Memphis kids hit the dance floor
The sound of beating drums fills the room while children giggle and follow the dance instructor’s words and motions.
Welcome to New Ballet Ensemble and School’s first NBE Summer Dance Explorers Camp.
The two-week camp at Dunbar Elementary School consisted of dance and athletic workshops and interactive academic activities.
“The camp was designed for two reasons — to teach them dance and prevent summer slide. They’re getting exposed to dance classes like tap, hip-hop, modern and African, and there’s a literacy component where we read books with them and associate them with the craft,” said Mary Golden, New Ballet Ensemble and School’s Director of Education and Community Partnerships. “We understand that the summer is a time where children quite often might not get that boost that they need to go back to school, so we’re trying to help bridge that gap in a small way.”
Dunbar Elementary students begin school Aug. 6. Fifty children in grades K-5 registered for the camp, which was held July 9-20.
“This camp was designed to service the community, so we sent registration forms to Dunbar,” Golden said. “However, with the help of the Boys & Girls Club, we were able to get registration for children with relatives that live in Orange Mound. If they’re not a member of Dunbar or the Orange Mound community, they can also contact NBE in May and ask if the camp is happening next year.”
Some of NBE’s dancers served as volunteers and assisted children during the camp.
“I like to teach dance and knowing there are students here in Dunbar who have never danced before and may not know what different dance styles are really motivated me to come and teach and help them start their career in the dance field,” NBE dancer London Bruce said. “My favorite part is seeing the children’s faces when they’ve accomplished their favorite dance styles.”
The camp inspired Akayla Wayne, 8, to pursue a dance career.
“I love this camp, and my favorite part is dancing. We learn different type of dances, sometimes we do dances like ballet or jookin,” Akayla said. “While being in this camp, I decided I want to become a dancer.”
St. Mary’s Community Fund and Tennessee Arts Commission provided funds for the camp.
“We hope to have this camp again next summer,” Golden said. “We hope that either with the help of St. Mary’s or the TAC (Tennessee Arts Commission) again, or perhaps another funder, that we can do this because we see there is a need and children like to be engaged and love to dance; and we like to teach them to dance.”
Bruce and Golden hope the camp has a positive impact on participants.
“I hope that they learn that dance is not only something you do, but also something you can enjoy doing and have a passion for doing and also get paid for doing,” Bruce said.
“I hope that the children walk away having learned how to dance, but not only that, but having learned how to find dance as a wonderful outlet for expression, stress relief, learning and an escape for them in a creative way,” Golden said.
“Most of all, I hope that they come out of camp feeling better about themselves and that they accomplished something.”