USA Dance & Dancing Classrooms Begin a Partnership to Bring High Quality Dance Classes to Youth

USA DANCE & DANCING CLASSROOMS BEGIN A PARTNERSHIP TO BRING HIGH QUALITY DANCE CLASSES TO YOUTH THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES

Dear USA Dance Members,

The introduction of a National K-12 Program has long been discussed by USA Dance. Many associated with the organization have been successful in offering private classes locally. However, our capacity to launch an accessible program in schools on a national scale has proved difficult for many years.

We are proud to announce that through a marketing partnership between USA Dance’s newly formed Youth K-12 Committee and Dancing Classrooms (DC), the two organizations will work together to promote DC’s online, hybrid, and socially distant dance residencies for schools and community-based organizations by sharing information on the USA Dance website and through communications with our chapters. DC will include information about USA Dance’s programs on its website as well, so that students and families have access to the vast resources and activities hosted by our chapters as they seek to continue their dancing outside of the classroom.

As you may know, Dancing Classrooms was founded by ballroom legends Pierre Dulaine and Yvonne Marceau over 25 years ago to cultivate essential life skills in children through the art and practice of social dance. Perhaps best known for the 2005 documentary Mad Hot Ballroom, today the organization serves over 150 NYC schools and youth-serving organizations each year and supports a network of 10 national affiliate sites. To learn more about Dancing Classrooms remote learning programs for schools and community groups check out this short video.

Work will now continue to develop and promote our own USA Dance classes at middle and high school levels. Together with Dancing Classrooms, we hope to be able to build more dance education opportunities for children of all ages throughout the United States.

All Chapters are encouraged to promote our new association. Chapters can arrange to have the USA Dance/ Dancing Classrooms link on their websites by emailing Dean Abraham at
youthk12-chair@usadance.org

Most of us reading this will already know the incredible benefits dance offers. Let us promote our gift to as many as we can. Together, Chapters, Members, and new partners, let us spread the gift of dance.

Warmest Regards,

Ken Richards, USA Dance President

Dean Abraham, USA Dance Youth K-12 Committee Chair