YTI - How We Do It

How We Do It

Class Offerings

Most classes at YTI are offered on a Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced level. At present we conduct 23 classes per week between the hours of 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm. We accept students from the ages of 8 through nineteen years old, who have the support of their families to study with us as long as the students are serious about developing skills in the performing arts. At YTI students are promoted to the next level when the class instructor feels that the student's skills have risen beyond the present class level. The decision to move a student is determined by the individual instructor who analyzes the student's abilities in grasping and executing techniques, the student's attitude and motivation, potential and attendance. The determination is not a question of how long an individual has been in a particular class.

The class year at YTI is divided into two semesters: Fall/Winter/Spring and the summer semester. Typically the summer semesters are six to seven weeks long. Typically, enrollment is held during the last week of June for the summer semester and during the first week of September for the Fall/Winter/Spring semester.

Classes are taught by highly qualified professional artists who are experts in their artistic disciplines. YTI is proud of the fact that it employs an international faculty of outstanding performing artists from the United States, the Caribbean, and Africa. Above all, we prize artistic excellence.

YTI is open for classes daily Monday through Friday in accordance with the City of Yonkers Board of Education's official school calendar.

Tap dancers in recital Classes offered at YTI

African Dance
African Percussion
Ballet
Drama
Haitian Folkloric Dance
Hip Hop Jazz
Mime
Photography
Steel Band
Step Dance
Tap Dance
Theatre Dance
Vocal Choir

Becoming Part of YTI

YTI workshops are offered to students between the ages of 8 and 19 years old. Most classes are offered on a beginner, intermediate and advanced level. The class year is divided into two semesters; Fall / Winter / Spring and the Summer semester. Typically enrollment is held during the last week of June for the summer and the first week of September for the Fall / Winter / Spring semester. For additional information about enrollment, please call the office at: 914-963-3040, between 10 am and 4 pm, Monday through Friday..

Recital

YTI "Recitals" began one year after incorporation and have continued annually as a method to showcase the talents in each class. Our Annual Recital is held on the second Sunday in June each year, with the entire student body performing.

Scholarships

To date, YTI has awarded over 70 scholarships to deserving students. By offering the SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS, we encourage our students to remain in high school and further their education by continuing on to college where they can continue to grow and develop using the skills and values they learned here as their foundation.

The Carmelita Walton Memorial Scholarship Fund
YTI's Scholarship Fund was established by the late Mrs. Carmelita Walton, our first Chairperson. Begun in 1975, this fund provides awards to YTI students who graduate from High School and go on to college or other institutes of advance education.

Turley Friendship Scholarship
Named for Tom and Jane Turley, this award given out at our Annual Recital is dedicated to a student who best exemplifies caring and concern for their fellow students and fellow human beings.

Sal Amico Humanitarian Award
In memory of musician and humanitarian Sal Amico, this award is presented yearly at our Annual Recital to a student who best exhibits a humanitarian spirit.

Judith A. Kuhn Memorial Award
Given to the student who exemplifies a commitment to the arts and academic acheivement.

Etta Jones Scholarship
Given to a student who excels in music.

Jimmy Hill Scholarship
Names after YTI's co-founder and first Executive Director, this award given to a student who best exemplifies the character traits of honesty, commitment to music and excellent interpersonal skills

Elizabeth O'Keefe Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to deserving students, who for their dedication and perseverance, are continuing on to college or other institutes of higher education in their chosen field.

Outreach Residencies

YTI offers Outreach Residency Classes in Drama, African Dance Theatre, and African Percussion. Please contact the YTI office directly if you are interested in our instructors coming to your organization.