RESIDENCY PROGRAM
Dance Moves STL’s primary focus is the delivery and facilitation of the Dancing Classrooms Social Ballroom Residency for students in grades 4-6. During this 10-week / 20-lesson residency, students will experience the transformative power of social dance with a concentration in the areas of maturity, self-reliance, and creative expression. Through carefully scaffolded lessons, students learn the basic techniques, origins, and cultural significance of iconic social and American style ballroom dances, including Merengue, Foxtrot, Rumba, Tango, Swing, Waltz, Polka, and line dances. We offer an opportunity for students to participate in physical activity through dance and movement. Our program emphasizes the importance of collaboration and teamwork through partner dance and makes these social dance forms accessible for all students regardless of experience or skill level. Participating students will receive 20 lessons (sessions), meeting 2x a week, each session will run in approximately 45-minute periods. The residency culminates in an in-school dance performance for peers and families.
​
We dance with every child, regardless of background, gender identity, ability, or skill level, and are prepared to partner with your staff to translate our services for your students with disabilities and welcome multi-language learners. Our Teaching Artists expertly scale the curriculum to meet each student’s needs as they learn and grow, while also fostering independence and collaboration.
SOCIAL BALLROOM
RESIDENCY PROGRAM
AT A GLANCE
-
All residencies occur during the school day.
-
Residency lessons are twice a week for 45-50 minutes each session.
-
All lessons are facilitated by a highly skilled and trained Teaching Artist (s). Teaching Artists work in partnership with assigned classroom teachers and school staff.
-
Students learn the basic steps of 6 different ballroom dances as well as a few contemporary line dances.
-
Our Standards-Based Programming meets state and national requirements in both PE and Music.
-
Cross-Curriculum Learning and Concepts make our program relevant across academic subjects.
-
Each lesson of the residency is centered around encouraging and practicing positive student behavior and interaction.
-
The 20th lesson of each residency is an in-school Culminating Event performance and celebration.
-
All partner schools have the option to participate in our annual community building competition events, with the opportunity to progress on to the annual Colors of the Rainbow Team Match Championship.
​​
​
For more information, please contact
Laura Maier-Schuepfer, Program Manager, at laura@dancemovesstl.org or (415) 823-2954.
WHAT ARE SOCIAL DANCES?
Social dances are exhilarating and collaborative forms of dance practiced for social purposes, including celebrations, exercise, or just fun. The dances taught are influenced by cultures from all over the world and build creativity and community.
COMMUNITY BUILDING COMPETITION EVENTS & COLORS OF THE RAINBOW
Dance Moves STL invites all partner schools to participate in our annual Community Building Competition Events, designed to celebrate student achievement and foster connection through dance. We host five events each year: two Fall Qualifying Events, two Spring Qualifying Events, and the Colors of the Rainbow Team Match Championship.
​
At each Qualifying Event, students come together as school teams to dance, connect with peers from other DMSTL partner schools, and experience the excitement of a ballroom dance competition. Schools earning Gold Level recognition at these events advance to the Colors of the Rainbow Team Match Championship held each year in early May.
​
All events are free and open to the public—we welcome families, friends, and community members to join us in celebrating the growth, teamwork, and talent of our students!
OUR PARTNER SCHOOLS
All Saints Academy - St. Ferdinand, Archdiocese of St. Louis
All Saints Academy - St. Norbert, Archdiocese of St. Louis
Barack Obama Elementary, Normandy School District
Barbara C. Jordan Elementary, University City School District
Bayless Elementary, Bayless School District
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta School, Archdiocese of St. Louis
Buder Elementary, St. Louis Public Schools
Christ the King School, Archdiocese of St. Louis
Christ, Prince of Peace, Archdiocese of St. Louis
Fairview Elementary, Jennings School District
Gateway Science Academy South, Concept Schools
Gotsch Intermediate School, Affton School District
Grannemann Elementary, Hazelwood School District
Green Park Lutheran School, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
Griffith Elementary, Ferguson-Florissant School District
Hanrahan Elementary, Jennings School District
Hickey Elementary, St. Louis Public Schools
Holman Elementary, Ferguson-Florissant School District
Holy Family Parish School, Archdiocese of St. Louis
Holy Redeemer Catholic School, Archdiocese of St. Louis
Holy Trinity School, Archdiocese of St. Louis
Incarnate Word Catholic School, Archdiocese of St. Louis
Jury Elementary, Hazelwood School District
Lee Hamilton Elementary, Ferguson-Florissant School District
Most Holy Trinity, Archdiocese of St. Louis
Mallickrodt Academy of Gifted Instruction, St. Louis Public Schools
Mason School of Academic & Cultural Literacy, St. Louis Public Schools
Oak Hill Elementary, St. Louis Public Schools
Our Lady of Guadalupe School, Archdiocese of St. Louis
Sacred Heart Catholic School, Archdiocese of St. Louis
St. Ann Catholic School, Archdiocese of St. Louis
St. Cecilia School & Academy, Archdiocese of St. Louis
St. Frances Cabrini Academy, Archdiocese of St. Louis
St. Gabriel the Archangel School, Archdiocese of St. Louis
St. Gerard Majella School, Archdiocese of St. Louis
St. Justin Martyr, Archdiocese of St. Louis
St. Louis Catholic Academy, Archdiocese of St. Louis
St. Margaret of Scotland School, Archdiocese of St. Louis
St. Raphael the Archangel, Archdiocese of St. Louis
St. Stephen Protomartyr School, Archdiocese of St. Louis
Shaw VPA Elementary School, St. Louis Public Schools
South City Catholic Academy, Archdiocese of St. Louis
Walnut Grove Elementary, Ferguson-Florissant School District
Washington Montessori School, St. Louis Public Schools
Washington Elementary, Normandy School District