DANCE AIR
DanceAIR is a community program offered by New Haven Ballet, which offers dance to children in New Haven who might not otherwise have access to high quality arts education. Through DanceAIR, students expand their understanding and appreciation of dance and the performing arts, learn basic dance technique and choreography, and have an opportunity to express themselves artistically by combining musicality and rhythm. They experience the discipline and physicality of dance, which emphasizes focus, athleticism, coordination, artistry, strength, balance, flexibility, and the rewards of hard work.
DanceAIR targets students who are interested in dance, but would likely not have an opportunity to learn about and experience the art form without DanceAIR. Since 2014, DanceAIR has reached 2nd grade students at many public elementary schools in New Haven. New Haven Public Schools that have offered DanceAIR training include: Fair Haven School, Columbus Family Academy, John S. Martinez School, Lincoln Bassett School, Quinnipiac School, and East Rock School.
Specifically, DanceAIR provides:
- Dance Classes – Teachers provide weekly dance instruction for ten+ weeks in each school. The program is usually offered during regular school hours, but is also offered as an after-school program. Each class includes a warm-up with stretches using basic ballet technique, floor work grounded in ballet technique, teamwork through choreographing and rehearsing a dance piece, and a cool-down.
- Community Performance – DanceAIR students are invited to perform and demonstrate what they learn at a community performance. These performances have featured accomplished dancers from Dance Theater of Harlem and Nutmeg Conservatory’s Professional Training Programs. The NHB Company of pre-professional dancers also perform.
- Scholarships – NHB offers scholarships to all students from each school who successfully complete the program. DanceAIR students demonstrate exceptional talent, dedication and aptitude. Scholarships include tuition for multiple dance classes a week at NHB School for one year, performance fees, dancewear, and a stipend for transportation. Past DanceAIR winners have received financial aid to supplement their dance training after the DanceAIR scholarship has concluded. These students are training to the fullest extent and participating in every performance.
If your school is interested in offering DanceAIR or for information on how you can help make dreams come true by supporting the program please call: 203.782.9038.