History

Our founding directors, Carol Mezzacappa and Craig Gabrian, declared a main vision for Young Dancers in Repertory: To bring the joy of dance to youngsters who might otherwise never be exposed to professional level arts training training and to provide high-quality dance instruction and performances to all, regardless of ability to pay. Young Dancers in Repertory has fulfilled this mission since its inception in 1985.

Founded as a pre-professional Teenage Touring Ensemble, Young Dancers in Repertory sought initially to provide professional training for underserved youngsters with career aspirations in the world of dance.

In response to community demand, Young Dancers in Repertory began classes for the general public, opening its Center for Dance Studies in 1995 and adding Arts-in-Education programs in 1996. For the next 7 years, Young Dancers in Repertory continued continued to grow its programs and develop new opportunities for bringing dance to the Brooklyn community.

In May 2003, doctors discovered that Carol developed brain cancer. She continued to guide Young Dancers in Repertory until her passing in October 2004. Over four years have passed since Carol left us, and Young Dancers in Repertory is dedicated to moving her vision forward for the children in our community.

In 2007, Young Dancers in Repertory won an Out-of-School Time contract from the Department of Youth and Community Development for a new arts-in-education after school program at P.S. 127 in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. Children receive year-round after school arts programming in dance, theater, and visual arts, as well as homework help.

Today, Young Dancers in Repertory has blossomed to provide year-round programming to nearly 4,000 youngsters and brings the joy of dance to a total audience of nearly 10,000.