Tsehaya Smith is ecstatic. This winter her dance company headquartered on Ontario Street, has expanded to a new location, bringing Smith's pioneering vision for Albany's youth to both sides of town.The new location on North Swan, in the old St. Joseph's Academy building, will service "a brand new community," Smith says. But she says she hopes students from both sides of town--North and South--will mix, "once we get our comfort zone going." The location is called Stage 1, and will be part of the Albany Barn Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to developing the building into an artists performance and workspace.
This marks the fifth year Smith has been running her alternatives to probation program at the dance company. Called Alternatives for Youth, the probation alternative program provides opportunities for students to do community service at the company, as well as participate in dance classes, journaling, and Supplemental Educational Support (SES) tutoring.
The new location on N. Swan will host the same Alternatives for Youth program as well as classes in African dance, hip-hop, salsa, and zumba.
The program was started as a pilot project last year because Smith was concerned that students from other parts of Albany were not comfortable visiting her studio on the South side, for fear that they'd be hassled. The new location will allow all students to participate in their own neighborhoods, and Smith is hopeful that at some point they will work together on performances. "I think it has to happen naturally, rather than being force-fed," says Smith.
The Alternatives for Youth program takes place every Saturday from 10am-2pm and hosts students from Albany School of Humanities, Delaware Community School, Giffen Memorial Elementary, Hackett Middle School, Myers Middle School, North Albany Academy, Philip Schuyler Achievement Academy and TOAST.
Beginning, January 7 Artpartners/Tsehaya & Company will present the 2012 Winter Wonderland Dance Workshop every Saturday at Stage I, located at 46-48 N. Swan St.
11:15-12:15 ages 5+ -teens
12:15pm-1:15pm Young adults/Adults
Registrations is $15 for kids/$20 for adults, and scholarships are available.
For more information about the program call (518) 432-9968.
