Watch these kids, but more importantly, watch the teachers!
The first thing you’ll notice in this video is how many children are dancing. And if you’re like me, the next thing you’ll see is all the teachers (in orange and blue) who are on the floor, dancing full-out to keep the kids moving in unison and with energy.
As part of a new outreach program called Dance eXchange, Philadelphia-based contemporary company BalletX is spending 11 weeks teaching dance at Andrew Jackson, a local pre-K–8 public school.
In preparation for the residency, BalletX company members and staff trained with teachers from New York’s National Dance Institute to learn the organization’s methods for building dance skills while promoting self-confidence.
Watching the video, you can feel the positive vibe in the room and see the progress third- to fifth-grade participants have made just one week into the voluntary after-school program. Since students have not necessarily been exposed to dance before, teachers stick to simple choreography with waving, bouncing, clapping and counting out loud. In addition to this performance, Dance eXchange will present a mid-semester and final showcase that will be open to students, families and the public.