Youth Arts Institute: Spring 2023
- Classes begin on Monday, February 20 and end on May 18.
- Brass Band begins Thursday, February 16.
- Showcase: May 22 & 23
- Classes are held every day including half days and school breaks.
Registration is not a guarantee of enrollment.
Please see class descriptions below for dates and times.
Unless otherwise noted classes are for children ages 6-18. See class descriptions for specific age requirements. Students must be at least 6 years old at time of registration. All classes are held at Charter Oak unless otherwise noted. Check here or our Facebook page for inclement weather updates.
Special Note: In order to keep you, our Charter Oak family safe, we will be carefully monitoring the COVID-19 situation. We will seek the counsel of medical professionals and adhere to all State of Connecticut and City of Hartford guidelines.
Youth Arts Institute Spring 2023 Registration is Open
REGISTER ONLINE!
Registration is not a guarantee of enrollment.
For questions, please contact Danielle by email, or call (860) 310-2589.
Schedule is subject to change. For more information, or to register for classes, contact the Charter Oak Youth Arts Coordinator: Danieller@charteroakcenter.org or 860-310-2589. Due to class size restrictions, we regret that we cannot accept every student that registers. Charter Oak will notify all registrants. Students enrolled into a Youth Arts Institute virtual class will receive a notification with a Zoom class link upon acceptance.
CLASSES BY DAY
Mondays
4:30 – 5:30 PM
Ballet | Ages 6 to 18
Come and share your creative expression through movement. This class is for all levels and ballet shoes will be provided.
4:30 – 5:30 PM
Violin | Ages 6 to 9
Learn the fundamentals of music and basic violin technique. Instrument provided. For beginners or students with one semester of experience.
5:30 – 6:30 PM
Violin | Ages 10 to 18
Learn the fundamentals of music and basic violin technique. Instrument provided. For beginners or students with one semester of experience.
5:30- 6:30 PM
Vocal Ensemble | Ages 6 to 18
Whether you dream of being a star or just sing in the shower, come and learn about music, sing your favorite tunes of all styles, and have fun in this lively vocal group.
6:30 – 7:30 PM
Hartford All-City Youth Orchestra | Ages 11 to 18
If you have at least one year of experience playing violin, viola, bass, or cello, come join this fun ensemble. Loaner instruments are available. Also receive free tickets to the Hartford Symphony Orchestra.
Tuesdays
4:30 – 5:30 PM
Crazy and Creative Crafts! | Ages 6 to 9
Learn how to make your own chocolate, sew a blanket, make gifts with beads, design cards and notes…every week there will be a new and exciting project!
4:30 – 5:30 PM
Piano | Age 6 to 9
Learn foundational keyboard skills and the fundamentals of music. For beginners or students with one semester of experience.
5:30 – 6:30 PM
Crazy and Creative Crafts! | Ages 10 -18
Learn how to make your own chocolate, sew a blanket, make gifts with beads, design cards and notes…every week there will be a new and exciting project!
5:30 – 6:30 PM
Piano | Age 10 to 18
Learn foundational keyboard skills and the fundamentals of music. For beginners or students with one semester of experience.
6:30 – 7:30 PM
Piano | Ages 10 to 18
This intermediate to advanced keyboard class is for students with at least one year of experience.
Tuesday 6:30 – 7:30
Ukulele | Ages 8 to 18
So fun and easy, learn how to strum and play songs! Loaner instruments will be provided.
Wednesdays
4:30 – 5:30 PM
Yoga | Ages 6 to 18
For a stronger and well-balanced body, and a quieter calmer mind, try yoga!
4:30 – 6:00 PM
Cooking | Ages 6 to 9
From start to finish, learn to cook and try new foods. Each week there will be food served and the semester will end with your own recipe book.
5:30 – 6:30 PM
Hip Hop Dance | Ages 6 to 9
Learn from a professional dancer. All styles of hip hop will be covered.
6:00 – 7:30 PM
Cooking | Ages 10 to 18
From start to finish, learn to cook and try new foods. Each week there will be food served and the semester will end with your own recipe book.
6:30 – 7:30 PM
Hip Hop Dance | Ages 10 to 18
Learn from a professional dancer. All styles of hip hop will be covered.
Thursdays
4:30 – 5:30 PM
Martial Arts | Ages 6 to 9
Learn the sport of martial arts using many moves and traditions that are practiced for self-defense.
4:30 – 5:30 PM
Painting and Drawing | Ages 8 to 18
Using acrylic, oil, pastel, and other forms, you will study the methods of painting and drawing.
5:30 – 6:30 PM
Martial Arts | Ages 10 to 18
Learn the sport of martial arts using many moves and traditions that are practiced for self-defense.
5:30 – 6:30 PM
The Power of Words | Ages 6 to 9
Language is one of the purest forms of expression that shows the full range of the human experience. In this class, you will learn about the different ways words have shaped the world and how they can add to it through poetry. Individual and group projects will be created throughout the semester.
6:30 – 7:30 PM
Finding Your Voice | Ages 10 to 18
Who we are, what we think, and, how we feel can be expressed in a range of ways including, writing, music, and song lyrics. In this class, you will be able to explore the ways different artists have expressed themselves, and how they can use it as motivation to find their own way of artistic expression. Led by well-known spoken-word artist Damion Morgan.
6:30 – 8:00 PM
Brass Band | Middle & High School
Join the band! Learn to play your favorite tunes in the New Orleans brass band style. This ensemble is for middle and high school students with at least one year of experience on a brass band instrument. Loaner instruments are available.
Virtual Classes
Monday 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Hip Hop Dance | Ages 6 to 18
Get out your energy and have fun learning the different styles of hip-hop dance.
Monday 6:30 – 7:30 PM
Yoga with the Family | Ages 6 to 18
For a stronger and well-balanced body, and a quieter calmer mind, try yoga! Parents/guardians are welcome to join their children.
Tuesday 6:30 – 7:30 PM
Cooking with the family | Ages 6 to 18
Use this fun family activity to make delicious inexpensive meals. Recipes and shopping list will be sent weekly. Families are responsible for their own groceries.
Wednesday 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Zentangle | Ages 6 to 18
Increase your concentration and creativity through this relaxing pattern drawing.
Wednesday 6:30 – 7:30 PM
Ballet | Ages 6 to 18
This class is for students of all levels. Enjoy learning the basics of this beautiful dance form.
READ IT AND SLEEP:
Our children’s literacy program returns with special guest readers.
Fridays — February 17, March 17, April 21
5:30 – 7:30 PM
Join us for story time with guest readers and, guided craft activities.
- 5:30 – 6:30 FREE dinner
- 6:30 – 7:00 Reading (FREE copy of the featured book for the first 20 families in attendance)
- 7:00 – 7:30 Related craft project
Registration required. Email danieller@charteroakcenter.org or call 860-310-2589.
Details on the Events calendar.
Our free programming is designed to help those most in need and we therefore consider household income when we assess eligibility for our classes. We welcome families to apply. We will get back to you as soon as possible about the status of your application.
Support for Youth Arts Institute music programs at Charter Oak Cultural Center provided by:
Divine really loved the ballet program, she cried at the end of the week and wished it could have been longer. She talked alot about girls of all colors being able to enjoy ballet. She was excited to get her ballet shoes and other goodies delivered right to her door and kept walking around the house in her shoes all day just like a ballerina she said. […] I kept expecting to see a dollar amount in the mail. It was unbelievable to me that a program could offer so much at no cost to the parents.
April 2022 Student of the Month: Andrea Cotto-Juarbe
Andrea Cotto-Juarbe is a 13-year-old student at Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy in Hartford, Connecticut. She has been a Youth Arts student for a year and attends the program alongside her...
Youth Arts Institute April Teacher of the Month
Charter Oak's Youth Arts Institute APRIL TEACHER OF THE MONTH is HENRY OLIVO a.k.a. Savage Henry Henry Olivo, also known as Savage Henry in the dance world, has been Breakdancing and competing for...
March 2022 Student of the Month: Natalia Reyes
MEET NATALIA, OUR MARCH 2022 Y.A.I. STUDENT OF THE MONTH! Natalia Reyes is a 12-year-old student at Renzulli Academy in Hartford, Connecticut. She has been a Youth Arts student for four years and...
Charter Oak’s Got Talent
https://youtu.be/_ykaU6-dr6w Two of our Youth Arts Institute students - Saagariha and Sarvariha Sunoj - were winners of the Be a Friend Lip Sync Contest! Their mother sent Charter Oak a nice note:...
Spring 2021 Youth Arts Institute Student Showcase
Watch our Youth Arts Institute Spring 2021 students share what they’ve learned by clicking on the video below! https://youtu.be/qOjt_BVRpj4
Charter Oak Cultural Center Announces Acquisition of Historic Property, Expansion of Youth Arts Campus, and Capital Campaign
Arts, Culture and Social Justice Non-Profit to Expand and Upgrade Downtown Campus, Serve Double the Number of Hartford Youth Charter Oak Cultural Center unveiled today the acquisition of an...
Here Comes the Poetry Bus!
Charter Oak Cultural Center is proud to present The Poetry Bus, a CT Transit vehicle featuring excerpts from poems written by our Youth Arts Initiative students. Working with YAI teaching artist and...
Lip Sync Battle!
Calling all youth! Be A Friend Project is hosting a lip synch battle competition to raise awareness around social bullying. Broadway judges and awesome prizes await your entry!...