Monterey Bay

 

Ingrid Tower, a Pacific Grove resident and educator since 1975, had seen the documentary Mad Hot Ballroom (thanks to her son Peter’s lead) in 2006, and immediately became convinced that she wanted to bring this inspiring program to her community. As the owner of Shall We Dance, a ballroom dance studio and teacher training academy in Pacific Grove, Ingrid contacted Pierre Dulaine in 2006, and was deeply touched by the attention and valuable information Pierre shared with her.

Knowing that the local school districts would not be able to support the way Dancing Classrooms’ funding requirements were set up at this time, Ingrid introduced ballroom dancing in 2007 to some of the local schools as an afternoon enrichment program, to 3rd -5th graders in the Pacific Grove Unified School district, and to 3rd - 8th graders at Chartwell School. Pacific Grove High School and Calvary High School contracted Shall We Dance to teach the entire freshmen and senior classes as part of a two week intensive physical education program. In February 2008, Pierre during his nightly research on the Internet found to his surprise one of his own quotes on Shall We Dance’s website. He asked John Ross, director of the newly established position National Network Services, to contact Ingrid again, especially since the funding requirements had now drastically changed. At the same time it was brought to Ingrid’s attention that Mayor Donahue of Salinas “wanted Pierre Dulaine”.  Ingrid and John spoke for several hours. This is how the journey of Dancing Classrooms Monterey Bay began.

 

The Journey So Far

-Director Ingrid Tower, owner of Shall We Dance studio in Pacific Grove, connects with Pierre Dulaine in New York and provides leadership for Dancing Classrooms Monterey Bay.


-Organizes first community meeting with Mayor Dennis Donahue & education leaders from Salinas & Pacific Grove, April 2008.


-Trains with Pierre Dulaine in New York & becomes certified Teaching Artist, July 2008.


-Contracts with ACTION Council of Monterey County to provide fiscal sponsorship to become eligible for tax deductible grants & donations, July 2008.

 

-Recruits initial team & Pierre trains 10 Teaching Artists in Pacific Grove declaring Shall We Dance  as the first regional DC West Coast Training Center, November 2008.


-Contracts with 8 schools in Salinas, Pacific Grove, Carmel to start pilot program January, 2009.


-First Colors of the Rainbow Team Match May 20th, 2009 at Monterey Conference Center in the Serra Ballroom.


-Contracts with Alisal Union, Salinas City, Pacific Grove, Carmel School districts for fall 2009 and spring 2010 semesters.


-Alisal semi final Colors of the Rainbow Team Match at Sherwood Hall, Nov 09.

 

-Received tax exempt nonprofit 501©(3) status January 2010.

 

-Salinas City Elementary School District semi-final April 20th 2010.

 

-Carmel and Pacific Grove school districts semi-final May 11th 2010.

 

-The grand final for all three districts May 17th 2010.

 

The Next Steps

-Transition from Action Council Fiscal Sponsorship to independent 501(c)3 non-profit Feb-Jun 2010.

-Generate funding from foundations, corporations and individuals to sustain and grow program.

-Train additional Teaching Artists.

-Recruit Community Leaders for Board of Director positions.

 

Wishlist

-Corporate sponsorships for the Colors of the Rainbow Team Match.

 

-Volunteers to help with a variety of tasks.

 

-Pillars of the community to lend their wisdom, work, and wealth by joining our Board of Directors.

 

-To bring the program to all 5th grade classrooms in Monterey County Schools.

 

-It costs $3,000 to sponsor one 5th grade classroom of 30 students for 20 lessons.
$1,500 to sponsor one-half of a 5th grade classroom.
$2,500 to train one teacher.

 

Thank You Partners!

Our heartfelt thanks to our friends who have donated their times, talents, and treasures.

 

Foundations:
ARTS Council for Monterey County, Nancy Buck Ransom Foundation, The Norton Foundation, Union Bank of California, and Monterey Peninsula Foundation.

 

Waltz Level Donors:

Jan Kohlmoos, Jane McCoy, Laurie K. Sandblom, Susan and David Gill, Sherry McCullough.

 

THANK YOU:

Anne Leach and Danielle Tarricone of Ottone Leach Olsen & Ray for donating their services to become a tax exempt non profit organization much faster than anticipated.


Larry Imwalle and Libby McMahan, Action Council of Monterey County.


Hayashi & Wayland Accounting & Consulting for sponsoring the Colors of the Rainbow Team Match May 17, 2010.


Mike Briley, managing partner, Hayashi & Wayland, and Mayor Dennis Donohue for becoming first Advisory Board members.


Robert Kramer - board consultant.


Kristin Guertin - grant writer and consultant.