Education Outreach Programs
Enrichment in elementary schools takes several forms: D.R.E.A.M.S., Four Steps to Dance Appreciation, Dance For Life, Dance with the Stars, Ballet Quad Cities' Residencies and School Matinees.
Students performing onstage with BQC in Peter and the Wolf
D.R.E.A.M.S. Achieved Through Dance
D.R.E.A.M.S. is a program that offers dance lessons for at-risk students. Dance education is not about training professional dancers; but, rather enforcing life skills needed to become successful students and citizens. This program proves that dance is the ideal vehicle to educate students on a variety of academic subjects as well as to strengthen the essential life skills such as Dedication, Responsibility, Education, Ability, Memory, and Self-confidence.
Four Steps to Dance Appreciation
This school residency-program targets all K-6th graders in a school and revolves around dance workshops that introduce grade-specific activities that are both analytical and movement-oriented.
Educational curriculum materials provide teachers with grade specific units that integrate dance with reading, writing, social science, art, and music. The Bettendorf Public Library has created a list of recent dance books, videos, and CDs available in area libraries.
Dance for Life
Dance for Life is a health/wellness program that provides early intervention to establish patterns of good nutrition and non-competitive physical activity that builds positive self-esteem that continues for a lifetime. All students receive a journal and are encouraged to record their eating habits. This program takes place during the school day.
Dance with the Stars
This after-school program provides a rare opportunity for a core group of students to help choreograph a short ballet and then perform it on stage during Ballet Under the Stars at Lincoln Park Classic Theatre.
Ballet Quad Cities' Residencies
This month-long program brings all components of professional dance directly to the schools: the choreography, the costumes, the athleticism, and the art of dance. Interaction with the professional dancers of BQC allows a greater understanding of this vocation and art by giving students the unique opportunity to actually dance with a professional artist thereby experiencing the integration of music, dance, and visual arts.
The residency experience prepares students to “know the language of dance” by seeing how ideas/stories are expressed in terms of space, speed, force, choreographic form, mood, and emotion. The sheer athleticism of dance is unveiled through study, participation, and fun. Students realize that dance is not only an art: it is an athletic discipline as well.
School Matinee Season
School matinees, curriculum guides, and school visits are possible due to generous grants from the Iowa Arts Council, Illinois Arts Council, Wells Fargo Bank, Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, Bechtel Trusts & Foundations, and the Moline Foundation.
For school groups or home schooling groups wishing to attend matinee performances or needing further information, please contact the Ballet Quad Cities Office at (309) 786-3779 or Sandy Ridlofi at (309) 794-0184.