The Harlem School of the Arts

IAH Studio's 10th Annual Ode to the Black Fiddler Music Festival comes to Harlem School of the Arts.

On Saturday, August 29th, from 1:00pm to 9:00pm, HSA is proud to host IAH Studio's Ode to the Black Fiddler Music Festival at 645 St. Nicholas Avenue — marking ten years of this celebration of live string performance.

This year's festival takes over St. Nicholas Avenue with an open-air marketplace featuring local vendors and community organizations, alongside a full lineup of live string performances spanning hip-hop, R&B, jazz, Latin, classical, fusion, and experimental sound — plus DJ sets from some of NYC's top mixers, and activities for all ages.

Among the performers? HSA teaching artist Khaliq

All ticket proceeds go directly to the musicians and creative teams who make the day possible.

🎟️ $25 general admission — get tickets at OBFEST2026.eventbrite.com
👶 Free admission for youth 12 and under

Presented by IAH Studio, in partnership with the Citizens Committee for New York City. Ten years of live strings in Harlem — come celebrate with us.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/10th-annual-ode-to-the-black-fiddler-music-festival-tickets-1985681276150?aff=oddtdtcreator

We're hiring a Marketing & Content Manager to help tell HSA's story — and help grow how far it reaches.

This part-time role (21 hrs/week) blends strong writing with hands-on digital marketing: email campaigns, social content and scheduling, paid social assets, and reporting on audience engagement using Google Analytics. You'll be the primary voice behind HSA's newsletters, web copy, and donor communications, while executing the digital work that gets that content in front of people.

We're looking for someone who's equally comfortable with a blank page and a performance dashboard.

Full job description linked below. Apply today!

https://hsanyc.org/were-hiring-marketing-content-manager/?utm_source=Meta&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=MCM-hiring

Are you an HSA alum? Did you know we're building a way for you to connect with other HSA alums across the decades? It's a great opportunity to expand your network AND to give back through mentorship with younger alums!

Please spread the word to your fellow alums!

https://hsaalumni.com

We know summer gets busy — good news, you've got more time to register your child!

We've extended our Fall 2026 registration savings through August 16, so you can 10% when you sign up for fall classes!

Dance. Music. Theatre. Musical Theatre. Media & Design. Whether your child is just discovering the arts or training toward something more, HSA meets them where they are and helps them find their pathway to excellence.

Register now: https://hsanyc.org/registration/

Part 2 of photos from yesterday when Jimmy Neutch held dance auditions for her directorial debut at HSA. See our previous post for additional ima

Lastly, shout-out to our operations team, led by our COO Monalisa Perez, for ensuring that everything ran smoothly. But, that's everyday for this incredible team!

Part 1: What a day! It was thrilling for the students and staff at HSA to welcome award-winning actress Jimmy Neutch and her team to HSA. The occassion? She was holding dance auditions for her directorial debut, Get Lite, which will center Litefeet, the street dance style that emerged in Harlem in the early 2000’s.

On top of all the wonderful energy in the building from the many dancers who auditioned, Teyana spent time with our students, which we deeply appreciate.

Shout-out to all the dancers and dance crews who came to audition! 🙌🏽

HSA Summer Arts Experience 2026! We turned on our waterfall and sprinklers first thing this morning to keep our kids cool!

At HSA, we don't just develop great artists — we develop great people. 🎭🎵🎨

Fall 2026 Registration is open now, and there's still time to save. Register by August 2 and take 10% off — then standard pricing kicks in August 3.

This year we're offering more flexibility than ever: Semester-long and full-year classes, beginner through advanced, across Dance, Music, Drama, and Media & Design. Plus new Preparatory Tracks for students who are ready to get serious about their craft.

Registration closes September 25. Financial aid available via FACTS. Payment plans available.

Register your child now at https://hsanyc.org/registration/

A wonderful reunion of HSA leadership, past and present. This past Sunday, our current president & CEO James C. Horton (l) was joined by past presidents Eric Pryor and Yvette Campbell to celebrate the life of the late Tsyala Khudad-Zade, known to her students and colleagues as Miss Delilah, who taught piano at HSA for over 40 years. James shared the following reflection upon learning of her passing in April:

"For many of us, and for generations of HSA students, Miss Delilah was more than a piano teacher. She was a constant—powerful presence in the life of this school. For nearly five decades, 46 Years, she poured herself into her students with a level of care, discipline, and excellence that defined what it means to be an HSA educator. It feels especially meaningful to remember that our founder, Dorothy Maynor, personally brought her into the HSA family—a reflection of the extraordinary talent and integrity she saw in her from the very beginning.

She held her students to a high standard because she believed in them deeply. In her studio, young people didn’t just learn how to play the piano—they learned focus, resilience, confidence, and pride in their work. There was a rigor to her teaching, yes—but always paired with a deep and abiding love for her students and their growth.

Her impact is immeasurable. It lives on in the hands of every student she taught, in the paths they’ve gone on to pursue, and in the values she instilled that extend far beyond music.

Personally, I feel incredibly grateful to have known her and to have had her as part of this creative community. She represents the very best of HSA—dedication, artistry, and a lifelong commitment to young people.

Please hold her family, her former students, and each other in your thoughts.

God bless,

James"