FESTIVAL BALLET ALBUQUERQUE

FBA’s celebrated in-school educational program creates a greater awareness of dance while fostering a strong sense of community as elementary school participants: 1) learn the history of codified dance art forms through lecture/demonstrations, 2) experience movement as a form of communication, 3) physically participate in add-on choreography, and 4) interact with professional dancers in open-mic Q&A sessions closing each presentation. Professional dancers in full costume demonstrate dance styles ranging from classical ballet, to jazz, modern, tap, and hip-hop. Participants learn how dance began in societies worldwide and trace its development as a community art form. The interactive program is modified for students with disabilities. Students are invited to become pen-pals with the dancers through writing exercises, which advance reading skills, or drawings that are sent to the dancers, who respond in a timely and meaningful manner. Up to 2,000 children per school year participate.