Kid and Teen Academy

Summer 2026 Community Education Kid and Teen Courses

Intermediate Swing Dance for Teens/Adults

This course will be held at Dreamlights Studio at the Viaport Mall, 93 W. Campbell Rd., Schenectady, NY 12306

Students (ages 16 and older) will learn the intermediate footwork, rhythm, and styling of East Coast (6-count) Swing. Some basic dance experience is recommended.

 

Experimental Dance Theater

This course will be held at Dreamlights Studio at the Viaport Mall, 93 W. Campbell Rd., Schenectady, NY 12306

Students, ages 5-12, will develop strength, dance technique, rhythm, and body awareness. This class is an excellent way for young dancers to gain self-confidence and prepare them for the next step in their dance training. They will learn elements of classical ballet, modern dance (generally a mix of theater and dance), and jazz. Please wear stretchy clothing, have long hair pulled up in a ponytail and be prepared to dance in socks or barefoot.

 

Movement & Music for Pre-Schoolers

This course will be held at Dreamlights Studio at the Viaport Mall, 93 W. Campbell Rd., Schenectady, NY 12306

This class combines music with physical movement that includes singing, dancing, playing instruments, and moving to the beat. Kids learn through doing. Coordination, body awareness and balance, memory, focus, imagination, and social skills are learned by moving with other people, sharing a space, and giving way for others. Whether by running around or dancing away, music is critical in a child’s development.

 

Introduction to Ballet and Modern Dance for Teens/Adults

This course will be held at Dreamlights Studio at the Viaport Mall, 93 W. Campbell Rd., Schenectady, NY 12306

Students (ages 16 and older) will learn elements of classical ballet, classical modern dance (Horton, Limon, Graham) with a healthy dose of post-modern dance (generally a mix of theater and dance) and jazz. Please wear stretchy clothing, have long hair pulled up in a pony tail, and be prepared to dance in socks or barefoot.  No experience necessary.

 

Ballroom Dance for Teens/Adults

This course will be held at Dreamlights Studio at the Viaport Mall, 93 W. Campbell Rd., Schenectady, NY 12306

Students, 16 years and older, will learn the basic steps, style and rhythm of Waltz, Rumba, swing, and foxtrot. No partner or experience necessary.

 

Latin Dance for Teens/Adults

This course will be held at Dreamlights Studio at the Viaport Mall, 93 W. Campbell Rd., Schenectady, NY 12306

Students, 16 years and older, will learn the basic steps, style and rhythm of Merengue, Bachata, Salsa, and Cha Cha. No partner or experience necessary.

 

Intro to Swing Dance for Teens/Adults

This course will be held at Dreamlights Studio at the Viaport Mall, 93 W. Campbell Rd., Schenectady, NY 12306

Students (ages 16 and older) learn the basic footwork, rhythm, and styling of East Coast Swing (6 count). No partner or experience necessary.

 

NEW! Draw Dragons

Thursdays
June 4 – July 9
6-8 p.m. 
CRN# 60477
CFP 024-51
Fee: $125

Students, ages 14 and older, will explore Chinese and European dragon motifs, then draw the dragons in pencil and pen line, before adding watercolor. On the last class, students will design and draw their own dragon.

Materials list: Pencil and eraser, sharpie fine and ultra-fine markers (or pen line tool of your choice), 11 X 14 watercolor paper (about 10 sheets), and a watercolor set with brushes. 

Guitar Lessons for Kids/Teens

June 15 – August 28
By Appointment
CRN# 60186
CFP 305-01
Fee: $350

This course, designed especially for beginners ages 6-16, will include fundamental instruction in reading notes, strumming chords to songs, and technical development. Instruction will consist of ten (10), half-hour individual lessons. Students must bring their own guitars.

Voice Lessons for Kids/Teens

June 15 – August 28
By Appointment
CRN# 60187
CFP 306-51
Fee: $350

Students, ages 6-16, will learn proper singing technique and vocal independence through solo work.  Instruction will consist of ten (10), half-hour individual lessons.

Intro to Watercolor Painting for Kids/Teens

Monday – Friday
July 6 – July 10
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
CRN# 60459
CFP 155-01
Fee: $250

Students, ages 10-15, will learn the basics of watercolor color theory, and painting. Topics include color mixing, adding texture, shading, and more. Materials needed: watercolor kit, watercolor paper, and paint brush.

Hands-On Archaeology for Kids

Monday - Friday
July 6 – July 10
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
CRN# 60189
CFP 314-01
Fee: $225

Young archaeologists, ages 8-11, will have the opportunity to participate in an actual excavation at a site in the Schenectady area. They will learn the methods and skills used by archaeologists, with an emphasis on observation and deductive reasoning. Activities include survey, excavation, data and artifact recording, artifact identification, outdoor games, art projects, and fun interactive history lessons. Family and friends will be invited on Friday for student presentations. Students must wear closed-toed shoes with socks and bring a bagged lunch and water bottle. Students should also wear sunscreen while working outside.

Blacklight Theater Performance – Vacation Earth

Monday-Friday
July 6 – July 10
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
CRN# 60235
CFP 999-01
Fee: $260

This course will be held at Dreamlights Studio at the Viaport Mall, 93 W. Campbell Rd., Schenectady, NY 12306

Space voyagers come to Earth on vacation to observe the local wildlife (us), and may not be the most welcome kind of tourists. Students (grades 5-10) will make and perform with their own hand puppets, and learn blacklight stagecraft, illusion and special effects using fluorescent puppets, costumes and props on a darkened stage to create a magical blacklight show to be performed during the final class. No prior experience needed – come to expand your theater skills.

Hands-On Archaeology for Teens

Monday-Friday
July 13 – July 17
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
CRN# 60381
CFP 314-02
Fee: $225

Archaeology is an engaging subject that combines knowledge of natural sciences with the study of art and history. Young archaeologists, ages 12-15, will have the opportunity to participate in an actual excavation at a site in the Schenectady area. Archaeology activities include research goals, survey, excavation, data recording, artifact identification and analysis, and presenting results. Other fun activities in art, technology, mathematics, and history will provide a full STEAM education experience. Family and friends will be invited on Friday for student presentations. Note: Students must wear closed-toed shoes with socks and bring a bagged lunch and water bottle. Students should also wear sunscreen while working outside.

Musical Theater Workshop

Monday-Friday
July 13 – July 24
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
CRN# 60380
CFP 307-01
Fee: $595

Do you love to act and sing? Have you ever wondered what it is like to be in a musical production? In this course, students, ages 10-15, will learn the basic techniques of acting, stage presence, proper singing techniques and vocal independence, and understanding of the theater. The course will end with a performance of a musical play. The anticipated show will be Seussical Junior.

Comic Books for Kids/Teens

Monday-Friday
July 13 – July 17
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
CRN# 60357
CFP 179-01
Fee: $250

Students, ages 10-15, will learn about creating comics from writing a script to making a cover while making their short comic book. Topics include basic comic book format and setting up a page, writing a script, and inking for comics. Materials needed: sketch book – any size; 11 X 17 Bristol; Micron Bold Pen set; 4 pens: tip sizes 03, 05, 08,10; a brush, black ink, and pencils.

Stop Motion Animation Camp

Monday-Friday
July 27 – July 31
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
CRN# 60358
CFP 180-01
Fee: $250

Students, ages 9-14, will learn the basics and history of stop-motion animation and then make their own stop-motion short. Topics include writing a script, creating storyboards, how to create a stop-motion, and a final presentation of their film. Materials needed: sketch book, pencils, markers/colored pencils, found objects, clay, cardboard, paint or markers, googly eyes, etc. Students may also bring an iPad, phone or computer to class as well.

2D Animation

Monday-Friday
August 3 – August 7
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
CRN# 60389
CFP 199-51
Fee: $250

Students, ages 9-14, will learn the basics and history of stop-motion animation and then make their 2D short. Students will also learn the history and basics of 2D animation, how to write a script and create storyboards, and present their short films. Materials needed: pencils, plain paper (1 or 2 packs), eraser, and colored pencils or markers. Students may also bring an iPad, phone or computer to class as well.

Advanced 2D Animation

Monday-Friday
August 10 – August 14
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
CRN# 60481
CFP 028-01
Fee: $250

Students, ages 10-15, will build on 2D animation basics and create a 2D short. Materials needed: pencils, plain paper (1 or 2 packs), eraser, and colored pencils or markers. Students may also bring an iPad, phone or computer to class as well.

Professional Baking/Cooking for Kids

Monday-Friday
August 10 – August 14
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
CRN# 60188
CFP 308-51
Fee: $350

Get ready for a week of fun, learning to cook and bake! Young cooks, ages 9-14, will learn basic cooking and baking skills as well as how to be safe in a kitchen, weigh and measure, follow a recipe, and bake and cook delicious things. By the end of the week, young cooks will have the skills to whip up their own delicious dishes such as fried chicken, mac'n'cheese, donuts (glazed and filled), chicken noodle soup, and more! Note: Young cooks will need to wear closed toe shoes, bring an apron, water bottle, and a snack. A hat or elastic to tie back long hair is required. No phones please.

Becoming a Young Aviator (ages 10-12)

Tuesday-Friday
August 11- August 14
8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
CRN# 60193
CFP 337-01
Fee: $300

This course will be taught at the Empire State Aerosciences Museum, located at 250 Rudy Chase Dr., Glenville, NY 12302.

Students, ages 10-12, will spend the week at the Empire State Aerosciences Museum, located at the Schenectady County Airport in Glenville, learning about aviation and what real pilots do on the ground and in the air. In this hands-on class, students will learn about the history of aviation and aircraft design, the forces of flight – how airplanes fly (thrust, lift, drag and flight control), the different parts of a plane, specific aircraft in the museum collection, and a variety of other aviation topics. Students will also have an opportunity to interact with guest speakers and have a guided tour of the museum’s incredible exhibits and airpark, which features more than 20 historic military aircraft. Students will be able to get into the cockpits of some of these legendary fighter and attack aircraft. Students will also have the opportunity to enjoy a half-hour flight in an airplane.

Becoming a Young Aviator (ages 13-17)

Tuesday-Friday
August 18-August 21
8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
CRN# 60462
CFP 337-02
Fee: $275

This course will be taught at the Empire State Aerosciences Museum, located at 250 Rudy Chase Dr., Glenville, NY 12302.

Students, ages 13-17, will spend the week at the Empire State Aerosciences Museum, located at the Schenectady County Airport in Glenville, learning about aviation and what real pilots do on the ground and in the air. In this hands-on class, students will learn about the history of aviation and aircraft design, the forces of flight – how airplanes fly (thrust, lift, drag and flight control), the different parts of a plane, specific aircraft in the museum collection, and a variety of other aviation topics. Students will also have an opportunity to interact with guest speakers and have a guided tour of the museum’s incredible exhibits and airpark, which features more than 20 historic military aircraft. Students will be able to get into the cockpits of some of these legendary fighter and attack aircraft. Students will also have the opportunity to enjoy a half-hour flight in an airplane.

 

Kid and Teen Academy with Black Rocket 

Online Courses

SUNY Schenectady has partnered with Black Rocket to deliver high-quality and fun online tech education to students ages 8-14 years. Students can choose from any of the great cutting-edge courses in coding, game design, eSports, virtual reality and more. Jump-start your future in creative tech with SUNY Schenectady and Black Rocket!  

View a full listing of Black Rocket courses and learn more