Photo by Willow Creek Academy student
Why bring Dance
to my classroom?
Help children build a mind-body connection through dance. Arts education research suggests that dance helps students:
* Solve problems in three-dimensional space;
* Retain vocabulary or other concepts by tapping into their body memory;
* Improve group collaboration and social skills;
* Increase self-confidence and persistence and
* Access creativity in other areas, particularly writing.
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Click here for Mentor Artist Bios
Brazilian Dance
Mentor Artist: Zenon Barron
Grades: K-5
Students are introduced to the rich cultural dance traditions of the Brazilian people, learning dances that have evolved from the fusion of European, Indigenous and African traditions. Students learn the popular Samba, seen at Brazil’s yearly Carnaval festivities as well as Samba Reggae, Samba de Roda, Maculele, and Caboclo; a tradition of the Amazonian Native people in which children dance in honor of the rain, trees and the natural world.
Brazilian Capoeira
Mentor Artist: Mastre Samuka, Daniel Mattar
Grades: 3-8
Capoeira is a traditional Afro-Brazilian art-form which blends music, dance, acrobatics and martial arts creating an elegant game-like interaction amongst the participants. YIA Mentor Artists introduce traditional Brazilian instruments such as the Berimbau (made of a gourd and one string) and pandeiros (tambourines). Students learn to create a traditional capoeira circle called a “roda” and dance and sing along to the beats of the Berimbau, while learning about the Afro-Brazilian culture and the history of how Afro-Brazilian slaves achieved freedom through the art of Capoeira.
Arts Learning Link: Assembly with Maestre Samuka & Capoeira Barauna
Contemporary Dance
Mentor Artist: Tom Mayock, Antoine Hunter, Cynthia Pepper, Salvador Real
Grades: K-12
This introduction to a variety of dance styles, movement explorations and group choreography tasks focuses on creative problem solving in dance and energetic movement through space. Students will play with rhythms and partnering in African, modern and folk dance styles. The course encourages students to find that part of themselves only accessible through dance, and fosters respect for the power and creativity of our bodies in motion. Students with emotional and developmental disabilities can develop new self-esteem by excelling in movement-based learning activities.
Creative Movement
Mentor Artist: Hannah Dworkin, Tom Mayock, Joti Singh
Grades: PreK - 5
Students perceive and respond, using the elements of dance. They demonstrate movement skills, process sensory information, and describe movement, using the vocabulary of dance. Students apply choreographic principles, processes, and skills to create and communicate meaning through improvisation, composition, and performance of dance. Create and improvise movement patterns and sequences.
Arts Learning Link: Teacher Workshop: Creative Movement and Accessibility
Central Asian Dance
Mentor Artist: Tara Pandeya
Grades: K-12
Students study various classical and folk-dance dances from South and Central Asian cultures including Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Chinese-Turkmenistan, Kurdistan, Iran and India. YIA Mentor Artists teach movement exploration and rhythmic play using dance vocabulary specific to the regional dance style being taught. Students develop basic dance skills such as keeping the beat, creating shapes as a group, moving in unison, using props (i.e. scarves, saucers etc.), respecting the space of others and anticipating musical cues. Students have the opportunity to share their work with the school and community during a culminating presentation of work.
Arts Learning Link: Assembly with Tara Pandeya
Dance from the American Plains
Mentor Artist: Eddie Madril
Grades K-12
Students are introduced to some of the most popular and rare Native American dances. Origins and meanings of each dance will be discussed. Native dancing and music represent a beautiful expression of Native American heritage. It is one of the most meaningful ways in which such heritage is presented to contemporary society, Indian and non-Indian alike. Every song, dance and gesture illustrates a part of Native American heritage as a people with roots in the distant past. Through the singing, dancing, drumming, and colorful regalia, the spiritual and symbolic aspects of humanity are reenacted. Although many of the dances are social, they are also steeped in spiritual significance.
Arts Learning Link: Assembly with Eddie Madril
Hawai’ian Dance
Grades 2-12
The Hula Residency is designed to provide a unique perspective on the history and culture of our 50th state. Each lesson focuses on movement, basic footwork and hand gesture and the use of traditional instruments, while Hawai'ian poetry and folklore unite to demonstrate the relationship between past and present. Lisa brings her dance and teaching experience to bear in creating a supportive, non-competitive environment. Rhythm, movement and elements from ancient hula tradition blend together with input from the classroom to connect with language arts, history and social studies.
Hip-Hop
Mentor Artist: Roland Johnson
Grades: 3-8
Students learn dance techniques inspired by the rich genre of Hip-Hop dance and explore the evolution of Hip-Hop Dance from its roots in African dance and urban American culture. Students learn the basics of Old School and New School styles, with some Breakdancing, working toward more complicated choreography. The goal of this class is to create a positive experience for all students and to spread the excitement of dance to people of all ages.
Integrated Creative Dance
for children with and without disabilities
Mentor Artist: Bonnie Lewkowicz and AXIS Dance company, Antoine Hunter
Grades: K-12
Cost: $750 for 6 sessions in one classroom (contact AIS staff for further pricing)
This class taught by two Mentor Artists, one of whom has a physical disability, builds understanding and awareness about living with a disability and provides students a unique opportunity to explore the world around them through a different lens. Students will expand their dance vocabulary, build confidence, practice cooperation and develop appreciation of on another’s creative expressions.
An Arts Unite Us activity
Teacher Workshop: Creative Movement and Accessibility
Kathak Classical Indian Dance
Mentor Artist: Purnima Jha
Grades: K-12
Through drumming, dance and storytelling, students experience the culture and rhythms of India including the Lucknow and Jaipur styles of Northern India. The Mentor Artist utilizes the tabla (traditional drum), hands, eyes and feet to teach basic rhythm and song. With their bare feet, students create percussive sounds and count out the beat to traditional Indian songs. Utilizing traditional characters from classic folktales, students learn to combine mind and body through movement.
Latin American Dance
Mentor Artist: Zenón Barrón
Grades: K-8
Choose from among many styles of Latin dance from Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Students learn Latin dances with roots in African, Spanish, and indigenous cultures. Students learn how dance plays an important role in Latin American culture and serves as a tool for learning about world history and geography. Students have the opportunity to share their work with the school and community during a culminating presentation.
Arts Learning Link: Assembly with Zenón Barrón and Los Ensambles
Mexican Folkloric Dance
Mentor Artist: Netza Vidal or Zenón Barrón
Grades: K-12
Students learn traditional Mexican folk dances from a wide variety of cities and states in Mexico such as Michoacan, Veracruz, Nayarit and Jalisco. Students learn basic dance technique, traditional steps and choreography as well as cultural history from the region. Courses can culminate in a final presentation performed for the school community.
Middle Eastern Dance
Mentor Artist: Tara Pandeya
Grades: K-12
Students study various classical and folk-dance dances from Middle Eastern and Near Eastern countries including Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt, Morocco, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Turkey. YIA Mentor Artists teach the basics of movement and rhythmic play using dance vocabulary specific to the regional dance style being taught. Students will learn about the geography and history of the region and will have the opportunity to share their work with the school and community during a culminating presentation of work.
Arts Learning Link: Assembly with Tara Pandeya
West African Dance
Mentor Artist: Amadou Diawara or Joti Singh
Grades: K-12
Students learn the popular jembé and sabar styles of West African dance. Aritists provide their students with an enhanced experience of traditional dance. Students will also learn the stories and traditions behind the movements they are performing.
