Mama Foundation for the Arts

Mama Foundation for the Arts The talent and desire are there, waiting to be tapped.

Preserving, protecting & promoting African American music through tuition-free training, live performance & paid opportunities rooted in gospel, jazz, R&B & Harlem’s legacy. Housed in a renovated, attractive, spacious, five story brownstone on 126 Street across from the State Office Building, in Central Harlem, The Mama Foundation is in the heart of the community and in touch with the pulse of the

people. Featuring Vy Higginsen's Gospel Choir of Harlem, Uptown Musical Theater Productions, and the award-winning arts education program Gospel for Teens.

06/19/2026

🖤❤️💚 Happy Juneteenth ❤️💚🖤

Today, we celebrate freedom and honor the generations whose strength, courage, and vision continue to inspire us.

At Mama Foundation for the Arts, we carry that legacy forward through music. From gospel and jazz to soul and R&B, every rehearsal, performance, and lesson connects our students to generations of artists, storytellers, and changemakers who came before them.

As we celebrate Juneteenth, we remain committed to creating spaces where Black art, Black music, and Black excellence thrive.

A few snapshots from the 2026 Spring Concert!What an incredible afternoon of music, growth, and community. From our stud...
06/16/2026

A few snapshots from the 2026 Spring Concert!
What an incredible afternoon of music, growth, and community. From our students and choir members to our guest artists and supporters, every person helped make this celebration special.
Thank you for showing up, cheering on our performers, and helping us continue our mission of providing tuition-free music education.
📸: Paul Morejón

06/11/2026

We’re still buzzing from this past Saturday.

The Destiny Worship Pavilion came alive for the Mama Foundation Spring 2026 Concert, where students, choir members, and guest artists shared an unforgettable afternoon of music, joy, and community.

To everyone who performed, supported, volunteered, donated, or watched from afar, thank you. Your support powers our tuition-free programs and the next generation of artists.

Special thanks to our partners at HarlemAmerica for bringing the concert beyond the room through livestream.

Missed it or want to revisit the moment? Watch the full concert at the link in the bio.

What happens when people come together to find their voice? Experience it for yourself at the Wednesday Sings Spring Con...
06/09/2026

What happens when people come together to find their voice?
 
Experience it for yourself at the Wednesday Sings Spring Concert. Our tuition-free adult choir is made up of singers from all walks of life who gather each week to build confidence, create community, and share the joy of music.
 
Join us for an uplifting afternoon of powerful performances and inspiring stories told through song.
 
📅 June 13 @ 4:30 PM
📍 Shiloh Baptist Church
🎶 Free admission | All are welcome

🔴 WE’RE LIVE IN LESS THAN ONE HOUR! 🔴 Can’t join us in person? You can still experience the magic of the Mama Foundation...
06/06/2026

🔴 WE’RE LIVE IN LESS THAN ONE HOUR! 🔴
 
Can’t join us in person? You can still experience the magic of the Mama Foundation for the Arts 2026 Spring Concert from wherever you are.
 
Tune in live with our friends at and celebrate the incredible talent, hard work, and artistic growth of our students as they take the stage for this year’s Spring Concert.
⏰ Streaming begins at 2:30 PM ET
 
Visit the link in our bio for the streaming link!

🔴 WE'RE LIVE IN ONE HOUR! 🔴Can't join us in person? You can still experience the magic of the Mama Foundation for the Ar...
06/06/2026

🔴 WE'RE LIVE IN ONE HOUR! 🔴

Can't join us in person? You can still experience the magic of the Mama Foundation for the Arts 2026 Spring Concert from wherever you are.

Tune in live with our friends at and celebrate the incredible talent, hard work, and artistic growth of our students as they take the stage for this year's Spring Concert.

⏰ Streaming begins at 2:30 PM ET

Visit the link in our bio for the streaming link!

🎶 TOMORROW! 🎶The Mama Foundation 2026 Spring Concert is finally here.After months of rehearsals, growth, and dedication,...
06/05/2026

🎶 TOMORROW! 🎶

The Mama Foundation 2026 Spring Concert is finally here.

After months of rehearsals, growth, and dedication, our students are ready to take the stage and share their incredible talents with family, friends, and the community.
Join us for an afternoon filled with live music, powerful vocals, and inspiring performances that celebrate the hard work and artistic excellence of our students.

📍 Bethel Gospel Assembly: 1483 Fifth Ave, corner of 119th Street, New York, NY, 10035
🗓 Saturday, June 6
⏰ 2:30 PM

Guests are encouraged to arrive before showtime to ensure seating. Don't miss this special afternoon as we close out the season together.

05/25/2026

Be ALIVE! The Mama Foundation for the Arts, a specialized Harlem music institution that uplifts our Aftican American Musical Treasures through the next generation of Youth and Adults. Founded by the creators of the hit musical Mama I Want To Sing , Ken Wydro and daughter , the 28 year old institution has changed the lives of our youth and adults through the power of music, and serves as an incubator of music mentorship, talent, artist development and training in the performing arts. The training initiatives are completely FREE for ages 7-97 and can be joined two times a year in the Spring and the Fall.
You are listening to the sounds Mama’s youth platform .

For more info on how to enroll, tap the link in bio, or visit MamaFoundation.org

Artistic Director:

Be Alive (Thank You for making an immaculate piece of music that reassures our students of their Pride in who they are!)

Music Direction-Mama Assistant Teacher:
Soloist: .jordynn
Student Artists:

We're performing LIVE at Sing for Hope Choir Fest! ✨Big news: We’re heading to West Harlem Piers on Saturday, May 30th a...
05/19/2026

We're performing LIVE at Sing for Hope Choir Fest! ✨

Big news: We’re heading to West Harlem Piers on Saturday, May 30th at 4:30pm to help celebrate 25 years of ! Come catch a free performance in one of NYC’s most iconic spaces as we help activate a brand-new Sing for Hope Piano. We’re proud to bring our sound to this new piece of playable art, and we can’t wait to see you there!

✨Free & Open to the Public
📍West Harlem Piers | Marginal St and W 132nd St

🗓️Saturday, May 30th | 4:30PM

05/14/2026

We’re getting closer and closer to our 2025 Spring Concert 🎶 Our Performing Before Live Audiences (PBLA) students are hard at work in rehearsal, putting their hearts into every note to make this a performance to remember.

Any guesses what song they’re practicing? 👀

Join us June 6 at 2:30 PM at Bethel Gospel Assembly for an afternoon of live music, powerful vocals, and dynamic performances from Mama artists.

Tickets are free, but they won’t be available forever. Grab yours through the link in bio!

Address

149 W 126th Street
New York, NY
10027

Opening Hours

Monday 10:30am - 6pm
Tuesday 10:30am - 6pm
Wednesday 10:30am - 6pm
Thursday 10:30am - 6pm
Friday 10:30am - 6pm

Telephone

+12122801045

Website

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