Rootead Youth Dance Company is a pre-professional dance company for 13 - 18-year-olds. We heavily focus on improving professional development and social, emotional learning skills through this program. RYDC is a well-known dance company that performs in the Kalamazoo Community. They meet 2-3 times per week for rehearsals and professional development. Rootead Youth Drum Ensemble is a new program aimed train passionate youth drummers ages 13 - 18. This program will allow youth to learn the drums and traditional West African rhythms on the duns and djembes. We also focus on professional development and social, emotional learning skills through this program. Youth drummers will perform alongside the Rootead Youth Dance Company at various community events and programs.