Dancing Classrooms is a 10 week – 20 session social development program for 5th grade children that utilizes ballroom dancing as a vehicle to change the lives of not only the children who participate in the program but also the lives of the teachers and parents who support these children.
Dancing Classrooms was developed by Pierre Dulaine, Director of Dancing Classrooms (a project of the American Ballroom Theater) in New York City in 1994. The program was portrayed in the 2005 award-winning documentary Mad Hot Ballroom. http://www.paramountvantage.com/madhot
What does a community need to successfully bring Dancing Classrooms to their fifth grade ladies and gentlemen?
- A local non-profit organization that will be the home for the program
- School districts that want the program in their fifth grade classes
- Financial support from local foundations, corporations, individual donors and even the school district
- A dedicated team of Teaching Artists that will faithfully replicate the program as taught to them by Pierre Dulaine
What does Dancing Classrooms do for the students?
Two different research projects indicate that Dancing Classrooms improves social skills, increases student respect for others (and themselves), increases physical activity, improves student awareness of other cultures, and dramatically increases a student’s awareness of the social support provided by other students, faculty and parents.
Do you want to bring Dancing Classrooms to your community?
Your first step is to contact John Ross, National Network Director, at 817-437-4383 or jross@dancingclassrooms.com