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The founders of
Youth Alive were two teenagers brainstorming to come up with an idea
to allow them to participate in an afternoon program in their
church. They decided to create a step (stepping is a collection of
rhythms made by using hands, feet and occasionally props such as
canes. Responding to calls, team members move into formation, stomp
their feet or clap their hands to a base beat). They enlisted
their younger siblings and friends and the six of them choreographed
and performed their first step. The decided to participate in an
annual cultural community event called the “The Gathering” on the
West side of Pittsfield. There was such excitement and interest from
the community youth that the founders decided to organize a step
team. In 1995 Youth Alive was organized and established as a
community based grass roots organization with the assistance of the
founder’s family members.
The members of
Youth Alive
are between the ages of 7-18 years of age. The team is divided into
two squads based on age and skills (senior and junior units) of
steppers, a line of drummers (they play traditional marching drums
and bucket drums (cleaning buckets are used to create beats).
The goals of
Youth Alive are:
1.To identify
and enhance member’s natural and learned skills.
2. Increase
their sense of self-worth.
3. Teach them to
attain control over their environment.
4. Teach members
to make informed decisions.
5. Develop
inter/intra personal skill building to establish positive relations
with peers and adults.
6. Consider wide
range of education and career options.
7. Enhance
choreographic and performance abilities.
8. Members
experience success as choreographers, performers and contributing
members of the team.
Key
Achievements:
1. Produced The
Wiz in 1999 and 2004.
2. Performed and
recognized at the State House in Boston Ma.
4. Performed at
Jacobs Pillow on numerous occasions.
5. Traveled
cross country with ten team members.
6. Established
first step team in Berkshire County.
7. Organized
first step camp in Berkshire County at Berkshire Museum.
8. Sponsored
College Tours in Oct. 2006- 2009 of Historically Black College and
Universities in North Carolina along with other multi-cultural
colleges in N.C. See
sponsorship letter
8.
Performed at the Berkshire County sponsored Governor
Inauguration event at the Colonial Theatre in 2007. |
