December 2022

Registration - Opportunities - MB Spotlight - Upcoming Events -

November Highlights - Updated Mask Policy - Rehearsal Space

Important Dates

Mind Your Beat Dance Battle

Saturday, December 3rd

"I'll Go" Performance

Saturday, December 3rd

Thursday, December 15th

Kwanzaa Festival

Saturday, December 17th

Dance Is Healing

Thursday, December 29th

Friday, December 30th

Calendar

Holiday Cheer Starts Here: Register Now!

Fall/Spring Season

Whether you are looking for opportunities for your little ones or for yourself, we offer programs for all ages! We also offer free classes and financial aid options so hurry and register before classes fill up!

Click on our Fall/Spring Brochure to learn more.

Fall 2022- Spring 2023 Brochure

Por favor presione aquí para español.

Current Opportunities

Holiday Donations

Interested in donating new toys and/or necessary items for the holidays? If so, please consider donating to:

Pre-K Availability at Mind-Builders

We currently have a spot open for a Pre-K student. If your little one was born in 2018 and you are interested in enrolling them Pre-K at Mind-Builders, please call us at 718-652-6256 and ask to speak to Gilanyi Batista.

Actualmente tenemos un espacio disponible para un estudiante para el Prescolar de Mind-Builders. Si su niño nació en 2018 y usted está interesado en inscribirlo, llámenos al 718-652-6256 y pida hablar con Gilanyi Batista.

Employment Opportunities

Interested in getting more involved at Mind-Builders? Check out our available positions:

Job Opportunities : Get Involved : Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center.

“It takes a special kind of teacher to be a Mind-Builder."

Mind-Builders Spotlight

This month's spotlight is on Mind-Builders volunteer Elaine Bailey!

Since her grandchildren joined our PreK program in 2016, Elaine Bailey has never failed to show up for Mind-Builders through advocacy & volunteerism. Ms. Bailey is regularly behind the scenes at most, if not all, of our Mind-Builder events. She also often represents Mind-Builders at local fairs throughout the Bronx.

As a native resident, Ms. Bailey’s devotion to her community is evident from her work with NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services from 1979 to 2016 and her time as a chairperson for her DC37 Union Chapter. She’s an active Coalition of Black Trade Unionist (CBTU) member and their mission includes protecting black workers from exploitation.

Apart from volunteering at Mind-Builders, Ms. Bailey continues to serve by working with Toys for Tots and distributing food at local churches for Thanksgiving. We are forever grateful for Ms. Bailey and her endless contributions to Mind-Builders and her community!

Thank you for all you do Ms. Bailey!

Don't miss these upcoming events!

I'll Go: A solo performance by Willa Bost

Saturday, December 3 | 2-3PM | Mosholu Library

Thursday, December 15 | 4:30-5:30PM | Wakefield Library

Come experience a short interactive journey through time as our very own Theater Instructor Willa Bost, tells the story of two very powerful women that helped shape the face and culture of our country and the world.

click here for additional information

Click the photo for a sneak peak.

Mind Your Beat Dance Battle

Saturday, December 3 | 6:30PM-8:00PM

Come watch our youth show off their dance moves and battle it out at the Mind Your Beat Dance Battle. Contestants have a chance to win a $200 Cash Prize!

Featuring: Guest DJ Zappa and Guest Judges Nate The Great & Dee Ross

Entry Fee: $5 For Spectators (Contestants Free)

click here for addit ional information

Kwanzaa Celebration

Saturday, December 17 | 7PM-8:30PM

Join us for our Annual Kwanzaa Celebration! This year’s event will feature performances by current Mind-Builders music, dance, theater, and visual arts students. We will also have a Kinara candle lighting ceremony celebrating the seven principles.

click here for additional information

Dance Is Healing

Thursday, December 29 | 10AM-5PM

Friday, December 30 | 10AM-5PM

From our partners, The Paige Fraser Foundation, we welcome back their Annual Dance is Healing Workshop. This workshop is taught by some of today's most influential dance artists as they teach you how to move your body in forms that heal the mind, body and soul. All levels are welcome.

click here for additional information

November Highlights

November was certainly fulfilling! Check out some highlights:

Mind Your Beat Dance Battle

Our Mind Your Beat Freestyle Dance Club hosted their first dance battle and it was incredible! In fact they were so good one of our battles went viral on TikTok!

click on the photo to see more

Dance Industry Census Roundtable Discussion Series

Mind-Builders hosted Dance NYC's, Dance Industry Census Roundtable Discussion Series where dance artists had the opportunity to provide their unique perspective of the state of the dance ecosystem and the economic inequities in the field.

If you haven't already, please take their census. There is still time to be counted!: Dance NYC Census

Can You Dig It? Casting Workshop

PB&J conducted a casting workshop at Mind-Builders in an effort to source talent authentic to their narrative AND to inspire, educate and empower underrepresented youth in the creative process.

Chasing Magic with Ayodele Casel

Mind-Builders students Lemuel Wright (left) & Lizzy Shepard (right) got a chance to meet award-winning tap dancer and Mind-Builders PYT Alumna, Ayodele Casel at her show Chasing Magic! The show was incredible. Truly magic!

Ain't No Mo

The PYT Pre-Professional Theatre Ensemble attended Ain't No Mo on Broadway! After the show, they met a few of the cast members, including the youngest playwright in Broadway history, Jordan E. Cooper. Willa Bost, PYT Director, invited him to visit us soon!

SUPPORTING STUDENTS' MENTAL HEALTH

& FAMILIES IN THE NEW YEAR

The mental health of our Mind-Builders students and families is very important to us. Please continue to check announcements in future Mind-Builders Newsletters as well as our social media platforms for upcoming Parent Workshops, info for students to join our new Youth Council or Life Skills Group, and other resources to be shared. Additionally, feel free to call (718) 652-6256 as well if you'd like more info, need support, or have suggestions for future Parent Workshop themes.

$5/hr Dance Rehearsal Space at Mind-Builders!

Spread The Word!

Did you know that Mind-Builders received funding from Dance/NYC to provide subsidized dance rehearsal space? The funding allows us to provide $5/hr (2 hr minimum) private studio space! We believe this is an amazing opportunity for dancers in our community to have a safe, comfortable and most importantly, affordable space to practice their forms of movement. So if you know anyone that can benefit from this, please share this information with them. We really want our community to take advantage of this opportunity.

Click the link below to rent dance space!

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