Executive Director Vy Higginsen and Gospel for Teens Choir, in performance at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Harlem, New York City, 2006.
"We mean to lift up the youth through history and gospel music!"
— Vy Higginsen Mama Foundation for the Arts CEO and Executive Director
Two Musical Legends In 2006, legendary writer and producer Vy Higginsen and gospel legend Dr. Emily "Cissy" Houston joined forces to teach aspiring teenagers about the importance of gospel music as an art form.
Gospel for Teens Program is a program of The Mama Foundation for the Arts and Vy's Higginsen's School of Gospel, Jazz and R&B Arts that has grown to be a highly respected and influential program for youth between the ages of 13 and 19.
Gospel for Teens Choir Under the direction of the Foundation's seasoned music masters, the Gospel for Teens Choir has performed at various venues across New York City including the world famous Apollo Theater, the American Museum of Natural History, and St. Paul Community Baptist Church.
Gospel for Teens Scholarship Classes Each semester, between 40 and 60 participants are selected through an audition process to learn music history and vocal techniques in classes held at the Foundation's renovated Harlem brownstone. Students are encouraged to discover their personal artistic talent and expressions while building self-confidence on stage and off.
Gospel for Teens Choir in concert at the Apollo Theater, New York City, 2007. Photo credit G. N. Miller.
Spring 2010 Classes
Saturdays
March 6 - May 8, 2010
Fall 2010 Classes
Saturdays
October 9 - November 27, 2010
Spring 2010 Auditions
Saturday, February 13, 1 - 3 p.m.
Saturday, February 20, 1 - 3 p.m.
Fall 2010 Auditions Saturday, September 25, 1 - 3 p.m. Saturday, October 2, 1 - 3 p.m.
Reach for the sky! Executive Director Vy Higginsen (center), Instructor Knoelle Higginson (second from left) and the fall class of 2006 on tour. New York City, 2006.
Gospel for Teens Choir
Gospel Concert Saturday, June 5, 2010
3:00 p.m. The Dempsey Theater
127 West 127th Street
Harlem, New York, NY 10027
Featuring talented, trained, energetic and healing voices. This concert will open your heart and lift your spirits. The Gospel for Teens Choir is under the direction of Vy Higginsen and Mama Foundation for the Arts' seasoned music masters.
Tickets
$20.00 Tickets on sale now. SOLD OUT
Tickets will be held at the box office for pickup in advance or on day of show. For more information, email us at
Box Office
Visit the production office for The Mama Foundation for the Arts at 149 West 126th between Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. and Malcolm X Boulevards (Lenox and Seventh Avenues) weekdays between 10 – 6 p.m.
Theater
The new Dempsey Theater is centrally located in Harlem between Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. and Malcolm X Boulevards (Lenox and Seventh Avenues). The theater has been renovated with state-of-the-art technology for light and sound.
Restaurants
Download a list of restaurants located near the Dempsey Theater.
Handicapped accessible
Travel A, C, D, B, 2, 3 trains to 125th Street and the M2, BX15, M100, M101, M60, M102, M7 buses.
Municipal parking is located on 126th between Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. and Malcolm X Boulevards (Lenox and Seventh Avenues).
Gospel for Teens Choir in concert. New York City, March 2009. Photo credit G. N. Miller.
Gospel for Teens Choir in performance at the Schomburg Center, Harlem, New York City, November 19, 2006. Buy this DVD or CD in our online store.
Gospel for Teens has also been featured by:
Fox 5 News New York 1 News
NBC News' Family Matters The New York Times
The New York Daily News
WNBC New York
Rolling Stone
— and other local and national publications.
Get the latest news and up-to-the-minute program updates on our News & Contacts page, on the Gospel for Teens MySpace Music page and on our Facebook Fan page.
The staff has been great and my experience here is helping to prepare me to achieve future goals."
—Kyle, Brooklyn, NY
This is an exciting experience bringing me healing and power."
—Jocilyn, Hackensack, NJ
This is one of the best things that has happened to me."
—Dana Thomas, Harlem, NY
Gospel for Teens has become a huge part of my life. I love being here. I feel like the more I’m here, the closer I become to everyone—it feels like family."
Handicapped accessible
The staff has been great and my experience here is helping to prepare me to achieve future goals."
