THE STAFF

Carol Foster, Executive/Artistic Director
cfoster@dcye.org
Founded The D.C. Youth Ensemble in 1980. Mrs. Foster has worked in the D.C. Public School System for twenty-nine years. Has worked as the Arts Coordinator for the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in which her duties include public relations, liaison between the arts departments and administration, recruitment and admissions, logistics, and special events. She has taught visual arts in the classroom for eighteen years and was on staff as Adjunct Professor of Dance at the University of the District of Columbia for seven years. Mrs. Foster has personally worked as a choreographer, performer, writer, director, and visual artist. She has been involved with a number of special projects/programs related to the arts and arts education that were funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Mrs. Foster has given countless hours in community service and has offered advice and support to many aspiring arts students, instructors, future company directors, etc. Her favorite quote is an old Yoruba proverb that states "you must always proceed as though you cannot fail."

Arla Scott, Assistant Director/Director Taratibu Program
ascott@dcye.org
Joined D.C. Youth Ensemble in 1988 as a substitute instructor and soon became invaluable to the Youth Ensemble as well as Assistant Director. Prior to coming to Washington, D.C. she was the Artistic Director of the Black Repertory Dance Troupe of the University of California at Davis. Ms. Scott has studied dance extensively in California and New York City. In 1990, Ms. Scott incorporated TARATIBU into the repertoire of the D.C. Youth Ensemble. TARATIBU, which means "the order" in KiSwahili, is used to instill the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles) in our children. It teaches young people the value of unity and cooperation, builds self-esteem, and develops the understanding that discipline equals strength, which equals personal and collective empowerment. Ms. Scott has taught TARATIBU workshops in several different cities and the Virgin Islands. She has established three performing TARATIBU companies within the D.C. Youth Ensemble and has also incorporated a community program for TARATIBU which has included over ten schools in the District of Columbia and seven recreation centers. Under the direction of TARATIBU originator and trainer Afia Akoto, Arla Scott has helped to increase exposure to TARATIBU for many young people.

Maryam Saleem, President of the Parent's Association
msaleem@dcye.org

  Doris White, Wardrobe Consultant
dwhite@dcye.org

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