The Obie, AUDELCO, and National Medal for the Arts award-winning Billie Holiday Theatre is a state-of-the-art creative campus located at Restoration Plaza in the historic Black cultural mecca of Bedford Stuyvesant.
the only multi-platform performing arts center with a 24-year education program led by, for, and accountable to people of African descent in the heart of Central Brooklyn.
Class of 2026 — Senior Highlights
For the 7th consecutive year, every YAA senior graduated on honor roll.
This year's class of 7 high school seniors collectively applied to 180 colleges and universities and received 150 acceptances. Six of the seven were enrolled in Advanced Placement courses. Three graduated with both a high school diploma and an associate degree. Two graduated cum laude. Every one of them is going to college.
Student Spotlight
One senior earned an Arts Endorsed Advanced Regents Diploma — the highest academic designation offered by New York State — while being inducted into the National Honor Society and completing 150+ hours of community service. She was accepted to 50 of the 56 colleges she applied to, and received an accumulated total of $1,000,000 in scholarships.
"This is what the Youth Arts Academy makes possible. Not despite the arts — because of them."
— Shadawn Smith, Executive Director, The Billie Holiday Theatre
YOUTH ARTS ACADEMY
The Youth Arts Academy (YAA) is a world class arts institution with a faculty of master instructors that foster the love of dance, theater, percussion and visual arts. With the love of education and the creative integrity of the arts, our children’s wings are widespread enabling them to soar above their dreams. A cornerstone of The Center for Arts & Culture at Bed-Stuy Restoration, the Youth Arts Academy provides multi-disciplinary arts instruction in dance, music and drama for children between the ages of 3 and 18 years old.
ADMISSIONS
An audition is only required for students in the Pre-Professional Dance Program. Registration is required for all other classes and dance, drama, and drumming. Tuition is determined by the class level and the number of classes taken per week with two payment options: payment in full or in a five month installment plan.
In person classes are held at the YAA Building:
247 Herkimer Street
Brooklyn, NY 11216
QUESTIONS?
For more information, call: (718) 636-6995
or email: yaainfo@restorationplaza.org
FOLLOW YAA
PRE-PROFESSIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM
- Audition Required
- Ages 13-18
- Ballet I Modern Contemporary Dance I Hip Hop Dance I African Dance
- 32 weeks of class instruction
- Additional Specialized masterclass (Broadway Dance, Rockettes, Afro Beats, Audition, Jazz, Composition/Choreography, Improvisation)
- Winter and Spring Intensives
- Summer Institute in Dance, Drama and Drumming
- 22 year partnership with BAM’s DanceAfrica
- 300 plus students reached annually
- Renowned leadership team and faculty | 12:1 ratio
- Performance opportunities for all students
YEARLY TRAINING PROGRAMS
- Educational Program - Ages 3-18
- Classes begin on Saturday, September 28. We guarantee 32 weeks of instruction classes per season.
- Classes offered: Drama | Drumming Ballet | Modern Contemporary Dance | Hip Hop Dance | African Dance
- We offer multiple levels in Ballet, Modern (Horton), West African (Guinea & Sabar), Hip Hop, African Drumming and Drama taught by our illustrious and certified faculty.
- For dancers 3-5 years old, we offer a Creative Movement Pre Ballet class for your child to learn the basics of ballet while exploring their creativity and love for dance.
- Register online at our “MindBody” app link.
- Pay in full and receive a 10% discount or register for automatic monthly payments
- For Dancers 12-18 we offer a Pre-professional Training Program (by audition only) full of dynamic technique classes to prepare your child for College Auditions and Scholarships
- Pre Professional students perform locally and receive free masterclasses taught by professional choreographers in the dance field
- ALL students perform in our Annual June Concert
YAA PRICING
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
