Ralph Arts Academy offers experiences that engage the hearts and minds of young people through the arts. We reach into the community by mentoring and inspiring young people toward greater success in life through various forms of artistic expression. The Academy, located in Roosevelt, New York, is being developed to be a special, publicly and privately supported, fixture in the Long Island and larg
er communities. Young people can hone and showcase their abilities in music, dance, drama, visual arts and other media. It is a program of the newly formed corporation Seedtime Inc., an affiliate of Memorial Presbyterian Church, also in Roosevelt. The Academy is named for the late Dr. Stanley Lee Ralph, a pillar of the Long Island and world communities and a tireless supporter of talented youth and young adults. The beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend; as well as distinguished educator, college professor, musician, humanitarian, singer, choir director, composer, leader, and artist extraordinaire passed away on Easter Sunday in 2012 at age 81. A mere sampling of Dr. Ralph's vast life accomplishments, work, and associations include:
Ph.D. Master of Arts from Columbia University in New York. Bachelor of Arts in Music and Music Education from Howard University in Washington D.C. Minister of Music at several churches, including Memorial Presbyterian Church in Roosevelt, New York for nearly three decades; St. John’s Episcopal Church in Hempstead, New York; and First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, New York. Musically gifted, he started performing publicly at age 15 in the Waterbury Junior Symphony Orchestra in Connecticut. At 16, he was organist at First Congregational Church in Waterbury. He formed singing groups, including The Stanley Ralph Choraleers and the female contemporary Christian quartet Serenity, based on Long Island. First black teacher to integrate the Waterbury, Connecticut school system. Writer and composer of The Connecticut State Cantata titled “The Nutmeg,” a nine-minute piece that related Connecticut’s history through song. The Connecticut General Assembly designated “The Nutmeg, Homeland of Liberty” as the official state cantata in 2003. Professor of music and performing arts at Rockland Community College in New York. Teacher and principal at Wyandanch, Hempstead, and Roosevelt high schools on Long Island. Member of the 100 Black Men organization. Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
