Coronavirus Response and Program Updates

Dear Friends and Members of the Dancing Classrooms Community,

As an organization, we are continuing to respond to the COVID-19 crisis and want to keep you posted on our efforts to serve our community. The good news is that our administrative offices have been remote for several years, so fortunately we haven’t endured some of the challenges that many faced this last week with transitioning to a virtual work environment. We are used to working this way and are fully available to respond to needs of our schools, students, families, and you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us!

Below are the updates to programs and events that we have made thus far:

• We canceled our annual Winter Team Matches in New York City, previously scheduled March 11-18, which bring together several schools in one location.

• The annual Mad Hot Ball went virtual. Click here to learn more and watch the video.

• Spring school programs were canceled, in line with the Department of Education’s school closings. When schools reopen, we will be ready to adapt our traditional 10-week core residency model to shorter units based on our schools’ schedules and needs.

• The Dancing Classrooms Weekend Academy, held at Pearl Studios in Manhattan, was also canceled. We will continue to monitor city, state, and federal guidelines.

• Our staff and Teaching Artists are busy at work producing online dance experiences — short instructional videos and fun dance “breaks” to share with the public. We have mobilized quickly around this project and are rolling out digital content for dancers of all ages and levels.

As an organization dedicated to social dance, we are thinking a lot about what it means to be in isolation.

For 26 years we have worked to decrease the impact of social distancing and bring people physically closer together, to diminish the negative consequences of the digital age. So what now? When your artform depends upon moving in sync with another person, how do you practice? What is there to learn? Well, we think there is a lot to do and learn alone. As dancers, we know that internal work and self-discipline improve our practice, no matter what the genre. So our hope is that this time allows all of us a unique opportunity to work on our technique and artistry and to reflect upon what it takes from within to become more compassionate, present, and responsive partners. We encourage you to join us in using this time to practice and reflect through dance. By dancing during this stressful time, whether it’s alone, with loved ones, your pets, and even simply by watching some of the extraordinary dance performances that are currently being shared online, we believe that we can all emerge from this crisis stronger and healthier.

To get started on this journey, get moving with a couple of videos featuring Dancing Classrooms teachers and dancers. Be sure to look for more opportunities to swing and shine with us via social media. Until then, stay safe and healthy.