As a Parent, I am soon sending my youngest child off to college. I have had the benefit of not only the local schools but the variety and quality of local after school activities.

As a Realtor, I very happily share these experiences with my clients coming into our area.

The popular Hub for classes in the Arts for both children and adults right in Katonah is housed in a beautifully restored Victorian at 131 Bedford Road in Katonah - across from the A&P shopping center.

There you will find both the Arts Caravan Performing Arts Studio and the Katonah Art Center.

After School Activities Part I: Arts Caravan Performing Arts Studio in Katonah, New York

Since the age of two, my daughter Allison has danced. We had tried a couple of different venues at the start but 10 yrs ago we discovered The Arts Caravan with “Miss Dana” Merritt. It is a school that is noncompetitive and is taught by dance and theater professionals. They inspire and encourage confidence. The students learn to respect and to be respected for their efforts - very important for these young students as they navigate through the teen years. In the theater classes they all have equal parts and are taught all creative aspects. They also have the experience of a final show at the end of the year. Miss Dana also had the venue of The Tarrytown Music Hall for several years so the students could enjoy performing in an actual theater - the oldest in Westchester - complete with dressing rooms!

There is also onsite character formation! They have them break out of any possible cliques and engage in a new environment. It has been said - “It takes a Village” and I do feel that if anything would have been detected during these teen years it would have been brought to my attention. The administration and faculty are very beloved by the students. One teacher is also a mother of one of their peers! Parents enjoy viewing the classes while they are in session and it is a good way to keep in touch with fellow parents - of course until their children start to drive! The year end recitals are so uplifting that I enjoy each class presentation. The costumes are festive and age appropriate - not revealing or garish - as I had seen in other schools of dance. The year end recital is also topped off with the Awards Ceremony - based upon each year of participation and done class by class - everyone gets a prized memento for their years efforts. This year my daughter will choreograph her solo “Senior Dance” - the culmination of years of study and pure enjoyment, which she will perform at the end of the program. Tears will be shed….

They accommodate each family’s needs and working families have help in that they also have a bus stop arranged within the school bus routes for after school classes. They have payment plans and also now accept credit cards.

The age range is 2 1/2 - 70 years of age! The classes include Acting, Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, Jazz, Modern Dance, Acting, Musical Theater Workshop plus yoga for teens on Saturday… For adults there are classes in Modern Dance, Tap, Hip Hop, Yoga, Nia and hopefully Adult Ballet (since I danced until the age of 35 and I will continue to make the drive to Arts Caravan - this time for myself!).

They also offer Summer Programs including Camp “Thank You Very Much” a Fun Class in Etiquette & Manners!

If you have any other questions about after school activities feel free to contact me at KBenvinRansom@HoulihanLawrence.com.

Visit the Arts Caravan Performing Arts Center website for more information or call them at 914-232-0424.

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom