Published on May 16, 2018 | SI Live | Written by Annalise Knudson
Fourth-graders at PS 54, Willowbrook, have been working with a professional dancer with Sundog Theatre Company to learn ballroom dancing.
Students have been taking classes since the beginning of March, preparing for a final performance at the end of the school year on June 8.
“Their faces light up as the music begins and it is boosting their confidence levels,” said fourth-grade teacher Denise Dicks. “They come to school prepared and dressed in proper attire for each class.”
Sundog teaching artist Dee Kanevsky is instructing nine different dances to all five fourth-grade classes.
Through ballroom dancing, students also learn social skills, social graces, respect and tolerance.
Sundog Theatre has 80 arts programs in over 30 Staten Island schools, working to empower young people through theatre, dance, music and visual arts.
