What We Do

Youth Theatre Interactions

Class Offerings

Most classes at Youth Theatre Interactions are offered on a Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced level. At present we conduct 24 classes per week. We accept students from the ages of eight through nineteen years old. All students must have the support of their families to study with us and must be serious about their desire to develop skills in the performing arts. At YTI students are promoted to the next level when the class instructor feels that the student has evidenced significant growth. Improvement is measured by ability to understand and execute technique, attitude, motivation and, of course, attendance. All students are evaluated at the end of each semester.

Youth Theatre Interactions operates three semesters per year: The Fall, Winter/Spring Semester and the Summer Semester. Classes vary from 60 to 90 minutes in length. During the School Semester, YTI is open for classes daily, Monday through Friday from 4:00 pm through 7:00 pm in accordance with the City of Yonkers’ Board of Education’s official school calendar. Enrollment is held during the first week of September. During the Summer Semester, classes occur Monday through Friday between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. Typically the Summer Semester is six weeks long. Enrollment is held during the last week of June.

Classes are taught by highly qualified professional artists (see Youth Theatre Interactions’ Instructors). YTI is proud of the fact that it employs an international faculty of outstanding performing artists from the United States, the Caribbean and Africa. At YTI we prize artistic excellence above all.

Current Course List

African Dance (Youssouf Koumbassa and Alexandria Meyers, Instructors) – Authentic, traditional West African dances are taught, focusing on the dances of Guinea. Special attention is given to every detail from the fingers to the toes. Each class is accompanied by African percussion and instruments. Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels are offered.

African Percussion (Youssouf Koumbassa, Pedro Lopez, Jr., Instructors) – Focusing training on the Djembe, the most popular of African drums from the Guinea region, this course teaches students how to play the three basic tones, the bass, the tone and the slap. Not only do students develop their sense of rhythm, but the discipline and structure of learning how to play the Djembe increases the student’s physical strength and mental concentration.

Ballet (Lynn Sterling) – In this class, the basic positions, exercises, vocabulary and technique are taught at the barre to ensure proper placement. Afterwards, students are brought into the center of the dance floor where they apply these skills to movement, emphasizing style and grace. Beginner and Intermediate levels are offered.

Drama (Pedro Lopez, Jr. - Beg., Ricardo Lima - Interg. I.R., Instructors) – Drama classes are offered on all levels and teach students how to “become the character” by working on improvisational skills and scene study. Monologue work begins in intermediate levels.

Hip Hop Jazz Dance (Yvonne McFall, Instructor) – Classes begin with isolations, giving the head, neck, shoulders, torso and hips a chance to “warm up.” Steps are shown and then broken down so movements are very clear to every student. Adding hip hop music, flavor and style, having fun is the key element in this class. Beginner / Intermediate level is offered.

Latin Dance (Aixa Rosario-Medina, Instructor) – Basic technique, the origins, and varying styles of Latin Dance (one level)

Modern Dance (Regina Hood , Instructor) – Introduction to the Lester Horton and Martha Graham techniques. Beginner and Intermediate levels are offered.

Photography (Pedro Lopez, Jr., Instructor) – All students learn how to operate digital cameras, learning all of their basic functions including PC compatibility with today’s state of the art technology. Students use digital cameras and equipment generously provided by sponsor Fuji Film Photo U.S.A. This course is currently offered during the Summer Semester only.

Steel Drums (Alston Jack, Instructor) – In addition to hands-on drum playing, students are taught sight-reading while learning to play renditions of popular songs. Students are taught about rhythms, tempos and how to work together as a unit. Both Beginner and Advanced levels are offered.

Step Dance (Yvonne McFall, Instructor)

Street Dance (Ashley Hamilton, Instructor) – Classes begin with isolations, giving the head, neck, shoulders, torso and hips a chance to “warm up.” Steps are shown and then broken down so movements are very clear to every student. Adding street music, flavor and style, having fun is the key element in this class. Intermediate / Advanced level is offered.

Tap Dance (Jimmy Tate, Instructor) – Classes begin with a basic warm-up consisting of flaps, shuffles, flap heels and time steps to “wake up” the feet. Steps are taught with physical demonstration as well as verbal, so students can learn to apply taught tap terminology. Short combinations are taught followed by a routine; so students have the opportunity to coordinate tap sounds and rhythms. Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels are offered

Theatre Dance (Mamie Duncan-Gibbs , Instructor) – Jazz dance with emphasis on audition preparation, staging and performance techniques. Beginner and Intermediate levels are offered.
Prerequisite: Ballet

Vocal Choir (Michael LaVasseur, Instructor) – Students learn proper breathing technique, placement projection and vocalizations. A wide variety of music ranging from pop to gospel to classical is taught. Emphasis is also placed on “solo” materials as well as “holding on to harmonies” during group vocal selections.