Performing Arts Program
Since Fall 2007, the TYA Performing Arts Program has provided intensive, high-quality training to over 100 young people across the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
Our mission is to cultivate creativity, discipline, and confidence in youth through a dynamic blend of performance, culture, and personal development.
What We Offer:
TYA’s comprehensive training includes:
Vocal Music
Spoken Word
Dance: Modern, Ballet, Hip-Hop
Percussion & Cultural Movement: Brazilian Drumming, West African Dance, South African Gumboot, and Taratibu – a signature Pan-African drill style
Strength & Conditioning
Workshops in Leadership, Mindfulness, and Health & Wellness
Performance Highlights
TYA has graced prestigious stages both locally and internationally, including:
The Strathmore (North Bethesda, MD)
Smithsonian Discovery Theater
Anacostia Museum
Folklife Festival
Museum of African Art
Arena Stage (Washington, D.C.)
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
National Portrait Gallery
Wolf Trap Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods
Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (South Africa)
We’ve also performed for the legendary Dr. Maya Angelou and alongside Grammy-nominated artist Carolyn Malachi.
“TYA helped with giving each member greater discipline and responsibility in the home and school environment.”
TYA Parent
Our Companies:
Bantu | Ages 10–17
Open to all youth through an audition process – no prior experience required.
Maasai | Ages 18+
Formed in 2022, TYA Maasai is our young adult company. These emerging artists carry forward TYA’s mission at a professional level, expanding the reach and impact of our work.
Maasai Members performing in TYA’s 2022 Black History Show
Kelanji Mushala, Taeja Moffitt, Ylynne Brown
“With eclectic and diverse musical influences, this sensational ensemble of young artists performs modern dance, hip hop, and African dance at diverse venues around the Washington, DC metropolitan area and internationally.”
Our Repertoire:
TYA’s repertoire is a bold fusion of movement, music, and storytelling. Rooted in modern, hip hop, and African dance traditions, our performances bridge cultural and historical divides, sparking conversation, reflection, and transformation.
When our companies — Bantu and Maasai — unite on stage, they create more than choreography; they build intergenerational connections, cultural understanding, and collective strength. This synergy drives productions that give voice to powerful, often overlooked, historical narratives:
Tulsa
Recounts the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and honors the resilience of Black communities.Anarcha, Lucy & Betsey
Exposes the medical abuse of enslaved women by Dr. Marion Sims, centering their dignity and humanity.Sistahs Against Apartheid
Celebrates the courage of South African women who resisted apartheid and led the fight for freedom.Baianas
Honors the enslaved Brazilian women who secured liberation through entrepreneurship, selling acarajé, a traditional Afro-Brazilian dish.
Through these works, TYA challenges dominant historical narratives and reclaims space for stories too often erased. Our performances are more than art — they are acts of remembrance, resistance, and empowerment. By engaging with this repertoire, our young artists and audiences confront history, reclaim identity, and cultivate resilience rooted in truth.
Program Benefits
At TYA, we nurture the whole artist — developing not just performance skills, but life skills that empower young people on and off the stage. Our program fosters:
Personal Growth
Confidence
Self-Discipline
Poise
Independence
Self-Awareness
Self-Management
Social & Emotional Intelligence
Teamwork & Collaboration
Leadership Skills
Social Awareness
Cultural Identity
Personal Responsibility
Cognitive Development
Critical Thinking
Goal-Directed Behavior
Mastery Through Practice
Through intentional training, mentorship, and performance, our members gain the tools they need to thrive artistically, academically, and personally — building a strong foundation for success in every area of life.
