About
Launched in 1994 in New York City by world-famous ballroom dancers Pierre Dulaine and Yvonne Marceau of the American Ballroom Theater Company, the not - for profit Dancing Classrooms is a curriculum-based, in school residency program for every student regardless of background or experience, integrated into the 5th grade curriculum. It is a 10 week series of 45 minute classes held twice a week
The film “Take the Lead” starring Antonio Banderas as Pierre Dulaine, is a more or less accurate depiction of the early struggle to gain a foothold in the New York City school system and the rapid success of the program once it was accepted into the curriculum.
Dancing Classrooms is based on a syllabus of ballroom dance that nurtures mastery of an art form in a fun learning environment, while fostering respect, team work, confidence, politeness, a sense of joy and accomplishment. Essentially, we “teach life skills wrapped up in ballroom dance.”
“Dancing is about connections…to our friends, to our families, to our neighbors. It is one of the most expressive ways we celebrate and communicate our cultures and communities. With Dancing Classrooms, we are able to reach children in existing classroom settings and address fundamental issues of mutual respect and self-esteem – issues that social dance puts into practice. We hope to inspire children through dance to do well, to respect one another, to be proud. This program is about more than dance, it is about teaching children to take a bow.”
- Pierre Dulaine & Yvonne Marceau
Founders of Dancing Classrooms
Civility, Grace and Partnership
Dancing Classrooms is intended to be a community effort. It is dedicated to break down cultural barriers, improve critical thinking and communication skills, empower individuals, and strengthen the community. It isn’t just about dance – it is transforming kids into “ladies and gentlemen” with a set of behavioral skills and social graces that will carry over into all aspects of their lives, giving them the confidence and self esteem needed to compete in the real world. As a vehicle for teaching civility and respect for self and others, the program is an antidote to the violence that wracks our schools and communities. With the alarming rise of obesity and Type 2 diabetes among school age children, Dancing Classrooms introduces a healthy and wholesome cardiovascular activity with the potential for lifelong enjoyment. It changes the lives of not only the children who participate in the program but also the lives of the teachers, parents, and communities who support these children. The collaborative nature of Dancing Classrooms leads to partnerships between schools, school districts, the Monterey County Office of Education, the business community, professional artists, non profit and for profit arts providers, parents with arts experience and parent volunteers.
Monterey Bay Communities are Taking the Lead
Pacific Grove Unified School District (Robert Down and Forest Grove), Salinas City Elementary School District (Laurel Wood and Monterey Park), and Carmel Unified School District (Carmel River and Junipero Serra) have signed contracts and committed to their portion of funding to incorporate Dancing Classrooms into their 5th grade curriculum in January 2009.
Click here to read and/or print our Program Information Packet for Dancing Classrooms Monterey Bay.
Program Information.doc
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