About
The mission of the Center for Creative Education is to create a better world by nurturing and empowering youth and community through the arts.
The Center for Creative Education (CCE) was established as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in 1992 and launched its first youth arts education program in Kingston, New York in 1997. The following year CCE established Marbletown Multi-Arts (MaMA) 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 over 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 John F. Kennedy Elementary Schools. In addition, the Center has provided in-school and after-school arts education programming at J. Watson Bailey and M. Clifford Miller Middle Schools; Harry L. Edson, Ernest C. Myer and Robert Graves Elementary Schools and Kingston High School.
The Center for Creative Education is led by founder, and full-time Executive Director Evry Mann and Artistic/Wellness Director Bryant Andrews. Mr. Mann has over 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 education director, administrative assistant 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, Rondout Savings Bank, Stewarts, Target, and Ulster Savings Bank. Supporting foundations include: the Dyson Foundation, the O.P. and W.E. Edwards Foundation and the Sally and Dick Roberts Coyote 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.
Board of Directors
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Katie Hite is a professor of political science and currently the director of Latin American and Latino/a studies at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. She holds a BA from Duke University and a Masters of International Affairs and PhD from Columbia University. She has written several books and articles on Latin American politics and human rights issues, and she teaches courses on world politics, Latin American politics, social movements, and political violence. At Vassar, Katie has been involved in working on issues of access and equity in Vassar admissions policy, and in pushing for practices that ensure that all students thrive. She is passionate about higher education as a right and an opportunity for all young (and old) people. Katie’s daughter Adeline (Allie) has been dancing with Energy for several years.
Maureen Bowers has been a member of the CCE Board of Directors since its 1997 New York inception. Maureen serves on a variety of not-for-profit boards, and since 2002, has been a trustee of the Kingston City School District Board of Education. The collaboration between arts and education, the recognition of this importance, and the commitment to fund these initiatives is paramount. Maureen is excited about the joint Carnegie Project, and is confident an integration between the arts, technology, and the sciences will engage students, reinvigorate Mid-Town, and help bring education into the 21st century.
David Basch served in a leadership role for over 30 years in the advertising business, primarily at the global ad agency, Saatchi & Saatchi, with the last 8 years in the position of Executive Vice.President and Board of Directors member.
After departing from Saatchi & Saatchi, Basch established an independent practice as a personal business coach and senior marketing consultant providing guidance and transition coaching to top professionals. In his role as a professional certified coach (PCC), David has been engaged by a wide range of executives, creative managers, and business owners seeking to strike a balance between working goals and life satisfaction.
David has made a difference in his community as a member of the professional faculty at SUNY, New Paltz, where he currently teaches advertising.
David’s personal life has been equally fulfilling as the father of five.
Linda Wallace is an Information Technology Director at Kingstone Insurance Company in Kingston. She has been a volunteer at CCE since 2002 and on the Board of Directors since 2005. In 2007 she was challenged to perform with several other adults and the Percussion Orchestra of Kingston (P.O.O.K.) at CCE’s Annual Multicultural Dance Recital even though she never played percussion before in her life. She had such a fun time during that performance that she became a member of P.O.O.K. She is also Sr. Treasurer of the Energy Booster Club. When Linda is not working or volunteering at CCE she spends as much time traveling as possible.
Bryant ‘Drew’ Andrews, Founder and Director of Energy and Artistic Managing Director of Center for Creative Education has over 20 years of experience working with youth. He has trained in the streets of New York City as well as with professional choreographers in the business. Drew has been teaching choreography and performing various styles of dance in the Tri-state and Hudson Valley area for many years. He has also recently taught and studied in Cuba. He has a focus on Hip-Hop fusion and 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 is evident in the way he encourages discipline and motivation for a healthy lifestyle. Having fun living and pursuing your passion in life is a major focus of Drew’s. Drew serves as a mentor to youth, parents and other community members. He manages his role as the organization’s program and artistic director along with being a leader to the staff and an inspiration to all.
Ev Mann, Executive Director, is a musician, composer and writer who founded CCE in 1989 as a way to bring high-quality, innovative arts education programs to underserved children and youth. Ev is featured as a percussionist on fifteen recordings and has performed with Don Cherry, Ana Ruiz, Terry Riley, David Hykes and the Harmonic Choir, OmU, Bantu, and the Gasha Band among others. He was artist in residence with the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes in Mexico for six years and has studied music in Mali, Senegal, Colombia and Cuba. He has a masters degree in Religious Studies from McGill University and a masters in Music Composition from Mills College. He is a published poet and has written two curriculum guides for use in K-12 education.
Meridith Robb, started by way of the persistent urging of her daughter, Gabriela. Through an after school program taught by Drew at the Edson Elementary school, Gabriela became hooked on hip-hop. 4 years later, they were both hooked. Meridith is an active member of CCE’s adult dancers, P.O.O.K. and also attends Latin dance class at the studio. She has been involved in planning and facilitating social, fundraising and performance events.
Carlos Alamo
Kardia Daly
BOOSTER CLUB:
The Booster Club is made up of parents and support volunteers of the Energy Dance Teams. Currently the Booster Club officers’ positions are held by: Ginger Davis, President, Lisa Dittus, Vice President
Kimberly Cortez, Treasurer, Kimberly has been involved with C.C.E. since 2004. Kim remains overwhelmed by the dedication and talent of the children as well as the interaction and inspirational relationships between the children and the staff. She volunteers her time and energy coordinating and participating in fundraising activities, social events and performances.
You can contact any of the Booster Club members by clicking on the following link:
BoosterClub@cce-kingston.org
