Executive Director Vy Higginsen created Gospel for Teens to pass the music on from generation to generation.
From Our Director
"We mean to lift up the youth through history and gospel music!"
— Vy Higginsen Mama Foundation for the Arts CEO and Executive Director
Vy Higginsen's school of Gospel, Jazz and R&B Arts
Two Musical Legends In 2006, legendary writer and producer Vy Higginsen and gospel legend Dr. Emily "Cissy" Houston joined forces to teach aspiring teenagers about the importance of gospel music as an art form.
Gospel for Teens Program is a program of The Mama Foundation for the Arts and Vy's Higginsen's School of Gospel, Jazz and R&B Arts that has grown to be a highly respected and influential program for youth between the ages of 13 and 19.
Gospel for Teens Choir Under the direction of the Foundation's seasoned music masters, the Gospel for Teens Choir has performed at various venues across New York City including the world famous Apollo Theater, the American Museum of Natural History, and St. Paul Community Baptist Church.
Gospel for Teens Scholarship Classes Each semester, between 40 and 60 participants are selected through an audition process to learn music history and vocal techniques in classes held at the Foundation's renovated Harlem brownstone. Students are encouraged to discover their personal artistic talent and expressions while building self-confidence on stage and off.
Public Service The Gospel for Teens Choir was created to pass the music from this generation to the next. They serve as ambassadors of gospel music, bringing together people of every race, nationality, religious, or spiritual background with the message that we are more alike than we are different. We all have spirit.
In the News
Gospel for Teens has also been featured by:
CBS News: 60 Minutes
This Week with Christiane Amanpour Fox 5 News New York 1 News NBC News: Family Matters The New York Times Daily News WNBC New York Rolling Stone
— and other local and national publications.
Program Updates
Get the latest news and up-to-the-minute program updates on our News & Contacts page, on the Gospel for Teens MySpace Music page and on our Facebook Fan page.
Mama Foundation for the Arts Vy Higginsen's School of Gospel, Jazz and R&B Arts 149 West 126th Street New York, NY 10027 (212) 280-1045 Email us
From Our Teens
The staff has been great and my experience here is helping to prepare me to achieve future goals."
—Kyle, Brooklyn, NY
This is an exciting experience bringing me healing and power."
—Jocilyn, Hackensack, NJ
This is one of the best things that has happened to me."
—Dana Thomas, Harlem, NY
Gospel for Teens has become a huge part of my life. I love being here. I feel like the more I’m here, the closer I become to everyone—it feels like family."
