Dancing Classrooms Social Ballroom Residency
Designed specifically for 4 – 8 graders, the Dancing Classrooms Social Ballroom program is a 20-session in-school residency. First offered in New York in 1994, and made famous in the documentary Mad Hot Ballroom, the Dancing Classrooms program is known to have a transformative impact on students’ well- being and engagement. During this residency, students build their confidence, self-awareness, and collaboration skills through learning merengue, foxtrot, swing, tango, waltz, salsa, and so much more! Learn more about the history and impact of Dancing Classrooms by visiting dancingclassrooms.org.
Residency Details
- Classes take place twice a week for 10 weeks
- All fifth or eighth grade students and classroom teachers are required to participate
- Students learn merengue, foxtrot, rumba, tango, swing, and waltz and selected “sugar” dances – such as the cha cha slide and stomp
- Curriculum connection assignments support academic development and allow time for student reflection
- Each residency includes a video lesson and a guest artist “buddy” visit
- All residencies conclude with a Culminating Event. School communities come together to celebrate the social development of the students, as well as to enjoy an elegant dance performance!
- Selected students are given the opportunity to represent their school at the optional Colors of the Rainbow Team Match events
- Residencies are led by Teaching Artists specially trained in the Dulaine Method and the Dancing Classrooms Social Ballroom Curriculum
Residency Options
- Gender Neutral: Schools can choose to have dance roles arranged by random, instead of by gender identity
- To create a space of welcoming and belonging, we are able to adapt and adjust for different learners and movers. Some of the ways we do this include: allowing movement to be executed from a seated position, classes can be instructed without the switching of dance partners, tempos can be slowed down, etc.
- Virtual options are available
Enroll Your School
To request a program application and enroll your school, please contact us at danceinfo@musicopia.net.
