Andrew auditions – don’t miss this
Watching this video reminds me of why we should focus on the whole child and why dance is so important. It’s often the art form forgotten in schools. And, during the pandemic dance education is more critical. The dance education programs in place across the state are excellent, sadly there are not many, especially at the high school level. The good news is that almost all music and physical education teachers at the elementary level include dance and movement in their curriculum in some way.
The benefits that dance offer to developing and supporting the body and mind are enormous. There is plenty of research that emphasizes the benefits of dance.
Interestingly enough the Maine Arts Commission (MAC) Teaching Artist Roster has 14 dance teaching artists. Consider bringing a dance educator to your school this year. There is funding available through MACs Arts Learning grants which will become available in January 2021 with a deadline of April 2, 2021. Plan ahead for the next school year.
Let’s think about the possibilities for dance and why the time, right now, is PERFECT!
- We’re wearing masks, dance doesn’t require speaking or singing, just movement
- Some dancing requires close contact but it certainly doesn’t have to as you’ll see in Andrew’s video below
- Dancing doesn’t require dirty hands so there is little reason to be concerned about hygiene
- Bodily-Kinesthetic is one of the 8 Multiple Intelligences and it is ‘dancing’ – coordinating your mind and your body.
If you’re wondering about the benefits of dancing for all learners watch Andrew in this video.
me arts ed 