Staff

Baba Don Babatunde is a professional percussionist who has performed with many of the major American dance companies and is a featured member of the jazz group, Last Poets. His recording career spans jazz, rhythm and blues, and African derived percussion styles. At Children’s Aid, he specializes in teaching African Drumming and the diverse cultural rhythms of the Diaspora in the Americas.

Coach Emmanuel teaches group dance classes to dancers of all levels.

Craig Washington is a professional dancer, choreographer, and educator with a focus in the hip-hop and jazz idioms. Since joining Milbank, Craig has built a comprehensive, engaging, and high-quality dance program which offers both in-person and online lessons. Outside of Milbank, he specializes as a dance instructor and professional dancer with dance companies around New York City.

Dane Alexander is a professional saxophonist and educator in the New York metro area. Having joined Children’s Aid in 2015, Dane has been an integral part of expanding the music program and pioneering online arts education at Children’s Aid.

Eric Ryan is a founding member of the instrumental music program at Children’s Aid. Having pioneered the Suzuki violin program and Jazz in Harlem, Eric has worked to expand the horizons of music and arts programming since 2007. Eric is a professional musician, educator, and digital recording engineer in Manhattan.

My name is Justin Rodriguez and I'm a self-taught photographer, and graffiti/pop artist from the Bronx, NY.  I obtained my Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice at Monroe College and my goal was to support our youth in some capacity to elevate and mentor them.  I have worked with children since I was a teenager and have enjoyed bringing out their creative minds through the arts and I knew then that was my calling.

My work is inspired by graffiti and pop culture, fashion, movies to personal affirmations, and mix it all up to create a style of my own and to keep myself relevant. I specialize in mixed-medium art, paper art, graffiti to pop art, and many other creative avenues.

Throughout the years I learned to discipline, commit and set goals for myself to continue to learn and evolve my techniques and art style, into new realms of creativity. I always go by these 2 quotes/mottos:

"People who have little always try to do a lot with what they have.  That's where a lot of flavor and style comes from"- Fab 5 Freddy.

"You go to have style and learn to be ORIGINAL."- KRS One