Fall Arts Classes in Westchester
ArtsWestchester is a multi-faceted arts council with more than 100 member organizations, many of which offer classes for both kids and adults. Here’s a list of some groups that offer creative and professional learning opportunities. Some scholarships are available.
Center for the Arts at Westchester Community College (White Plains) offers art classes for students of all ages, including classes in drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry and digital arts. 914-606-7500. sunywcc.edu/arts
Center for the Digital Arts at Westchester Community College (Peekskill) has five postproduction studios and is dedicated to fostering digital arts education. From User Experience Design (UX) to 3D Animation, the Center is an access point to creating art in the digital age. 914-606-7300. sunywcc.edu/peekskill
Hoff-Barthelson Music School (Scarsdale) serves students of all abilities and ages, from children to adults. Comprehensive programs provide private and group instruction, theory, composition, ear training, ensembles, performance opportunities, professional accompaniment and regular assessment of student progress. 914-723-1169. hbms.org
Lagond Music School (Elmsford) is dedicated to contemporary music education and live performance for students of all ages. Private instruction is offered on all instruments as well as band and performing workshops. Classes include songwriting, theory, recording studio production and college preparation. 914-345-0512. lagondmusic.org
Music Conservatory of Westchester (White Plains) offers quality music instruction in classical, jazz and rock for students of all ages, including early childhood, Suzuki, private and group lessons, theory, ensembles, pre-college, adults, and more. Scholarships available. 914-761-3900. musicconservatory.org
RiverArts (Hastings on Hudson, Dobbs Ferry, Irvington) nurtures students’ musical talents through private lessons (all instruments and voice) and ensemble classes (including jazz, percussion, cello, Mighty Musicians for grades K-2 and more) with experienced and supportive teachers. Scholarships available. 914-412-5120. riverarts.org
Songcatchers (New Rochelle) offers several core programs for younger music students, including a concert choir, after-school music program and early childhood music program. Children can learn a variety of instruments and participate in advanced training in an instrument ensemble. 914-654-1178. songcatchers.org/programs
]Axial Theatre (Pleasantville) presents Howard Meyer’s Acting Program, which offers classes and workshops for tweens, teens and adults, including acting, performance and playwriting. A free Open House takes place on 9/12. Contact: 914-286-7680. hmacting.org
Arc Stages (Pleasantville) provides classes and theatre workshop productions for children aged 3-18. Arc Stages uses theatre as a tool to build confidence and self-expression on stage. Theater games and acting exercises are incorporated into all rehearsal processes and programming. 914-747-6206. arcstages.org
The Play Group Theatre (White Plains) provides a creatively-charged environment where kids and teens can connect with a diverse group of artistic peers and engage in a broad array of theatre classes and performance programs that include style, technique, musical theatre, design/tech and more. 914-946-4433. playgroup.org
Jacob Burns Film Center (Pleasantville) offers programs in new media, production, screenwriting, film theory and more for individuals of all ages. JBFC Kids (ages 3–13) helps to foster a love for cinema and media-making via family-oriented courses, programming and Family Saturdays @ the Lab. Scholarships are available for all courses. 914-773-7663 x8. burnsfilmcenter.org/courses
Youth Theatre Interactions (Yonkers) provides weekly professional performing arts classes for children aged 6-19. Courses are offered in drama, keyboard, steel drums, guitar, voice and seven styles of dance including Latin and West African. This year’s new classes include African Drumming and Beat Boxing. Saturday classes are also available. 914-963-3040. ytiyonkers.org
Ballet des Amériques (Port Chester) offers pre-professional ballet training and education in its international conservatory. Also offered are creative movement classes (ages 3-5) and open classes for adults. Auditions are mandatory for the conservatory, but not for creative movement and open classes. 646-753-0457. balletdesameriques.com
Alliance Française de Westchester (White Plains) offers French classes, group or private, for all levels and ages, taught by native French speakers. From classes for toddlers, who are introduced to French through music and play, to book discussion groups for adults, the AFW offers a multitude of ways to learn and practice French. 914-681-8735. afwestchesterny.org
Hudson Valley Writers Center (Sleepy Hollow) offers workshops for aspiring poets, novelists, screenplay writers, playwrights, memoirists and established authors alike. Six-week courses are available, as well as one-day intensives in poetry, fiction and non-fiction. 914-332-5953. writerscenter.org
The Greenburgh Arts and Culture Committee (Greenburgh) offers spring and fall writing classes for children and teens, as well as Ekphrastic poetry workshops for adults. 914-682-1574. greenburghartsandculture.org
The Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College (Bronxville, Yonkers) is for people of all ages, from novice to seasoned writers, and includes traditional writing workshops in fiction, non-fiction, memoir and poetry, as well as specialized classes from screenwriting to humor. (914) 395-2371. sarahlawrence.edu/writing-institute
Music Conservatory of Westchester (White Plains) provides individual and group music therapy sessions for children, adults and military veterans. Sessions are offered by board-certified music therapists for people of all ages at the Conservatory’s fully accessible facility. 914-761-3900. musicconservatory.org
Steffi Nossen School of Dance (White Plains) “Moving Wheels & Heels” is an adaptive program for dancers with special needs. Classes are available for adults and kids. Live music in classes. Free Parkinson’s Dance Classes start 9/17. Also see Dance section in this spread. 914-328-1900. steffinossen.org
A version of this article first appeared in the September issue of ArtsNews, ArtsWestchester’s monthly publication. ArtsNews is distributed throughout Westchester County. A digital copy is also available at artsw.org/artsnews.[/vc_row]
