If you’ve seen the 2005 documentary, Mad, Hot Ballroom, you’re already acquainted with Dancing Classrooms, the non-profit organization dedicated to making the world a better place by exposing school-aged children to the joy of social partner dancing.
The original program was launched in 1994 by Pierre Dulaine as a project of the American Ballroom Theater Company and began as an introduction to ballroom dance for fifth graders in New York City public schools. Nearly three=decades has seen it grow into an multiple opportunities for thousands of children to experience the joy and benefits of partner dancing, both in and out of the school. If you’ve ever tried ballroom dancing, you’ve experienced the transformative effects it can have on a person so it probably won’t surprise you to learn children who participate in Dancing Classrooms demonstrate elevated self-esteem and respect for others, improved ability to connect and engage with people, and improved academic performance. Here are the facts: (https://dancingclassrooms.org/about/)
Dancing Classrooms currently has affiliate programs in ten cities across the United States with a few ways to get involved. Teaching Artists are paid, highly-skilled dance professionals who lead classes and work directly with the children. Buddy Teaching Assistants are volunteers who partner with Teaching Artists to demonstrate dances the students are learning as part of the instructional process. If you’re interested in either of these opportunities, check out the list below to find out if there is an affiliate program near you and drop a note to Mary at mary@dancingclassrooms.org for more information on how to apply.
Dancing Classrooms Long Island
CoDanceCo, Inc., 205 Durkee Lane, East Patchogue, NY 11772
Dancing Classrooms Philadelphia
Musicopia 4226 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Dancing Classrooms Greater Richmond
5806 Grove Ave, Box #330, Richmond, VA, 23226
Dancing Classrooms Northeast Ohio
1085 Rockside Road, Suite #6, Parma, Ohio 44134
Dancing Classrooms Saint Louis
P.O. Box 179171, St. Louis, Missouri, 63117
Dancing Classrooms Minneapolis
Heart of Dance, 3748 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55406-2668
Dancing Classrooms Omaha
WhyArts Inc, c/o UNO Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center, Ste 126E, Omaha NE 68182
Dancing Classrooms North Texas/ Dancing Classrooms Ft. Worth
4101 W Green Oaks Blvd #305-542, Arlington, TX 76016-4462
Dancing Classrooms Seattle
Pacific Ballroom Dance, 1604 15th St SW, Ste 109, Auburn, WA 98001
Dancing Classrooms Southwest Florida (Ft. Myers)
Cathy Miller 28052 Palmas Grandes Lane #102 Bonita Springs, Fl 34135
Mad, Hot Ball 2023, the Dancing Classrooms annual benefit gala, is taking place on April 26, 2023 at the beautiful Edison Hotel Ballroom located at 240 West 47th Street, New York, NY. To purchase tickets, to bid on fabulous silent auction items or to learn more about how to support the gala if you are unable to attend visit Dancing Classrooms and click GET TICKETS on the homepage banner.
Finally, don’t miss Coffee Break with the Dancing Housewife Episode 2 Dancing Classrooms with Yang Chen and Nancy Kleaver dropping on Monday, April 24. Find it on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Play, I Heart Radio or visit The Dancing Housewife for details.