Dancing Classrooms Philly is a licensed ballroom dancing program for Philadelphia schoolchildren, launched in September 2007. Dancing Classrooms Philly isn’t just about dance—it’s about transforming kids into “ladies and gentlemen” with a set of behavioral skills and social graces that will carry over into all aspects of their lives, giving them the confidence and self-esteem needed to compete in the real world. As a vehicle for teaching civility and respect for self and others, the program is an antidote to the violence that wracks the inner city schools and communities. With the alarming rise of obesity and Type 2 diabetes among school-aged children, Dancing Classrooms Philly introduces a healthy and wholesome cardiovascular activity with the potential for lifelong enjoyment.

In its first year, Dancing Classrooms Philly reached nearly 1600 Philadelphia fifth graders in 28 public, charter and Catholic school classrooms. The program’s specially trained teaching artists teach a variety of social dances. The teaching artists, who were chosen through a rigorous audition process, undergo two intensive weekends of training by Pierre Dulaine, the world renowned ballroom dancer who founded the nonprofit Dancing Classrooms program out of New York City’s American Ballroom Theater.
The 10 week, twice weekly, program culminates in a city-wide competition, to be held this year on Saturday, June 6th.  Check back in the spring for details.

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