Marin Dance Theatre: Moving to the Music of the
World
The mood in the packed gymnasium at Vallecito Elementary
School in San Rafael quickly changed from curiosity to
rapt attention to outright glee as students took part in
a showcase of dance from around the world recently.
A project of the Marin Dance Theatre, the event featured
performances by classes that are receiving instruction
in dance forms representing West African traditions,
flamenco, contemporary dance, ballet, and hip hop—all
accompanied by live music.
The dance program at Vallecito illustrates the
connections between the arts and student performance,
creative thinking, and self esteem. According to Cynthia
Pepper, community dance director at Marin Dance Theatre,
the school has "very high test scores, and the principal
relates it to the infusion of arts in the curriculum.
And, we are engaging students who in traditional
classroom settings may have various challenges. Music
and movement equalize them and enable them to shine."
MDT artistic director Margaret Swarthout adds that
"developing a human being means including the arts—the
creative side. Plus, there's a benefit in having music
and dance become part of the fabric of the students'
lives. It's wonderful to see kids connect with something
they have a gift for."
Under MCF's grant, Marin Dance Theatre is working with
about 400 students in seven Marin schools.
As MCF President and CEO Thomas Peters stated when the
grant was awarded last year, "Marin has a long history
of being a place where the arts flourish. Our hope is
that through these kinds of activities, this tradition
will continue."
Article courtesy of the Marin Community Foundation
website
www.marincf.org.
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