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The Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation

With majority seed funding from the Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation, Talanta Ensemble: Emerging Male Artists is Creative Outlet’s newest initiative, developed in direct response to the needs of the communities we serve.

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Talanta Ensemble is a new, 100% tuition-free, year-round pre-professional arts and leadership program for male and nonbinary youth. Designed as a rigorous experience, the program combines technical training, mentorship, and leadership development to empower participants to cultivate excellence, cultural identity, and confidence through the arts.

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Talanta means “talent” in Swahili. The program is designed to help young artists develop their skills, confidence, leadership, and future pathways through professional training, mentorship, and cultural experiences.
 

Program Highlights

  • Training in Dance, Drumming, Theater, and Spoken Word.

  • Opportunities to perform in New York City communities and prestigious venues.

  • Exposure to professional performances, Broadway, museums, and other major cultural experiences.

  • Mentorship from experienced professional artists.

  • Leadership, college, and career development.

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Program Timeline:

  • Summer Programs | July 6 - August 14, 2026

 

Summer Classes & Recruitment

  • Tuesday–Thursday | 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM

 

Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)

  • Monday–Friday | 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM

 

Program Start Date: August 14, 2026

 

Weekly Program Schedule:

Fridays

  • Mark Morris Dance Center | 4:30 PM - 7 PM
    3 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

 

Saturdays

  • PS 70 - The Max Schoenfeld School | 9:30 AM - 2 PM
    1691 Weeks Ave, Bronx, NY 10457

 

  • JHS 113 - The Ronald Edmonds Learning Center | 10 AM - 4 PM
    300 Adelphi St, Brooklyn, NY 11205

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Together, these experiences build a robust artistic resume grounded in professional practice and cultural understanding, preparing participants to emerge as skilled dancers and artistically driven leaders

Vision and Structure

Talanta is Creative Outlet’s most rigorous pre-professional offering. It provides advanced artistic instruction, mentorship, and performance opportunities that establish a strong foundation for lifelong career success.

The program directly confronts harmful stereotypes surrounding masculinity in dance, barriers that have historically discouraged boys from pursuing the arts. Executive Artistic Director Jamel Gaines recognized that in underserved communities, young men are often pushed away from artistic pathways due to financial pressures and gendered expectations. Talanta was created as a solution: a dedicated, tuition-free pathway where students ages 7–12 can train, grow, and envision themselves as artistic leaders. 

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Talanta features a structured five-year curriculum, launching with an inaugural cohort of 15 participants and expanding into a sustained pipeline serving up to 30 young artists annually.​​​

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CONTACT US

For Families and Students


If your child is 7-12 years of age, passionate about dance, movement, or curious to explore, we invite you to connect and learn more! 

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For Schools and Community Partners
Interested in hosting us for a recruitment performance from Talanta leaders to your school? We’d love to collaborate and come in to learn more about interested students 

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For Supporters
To support this transformative initiative, please reach out directly to the Artistic Director

info@creativeoutlet.org​
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Staff Members:

Jamel Gaines: Executive Artistic Director

Rayan Lecurieux-Durival: Artistic Coordinator, Choreographer & Teaching Artist

Shana Ricketts: Program Administrator

Rose Barbantan & William Feldon: Community Engagement, Recruitment & Teaching Artists

Ryan Greenidge: African Dance & Drumming Teaching Artist

Paris Fishback: Hip-Hop & Performance Teaching Artist

Dr. Sheila Tomlin-Reid: Educational Consultant

Naomi Townsend & Tommy Tran: Development Team

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