Research has shown that arts education correlates with improved learning and achievement for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. By engaging with music and dance enrichment, young people are generally more likely to graduate from high school, attend college, and avoid gang involvement and substance abuse. However, over the past decade, budget challenges and shifting educational priorities have removed all but the minimum obligatory arts programming from poorer public schools in New York City. Compounded by the recent COVID-19 crisis, access to affordable and culturally relevant arts programming has become even more challenging for low-income, minority communities in Brooklyn where arts education programs were already few and far between.

In-school and After-school residencies provide a comprehensive introduction to music and dance for middle or high school students. Residencies serve 30 students over 15 weeks, and typically offer two sessions per week. Led by Teaching Artists, sessions focus on hands-on learning of songs, dance, music, and percussion instruments from particular cultures as well as contextual information about the countries and traditions represented. Students will also learn basic musical concepts like time, rhythm, and meter. In addition to technical skills, students will learn the core values of being part of a large musical ensemble including teamwork, commitment, and discipline. Each residency culminates in a performance.