Photo: Alexander Iziliaev/Courtesy of BalletX
BalletX, Philadelphia’s Premier Contemporary Ballet, is proud to announce the culmination of its third year of Dance eXchange, the company’s in-school dance education program, in two professional showcases at the Prince Theater. In the 2015-2016 school year, Dance eXchange has expanded to include three Philadelphia public schools, Andrew Jackson School; Chester A. Arthur School; and Albert M. Greenfield Elementary School, to reach nearly 200 students with its distinct methodology. The showcases will give these talented students a chance to show what they have learned.
BalletX developed Dance eXchange in February 2014, with support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, based in the award-winning methodology of the National Dance Institute (NDI) in New York City. Combining NDI teaching techniques with BalletX’s unique approach to the creative process, Dance eXchange is designed to use movement as a means to help elementary school children build confidence, self-discipline and teamwork skills, while providing necessary arts education to Philadelphia public schools. For its third year, the program is back at Andrew Jackson School and Chester Arthur School, and has expanded to include Albert M. Greenfield Elementary School. Dance eXchange now reaches nearly 200 third and fourth graders, including many English language learners and students from overwhelmingly underserved demographics.
Christine Cox, BalletX’s Artistic & Executive Director explains, “I’ve spent nearly my entire life in Philadelphia. BalletX is and always will be a Philadelphia-based company with strong roots in this city, and we are happy to give back to the community we love. As a parent, I believe in the transformative value of the arts in schools. Dance eXchange is an incredible tool for these schools to bring their students high-caliber dance education that boosts their confidence and helps them discover their own creativity.” The professionalism and importance assigned to the final showcases attest Cox’s, and BalletX’s, commitment to cultivating a love of dance, and encouraging personal growth, in a new generation of young Philadelphians.
Dance eXchange’s final showcases will be held at the Prince Theater on January 26th and 27th (details below). These performances are free and open to the greater Philadelphia community; interested patrons must RSVP at BalletX.org/danceexchange.
Dance eXchange 2015-2016 Final Showcases
January 26th 2016, 6:30PM with Andrew Jackson School & Chester A. Arthur School
January 27th 2016, 6:30PM with Albert M. Greenfield Elementary School
Both performances will be held at the Prince Theater, 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia PA, 19102.
About BalletX: BalletX unites world-class choreographers with an outstanding company of professional dancers to forge new works of athleticism, emotion, and grace. Founded in 2005 by Christine Cox and Matthew Neenan and now under the direction of Cox as Artistic & Executive Director, BalletX challenges the boundaries of classical ballet by encouraging formal experimentation while preserving rigorous technique. The Company is committed to producing new works of the highest quality and integrity that bring the combined visions of choreographers and dancers to life and cultivate in audiences a collective appetite for bold new dance.
Andrew Jackson School, located at 12th and Federal Streets in South Philadelphia, is a hard-working, multi-cultural family with the purpose to achieve proficiency in all areas. The school’s stable, dedicated staff is committed to providing an instructional program that is standards driven, rigorous, and relevant in a structured, safe environment. The school maintains high expectations for all students, and to ensure that all learners achieve, it provides a bilingual program, instructional modifications, special needs accommodations, and individualized attention whenever necessary. Jackson appreciates cultural diversity, which is evident in all aspects of school programming. Students understand and respect the variety of cultures represented at Jackson and have the opportunity to celebrate this unique gift.
Chester A. Arthur School, located at 20th and Catherine Streets, creates a safe and supportive learning environment to provide all students with the educational tools needed to be productive and engaged citizens in today’s technology-driven world. The Arthur School staff maximizes the potential of all students in all areas of curriculum and work with parents and the community as partners in education to provide the necessary tools to become life-long learners.
Albert M. Greenfield Elementary School, located at 22nd and Chestnut Streets, is committed to providing an education to students that prepares them to analyze the world in which they live and make their own sense and meaning of that world. Greenfield takes advantage of the cultural and educational opportunities that Center City provides so that the classroom extends beyond the school walls. Greenfield’s staff, faculty, and administration strive to be a great partner with the community and involve the community in the education of our children.
National Dance Institute (NDI) was founded by New York City Ballet principal dancer Jacques d’Amboise in the belief that the arts have a unique power to engage children and motivate them toward excellence. Through its award-winning arts education programs, NDI strives to reach every child, regardless of background, ability or socio-economic status. Under the artistic direction of Ellen Weinstein, NDI’s professional teaching artists foster in students a love of learning and a curiosity about the world, and help them develop personal standards of excellence and confidence that support their success in school and in life. In addition to NDI’s programming in New York City, there are 11 associate programs in the United States, as well as one in Shanghai, China. In 2011, NDI opened the doors to the National Dance Institute Center for Learning & the Arts on 147th Street in Harlem, allowing the organization to further its mission and expand its reach, serving as a beacon for children, teachers and artists in the community and worldwide. Since its founding in 1976, NDI has impacted the lives of over two million children…free of charge.
