The Chance to Dance program has been bringing dance into elementary schools for over seventeen years. It has been honed to be age-appropriate for each grade, progressive, non-comparative and fun!
dancing at school
Covering many dance genres, students dance their way through stories, all the while building physical and artistic skills. Classes are designed to make both introverts and extroverts feel comfortable, and are paced to keep everyone moving simultaneously regardless of ability. With a balance of structured and invented movement, children develop dance technique and self-expression. Music is carefully selected, and includes a wide variety...everything from Beethoven to Electro-Swing, Taiko Drums to Dixieland, EDM to Yo-Yo Ma.
outcomes
The School Develops:
a thoroughly planned, and well-prepared dance curriculum.
enthusiasm for physical exercise.
good peer dynamics, as children practise having unguarded fun, with their peers.
a vibrant school culture.
The Children Develop:
creative thinking: connecting language, emotion, music and movement.
artistic skills: self-expression, invention of movement.
physical skills: co-ordination, flexibility, balance, and strength.
musicality: rhythm, tempo, interpretation, and counting.
self-trust: feeling confident while dancing with friends.
social skills: moving in unison with partners and groups, sharing dance ideas, taking turns to follow or lead.
literacy skills: going beyond reading, writing, and speaking, to actually embody language.
Photo: Chris Wong
““The arts especially address the idea of aesthetic experience. An aesthetic experience is one in which your senses are operating at their peak; when you’re present in the current moment; when you’re resonating with the excitement of this thing that you’re experiencing; when you are fully alive.”
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