Ifetayo Youth Ensemble

Rooted in Culture. Wired for the Future.

The Ifetayo Youth Ensemble (IYE) offers pre-professional artists aged 13-18 the intensive training to refine their skills in a dynamic and supportive environment.

Members of IYE gain invaluable performance experience across New York City while, working as a team to design performance pieces that support social justice issues and civic engagement initiatives of their choosing.

This program is designed for those who are passionate about elevating their craft and developing their agency as creatives, critical thinkers, and change leaders.

Auditions for IYE are held each fall.

For more information, please contact IYE Artistic Director, Cécilia Daninthe

IYE (Ifetayo Youth Ensemble) Classes (13+)

All IYE members can take all CAP Beginner level classes for FREE

Ifetayo Dance Fellows are a select group of students from the Ifetayo Youth Ensemble who receive training from world renowned artists including Abdel Salaam, Francine Ott, and Kevin Iega Jeff.

1960 What? is the culmination of a yearlong residency with Kevin Iega Jeff, Founder and Artistic Director of Deeply Rooted Dance Theater to the music of renowned jazz musician Gregory Porter. This special performance occurred at Ifetayo’s 25th Anniversary Gala on Thursday, February 5, 2015.

What Parents Say

Learn about Participants' experience.

My son really enjoyed being around the young men in his Rites class. They bonded over soccer, joy and other things. They seemed to build trust among each other and extended it to other within the Ifetayo community. Khari took pride in going and who he is. He became more confident in school as well (being around non-Black school peer.

Sister Ameria AlleyneParent

I gained more awareness of the importance of knowing yourself, your family history and I recognize that you are making your family’s history by how you live your life.

JohnsonRites of Passage Participant

The teachings were valuable and I believe my daughter absorbed what she learned. She would discuss lessons with us after some Rites meetings and would occasionally open up to us about what was going on in school because Ifetayo gave her the prompts to express those feelings. I'm very grateful for that.

AnonymousIfetayo Parent

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