Dancing Classrooms

The Dancing Classrooms program was launched in 1994 by world-renowned ballroom dancers Pierre Dulaine and Yvonne Marceau, as a not-for-profit project of the American Ballroom Theater Company. It is an arts-in-education, life skills program that uses ballroom dance to build social awareness, confidence and self-esteem in children.   Dancing Classrooms residencies are integrated into the school day; 5th grade students meet with their Teaching Artist twice a week for ten weeks.   The program utilizes a syllabus of ballroom dance that nurtures mastery of an art form in a fun learning environment, while fostering respect, team work, confidence, politeness, and a sense of joy and accomplishment. Essentially, it "teaches life skills wrapped up in ballroom dance."

The Whistle Stop is the coordinating site for Dancing Classrooms in North and Western Louisiana.   During the 2009 - 2010 school year, over 1,000 students from 19 schools (mostly in Southwest Louisiana) participated in the Dancing Classrooms program and in the Colors of the Rainbow Team Match.   The program is funded through many sources including the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, the City of Lake Charles, the Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Foundation, the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Louisiana Children's Trust Fund and local business and industries.  

Dancing Classrooms has turned out to be a phenomenal program exceeding our expectations.   Jackie Pitre, a classroom teacher who worked with our Teaching Artist at Sacred Heart Catholic School, wrote, "This is a wonderful program because it encouraged the children to work hard individually and collectively.   Many began with little self-confidence and grew throughout the weeks of dancing into more confident and self-assured young people."

Dancing Classrooms has also created a great deal of media interest. KPLC aired at eight stories and more than seven articles about the program appeared in local newspapers.   They include:

January             Times of Lake Charles                         "Whistle Stop Dancing Classrooms"

March                Jennings Daily News (Front Page)             "Putting on Those Dancin' Shoes" 

March                American Press                                                "Respect and Rumba Go Hand in Hand"

May                   Jennings Daily News                              "Move on Fred Astaire"

May                   American Press (Front Page)                "Dancing with the Class"

June                  Lagniappe                                             "My Friend I Am Respecting You"

Schools participating in the Dancing Classrooms program for 2010-2011 school year are:

Dolby                                                    Nelson                                                   Watson

Kaufman                                             College Oaks                                         Bell City

Frash                                                     St. John's                                       John Johnson

Brentwood                                             Clifton                                                    Fairview

Oak Park                                               Cooley                                                 Westwood

Watkins                                                  Dequincy                                              Jennings

Welsh

If you would like to support one or more of these schools, please contact the school directly or the Whistle Stop.

They need your help.                                                     

Colors of the Rainbow Team Match Competition

Semi Finals             May 14, 2010

Finals                May 15, 2010

Gold Team Winners - 2009

 Kaufman Elementary - Challenge Trophy Winner

Jennings Elementary