Lenny Tavárez Inspires NYC Kids in Harlem Classroom

He's better known for banging out reggaeton tunes as part of the Puerto Rican duo Dyland & Lenny but singer Lenny Tavárez showed off his softer side during a visit to the Big Apple on Thursday.

A touching video obtained by the Daily Mail shows the superstar singer, 39, surrounded by children while leading a philanthropic workshop at the Boys and Girls club of Harlem.

A beaming Tavárez is heard telling the class: 'I don't even imagine myself growing up without music, without art, without dancing.

'This generation is always on apps, tablets and kids sometimes forget to interact with other kids.'

He added: 'Dance, music is the best way to know someone else. All my friends that I know today are from sports or dancing programs when I was a kid.'

The classes, which the 39-year-old took part in, are run by Ballroom Basix which offers free Latin and ballroom dance classes to schoolchildren across New York.

Although a visit from Tavárez isn't usually included, the classes are designed to boost kids' engagement with each other and teach them about dance and the cultures it comes from.

Sidney Grant, the founder of Ballroom Basix, said: 'Ballroom Basix promotes partner dancing as a social art. They learn very basic steps.

'We're really improving relationships and that's what it's all about. Educators and parents always say our impact is amazing.'

Ballroom Basix media manager Rikki Ziegelman added: 'Students get the chance to show their friends and family after they've learned them.

'They get to interact with students they've never met before.'

According to the charity's website, the program has already benefited more than 40,000 students across 250 Big Apple schools.

Tavárez, who is signed to Apple's Platoon label, was also in town to promote his new single – salsa banger Pa'lo Bonito – and also led a songwriting class at the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem themed around the tune.

The 39-year-old also performed the tune at Latin Mondays at 5th & Mad alongside Santiago y La Orquesta.

Although best known for Dyland & Lenny, Tavárez went solo in 2013 and hit a Latin Billboard number 11 with smash-hit album The Academy which he produced as part of Latin super-group, The Avengers.

A follow-up album released in 2024 called The Academy: Segunda Misión also proved a hit and peaked at number 18 on the same chart.

Solo albums include Krack, Brillar and 2017's extended play LP Pop Porn.

Tavárez is now signed to Apple's Platoon label which was famously the first to sign superstar singer Billie Eilish.

Founded in 2016 by music industry legend Denzyl Feigelson, Platoon also hit paydirt with British star Jorja and Nigerian Mr Eazi.

Along with Tavárez, current stars include Arya Starr, Kiddo K, Ms Banks and Lil Silva among many others.