Welcome to the
Urban Assembly School for Music and Art

Admissision Codes:

21st Century Arts: L02A

Bard Early College Academy: L02R

Our School Mission

The Urban Assembly School of Music and Art prepares students for college and the world of work. Our program integrates literacy and the arts into all aspects of our instructional program. Students learn to be critical thinkers and creative communicators. Our program capitalizes upon our students' love of the arts and their desire to engage in self-expression.

Creators Academy

Creators Academy is a unique curriculum centered around the creation of digital arts. Established in 2022, the Creators Academy establishes a space for students to work with both licensed DOE Arts Teachers and teaching artists from partner organizations in multiple areas. Students will be shown path over each of these disciplines: music, visuals, theater, and dance.

The focus of the Creators Academy is to present students with an opportunity to create art intended for an audience through live performances, gallery exhibitions, our seasonal showcases, and through 21st century media outlets.

Hear Principal Vural talk about what motivated him to bring this vision of a modern day arts curriculum to our school in the next video!

Meet The Teachers

UAMA Creators Academy has 4 fulltime arts teachers, one in each discipline:
Visual, Theater, Dance, and Music.

Music

Issac Hernandez is an experienced musician and band leader who is passionate about helping students learn how to play the music they love and become creators of that music as writers, performers and producers. Issac is currently leading his own band playing original music.

Dance

Mariah Jahnee Castillo is a versatile artist based in NYC, excelling as a choreographer, singer, and dance educator. She teaches at Urban Assembly School of Music and Art and Fly Academy of Dance, while also showcasing her choreography at institutions like Hunter and Lehman College. Her performance credits include Alvin Ailey Extension, New Wave Dance Festival, and Steps on Broadway.

Theater

Liza Miller is a professional actor, singer, and theater educator in NYC. Her work with UAMA began in Fall 2021, creating and building a new theater and dramatic arts program that would evolve to what is now a part of the Creator’s Academy. Liza has created and facilitated programs and curriculum with arts education organizations for the past 12 years, working in partnership to provide after-school and in-school residencies, and summer theater programs for the NYCPS students. In 2019, she decided to pursue the Master’s in Educational Theater at CCNY and receive certification to deepen this work in the full-time classroom.

Visual Art

Nat-Kwynjai Floyd is a passionate art teacher dedicated to fostering creativity and self-expression in her students. With a background in fine arts and digital media, she inspires young artists to explore, experiment, and find their unique voice through various mediums.

Creators Academy Program

Band & Music

Welcome to our cutting-edge modern band program, where music comes alive through innovation, creativity, and student empowerment. Our program is designed to inspire the next generation of musicians by embracing the contemporary sounds of today's music. With a strong focus on modern music, innovative instrumentation, and a student-centered approach, we offer a unique and dynamic musical experience for aspiring musicians.

Drama & Theater

Join us on this dramatic adventure through the study of human nature. In our acting and musical theater studios it is not just a learning experience; it's a journey of self-discovery, artistic expression, and ignition of a lifelong passion for dramatic arts. Come be a part of a vibrant ensemble where the future of the dramatic arts are being shaped, one moment at a time.

Digital Photography

We live in a city that represents different culture's and identities, yet we all share one interconnected experience, and that is the ability to create. From the music, to the food, to the people, we can hear different drum beats across the city, that floods into the classroom. Giving young artist's the opportunities to pick up a camera, tablet, or video recorder and create those experiences for the rest of the world to see. That is the art of storytelling, that is the magic of digital arts & photography. A classroom and studio for your stories

Studio Arts

In the Art Studio at UAMA there is a vibrant and inspiring community where you can unleash your inner artist, explore various mediums, and discover the power of visual expression. With guidance from an experienced teacher and a supportive network of fellow art enthusiasts, you'll embark on a transformative journey into the realm of color, form, and self-expression.

Dance & Choregraphy

The Dance Department at UAMA offers a comprehensive dance education that blends technical skills, contextual understanding, and artistic expression. Students gain practical experience in kinesthetic, cognitive, and collaborative aspects of dance through a curriculum that includes technical training, improvisation, history, performance skills, collaboration, repertory, and choreography. This holistic approach prepares students for advanced dance programs, career opportunities, and both concert and commercial performances.

Early College Programs

Bard Early College Academy

The Bard Early College Academy at the Urban Assembly School of Music and Art (UAMA) enables UAMA students in 11th and 12th grade to enroll as part-time undergraduate students of Bard College and earn tuition-free college credits concurrently with their high school studies. Participating students take a liberal arts college course of study that aims to intellectually engage UAMA students and help them prepare for and succeed in college.

Upon completion of the Bard Seminar sequence, UAMA students have the opportunity to earn as much as a semester of Bard College credits, tuition-free.

Check out the video below for more information:

LIU High School Scholars Program

The LIU High School Scholars Program offers high school students a unique opportunity to accelerate their college education. Through a wide range of dual-credit courses—applicable toward both the high school diploma and a bachelor’s degree—LIU High School Scholars earn college credits while studying in their high school classrooms.

CUNY College Now

College Now is a comprehensive collaborative program of the City University of New York (CUNY) and the New York City Department of Education (DOE) designed to improve the academic achievement of NYC Public High School students, while preparing them for the demands of college. College Now at City Tech offers students from designated high schools the opportunity to enroll in college credit-bearing courses FREE of cost. Classes meet after the regular high school day and/or on Saturday on the City Tech campus.

Roc Nation School of Music, Sports, & Entertainment

The Roc Nation School of Music, Sports, and Entertainment, at the Long Island University Brooklyn Campus, is launching an Early College/Dual Credit program for high school students interested in pursuing a career in music, sports, or entertainment. A curated group of schools are being invited to participate in this opportunity. This is free to students and high schools – a grant will pay for students tuition and related cost.

Student Performances and Projects

Latin Tune

2024 Blackbox Sessions by the UAMA Band

A Bard Final Project

A Graphic Art and Animation Project by TJ

Music Production and Recording

A Final Project by Isaac

Candle Flame

Original Dance by Ms. Castillo and the UAMA Dance Team

The Impact of Media

An Animation by TJ

I'll Cover You (Reprise)

Live Performance by the UAMA Theater Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a screened school?

Creator's Academy @UAMA is an unscreened NYCDOE school with no entrance exam or audition process. Students only need to put one of our school admission codes on their application list to apply, higher ranking of UAMA on your list will increase your chances of claiming one of our open seats, ranking UAMA first gives you admission priority. UAMA was founded 16 years ago by a group of educators who believe that screened schools often screen out some of the students with the most potential, by remaining unscreened we are able to accept students from diverse backgrounds, including students with IEPs and provide them all access and support to take full advantage of the opportunities we offer to every student.

What is the community like at your school?

The staff and students at UAMA have created and sustained a community of support and understanding. We work together with our students to where they are trying to ensure that student voice is valued and respected. Our community is inclusive and celebrates the diversity of New York City. Student lead mentoring helps to transition first year students and to build a culture of respect. Art, Music, Dance, Fashion, and Poetry help to develop student voices and ensure that students feel heard and free to express themselves for who they are and who they want to be. Staff work to encourage and develop students' communication skills to help them grow and learn to express themselves and see each other.

My child took Regents Exams/received a waiver in 8th grade. What opportunities will they have in 9th grade?

We have a large selection of courses for students including AP classes for students to enroll in. Students who arrive with a transcript confirming the requirements for these classes have been met will be scheduled accordingly. Our Program Coordinator is also available to work with parents to ensure that these materials are all received in an accurate and timely manner to prevent students from needing to repeat any coursework.

Does your school have a dress code/uniform?

We believe that fashion is a component of student voice and expression and welcome it at our school! We do follow the NYCDOE guidelines and dress code, but do not have a specific uniform.

What is the music sequence at your school? Does my child need to know how to read music?

Students do not need to audition or have any pre-requisite knowledge for our music program. While most students will learn the basics of guitar and piano while with us, we honor student voice and student. Our arts classes are often studio size and allow the freedom for the curriculum be designed around students interests and wants.

What is the teaching style at your school?

In addition to highlighting student voice, we focus on literacy skills. Students can expect to read, write, and participate in discussions in all of their classes. We focus on culturally-relevant, real-life content that will help our students to develop their own voice, and continue on their journey of education.

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Welcome to the Urban Assembly School for Music and Art