Ballet for Everyone: CityDance at School 42
Since launching the CityDance program in 2001, Neglia Ballet has provided free dance classes, lecture-demonstrations and performances to over 25,000 Buffalo Public School children. This year marks the first time that a CityDance program was designed specifically for young adults. Thanks to Arts Partners for Learning, Neglia Ballet is currently in residency at Buffalo Public School 42 Occupational Training Center, which aids teen and young adult students with special challenges in gaining the skills and knowledge they need to successfully transition to adult life.
Neglia is offering two classes per week to all of the school’s students from January – May. The curriculum includes instruction in basic ballet technique, modern dance concepts and Pilates with the goal of inspiring students to live a more active, creative lifestyle. Since the beginning of the program just five weeks ago, we’ve already noticed improvement in the students’ spatial awareness and mind-body control. Their smiles and laughter from the first warm-up exercises to reverance (final bow) show how much fun these students are having as they master new skills. According to School 42 OTC teachers, the students look forward to their dance classes every week. For most, the CityDance residency is their first exposure to the art of dance.
School 42 occupies the first floor of Tri-Main Center, the same building that will soon house Neglia Ballet’s new studios. We are looking forward to a long relationship with the school in future years, when we are just five floors apart! Dance classes are currently held in a large conference room at the school but soon students will be able to take class in beautiful state-of-the-art studios just a short elevator ride away. Click here to learn how you can help us complete our move to Tri-Main and continue our partnership with the Occupational Training Center. Thank you for helping us make ballet more accessible to everyone!
Check back soon for photos from School 42 dance classes!
