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 […]
This workshop, taught in both Spanish and English, provides educators with a fundamental understanding of Afro-Puerto Rican dance and drum culture through the rich musical heritage of Bomba y Plena. Educators will engage with Bomba y Plena’s history and culture and gain insight into how it is used to nourish resistance, healing, and community celebrations. […]
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 […]
By connecting engaging and fun movement activities to the Social Emotional Learning competencies of identity, belonging, and agency, students have opportunities for making creative choices, developing their individual creativity, and artistic collaboration. Self confidence and self awareness are supported and encouraged as is appreciation of the contributions of others. Dance content is based on National […]
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 […]
Baba Bomani’s program uses rhythm and rhyme to explain basic reading and math concepts such as how to recognize syllables and showing how a rapper’s flow is simply a number bond math equation! Students have fun breaking and learning how to rap the alphabet backward, as well as learn crucial active listening skills and Black […]
Literature comes to life through this engaging creative movement experience with Laura Marchese. Students explore and move inspired by a story while practicing critical thinking skills, creative problem solving, and cooperative sharing of ideas in an environment that values each members’ contribution to the creative process. This program supports literacy goals and students’ engagement with […]
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 […]
Uncover how Diasporic African Polyrhythms from Africa, Brazil and America create mechanisms for place-making. Experience a Porch Choreo-Story from a Historically Black Neighborhood while learning about the Great Migration. Oral History/telling practices allow us to document our own stories, and speak for ourselves. Using dance as text, students will dance a friendship quality in […]
Two versatile dancers the OKRA Dance Company take you on a cultural tour through three centuries of American history to explore how the combination of migration, culture and communication created the popular American theater and stage dances we know today. From European classical court and folk dances and African plantation narratives, to vaudeville, tap, the […]
Young Audiences' mission is to inspire young people and expand their learning through the arts.
Young Audiences believes that all students deserve equal access to the arts and we strive to provide meaningful art experiences to young people regardless of cognitive or physical development, socio-economic status, or geographic location.
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