The Center for Creative Education (CCE) was established as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in 1989 and launched its first youth arts education program in Kingston, New York in 1997. The following year CCE established the Stone Ridge Center for the Arts (SRCA) as a community center, performance space, and administrative headquarters. In 2005, CCE opened a performing arts training center in midtown Kingston and moved its main office to a newly renovated building at 20 Thomas Street in Kingston in February, 2007. This new complex has a 1300 square foot dance studio, a percussion studio, homework and tutoring center, and a computer music lab that is being developed in collaboration with the Kingston School District’s Department of Fine Arts and Enrichment. This lab will have the equipment to offer courses currently unavailable at the high school and will provide training to both students and District staff.
 
CCE has worked closely with the Kingston School District for a decade and runs three successful arts education programs in Kingston including the Percussion Orchestra of Kingston (POOK), The Energy Hip Hop Dance Company, and the arts component of the TOPS after school program at George Washington and J.F. Kennedy Elementary Schools. In addition, the Center has provided in-school and after-school arts education programming at Bailey, Edson, Myer, Robert Graves, Miller and Kingston High School.
 
The Center for Creative Education is led by founder, and full-time Executive Director Robert Mann and Artistic/Program Director Bryant Andrews. Mr. Mann has 30 years of experience in arts education and is a professional musician. Mr. Andrews is a dancer/choreographer with extensive experience in social services. CCE’s staff includes: an administrative director, a youth program director, a development director and seventeen adjunct teaching faculty. The Board of Directors has nine members, meets monthly, and is actively involved in all aspects of CCE’s multiple programs. CCE has received the support of area businesses, foundations, government agencies, and individuals. Corporate sponsors include Key Bank, Roundout Savings Bank, Stewarts, Target, and Ulster Savings Bank.  Supporting foundations include: the Dyson Foundation and the Edwards Foundation. Federal, state and county partnerships have come from the Dutchess County Arts Council, The National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, and the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.

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Robert ‘Evry’ Mann, founder of the Center for Creative Education, balances his professional time directing the activities of the Center, teaching and working with youth as a Dance and Drum Academy instructor and mentor, and working as a performing and composing artist. Robert has composed music for dance and film and has a Masters degree in composition from Mills College. He has performed with Don Cherry, Terry Riley, Ana Ruiz, David Hykes, Bantu, Chakra City, and the Gasha Band, among others. He is featured on thirteen recordings dating from his first album in 1978. Robert worked as an artist in residence with the Mexican Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes for six years and his interest in world percussion has led him to travel and study in Mali, Senegal, Columbia, and, most recently, Cuba. He is a published poet and has written two study guides for use in K-12 schools.

Bryant ‘Drew’ Andrews has over 20 years of experience working with youth. He has trained in New York City as well as in California at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, where he studied and taught with some of the most renowned choreographers in the business. Drew has been teaching choreography and performing hip-hop dance in the tri-state and Hudson Valley area for several years. He is known for his high energy dance style and his rich, hard hitting choreography. His passion for dance and for the welfare of children and young adults not only promotes health and fitness, but encourages discipline and motivation for a healthy lifestyle. Drawing from his knowledge as a certified personal trainer and medical technician, Drew has created a comprehensive program which combines health and fitness awareness with artistic growth and development.

Nicole Andrews, Administrative Director, has been working with the CCE dance program since 2002. In addition to her administrative duties, she teaches hip-hop dance and aerobics classes at various gyms as well. She is also a business skills instructor at a local private school.

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Board of Directors

Robert ‘Evry’ Mann
Bryant ‘Drew’ Andrews
Nicole Andrews
Karen Brodhead
Maureen Bowers
Rik Flynn
Katie Hite
Roberta Jehu
Cliff Rockmuller
Linda Wallace

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Robert Evry Mann (ev@cce-kingston.org)

Bryant Drew Andrews (drew@cce-kingston.org)

Nicole Andrews (nikki@cce-kingston.org)