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Students at Thomas
O’Brien Academy of Science and Technology danced the meringue, salsa,
waltz and swing in a recital for students, parents and community members
on Dec.18 that served as the culminating event of a 3-month ballroom
dancing afterschool program.
Forty-four student in grades 4, 5 and 6
practiced about two afternoons a week to prepare for the recital, which
showcased their skills they have learned across dance genres. The
three-month session has been made possible through a $2,000 grant from
the Albany Fund for Education.
The popularity of
ballroom dancing in public schools has grown since the 2005 release of
Mad Hot Ballroom, an award-winning documentary that features the
ballroom dance program in the New York City school system. Locally,
Zoller Elementary School in Schenectady completed a pilot ballroom dance
program within the last year.
Thomas O’Brien Academy
of Science and Technology (TOAST) volunteer Ken Skinner brought the idea
to TOAST Principal Rachelle Salerno. Mr. Skinner has also served as
coordinator of the dance program.
To garner interest and
enthusiasm for the TOAST ballroom dancing program, Dr. Salerno showed
students and families Mad Hot Ballroom In addition, Dr. Salerno
said, the popularity of the television program Dancing with the Stars,
contributed to the interest in the TOAST program.
Mad Hot Ballroom
became a
joyful, feel-good experience for all who saw it, and we are replicating
that experience here in Albany,” Dr. Salerno said. “But, this is not
just about dancing. It is about students learning new skills, building
confidence, and developing into people who can handle potentially
difficult or upsetting situations. Having the confidence to dance in
public can be difficult for even adults. Our students have embraced it
with vigor.”
The classes are led by
Dancin’ Dave and Dancin’ Dawn, who operate the DJ and Dance
entertainment company Dancin’ Time locally. The program is
supported by many faculty and staff members, student coaches from the
UAlbany Track Team, and the TOAST PTA.
Monday’s recital will
included student’s talking about the origins of each dance and their
thoughts on ballroom dancing, the awarding of student certificates, a
special Cha Cha Slide presentation, and audience participation.
Dr.
Salerno plans to continue the program at TOAST in the spring, and she
and Mr. Skinner are currently seeking the funding to do so.
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