When Changchun native Stephanie Yu started looking around for piano classes for her daughter, she was disappointed by the quality of Beijing’s music facilities. She enlisted her husband and mother-in-law’s help to start a music center that would eventually become Yosemite Art Center.
Founded in July 2012, Yosemite has since grown into a “department store for art” with visual arts, music, dance, and taekwondo programs. Spread over two floors, the space includes a large cafe, piano rooms, dance studios, art rooms, a play room, and a parents’ lounge. Recently, the center’s playroom has also become a showroom for local children’s furniture brand Little Chic.
Yosemite also works with party company BJ Kids Party to offer customized birthday parties with baking, art, magic shows, children’s piano recitals, piñata making (and breaking), and more. Food is prepared onsite in Yosemite’s kitchen, with options like salads, pasta, and even birthday cakes.
The center has enough space for 15 to 20 families (around 60 people), with teachers available for art activities. Prices vary widely depending on what features parents pick, but Yosemite itself charges an average of only RMB 500 for the venue and RMB 20 per person for food and beverages. Parties are best booked at least two weeks in advance.
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm or 8pm, Sat-Sun 8am-8pm. Shangye Jie, 5 Wanke Gongyuan, Tianshui Yuan Jie, Chaoyang District (8571 4258/30) www.yosemiteartcenter.com 音琴美诗艺术生活中心,朝阳区甜水西园街万科公园五号商业街
Photos by Lova and Mitchell Pe Masilun