This pilot project is a true collaboration with the school and the Dance Alliance. A Title 1 school was interested in having an after-school club for 3rd -5th graders. The school is a STEM school concentrating on Math and Science, but they felt a commitment to introduce the arts to their youngsters. They have a teacher on staff who is a former professional dancer who wanted to sponsor a Dance Club and could teach Jazz Dance. The program started in February 2025.

The Dance Alliance contributed part of the teacher’s pay for sponsoring, supervising, and teaching the students two days a week after school and provided any costumes the children needed. The school gave us free use of the gym and paid a portion of the teacher’s compensation for being a club sponsor. 
           
We are so pleased with the way this pilot has turned out.  The group started in February with 24 students and is ending in mid-May with 23 (one student moved away). The students will perform just before the end of school for classmates and parents. The school would like to continue this Dance Club, but have it run all through the year, starting in the Fall of 2025.
           
This model is very workable and cost-effective. In most instances, there wouldn’t be a professional dance teacher on the school’s staff, however, DAPPR can arrange for one to be brought in from a local studio. We would like to add another school using this model and are now meeting with school officials to see if that can be done. We see this as workable for any level of school, from elementary through high school.