Ballet Bridges Elementary School

New York City area public schools that are highly committed to a collaborative, integrated process of dance education may apply to participate in the NYCB Education Department’s comprehensive curriculum program, New York City Ballet Bridges Elementary.

This program aims to provide students (grades 3 to 5) with the tools to make dance a lifelong activity — they may become dancers, backstage designers, participants in dance classes for exercise and enjoyment, or simply informed audience members who appreciate the intellectual and aesthetic experience of dance. The program is also designed to provide teachers with an opportunity to use dance in achieving literacy standards and to learn skills to facilitate dance activities in their own classrooms.

The five-month Ballet Bridges Elementary program includes the following:

For Students:

Movement workshops taught by a visiting teaching artist;
Classroom lessons about dance and New York City Ballet;
A Lecture-Demonstration performed by School of American Ballet advanced students;
A NYCB Student Matinee performance; and
A culminating dance performance choreographed and presented by participating students involving a study area whose guidelines are developed in collaboration with the classroom teacher.

For Teachers:

Participation with students in movement workshops;
Classroom lesson plans;
Professional development sessions at New York City Ballet;
Professional development and planning sessions at participating school; and
Assessment and evaluation of the program.

Major support for Ballet Bridges is provided by Citi Foundation.