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Shaping Today's Talent Into Tomorrow's Artists

Merit Scholarship For Excellence in Art, Dance and Music (Ages 7-17)

Are you an artist, musician or dancer that's passionate? Committed? Gifted?

Offering full, 100% merit-based scholarships, the Recanati-Kaplan Program for Excellence in the Arts opens doors for gifted and talented students in Greater New York City to hone and develop their creative potential as artists and performers.

Recanati-Kaplan scholars thrive.

Studying under the guidance of 92nd Street Y’s esteemed Gilda and Henry Block School of the Arts faculty, upon acceptance you will be immersed in a broad range of advanced classes and private, personalized instruction. Students demonstrating particular excellence in their field are eligible to receive end-of-the-year awards, which can be used towards college tuition.

We teach our students to dream BIG.

At the core of the Recanati-Kaplan Program is the belief that individualized instruction and mentoring accelerates learning, supports technical accomplishment and stimulates creative potential. This is where the journey begins, putting you on a path to reach new goals, exceed expectations and fulfill their dreams.

Download the Brochure

FAQ

More About Our Programs

Recanati-Kaplan artists

  • Study in specialized classes weekly in a range of visual arts disciplines.
  • Receive portfolio preparation classes for admission to high school and college.
  • Benefit from personalized mentoring bi-weekly or monthly to support artistic development.
  • Participate in field trips to artists’ studios, design studios, museums, galleries and more.
  • Show their work at the annual student show in 92Y’s Weill Art Gallery.
  • The Robert Gilson scholarship for a visual arts student with a demonstrated interest in photography.
Art Center R-K scholars have been accepted to:
Pre-professional programs in Art
  • Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts
University programs in Art
  • Rhode Island School of Design
  • The Cooper Union
  • Parsons The New School for Design
  • School of Visual Arts
  • La Guardia

We will begin accepting new applications for the 20/21 year on February 1, 2020.

Recanati-Kaplan dancers (Harkness Dance Center – Modern Dance, Ballet & Hip Hop Track)

  • Rigorous study in specialized classes weekly in a range of dance styles and genres.
  • Learn and perform repertory from master choreographers, such as Martha Graham, Jose Limon, Jerome Robbins and Trisha Brown, as well as cutting edge choreographers from our Artist-in-Residence program.
  • Perform in area festivals and school performances for teens.
  • Gain immediate access to 92Y’s Artist-in-Residence program, Harkness Dance Festival and Dig Dance Weekend Series.
  • Experience the NYC dance scene through field trips to Lincoln Center, The Joyce Theater, BAM and more.
Harkness Dance Center Recanati-Kaplan scholars have gone on to:
  • Professional Performing Arts School, including Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts
  • Ivy League and top conservatory college dance students
  • Graduate programs in dance and dance education

The Harkness Dance Center Pre-Professional Dance Program is for talented and hardworking students who aspire to professional careers in modern dance and ballet companies as performers, educators, choreographers, and leading artists in the field. The rigorous curriculum will expose students to a wide range of historical and future forward artists while providing performing opportunities in a range of venues and opportunities for creating, designing and directing work of their own.

Weekly Dance Schedule
  • 1-3 Ballet classes
  • 1-2 Modern Technique classes
  • 1-2 Hip Hop classes
  • 1 Choreography or Improvisation class
  • 1 Repertory Ensemble class
  • Up to 4 supplementary classes (additional technique classes as recommended, Portfolio Prep, Costume Design, Production, supervised independent work)
Other Yearly Requirements:
  • Perform in youth showcases at Peridance, Dancewave, DanceUp! and others as appropriate
  • 3-5 Master Classes throughout the year
  • Attend 5 Harkness Dance Center productions (Harkness Dance Festival, Dig Dance)
  • Attend 3 Performances as recommended by mentor
  • Mentoring/teaching assistant for younger classes
  • (High School) - Participation in DEL Movement Sentence Choir and DEL Open House
  • (High School) - NDEO National Honors Society
Audition Information:

We will begin accepting new applications for the 20/21 year on February 1, 2020.

RK Harkness Dance Center Mentor:
Sameena Mitta

Sameena Mitta

Sameena Mitta is the founder and artistic director of MeenMoves, as well as of the government-funded education and outreach program, MadHops. A graduate of the professional ballet training program ...

Sameena Mitta

Sameena Mitta

Sameena Mitta is the founder and artistic director of MeenMoves, as well as of the government-funded education and outreach program, MadHops. A graduate of the professional ballet training program of The School of Dance in Ottawa, Mitta was a recipient of the Celia Franca Scholarship, and was awarded with distinction the Associate Diploma of the Cecchetti Society. She has spent over 15 years teaching and working as a freelance modern dancer, performing for numerous choreographers and teaching at schools throughout North America and abroad. Mitta has performed with The White Oak Dance Project in their New York Season of Past Forward, in the Czech Republic with Dagmar Spain and in New York with The Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble, Kathryn Alter and Dancers, Aviva Geismar, Luis Tentindo and The Juilliard Opera Company, among many others. In 2008 she received a MA in Dance Creation at UQAM focusing on Movement Intervention for survivors of domestic violence. Mitta, with her dance-theatre company, MeenMoves, has presented works in North America, India, Japan and Europe. Esteemed festivals have selected and produced Mitta’s pieces, including the evening-length work Growing Pains, co-presented by ODD in Ottawa (2013). She has shown work at Ailey APAP2018 (NYC, 2018) and at BAM Fisher (NYC, 2018) as well as Frigid Festival (NYC, 2014), Westfest Dance Festival (NYC, 2015), 60x60 (NYC, 2015), BAX’s Winter Festival (NYC, 2016) and Dance On The Lawn (NJ, 2018). She presented her evening-length work, alternative (f)Acts, at the Martha Graham Theater (NYC, 2017). In 2015, Mitta was invited to create work through a residency at the Lake Studios in Berlin, Germany and has produced work for the Choreographer’s Collective in NYC. She has received funding from the Canadian government for her outreach programming and has sat on juries in Canada and the USA for several organizations offering funding and scholarships. She is the recipient of the choreographic fellowship at NJPAC (2018-2020) and is on faculty at the Limón Institute, Ballet Tech and the 92nd Street Y Harkness Dance Center. Mitta’s interests include arts activism and diversity in dance.

Recanati-Kaplan dancers (92Y Musical Theater – Jazz, Tap, Contemporary & Musical Theater)

  • Rigorous study in technique, choreography & performance classes weekly in a range of dance styles and genres.
  • Learn and perform repertory from master choreographers currently working on Broadway, National Tours, TV and Film.
  • Perform in 2-6 Musicals a year through our Musical Theater Workshop programming.
Musical Theater Recanati-Kaplan scholars have gone on to:
  • Tony Award Winning Broadway Careers
  • Ivy League schools
  • Undergraduate & Graduate programs in dance and dance education

The 92Y Pre-Professional Musical Theater Program prepares committed and gifted students in grades 2–12 for college and/or a professional career in the performing arts, led by a highly qualified faculty. The curriculum provides students with inclusive training in tap, jazz, contemporary, ballet, acting, singing, and performance. The Program provides students with rich experiences on and off stage preparing for careers as performers, stage managers, directors, choreographers, educators and designers.

Weekly Dance Schedule

Students train a minimum of 4-5 days a week with classes in Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Musical Theater Ballet and Choreography. Students also rehearse and perform in our Fall & Spring Musicals. Each schedule custom designed based upon students’ age/level/interest. Fall 2019 Musicals include: Disney’s Cinderella Kids, Disney’s Beauty & The Beast & 42nd Street.

Other Yearly Requirements:

3-5 Nursing Home/Community Showcases
Winter Dance Convention Performance
3-5 Master Classes throughout the year
Participation in Fall & Spring Assessment
Assistant Teacher Training Program & Assistant Teaching (when applicable)

Optional: Hershey Park Performance

Audition Information:

We will begin accepting new applications for the 20/21 year on February 1, 2020.

RK Musical Theater Mentor:
Megan Doyle

Megan Doyle

Megan Doyle, Director of Musical Theater at 92nd Street Y, holds a Masters Degree in Dance Education from NYU, is a graduate of the Dance Education Laboratory ...

Megan Doyle

Megan Doyle

Megan Doyle, Director of Musical Theater at 92nd Street Y, holds a Masters Degree in Dance Education from NYU, is a graduate of the Dance Education Laboratory and is currently pursuing her second Masters in Educational Theater at CCNY. Megan has choreographed for American Girl, Netflix, Disney, and Lululemon Atheltica. Megan’s company, Community Dance Project NYC (CDPNYC), has presented works of Musical Theater and Contemporary Jazz throughout the city including at the Ailey Theater, Peridance, Symphony Space, White Wave, Green Space, and as a presenter with Jazz Choreography Enterprises.

As a performer, Megan has worked extensively for Disney appearing in the How to Dance with Hannah Montana video, voice overs for Lizzy McGuire Merchandising, and industrials and concerts with the Jonas Brothers, Emily Osment, and Demi Lovato. In addition to her commercial work, Megan has had the opportunity to perform with a variety of dance companies, including as a soloist in When Paths Collide at Lincoln Center. Megan is proud to have spent 5 years on tour as Anne in The Diary of Anne Frank. Other favorite touring/regional theatre credits include: Class Dismissed: The Bullying Project, The Sound of Music, Sugar Babies, Into the Woods, West Side Story, Joseph …, and the world premiere of Markings.

Megan has had the privilege of teaching at many different schools and studios including recreational and competitive dance studios throughout the United States, in the NYC public school system as a teaching artist, The Village Community Middle School, and at Merrick Academy Public Charter School. Megan also wrote and developed the dance curriculum for Gymboree Play and Music.

Recanati-Kaplan musicians

  • Attend weekly private lessons and theory classes
  • Participate in weekly vocal and/or instrumental ensembles
  • Learn to use music technology, empowering them to compose, record, edit and mix their own music.
  • Receive guidance for applying to universities and pre-professional programs in music.
School of Music R-K scholars have been accepted to:
Pre-professional programs in music
  • Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts
  • Professional Performing Arts High School
  • Frank Sinatra School of the Arts
  • The Julliard School
  • Special Music School
Higher-education programs in music
  • Yale University
  • Bowdoin College
  • Oberlin College
  • Syracuse University
  • SUNY Purchase
  • Manhattan School of Music
  • University of California, Los Angeles

Download additional application requirements

We will begin accepting new applications for the 20/21 year on February 1, 2020.

RK School of Music Mentor:
Chris Bergson

Chris Bergson

New York Blues Hall of Fame inductee guitarist/singer Chris Bergson recently returned from a three week tour in Europe with acclaimed soul singer Ellis Hooks ...

Chris Bergson

Chris Bergson

New York Blues Hall of Fame inductee guitarist/singer Chris Bergson recently returned from a three week tour in Europe with acclaimed soul singer Ellis Hooks including headlining festivals in France, Germany and Denmark.

Bergson continues to tour in support of his latest album, Bitter Midnight which was named MOJO Magazine’s #3 Blues Album of 2017, his fourth consecutive release to achieve MOJO’s Top 3 Blues Album of the Year status.

Bitter Midnight, whose track list includes songs inspired by Bergson’s successful 10 country European tour, features guest artists such as drummer Aaron Comess (Spin Doctors), bassists Richard Hammond (Santana) and Andy Hess (Gov’t Mule), trumpeter Steven Bernstein (Henry Butler), saxophonist Jay Collins (Gregg Allman) and acclaimed soul singer Ellis Hooks (Steve Cropper.)

Bergson has performed with Norah Jones, Levon Helm, Hubert Sumlin, John Hammond and opened for B.B. King, Etta James and Bettye LaVette.

Recent collaborations have also included performances and/or recordings with celebrated French singer CharlElie Couture, Blues Music Award nominee Alexis P. Suter and Corey Glover of Living Color.

Bergson endorses McCurdy Guitars, Blackstar Amplification and Levys Leathers. Bergson is currently on the faculty of the 92Y School of Music where he teaches guitar, coaches rock band and serves as the music mentor for the Recanati-Kaplan Scholarship for the Excellence in the Arts program.

For the past two years, Bergson has also taught a jazz education class through 92Y’s Outreach Education program at the Angelo Petri School for the Performring Arts in the Bronx.

Jacqueline Ostrower

Jacqueline Ostrower, Recanati-Kaplan scholar in dance, has trained for two summers with American Ballet Theatre.

Jacqueline Ostrower

Jacqueline Ostrower, Recanati-Kaplan scholar in dance, has trained for two summers with American Ballet Theatre. She played Marie in The Nutcracker at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College and has performed at the American Girl Store and Hershey Park. Jacqueline’s dedication inspires her to take tap, ballet, jazz, contemporary and musical theater classes here and even to assistant-teach our 3- to 5-year-olds.

Eason Rytter

Eason Rytter, now in his third year as a Recanati-Kaplan music scholar, has sung on Nickelodeon’s Bubble Guppies, and he lends his voice to other Nick video games and toys.

Eason Rytter

Eason Rytter, now in his third year as a Recanati-Kaplan music scholar, has sung on Nickelodeon’s Bubble Guppies, and he lends his voice to other Nick video games and toys. He’s the voice of Chakra the Invincible, Stan Lee’s newest animated superhero, and narrates e-books for Hachette. Eason loves the R-K program, where he’s met passionate peers, has an outstanding voice teacher and receives exciting opportunities to perform.

Mckayla Twiggs

Mckayla Twiggs, Recanati-Kaplan scholar in music, made her Broadway debut at age 7 in the original production of Once and was the original Little Cosette in the Broadway revival of Les Misérables.

Mckayla Twiggs

Mckayla Twiggs, Recanati-Kaplan scholar in music, made her Broadway debut at age 7 in the original production of Once and was the original Little Cosette in the Broadway revival of Les Misérables. She can be seen on Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black, in the recent film Winter’s Tale and in the upcoming film 37. Mckayla says she’s incredibly honored and thrilled to grow as a singer and performer at 92Y.

Audrey Zhang

Audrey Zhang has been drawing continuously almost every day since she was two years old.

Audrey Zhang

Audrey Zhang has been drawing continuously almost every day since she was two years old. She prefers using black ink pen to draw images from her mind, and almost every picture of hers is different. The winner of many art competitions, she was most recently named national champion for Google 4 Doodle in 2014.

Find out more about 92Y's many scholarship programs.