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Become A Teaching Artist

Being a Dancing Classrooms Philly Teaching Artist is a life-changing experience! You will have the opportunity to transform children’s lives with the magic of this exceptional program!

 If you are interested in becoming a Teaching Artist for Dancing Classrooms Philly, send your resume with a cover letter to info@dancingclassroomsphilly.org   or to PO Box 2638, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. For more information, call Senior Teaching Artist Bess Witcosky at (215) 668-6582.  We will contact you for an interview if we feel you are a likely candidate.

To become a Teaching Artist, you must love to dance, possess a good sense of humor, have experience working with children and a flexible daytime schedule. Dancing Classrooms Philly is a school-based ballroom dance program that takes place during the school day. At present, we are only teaching 5th graders.  The program runs 10 weeks each semester with 45 minute classes held twice weekly. Attendance at meetings and competitions are required. All schools are in the city of Philadelphia.  Travel by car is preferable.

Teaching Artists are required to complete our intensive training, which typically occurs over a 4-day training period during the summer.  All Teaching Artists must obtain clearances for Child Abuse, PA Criminal and FBI annually and attend a one-time two-hour Archdiocese Safe Environment Training.

Teaching Artists receive a stipend for each 5th grade class taught.

 Enroll Your School

To enroll your school in our program, call us at 610-896-6326 or 610-667-8823 or email us at info@dancingclassroomsphilly.org to request an application.  There is a nonrefundable $100 deposit to hold a space. If DCP does not accept your school, the deposit will be returned.

Dancing Classrooms Philly program is currently available for 5th grade only.  If your school participates, all 5th grade classes must take the program. The program takes place during the school day for 10 weeks, twice weekly for 45 minutes a class.  The classroom teacher is required to participate with the students and is responsible for discipline.  Each school must present a culminating event for the 20th lesson—usually a performance/assembly for peers and parents.  Additionally, each school sends a team of 12 partners (6 ladies, 6 gentlemen) to the Colors of the Rainbow Team Match Semifinal Competition. The winners of the competition advance to the Colors of the Rainbow Team Match Final Competition, which is held in the spring.

The cost of the program is $1,500 per 5th grade class. This cost represents about 40% of the true cost, which is subsidized by DCP.  Many schools hold fundraising events to pay for the program, apply for grants and some charge families a small fee for the program.  Please contact us for more information on ways to get assistance with the cost of the program.

Become a Volunteer

You can lend a hand –volunteers can help out at the Saturday Scholarship Program and at the Colors of the Rainbow Team Match Final Competition. If you have skills and talents in the areas of fundraising, or public relations, we can use your help. If you are interested in volunteering in any capacity, please call us at 610-667-8823 or 610-896-6326.