Here is what our Parents and Students

are saying. . . .

 “My daughter always has a wonderful experience.  She has many opportunities to perform & she just loves the bonding with the other students; the classes, the teaching – it’s all just wonderful!” “It feels like a family; NYCA knows me the best and through all of my experiences they can help me with my voice, my dancing and, I always have fun!”   – Marion & Elise Tarantina, Age 16

NYCA is a family atmosphere where we feel very comfortable that our son is getting the training that he wants - that he needs - and that makes him better at what he does.  He feels comfortable and happy.   

– Leslie Dawson of son Paul, Age l5

"Everybody here is really nice to each other and you get to learn a lot of things; I take voice, tap, jazz and acting.  It’s really fun! "

 – Jazmin, Age 9

“NYCA helped me to maintain professional standards when working with MTV.”  His ongoing work with MTV gained him the praise of ‘you are a dream – you know how to express yourself - we just turn on the camera and let it roll!”   Through all of his experience with the Conservatory teachers, students, parents and alumni, Dov points out that there is an inspirational seed planted at NYCA “to strive always to be better exponentially, in a positive way – you learn to strive for excellence.”  Looking back at his 12 years with the New York Conservatory for the Arts and his road to MTV and C.W. Post College, Dov summed it all up by saying, “NYCA is not only a place to learn theatre, but my second home – staff and fellow students.  When I come back to NYCA after being away – I say to myself, ‘Now I am home, I’m where I belong.’  There is a universal sense of belonging; you’re one of us from beginning to end.  NYCA is very special - and not something you find around our area, or even the world - not only a company, but a Family.”   

– Dov Rubenstein, Age 18

“I feel like NYCA is one big family – not clicky and filled with big drama.  Being at NYCA gives you the confidence to open up and be who you are, what you are. It also gives you a lot of knowledge if you go into music theatre.”  – Briana Brink-Rivera, Age 14

 “At NYCA, you take everyone, no matter who they are – you polish them and teach them to really dance – you transform them.  You take them as who they are – you put the confidence in them that makes them succeed.”   -Lindsay Andretta, Age 15

"I like the way they teach stuff – it’s all unique and fun; there is some hard stuff, but it’s a lot of fun." 

– Cady, Age 10

I’m in troupe, after 2 years of college, because I knew that I could get into much better shape; train my body.  Training all at once, everyday is a really good experience.  At NYCA there is cohesiveness by studying different types of dance with the same teacher.   – Frank Sansone, Age 20

 Taking voice at NYCA lets me express myself – it de-stresses me and helps me in general; and helps me to relax and sing better.

- Jasmina DeLeon-Gill, Age 14

"I can't think of a time when I wasn't singing,

dancing and acting - and I want to do it all of the time. 

NYCA is happiness:  Being around people who love theatre

as much as I do makes me feel whole; I need to do it just so that I can be who I am. I would love to perform professionally - live theatre - which gives you much more energy than film. It takes skill, patience and energy to achieve a good show together - real quality."  "Dedication, drive and the quest for excellence has been beyond what my wife and I have tried to instill in our kids.  NYCA has been able to take them to the next level, to bring it out of them far beyond what we would have been able to do - Tommy has grown so much as a performer, and Amy was one of the 2 students in this Hudson Valley area that attained the level of All-Eastern Choir 2007 (both members of which were NYCA students.)  Thank God for NYCA,  because where would we be without it, - we wouldn't have the same level relationship with our kids than we do." – Tom and Tommy Joscelyn, Age 15

"I've gained a lot by being a part of the Troupe Program - in addition to my classes during the regular season.  Through Troupe's daily intensive, I'm catching on quicker and gaining dynamics with my dancing, and my reading skills with music have increased and I can once again read by sight rather than having to hear the music!"  - Emily Cahill, age 15

"I like everything about NYCA! - Tap, Jazz, - watching the big kids get ready for their big show.  I will be like that - one of them." 

- Kate, age 8 with her Butterfly she cared for when we found it on the door to NYCA just before its chrysalis state; we released it back to the wild on one of the final days of summer camp 2007

"Randy and Doug, and the New York Conservatory for the Arts, have given time and devotion molding Ulster Counties Youth for years, giving individual instruction for students to excel and fulfill dreams in the Theatre and education; to move on to a more wonderful life that awaits them in a future, to strive on with all that they have been taught, for a better tomorrow.  I have sat in a theatre, when the curtain has gone up, to watch the talent under their direction - alas it is a bravo, and much more.  They have produced vocal singers, better than what has been on American Idol TV shows, and dancers, along with the finest of acting.  Hearts are filled with joy watching any of their productions.  The prepare students from a young age until graduating age of High School, creating the love of music, dance along with acting.  Building student maturity that has been installed in their hearts to achieve greater dreams, and greatness to move on in life becoming better than what they could become.  May God Bless, Douglas, Randy and the Conservatory for dedicating their Talent, direction, and devotion to all the youth that have learned what love of music is to the ears of an audience.  The New York Conservatory for the Arts is to be nominated greatness in what has been taught to our youth of today.  Leadership is in Randy and Douglas for sculpturing the future of the arts for our children."

- Elna Sudziarski, grandmother to Marie Elaina Demarest

An excerpt from her nomination of NYCA, Randy & Doug for the Ulster County Youth Bureau's Community Asset Award of 2008