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Advancing a Step Curriculum

In this professional learning workshop Soul Steps company member and founder Maxine Lyle will guide dance educators to experience the stomps, claps, and dynamic rhythms of the rich African American cultural tradition known as step. Educators will  use their bodies to create hip-hop infused rhythms through foundational step choreography. They will also examine step’s early […]

Rhythm: The Lost Language Professional Learning

In this program educators will learn to collaborate with acclaimed tap dancer and choreographer Maurice Chestnut to develop an understanding of the complex history of tap dance as a distinctly African American art form rooted in diasporic traditions. Educators will gain a clear understanding of the influences of tap including, African djembe rhythms, as well […]

Rhythm: The Lost Language

Students will learn the language of rhythm from acclaimed tap dancer and choreographer Maurice Chestnut. Each session begins with a rhythm stretch and a percussive call and response warm-up. Learners will begin their journey in Africa with djembe rhythms, then move through New Orleans and New York where Africans and Irish step dancers created the […]

Creating a Multicultural Arts-Rich Classroom

In this workshop the art forms of storytelling, dance, poetry, and music will help educators to bring the culture and language of students into the curriculum. By altering classroom artifacts, daily rituals, and frequently used stories to reflect the first language(s) and culture(s) of students, educators design classroom environments that more intentionally reflect and affirm […]

Workshop: Dancing Ourselves

Heidi Latsky Dance’s Education Program, “Dancing Ourselves” was designed to enhance an individual school’s curriculum needs through classes incorporating music, self-expressive dance, social interaction, and self–reflection. Created for use with students in grades 1 to 12 the underlying objective is to provide a strong model of tolerance and acceptance of both themselves and others based […]

Beats Beneath My Feet 101

In Beats Beneath My Feet 101, students enjoy learning ways to create their own rhythm with tap dance. Students learn basic tap steps and explore the elements of dance and music. Team building and collaboration are important principles within the residency. As a group, students showcase their own choreography in a culminating performance at their school. […]