Since 2016, YMCA Essence Legacy Performing Arts (E.L.) has provided New Castle County teens with a safe, positive outlet through the performing arts. What started with just 16 percussion members has grown into a dynamic program of more than 90 performers across percussion, cheerleading, and stepping. Our members compete across the Mid-Atlantic, and support community organizations and events by performing and volunteering throughout the year.
Each year, the YMCA Essence Legacy Performing Arts (E.L.) team competes in up to 12 regional and national competitions, showcasing the talent, discipline, and dedication of our young performers. Their hard work has earned consistent top-three finishes at national competitions, including four national championship titles.
While we are proud of our competitive success, our greatest commitment is to serving our community. Each year, the team participates in more than 20 community performances and events throughout Wilmington and New Castle County, using the performing arts to inspire, connect, and give back.
Some organizations/partnerships we support annually are:
- United Way of Delaware
- Afro-American Historical Society of Delaware, Inc.
- Annual Bronx (NY) Halloween Parade
- Mount Pleasant High School (Black Student Union)
- John A. Watts Lodge (Annual Mother’s Day Parade)
- Delaware Juneteenth Association
- Monday Club
- Wilmington Grand Prix
- Elkton (MD) High School
- MLK Voice 4 Youth
- M&T Bank (African-American Resource Group)
- Wilmington Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity
- Wilmington Riverfront
- and more…
- Steppers (Ages 6+): EL steppers are masters of precision, these individuals learn and perform a creative art consisting of dance, step, and dramatics with a military approach.
- Percussion/Drummers (Ages 9+): Our performers learn marching style percussion through complex cadences, music notations and unique routines.
- Cheerleading (Ages 6+): Our cheerleaders incorporate the arts of stomp-shake, tumbling and stunts within unique performances.
- Steppers
- All Steppers: Tuesdays & Thursdays from 6-8 p.m.
- Percussion/Drummers
- Tuesdays & Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. & Saturdays from 12-2:30 p.m.
- Cheerleading
- Mondays & Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m.
*Practice times are subject to change based on instructor/member availability.
Competition/Community Season Program Cost:
January – June 2026
- $350 Program Cost
Parade/Community Season Program Cost:
July – December 2026
- $250 Program Cost
*Family subsidy is available for households with 3 or more members. Please contact the Program Director Gau-Wan Smith at 302-472-9622.
A large portion of the financial support to cover the costs of the expanding program has been contributed through donations, grants and sponsorships. This helps keep costs to a minimum for the participants and their families. If you’d like to support our amazing performers, please consider donating HERE.
This program is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on DelawareScene.com.
Directors
- Gau-Wan Smith Jr.
Instructors
- Kenneth Frazier (Step/Program Operations)
- Shay Johnson (Cheer/Program Operations)
- Savio Stuart (Percussion)
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