visual arts, along with a full scholarship to attend HSA, individual mentoring, study hall access, college application support, and opportunities to engage with high caliber professional artists. HSA also provides free education, arts, and wellness programs for teens and adults. Harlem School of the Arts describes itself as “Youth Development through the Arts from Toddlers to Teens.”
The mural painting program fosters creativity, teamwork, and community engagement, and participants in the mural painting program collaborate with local organizations to create murals that reflect shared stories and inspire their communities. Harlem School of the Arts states that it values inclusivity, artistic excellence, and community engagement, and that it fosters a vibrant and supportive environment.
Harlem School of the Arts’ mission statement says that it empowers youth to reach their full potential in the arts, education, and life, through interdisciplinary arts training that celebrates the rich complexity of their community. The founder of Harlem School of the Arts is Dorothy Maynor, also known as Dorothy Leigh Mainor, who was an American soprano and concert singer and is noted as the first African–American to sing at a presidential inauguration, performing at President Harry S. Truman’s inaugural gala in 1949.
One testimonial from Alexandra F. states, “This program has helped me to grow as a dancer and gain confidence in my ability to dance..” and another from the same student adds that her technique has improved, she has learned to focus and sharpen her style, and that the staff choreographs challenging routines that propel her to another level. A testimonial from Skylah W. states that the dance department at Harlem School of the Arts changed her life, that she attended HSA’s Summer dance intensive in 2022 and never left, that the teachers are amazing and the atmosphere is inspiring, that it is not just about dance but about finding oneself and belonging to a supportive community, and that she is grateful forever.
Last updated July 29, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Price: $100 off each session (now through March 19); 10% off automatically when siblings register (now through June 3); 20% off for Harlem Academy students (now through June 3); The Package discount will activate when 3 camp sessions appear on an invoice for 14%
Harlem Summer Arts Experience is described as dynamic and is for children ages 5–14 years old in grades K–8, and it consists of learning new concepts, exploration of artistic disciplines, field trips, and community building. Camp attendance is described as flexible and may be attended in consecutive sessions or as needed. Summer programs are described as intended to inspire and nurture young talents in various artistic disciplines.
HSA Dance immerses students in ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, hip hop, and African dance disciplines and in Harlem's rich dance history, and dance students participate in master workshops, performances, and events. HSA Music students learn with a focus on the jazz genre, and HSA Music is described as standing on the shoulders of the Harlem Renaissance and some of the greatest musical artists the world has known. Emerging musicians are encouraged to participate in HSA organized performances.
HSA’s Media & Design program is rooted in drawing, painting, illustration, digital media, animation, and cinematography, and students learn how to produce comic books, cartoon animations, and short films. Digital Painting students learn how to use Photoshop and other visual arts software in industry-standard media labs. HSA’s Animation Program introduces students to storytelling with both digital and hand-drawn animation, and the Cinematography program introduces students to visual storytelling through the lens of a camera and provides hands-on experience. Comic Book Art introduces students to sequential art from concept to finished comic. HSA Media & Design is described as celebrating Harlem’s legendary artists through a curriculum facilitated by a positive, supportive faculty.
HSA Musical Theatre introduces the fundamentals of musical theater to young actors. HSA Theatre is described as housing young performers from a long line of actors from the Harlem Renaissance. HSA Prep is a highly selective, pre-professional scholarship program for students ages 12–18 that provides advanced arts training in music, dance, theatre, and visual arts, along with a full scholarship to attend HSA, individual mentoring, study hall access, college application support, and opportunities to engage with high caliber professional artists. HSA also provides free education, arts, and wellness programs for teens and adults. Harlem School of the Arts describes itself as “Youth Development through the Arts from Toddlers to Teens.”
The mural painting program fosters creativity, teamwork, and community engagement, and participants in the mural painting program collaborate with local organizations to create murals that reflect shared stories and inspire their communities. Harlem School of the Arts states that it values inclusivity, artistic excellence, and community engagement, and that it fosters a vibrant and supportive environment.
Harlem School of the Arts’ mission statement says that it empowers youth to reach their full potential in the arts, education, and life, through interdisciplinary arts training that celebrates the rich complexity of their community. The founder of Harlem School of the Arts is Dorothy Maynor, also known as Dorothy Leigh Mainor, who was an American soprano and concert singer and is noted as the first African–American to sing at a presidential inauguration, performing at President Harry S. Truman’s inaugural gala in 1949.
One testimonial from Alexandra F. states, “This program has helped me to grow as a dancer and gain confidence in my ability to dance..” and another from the same student adds that her technique has improved, she has learned to focus and sharpen her style, and that the staff choreographs challenging routines that propel her to another level. A testimonial from Skylah W. states that the dance department at Harlem School of the Arts changed her life, that she attended HSA’s Summer dance intensive in 2022 and never left, that the teachers are amazing and the atmosphere is inspiring, that it is not just about dance but about finding oneself and belonging to a supportive community, and that she is grateful forever.
Last updated July 29, 2026.
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