OYC’s after-school programming is offered both on-site at the center and within the agency’s partner schools, Monday through Friday and occasionally on Saturdays. Through it, students are offered continued educational support including tutoring particularly in the areas of reading and math, homework assistance, STEM activities, test prep, computer instruction, etc. Students also engage in culturally diverse creative arts (music, dance, visual, etc.), culinary instruction, physical fitness, health and wellness, recreation and more. Below are highlights of some of OYC’s signature programs.
After School Program
ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES
STEM/STEAM Classes
Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEM/STEAM) classes teach our youth new skills for future careers and foster valuable 21st-century life skills such as problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration. In partnership with national organizations and local universities, OYC provides a foundation for scientific concepts to students from grades K-12th and heightens environmental awareness in a fun and interactive manner. Topics range from Chemistry to Earth Science, Virtual Reality to Architectural Design, and everything in between.
DANCE CLASSES
The Overtown Youth Center provides dance training for students in a wide range of styles including Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop, Ballroom and African Dance. Classes are held in our on site dance studio, which boasts a sprung floor, ballet barre and mirrored walls. Students enjoy off site field trips to dance concerts and competitions. Guest Artists from some of Miami’s most prominent companies as well as visiting dance companies are brought in to offer master classes for students to experience. Students do not need prior dance training to benefit or participate in these classes. Students who display a special talent for dance receive cost free training to advance themselves in this field and prepare for auditions to performing arts schools. Throughout the year, students are given opportunities to showcase their talents in live performance.
ANNUAL SHOWCASE
Each year, OYC students and staff prepare for a full theatrical, broadway-style production during the center’s six-week summer program. In addition to learning scripts and choreography, students help design the set, inclusive of props and the stage backdrop. To date, OYC students have performed their versions of “Welcome to Hollywood,” “The Wiz” and “The Lion King.” Stay tuned for updates on the next OYC production.
Music Classes
The Overtown Youth Center provides music study with vocal, guitar, piano and production classes. Professional musicians teach these classes and all instruments are provided by The Overtown Youth Center. The music department creates original music, written and produced by our students and they have opportunities year round to showcase their talents through live performance.
The Beats Academy
The Beats Academy is an innovative music school designed to cultivate the natural artistic talents of Overtown youth and prepare them for a wide range of careers in the music industry. Students ages 12-18 will learn will learn the fundamentals needed to succeed in the entertainment field. Courses begin with the building blocks of music theory and progress to creating, remixing and submitting original music to record labels and motion picture companies. Aspiring musicians, vocalists, writers, engineers, DJs and/or producers will learn how to monetize their products through marketing, promotions, digital distribution, licensing, etc. No prior knowledge of music or production is necessary, only a willingness to learn. The academy will cover 10 overall components ranging from technology and engineering to genre exposure and studio etiquette.
ART CLASSES
Visual Art classes at The Overtown Youth Center are focused on giving students a creative outlet for expression and an education about the importance of visual arts in the world. Using various mediums in their art classes, they produce costumes, paintings, stage design, props and more for OYC concerts and events. Students create art and curate their very own exhibits several times a year for the public to view and purchase. The visual art component includes off site field trips to galleries and museums as well as master classes and lectures by renowned artists. Students who display a special talent in visual arts have the opportunity to develop their craft and prepare portfolios for auditions and submissions to galleries.
