The Program

Targeted to 5th grade students, Dancing Classrooms is a 10-week, 20-session social emotional arts education program that uses the vocabulary of ballroom dance to cultivate the positive feelings that are inherent in every child. The maturity necessary to dance together fosters respect, teamwork, confidence and a sense of joy and accomplishment, which we hope to bring to every child.

Our residencies are integrated into the school day, in the classroom setting in partnership with the school staff. The standards based curriculum, known as the Dulaine Method, is aligned with Common Core Standards. Each class includes the introduction of new dance steps while reinforcing what has been previously learned. Expertise is achieved through practice and repetition.

The program is monitored on an ongoing basis by evaluators and educational liaisons. We adhere to the highest standards of excellence to ensure the best experience for our students. Children from Seattle to Switzerland and in between are held to the same high standards and could dance the same steps together, which is a unique part of our program.

The program culminates in a showcase in which every child performs. Audience members can include parents, families, community members, students, and school faculty and staff.

What is an In-School Dancing Classrooms Residency?

The core Dancing Classrooms program is a 10-week, in-school residency for 5th graders.
With two sessions every week, each residency includes a video lesson and a guest artist visit, and culminates in a showcase for all participating classes, where every child performs.
All fifth grade students and classroom teachers are required to participate.
Teaching artists instruct students in social dances such as the Merengue, Foxtrot, Rumba, Tango, Swing, and Waltz and selected “sugar” dances–such as the cha cha slide and stomp.
Each residency also includes writing assignment connecting to the school and core curriculum.
Each residency concludes in a Culminating Event, this is a highlight of the residency for all members of the school community. Students, parents, and teachers come together to celebrate the social development of the dancers, as well as to enjoy an elegant dance performance!

What is Required?

All fifth grade classes in your school must enroll, all children are required to participate and classroom teacher involvement is strongly encouraged.
The classroom teacher is an active part of the residency and is present (participating) in the residency.
Classes meet with our Teaching Artist for one class period.
The 45-minute lessons run twice weekly for ten weeks and finish with a culminating event for family, friends and community.
DCDC needs a clean, well-lit space, preferably without carpet or foot traffic. A boom box with sufficiently loudspeakers is also suggested.
The full cost of the program is $3850 per class. Each school is responsible for 50% of this fee, which is $1925. Many schools hold fundraising events or apply for grants to offset the cost.
DCDC makes every effort to assist schools in finding funding for the program, and we also have scholarship opportunities for qualifying schools. Apply Here