Mama Foundation Gospel for Teens

HOME SHOWSSING HARLEM SING!PEOPLESUPPORTSCHOOLTEENSSTORENEWS & CONTACTLINKS

Vy Higginsen and Gospel for Teens Choir

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 has grown to be a highly respected and influential program for youth between 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.

Vy Higginsen and Gospel for Teens Choir

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.

If you can sing or think you can, audition for Gospel for Teens scholarship classes and choir!

2009 Audition Dates

Fall Semester Auditions
Saturday, September 26, 1 - 3 p.m. Saturday, October 3, 1 - 3 p.m.

Reserve your audition space online.

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.

—Taylor, Harlem, NY

Spring 2009 Classes
Saturdays
February 17 - March 29, 2009

Fall 2009 Classes
Saturdays
October 10 – November 28, 2009

Fall Graduation Concert:
December 5, 2009

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

— and other local and national publications.

Get the latest news and up to the minute program updates on our News & Contacts page and on the Gospel for Teens MySpace Music page.

News & Contacts
www.myspace.com/gospelforteens

Visit the Mama Foundation store to bring home CDs, DVDs and posters that capture, celebrate and support our innovative program.

Mama Foundation for the Arts
Vy Higginsen's School of Gospel, Jazz and R&B Arts
149 West 126th Street
New York, NY 10027
(212) 280-1045

Join the mailing list

HOME SHOWSSING HARLEM SING!PEOPLESUPPORTSCHOOLTEENSSTORENEWS & CONTACTLINKSMAILING LIST