Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts Selected as 2003 Coming Up Taller Semifinalist

The Harbor Conservatory, the only multi-disciplinary performing arts school serving East Harlem, was selected by the President's Committee on Arts and the Humanities and its partner agencies, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities as a 2003 Coming Up Taller Semifinalist. The Coming Up Taller Awards recognize and support outstanding community arts and humanities programs that celebrate the creativity of America's young people, provide them learning opportunities and chances to contribute to their communities.

(PRWEB) July 11, 2003 -- The Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts, a major division of Boys & Girls Harbor, Inc., is pleased to announce that the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities and its partner agencies, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Endowment for the Arts, and National Endowment for the Humanities have selected the Harbor Conservatory to be a 2003 Coming Up Taller Semifinalist.

Chosen from amongst 370 nominations from 48 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, the Harbor Conservatory's selection as one of the 50 semifinalists distinguishes it as one of the top after-school and out-of-school arts-and humanities-based programs in the county.

The Coming Up Taller Awards, established in l998, recognize and support outstanding community arts and humanities programs that celebrate the creativity of America's young people, provide them learning opportunities and chances to contribute to their communities. These awards focus national attention on exemplary programs currently fostering the creative and intellectual development of America's children and youth through education and practical experience in the arts and the humanities.

Each year, ten awards of $10,000 each are presented to Coming Up Taller Awards honorees. In addition, a Certificate of Excellence is given to all semifinalists. This year's award winners will be announced later this month.

The Harbor Conservatory offers pre-professional training in music, dance and theater to youth primarily from East and Central Harlem. Professional skills are acquired through specific skill training, solo and ensemble performance, preparation for higher education, and coaching in professional career skills.

In addition to receiving the most intensive and professional arts training, Harbor faculty provides students with one-on-one counseling, professional management and direction, advice about and preparations for auditions and competitions. Regularly, television and film producers, talent scouts, advertising agencies, and Broadway/Off-Broadway producers call upon the Conservatory to recruit talented youth.

While training at the Conservatory, numerous Harbor students have successfully enrolled in schools specializing in the performing arts such as Talent Unlimited High School, Professional Performing Arts School and LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts, as well as professional schools like Julliard. Harbor successes also involve accomplishments in the commercial theater.

Most notable of these are , Scott Irby Ranniar and Mwanzaa Brown, who both appeared in the featured role of Young Simba in The Lion King on Broadwayand Darrell Moultrie's most recent performance as Mereb in Aida on Broadway.

Whereas the Conservatory prepares young people for careers in the arts, it also helps those who do not pursue this direction gain the skills and confidence needed to succeed in education, employment and positive family and community life.

The leaders of the Conservatory are its Director Ramon Rodriguez, Artistic/Dance Director Nina Klyvert-Lawson, Assistant Dance Director, Normal Lawrence, Director of Classical Music Dr. Martin Soderberg, and Drama Program Director Daphne Richards. Mr. Rodriguez, an accomplished musician, bandleader and music educator, received his BA from the Manhattan School of Music and started as Director of Music in l975.

Ms. Klyvert-Lawson a 15-year Conservatory veteran, has her MA in Dance Education from Columbia's Teachers College, and is a former member of the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble. Normal Lawrence received his dance training and education at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center as a scholarship student and member of the American Dance Center Workshop.

He has been with the Conservatory since l996. Dr. Soderberg, with a 14-year tenure, is a concert pianist with a Ph.D. from Manhattan School of Music. Daphne Richards has been the Director of the Harbor's Drama Program since l997. She received her MFA in Directing from Brooklyn College.

Boys & Girls Harbor, under the leadership of Executive Director Hans Hageman, maintains its view of the primacy of performing arts in the quest for a holistic and satisfying life for young people. Established in l937, by Anthony Duke, the Harbor focuses on the intellectual, physical and emotional development of youngsters ranging in age from six months to twenty-one years.

The Harbor's year-round programs serve over 6,000 children, young adults and their families annually with direct services in programs that range from nursery, pre-school and after-school care through performing arts training, college preparation, behavioral health services, computer and science training, teen parenting services, and one of the city's first charter schools. The Harbor also operates a year-round camping program at its campsite in East Hampton.

For more information on the Harbor Conservatory please visit our website at www.harborconservatory.org