What we do

  • Professionally training any willing, hard-working, inner-city youth in dance, singing, acting, instrumental music, video and sound editing, scene design, graphic arts, and photography
  • Teaching older students to act as guides and teacher for younger students at our school
  • Developing a strong sense of self-discipline and self-worth in all performers
  • Encouraging students to develop individual and team skills, to share talent, to reach out to others, to build community within our program and a bridge to their own communities
  • Obtaining professional opportunities, both volunteer and paid, for performers who are ready.
  • Boston City Lights’ dance troupe has earned wide acclaim performing at the Inauguration of President William Jefferson Clinton, opening for Ray Charles and Gladys Knight at Boston Garden, Boston Music Awards, Quebec Summer Arts Festival, London with Black Mime Theater, EuroDisney, and much, much more.
  • Extending programming at City Lights North, a summer dance camp in Farmington, Maine.

IT IS EVERYTHING TO ME. IT GAVE ME BROTHERS AND SISTERS. CITY LIGHTS GAVE ME A MOTHER AND ANOTHER FATHER. THEY KEPT ME OFF THE STREETS.

BOSTON CITY LIGHTS STUDENT 

DUGGAN BELIEVED IN ME. HAVING HIS FAITH IN MY ABILITIES PUSHED ME TO BELIEVE THAT I COULD EXECUTE MY GIFT TO THE WORLD.

BOSTON CITY LIGHTS DANCER

I WAS VERY YOUNG, FULL OF ENERGY AND BORED. NEW FRIENDS AND HEALTHY COMPETITION FROM PARTICIPATING IN A GROUP WAS WHAT I ENJOYED MOST.

CITY LIGHTS PERFORMER

ART — AND ESPECIALLY MUSIC — TOUCHES CHILDREN. SPIRITUALLY, MENTALLY, AND PHYSICALLY, THE ARTS ARE GOOD FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. YOUTH IS A VERY IMPORTANT TIME AND IT SHOULD BE FULL.

DUGGAN HILL,EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BOSTON CITY LIGHTS
  • Dancing: Classes seven days a week (Dance, ballet, Chinese classical, krump, hip, hop, modern, Caribbean)
  • Singing: Providing professional assistance to talented teenagers aspiring to launch a musical career.
  • Acting: Professional training in acting.
  • Sound and Film: Access to professional quality training and equipment.

Notable Alumni