Grantee Spotlight: Mark DeGarmo Dance

DancePerformacePS140-41CroppedMark DeGarmo Dance (MDD)  has worked in partnership programs with 25 NYC schools since 1991 and teaches 1,500 multicultural students annually. We establish multi-year partnerships with schools to provide Pre-K to Grade 5 students with 16 to 32-week dance programs integrated into the academic curriculum. By emphasizing improvisation, choreography and creative expression, our classes benefit students’ social and emotional lives, in addition to improving their overall academic performance.

A 3-year scientific study measured that MDD programs also demonstrably improved classroom behavior, teaching skills, student enrollment and parent involvement at participating schools. A partnership with Johns Hopkins University to conduct a multi-school mixed-methods pilot evaluation of the program will  start this year.

The majority of our students live in families with incomes that fall below the federal poverty line, many are special needs learners, homeless or live in foster homes. MDD’s dance education programs provide a form of experiential education that involves not just moving, but also reflection and journal writing. In their dance journals, students reveal the powerful impact that dance classes have on their expressive ability. Research shows that the arts and dance help level the playing field for students considered under-served and at-risk, and teach them important skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, behavioral self-regulation, and creativity.

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MDD was founded in 1987 by Juilliard-trained dancer and choreographer Mark DeGarmo with the mission to provide transformative dance education for under-served public elementary schools that lack arts education resources. In addition we create and perform original artistic work and promote intercultural community through dance; we have produced 28 international dance tours involving cultural exchange in 12 countries.

This fall we are launching MoveUP! Dance Academy, which offers dance and movement classes to all ages, after school and on weekends, in Studio 517 at The Clemente, 107 Suffolk Street, Lower East Side, New York City.  We are also presenting an ongoing Salon Performance Series.

Our annual fundraiser, DANCE for DANCE, will be held on November 13, 2015. This year ballet luminaries Oleg Briansky and Mireille Briane will receive the 2015 “Educational Visionary” Lifetime Achievement Award. Presenter will be Lori Klinger, Artistic and Executive Director of Rosie’s Theater Kids, and host is standup comedian Nat Towsen, of Nat Towsen’s Downtown Variety Hour. All are welcome to attend this lively “dance party of the year.” For reservations please visit: www.markdegarmodance.org.

Twitter: @DeGarmo_MDD

Facebook: www.facebook.com/markdegarmodancers

Instagram: https://instagram.com/markdegarmodance/

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