Y.A.T.T.A.S. (Young Artists Training To Achieve Success) Performing Arts Program is celebrating 15 years under the direction of Owner, Kenyatta Hardison. The program was born as Kenyatta saw that many schools are not receiving the great qualities of an arts program in the current curriculum. As a recipient of some of the best arts training in the Baltimore/Washington area, Kenyatta wanted to bring this to the city of Baltimore. The Y.A.T.T.A.S. program has flourished, going from 25 students in the basement of Historic St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church to 200+ students and 12 staff members at the Cardinal Shehan Catholic School. Y.A.T.T.A.S. operates as a performing arts summer camp as well as an Afterschool Program.
The mission of Y.A.T.T.A.S. is to cultivate our children’s gifts and talents. Our program offers Drama, Dance, Hip/Hop, Musical Theatre, Piano, Chorus, Etiquette, Studio Art, Arts & Crafts, Creative Writing, Spoken Word, and Field Trips. Y.A.T.T.A.S. promotes quality arts education for all students with artistic literacy as the goal.
Baltimore, Maryland native Kenyatta Hardison is one of America’s leading educators in the area of performing arts. With humble beginnings as the daughter of legendary Baltimore gospel and jazz vocal stylist Sylvia Hardison, Ms. Hardison eventually studied voice and honorably graduated from the world-renowned Baltimore School for the Arts in 1991. During her early years in Baltimore, Ms. Hardison participated in several performing groups and was also awarded the Act-So Silver Medal in 1991. Ms. Hardison graduated from the Catholic University of America, in Washington, D.C., where in 1995 she was honored as an American Opera Scholar, ultimately earning her Bachelor of Music Degree that same year. After her brief stay in D.C., Ms. Hardison’s passion for the arts and her hometown prompted her to return to Baltimore, where she began her professional career in music education at the Cardinal Shehan Catholic School in 1995.
Over time, Ms. Hardison has gained the respect of both her colleagues and the Baltimore community for the past 11 years as the Owner & Director of Y.A.T.T.A.S. Inc. (Young Artists Training To Achieve Success) outreach program which is designed to transform the lives of youth through the arts.
Ms. Hardison also has been active as the Minister of Music at the Historic Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, the director of the Saint Veronica’s Catholic Church Gospel Choir, and the director of the 100 Voice Mass Youth Choir of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
In 2006, Ms. Hardison was the recipient of a service award from the Archdiocese of Baltimore. And in 2018 was named one of 30 Baltimore Visionaries by Baltimore Magazine.
Unexpected fame came for her school choir in 2017 when a video of her students singing Andra Day’s ‘Rise Up’ went viral. With more than 60 million views, the attention led to performances on Good Morning America, The View, Baltimore Ravens stadium and countless other events.
Our Team
We couldn't do what we do without these beautiful people!
Dominic Gladden is a graduate of Morgan State University, holding a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts. Being a native from Baltimore, he used the city’s vast theatre venues to hone his craft, theaters including; Centerstage, Arena Players, Baltimore Shakespeare Factory, Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, and Cohesion Theatre Company. As a teen, he was exposed to the arts through such summer programs as Baltimore Shakespeare Summer Camp, Y.A.T.T.A.S (Young Artists Training To Achieve Success), as well as Centerstage’s after School Program Encounter. These experiences have afforded him the chance to play such roles as Shylock in The Merchant of Venice and title roles in Macbeth and Julius Caesar.
Gabriel “Marrs” Thomas is a dancer with a passion to teach. Gabriel began his dancing career in 11th grade choreographing for his high school dance team and became the captain in 12th grade. Since graduating high school in 2010, Gabriel has started his dance career from the ground up in Baltimore. In 2011, he formed and performed at local colleges with his dance crew “Visual Audio”, their credits include Morgan State University’s 2k12 homecoming, Towson University’s Sigma Lambda Gamma talent show, Allure Dance Troupe’s annual showcase (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015), & a few other places. Since beginning his teaching career in, Gabriel has taught at Dance Happens Inc., SEED school of Maryland, Major Definition of UMBC, Coppin State University, Towanda Boys & Girls club, Afya Public Charter School, Visions School of Dance and Etiqutte, & Extravadance Competitive Dance Company. Also, “Marrs” has choreographed and danced for a number of local baltimore artists such as London Savoy, J. Marie, Victoria Petty, Beyonka Marie, & more! Gabriel is now a musician/youth worship leader at his church Greater Gethsamne & plans to continue perfecting his craft to display his gift to the world!
Aliyah Johnson is truly an artist. Through her own poetic affirmations and choreographed fluidity of movement, both Aliyah’s dance and yoga classes seamlessly interconnect artistic expression and exploration of the body, mind, and spirit. You might find that her choreography is aesthetically designed to foster a mode of self introspection and expression as she aims to connect the sensations of the physical body with the spiritual. Aliyah first began to explore dance ministry at age nine and is currently a minister of dance with 1346 Dance Ensemble.
Aliyah graduated from Bucknell University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Health and Dance. There she founded Bucknell University’s very own Bisonettes Dance Team in 2010. In 2013 Aliyah spent time in London, Paris, and Amsterdam for five months. There she studied art history, British architecture, and dance. Later in 2015 Aliyah was trained by Kim Manfredi through Charm City Yoga’s 200 hour teacher training program and is a certified and registered yoga instructor. As a public health advocate and future doctor of physical therapy, she fervently believes in physical activity, artistic expression,and the body’s natural abilities to heal itself. In 2012 she sustained a knee injury which jeopardized her college dance career. She attributes her dance and yoga practice as the major contributor to her physical and emotional recovery. You will find that her classes coordinate strength building, and awareness. Since 2014 Aliyah has been fortunate enough to artistically direct and coordinate dance programs for performing arts schools, and childcare programs, and also yoga classes, and physical education programs around Baltimore city.
Ashley Foster was born and raised in Baltimore, MD and is a wife, mother, worship minister, and teacher. Ashley began singing at a very young age. Her grandmother inspired her to use her gift and was always supportive of her in every endeavor. Calling Ashley, her “singing angel,” Ashley sang at church and school functions frequently. Her music education truly began at Baltimore City College where she sang under the tutelage of the internationally acclaimed vocal music director, Ms. Linda R. Hall. It was there Ashley performed with the choir at places such as Carnegie Hall. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Randolph Macon College in 2012 and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Urban Educational Leadership, expected in 2019, from Morgan State University. Ashley currently teaches at Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts and serves as the worship leader at Metropolitan Church of God.
Tuition also includes: FIELD TRIPS
2 field trips (a live performance / amusement park)
SWIMMING
Pre-K and Pre-K4 will remain at the school for wet fun.
K through 12 will swim at Patterson Park Recreation pool for $2.00.
BREAKFAST / LUNCH
Breakfast and lunch are free. Campers are asked to bring in a healthy snack.
Bag lunches may be requested for field trips. A concession stand is available.
PERFORMANCES
Every camper is asked to sell 15 tickets to help defray the cost of our production.
BEFORE / AFTERCARE
For your convenience, the doors of Cardinal Shehan open at 7:30AM.
Aftercare from 4PM-6PM is available for $35/week. You must sign up for aftercare in advance.
Drop-ins are $10/day.
PAYMENT PLAN
The Cost of the 6-week program is $775.00, which includes a non-refundable $50 registration fee, due upon registration.
Y.A.T.T.A.S. (Young Artists Training To Achieve Success) Performing Arts Program is celebrating 15 years under the direction of Owner, Kenyatta Hardison. The program was born as Kenyatta saw that many schools are not receiving the great qualities of an arts program in the current curriculum. As a recipient of some of the best arts training in the Baltimore/Washington area, Kenyatta wanted to bring this to the city of Baltimore. The Y.A.T.T.A.S. program has flourished, going from 25 students in the basement of Historic St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church to 200+ students and 12 staff members at the Cardinal Shehan Catholic School. Y.A.T.T.A.S. operates as a performing arts summer camp as well as an Afterschool Program.
In 2006, Ms. Hardison was the recipient of a service award from the Archdiocese of Baltimore. And in 2018 was named one of 30 Baltimore Visionaries by Baltimore Magazine.
