Overview
SRBCC realizes its program philosophy by developing multidisciplinary experiences, with a strong focus on the youth, that highlight the presence of African cultures in Puerto Rico and Latin America. SRBCC celebrates Afro-Puerto Rican and Afro-Latino cultural traditions through dance, music, theater, creative writing, visual arts, and culinary arts.
Study after study reflects the importance of engaging students in a creative-driven learning environment, as a form of self-discovery, belonging, and healing at many different levels. SRBCC believes that excellence in arts education is directly tied to a safe, student-centered learning environment that offers a wide variety of approaches, using multiple mediums (hands-on workshops, visiting artists, field trips, open discussion, and film). Our progress in the pursuit of excellence will depend on our capacity to offer memorable experiences to students.
We welcome you to explore SRBCC’s offerings for this Fall 2021 season. We’re glad you’re considering to join us and take advantage of these carefully-curated learning experiences. Spaces are extremely limited, so be sure to fill out an application today!
STIPENDS (AGES 14-24)
Earn cash while you learn! Youth in our programs earn stipends.
For youth who successfully meet certain program requirements (including attendance and participation), SRBCC offers them with a monetary stipend.
After School Matters provides stipends to our Afro-Caribbean Jazz Program participants.
After School Matters (ASM) Afro Caribbean Jazz Advanced Apprentice Program at SRBCC (*Offered in partnership with After School Matters).
The Afro-Caribbean Jazz Ensemble program provides the opportunity to expand on the fundamentals of Jazz and its intersection with Afro-Latin traditions of the Caribbean with a strong focus on instrumental, as well as vocal technique and vocal performance.
*Offered in partnership with After School Matters
Advanced Apprenticeship (14-18 yrs old)
Mondays and Wednesdays
At SRBCC | 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm
Stipends? Yes.
Instructor: Adrian Ruiz | Co-Instructor(s): Stacy Erenberg (Voice) Michael Rodriguez (Percussion Studies)
La Escuelita Bombera de Corazón Bomba Youth Program at SRBCC
Bomba is the oldest musical genre of Puerto Rico and one of the greatest expressions of the Island’s African ancestry. Through this program, we will explore Bomba as an artistic language, and historically, as a movement of resistance. During the 8 weeks, apprentices are welcomed to explore storytelling through bomba singing and history, develop and practice percussion and rhythmic skills, and explore dance movements and piquetes from different parts of the Island as they are passed down to multiple generations.
Multilevel Apprenticeship (14-18 yrs old)
Multilevel Studio (18-24 yrs old)
At SRBCC | 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Tuesdays: Song and History of Bomba | Percussion
Thursdays: Bomba Movement and Dancing
Stipends? Yes!
Instructors: Ivelisse Díaz, Teo López
Caribbean Cooking with Urban Pilón en Casa
In this class, participants will be surrounded by historical and cultural information to gather a sense of pride in our culinary world. We will explore the beauty, colorfulness, and delicious flavors of the Caribbean with a hands-on experience with a focus on Afro-Indigenous traditions. This is an 8-week course that will provide recipes and the tools so students can become better cooks and at the same time learn the nutritional value of ingredients on a budget.
Multilevel Apprenticeship (14-18 yrs old)
Multilevel Studio (18-24 yrs old)
Virtual | 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm on Fridays
Stipends? Yes.
Instructor: Chef Roberto Pérez-Pérez, Urban Pilón
Interdisciplinary Media Project: Storytelling
Storytelling is one of the oldest art forms, and during the digital era, we’ve seen how it serves as a critical vehicle to explore and expand ideas of identity, cultural heritage, community, social media, and advocacy, among many others beyond words and images, but also across communication platforms. From documenting our everyday lives, and sharing artistic content with multiple audiences, interdisciplinary media is a common approach to collaboration across disciplines and creative forms of expression. This 8 week-long course will take a look at the history and practices of film, documentary art, and storytelling and will facilitate independent and collaborative experiences that will expand your ability to conceptualize, develop and produce media work from start to finish.
Multilevel Apprenticeship (14-18 yrs old)
Multilevel Studio (18-24 yrs old)
At SRBCC | 9:00 am to 12:00 pm | Saturdays
Stipends? Yes.
Co-Instructors: Diana Quiñones-Rivera, Alyssa Ayala and Luis Tubens
Music Production (Afro-Latin Rhythms)
Develop your creativity as a Music Producer. Learn the art and technology of music production to create musical compositions rooted in Afro-Latin Music and history. This studio-based course is designed to immerse students in the process of creating music from scratch using music software such as studio One, Fruity Loops, and others. Participants will be able to take advantage of the tools and adapt them to a musical environment, learn to create a session, import tracks, record a virtual instrument combined with a real instrument or voice, principles of equalization and mixing as well as exporting their own finished project.
Multilevel Apprenticeship (14-18 yrs old)
Multilevel Studio (18-24 yrs old)
At SRBCC | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | Saturdays
Instructor: Yendrys Céspedes | Co-Instructor: Michael Rodriguez