East Harlem Arts Conservatory Marks Its 40th Anniversary

EAST HARLEM — Nestled in the East Harlem building that is also home to El Museo del Barrio is a sanctuary for music, dance, and theater: The Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts, which is marking its 40th anniversary this year.

The non-profit institution has provided instruction in the performing arts to thousands of children from around the city since its creation in 1970. At a time where many extracurricular activities are being cut from city schools, its tuition, which ranges from $5 to $20 per class, helps children 4 to 18 get access to arts education they wouldn’t otherwise have.

“It’s about the cheapest place in town,” said Ramon Rodriguez, who started at the conservatory in 1973 as a music teacher and is now the director.

Rodriguez said the conservatory, which draws funding from a combination of private and public sources, teaches students about the arts, but educates them about much more than that.

“It’s definitely had an impact to help them with their self image, to believe in themselves, to show them there’s other options in life, as far as only being a doctor or lawyer, and giving them exposure to the arts,” he said.

Artistic and dance director Nina Klyvert-Lawson, who studied at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, has seen many success stories in her 22 years at the conservatory.

“It’s done wonders for the lives of the children,” she said. “And when alumna come back around, that’s proof of the pudding.”

“We celebrate each alumna that walks back through that door,” Klyvert-Lawson added. “We celebrate every new child that comes. And we just want it to stand for another 40 years and more.”