School To Collaborate With NE Dance Masters
The Bemus Point Elementary School recently began a collaboration with the New England Dance Masters organization. The collaboration will help supplement an already existing dance program at the school. Submitted photo
The Bemus Point Elementary School recently began a collaboration with the New England Dance Masters organization. The collaboration will help supplement an already existing dance program at the school. Submitted photo
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BEMUS POINT -- The Bemus Point Elementary School will be collaborating with the New England Dance Masters, an internationally and nationally renowned dance program.
"I'm just so grateful," said Kasey Way, Bemus Point music teacher.
The New England Dance Masters' (NEDM) sponsorship includes a supply of books, materials, eight musical CDs and DVDs. Additionally, the dance organization will help further develop the dance and music program. Way estimated that the total haul of supplies cost around $300.
"These guys are big names in music education," Way said of NEDM.
The elementary school developed a dance and fitness program almost five years ago in accordance of the New York state daily fitness standards.
"It's a cultural and social thing. They're working together and getting a sense of community," Way said of implementing dancing into the curriculum. "I really like the sense of community. It uplifts their spirits and brings out the best in them."
She said utilizing physical activity and specifically dancing gives the students a much needed break from computers and digital screens.
"They're actually in real time in the world and preserving culture," Way continued. "We don't get to do that a lot nowadays."
The original program based much of its activities around the New England Dance Masters choreography. A video of one of the elementary students' video dancing the folk dance "Sasha" was noticed by NEDM. The video was later posted on NEDM's official website.
Way said them knowing about Bemus Point previously helped secure the sponsorship.
"They kind of recognized the good quality dancing and good representation of what they do," she said of her students' performances.
Way contacted NEDM in January and heard back very quickly. The sponsorship was made effective almost immediately after its approval.
"They thought it was wonderful what we're trying to do and encouraging dancing in the classroom," she said.
The collaboration will focus on students in preschool through fifth grade. The school was already dedicating 20 minutes per grade level to learn dance routines.
Over the last five years, Way said she had been incorporating more of NEDM's routines into lesson plans. Currently, Way's students know about 8 related dance routines and she hopes the sponsorship will expand the program. The dance program is taught separately from Way's music classes, however some elements from folk dances overlap into her courses. Often, students will incorporate singing into the folk-dance routines.
In addition to the supplies, Way has direct contact with several founding members of NEDM who will provide guidance.
Now with the sponsorship, Way hopes the program will only grow. She has plans to introduce new routines based on NEDM's books and eventually incorporate the community.
"I want to dive deep into using the dances and use it as a focal point," she said.