Restoration's Youth Arts Academy (YAA) is the only comprehensive arts education institution in Bedford Stuyvesant, offering classes in dance, music, literary arts, and theatre to more than 400 children and youth ages 3-19 each year.   

The Youth Arts Academy programming is offered in partnership with Restoration's residency partners. The Noel Pointer Foundation and John Oliver Killens Workshop which provide music and art literacy, respectively.

YAA's Dance Africa, Restoration Dance Theatre, and Arts-In-Action programs round out our comprehensive program offerings.

We are dedicated to providing professional arts training and cultivating leadership qualities in young people.  Students learn discipline, respect and artistic excellence in a supportive, creative environment. Annual recitals, performances and exhibitions are an opportunity for students, parents and the community to see the results of a year-long commitment to arts training.

YAA students are routinely accepted at renowned performing arts high schools, and some go onto professional artistic careers on Broadway or in film. Our dance companies have performed publicly at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Lincoln Center, and the United Nations. 

Whether your child is just starting out or is looking for advance training and performance opportunities, the Youth Arts Academy is the place to be!   

Class Schedule and Enrollment Information

• Download our class schedule and Brochure.
• YAA classes of offered after school and on weekends to accommodate busy school schedules. 
• Classes begin in October and run through June.
• Fees can be discounted based on the number of children and classes enrolled. Call us or stop by for more information. 
• You are welcome to observe a class before enrolling your child.

Restoration Dance Theatre Junior Company

The Restoration Dance Theatre Junior Company is a core troupe of highly-talented and motivated young dancers with professional aspirations. Membership is by audition only. The company performs regularly at Restoration Plaza and at venues and special events throughout New York City. This exceptional group of students has performed alongside professional dance companies from Africa and the USA. The Company has an eclectic repertoire reflective of traditional African, Afro-Caribbean (Dunham), modern, tap and contemporary dance styles.

DanceAfrica

For more than a decade, YAA has collaborated with the Brooklyn Academy of Music for DanceAfrica. This 16-week program provides YAA students an intensive dance experience led by visiting African artists, who also teach students about the culture and history of their native country. Students have the opportunity to perform onstage at the BAM opera house and at special opening and closing ceremonies. Visual arts and creative writing components add unusual dimension to this amazing program.

Arts-In-Action

Arts-In-Action extends YAA's programming beyond Restoration Plaza by bringing arts enrichment to schools and local community organizations. Arts-In-Action staff conduct in-school visual and performing arts workshops, performances and exhibitions, lecture demonstrations and master classes.

For more information on the Youth Arts Academy, contact (718)230-0693.