Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center

Kwanzaa Community Events are here, and you’re invited.

We are opening our doors for three evenings of free, Kwanzaa-inspired events for the community. Bring your family, invite a friend, and come spend time with us at Mind-Builders.

TUESDAY
Community Game Night
4:30–8:00 pm | Café | Ages 5+
Charades, dominoes, card games and more. Come laugh, play, and connect with other families.

WEDNESDAY
Open West African Dance Class (with live drumming)
with Esther Grant-Walker
6:15–7:15 pm | Room 304 | Ages 12+
Learn high energy West African dance.

Fit 4 Life: Kwanzaa Edition
with Maurice
7:15–8:15 pm | Room 304 | Ages 16+
An Afrobeats-driven workout to move, reset, and feel good.

THURSDAY
Folk Culture Collage Workshop
with mixed-media artist Ayanna Legros
5:30–7:30 pm | Café | Ages 3+
Create collages inspired by the seven principles of Kwanzaa and explore identity, history, and Black pride in a hands-on, family-friendly workshop.

All events are free and open to the public.
Children 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

RSVP for one or all events here: https://www.vancoevents.com/us/DLYI Space is limited.

KWANZAA COMMUNITY EVENTS WEEK Join us at Mind-Builders for free community events celebrating culture and togetherness. All events are free and open to various ages. Children...

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Holiday Jazz Night at Mind-Builders.

We had a full house filled with students, families, alumni, board members, and neighbors all coming together to celebrate the season through music. Our Stage Band and music faculty kept the room buzzing with jazz takes on holiday favorites, and hearing the audience clap and sing along made the night unforgettable.

We have received incredible feedback from so many of you about how meaningful it was to share a night of live music, warmth, and community here in the Bronx.

A very special thank you to Band Director Chris Palmer for his outstanding leadership, musical direction, and arrangements that made this concert possible for our young musicians. We also want to give a big shout out to alumni Dujon H. and Angel D. for coming back to perform and be part of Holiday Jazz Night.

To every musician who performed, every staff member who helped make it happen, and every person who came out to support our artists and teaching artists, thank you. You are the reason nights like this feel so special.

Here are a few highlights from the evening. Feel free to tag yourself or someone you know in the comments and share your favorite moment from Holiday Jazz Night.

Tis the season ❄️

Last month, members of our music department, along with a few special guests, had the honor of playing jazzy holiday tunes at the New York Botanical Garden for the Holiday Train Show members-only kickoff event. Thank you to for continually including Mind-Builders. We truly appreciate every opportunity to showcase the talent of our staff and students.

If you are in the holiday spirit and want to hear some jazzy tunes yourself, join us Wednesday, December 10th at 6:30PM for Holiday Jazz Night at Mind-Builders, featuring a special performance by the Mind-Builders Stage Band and possible guest appearances from other music students and faculty.

For those really feeling festive, wear your favorite ugly Christmas sweater. Space is limited, so please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.vancoevents.com/us/events/landing/60712.

Teaching drums without drums? 🥁

Meet Patrick, our drum instructor who turned an NYC living-space challenge into an innovative teaching method.

When Patrick started teaching at Mind-Builders, he realized many of his students live in apartments where practicing on a drum kit isn’t possible. So he got creative...

During the last 15 minutes of each lesson, his students sit at an “invisible” drum set, right hand tapping a pretend hi-hat, left hand on an imaginary snare, right foot keeping time. This fun technique builds the muscle memory a drummer needs, no drum set required!

For Patrick, the real reward is seeing those lightbulb moments 💡 when a student masters a tough rhythm and it clicks. “You can’t put a price tag on that,” he says.

Every day he proves that passion and creativity can overcome any obstacle. 🎼

Read Patrick’s full story here: https://www.mind-builders.org/impact-stories/patrick-chan.html
If this story resonates, please consider donating. Your gift helps us maintain our exceptional faculty who transform lives through patient innovation: https://www.mind-builders.org/donate.html

What does it take to create a positive dance environment? Our Merit Scholars explored that question through art, storytelling, and leadership.

Recently, they took part in a professional learning session focused on building positive environments and modeling that for our younger dancers.

They spent the afternoon creating illustrated storybooks that highlight the Mind-Builders High 5 values:
💫 Be friendly and kind
⏰ Be on time and prepared
💪🏾 Give 100%
🫶🏾 Create a safe space
🌈 Respect differences

After presenting their books to one another and asking thoughtful questions, they left excited to share their stories with the young students they assist in class. We’re so proud of their creativity, leadership, and heart.

He thought he’d never call himself a musician. 🎶

John came to Mind-Builders in 2023 for what he thought was just a summer job, instead, he found a passion and a community.

All John knew at first was “to push down on a guitar string and make a sound,” but with classes and encouragement, he learned to read sheet music, play two instruments at once, and even perform with the Mind-Builders Stage Band.

This summer, John didn’t stop at playing on stage. Through our Production Corps internship, he stepped backstage to run lights and sound for an original show. By helping bring together dancers, actors, and musicians, he saw firsthand what mentorship creates and knew he wanted to be part of that cycle.

Read John’s full story: https://www.mind-builders.org/impact-stories/john-m.html
If this story resonates, consider a gift to support more moments like this: https://www.mind-builders.org/donate.html

She was scared to teach. Her students changed everything.

At 17, Aniya went from student to teacher at Mind-Builders and found the confidence to lead. She joined as a shy Merit Scholar, then choreographed a full tap piece for younger dancers this summer. Watching her students shine showed her what she’s capable of. Now she’s the role model she once looked up to.

Read Aniya’s full story: https://mind-builders.org/impact-stories
If this story resonates, consider a gift to support more moments like this: https://www.mind-builders.org/donate.html

One deep breath. One steady note.

This young Mind-Builders musician is learning how to make the trumpet sing, and picking up skills that will last a lifetime.

🎺 Parents, here’s why brass instruments like the trumpet are such a powerful choice for kids: swipe to see 5 big benefits.

Lines, balance, and focus...our dancers bring it all to the floor.

There is still time to register for fall classes. Come dance with us in the Bronx.

📍 Ballet, Hip-Hop, Modern, West African Dance & more.
🗓 Classes started October 7. It is not too late to join—register before January 10.

To register: https://shorturl.at/0KmTv

🙌 Fall Classes Kick Off This Week 🙌

Dance ✦ Music ✦ Martial Arts
Theater ✦ Fit4Life

It is not too late to join us. Register through January 11: https://tr.ee/67L343