NEW YORK -- A new class called Gospel for Teens is drawing dozens of youngsters to 126th Street every Saturday. Its lesson is the power of the human voice.

"It's just uplifting. People come from all over and they come hungry, expecting to learn," said 16-year-old Rahfee Davis, a student in the class.

Gospel for Teens was started by Vy Higginsen through her organization The MAMA Foundation For The Arts.

"Why gospel? Because gospel is the root. Everything else is the branch," she said.

Higginsen said the best way to preserve gospel music is to pass down the tradition. She said gospel is a tradition teenagers are too often unfamiliar with in a society dominated by pop culture.

"These are the songs of our ancestors. This is the music of our culture. This is the music of our art. We must know that, (and) we must know where we come from," Higginsen said.

She said the faces in the room are a study in joy, passion, and complete focus.

Higginsen said these teenagers could be anywhere on a Saturday afternoon, but they choose to attend class.

Tiffany Stevenson, a 17-year-old student, said she looks forward to the class.

"Every single day. I make sure everything gets taken care of during the week everything is clear so I can be here -- on time," she said.

Gospel for Teens started in Februrary. About 300 youngsters auditioned and ultimately 70 were accepted. There is no cost to the kids who attend, and the program is funded through donations and grants.

But there is a requirement of the teens here, Higgensen said: commitment.

"We tell them when they come through this door -- I don't want to know about your mother, your father, your sister, your brother, your girlfriend, your boyfriend, your teachers, your homework -- that's outside this door. When you come in here you bring yourself because this time is for you and your voice and how to discover your voice," she said.