The Gwendolyn Bye Dance Center (GBDC) has year-round training classes for children and adults and is dedicated to the education and preservation of dance as a performing art. The school offers training in the many disciplines of dance employing the highest standards to students who will make up the next generation of dancers, artists, patrons and the public. GBDC uses dance as a bridge to cross cultural, social and economic boundaries.

Founded by Director Gwendolyn Bye in 1985, the school offers comprehensive training in the performing arts. Ms. Bye and her faculty have designed programs to help students grow as young artists and develop a strong technical foundation while having fun. Students learn self-discipline, concentration, self-confidence, value of teamwork and an appreciation of the arts. Graduates of the school have gone on to the dance programs at TISCH School of Arts at New York University, Tulane, Wesleyan, Temple, Drexel, SUNY Purchase, North Carolina School of the Arts, Ailey/Fordham, and University of the Arts. They have also entered programs at the Ailey School, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and the Joffrey Ballet School. While some of the graduates pursue careers in dance, others have succeeded in such diverse fields as medicine, teaching, journalism, physical therapy, advertising and marketing and others.

The school also offers numerous opportunities to perform. Upper level students are eligible to audition for Dancefusion’s fusion2, which performs throughout Philadelphia.  Students, may participate in Dancefusion's holiday performance and in the school’s annual recital in June.

Harlem School of the Arts, The Herb Alpert Center (HSA) is a cultural institution uniquely positioned at the intersection of arts, education, and social justice. Founded in 1964, HSA offers world class training in music, dance, theater, musical theater, and media & design to children ages 2-18, and encourages students to reach their full potential through interdisciplinary arts training that celebrates the rich complexity of the African American community.

HSA Programming:

Harlem Summer Arts Experience: Join this third annual summer camp. In three 2-week sessions, children ages 5-12 have the opportunity to sing, dance, act, and design all while immersing themselves in the history of Harlem. This year’s summer camp includes special guest artists, mentoring, outdoor fun and special trips, and opportunities for students to present their work after each session.

HSA Music, Dance, Theater, Musical Theater, and Media & Design Classes & Private Lessons: After-school classes run from September through June, offering students the freedom to find and develop the artist, student, and citizen within themselves in an environment that teaches discipline, stimulates creativity, builds self-confidence and adds a dimension of beauty to their lives, empowering them to become the creative thinkers and innovative leaders of tomorrow.

Community Performances & Events: HSA ensembles are in demand throughout the New York metropolitan area. Students have performed by invitation or through partnerships with Disney Theatrical, Lincoln Center, Radio City Music City Hall, The Apollo Theater, Mostly Mozart Festival, and more. HSA also hosts concerts, performances, exhibitions, and workshops showcasing teaching artists and students throughout the year.

HSA Prep Program: HSA Prep is a highly selective pre-professional merit-based program that offers students rigorous training, master classes, college and specialized high school application support, mentoring, and performance opportunities. Students admitted into the HSA Prep program receive full tuition.