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.

 

Phase 1. Beginning the community conversation

On Tuesday April 15, 2008 a community information meeting was held in Monterey. The invitation had been extended to mayors and superintendents of all Monterey Peninsula and Salinas Valley districts.  Mayor Donahue from Salinas and Mayor Cort from Pacific Grove attended, so did Curriculum Directors, and other educators from both the Pacific Grove Unified and the Salinas Elementary School district, as well as business leaders, and members of the Community Foundation of Monterey County. The Dancing Classrooms presentation by John Ross, the National Network Director was well received, and the wish was expressed to bring Dancing Classrooms to Salinas and Pacific Grove.

 

Phase 2: Community Decision-Making

Completed

  • Action Council of Monterey County accepts Fiscal Sponsorship – July 2008. Under the Action Council’s fiscal umbrella Dancing Classrooms Monterey Bay is eligible to receive tax-deductible donations and program grants for one year until we are able to shift to our own new 501(c)(3). The fiscal oversight and non-profit umbrella eliminates the need to incorporate, establish boards of directors and hire administrative staff during our first year pilot phase. Benefits of Fiscal Sponsorship: huge savings in time, energy, and cost for funders and programs alike.
Pierre Dulaine + Ingrid Tower Pierre Dulaine + Ingrid Tower
  • Pacific Grove Unified (Robert Down and Forest Grove), Salinas City Elementary School Districts (Laurel Wood and Monterey Park) and Carmel Unified School District (Carmel Rivier) make a commitment for their portion of funding per elementary school for the one year pilot phase – July 2008

 

  • Ingrid Tower attends the Teaching Artists Training course and becomes certified in the Dulaine Teaching Method – July 2008

 

On-going

  • We are now looking for representatives from funding organizations, school districts, community arts/dance groups, and local universities to join our Planning Task Force.

 

  • We are looking for funders to make a commitment for funding for the initial start-up costs for Dancing Classrooms Monterey Bay licensing, training, and management services as well as for the Dancing Classrooms Monterey Bay Coordinator position.

 

  • Recruiting, auditioning, and selection of Teaching Artists, August-Sept 2008

 

Phase 3: Commitment

  • A three year contract between the American Ballroom Theater and the new Dancing Classrooms Monterey Bay is executed – October 2008.

 

  • Training for Teaching Artists to take place at Shall We Dance in Pacific Grove November 22-25, 2008

 

  • Dancing Classrooms program start  - January 2009