DanceChance
DanceChance was created in 1994 to improve equity and access in classical ballet training. DanceChance Partners with Seattle Public Schools to invite students demonstrating unique attributes for classical ballet to study at Pacific Northwest Ballet School free of charge, dependent only upon students’ potential and interest in dance.
DanceChance aims to enrich the lives of each participant through the opportunity to study classical ballet, to cultivate a diverse School and Company, and to train and nurture the next generation of dancers.
“The opportunity to dance and work with teachers who are both kind and passionate about their art form has changed our son’s life.”
The Program
Each fall, a team of DanceChance staff and instructors visits partner schools within Seattle Public Schools to provide dance education presentations and movement instruction to all third-grade students. Within these visits, students who exhibit the unique characteristics to excel in classical ballet training are identified and invited to participate in a 9-week introductory session. Students who demonstrate progress, potential and interest continue on for a spring session and, subsequently, for the fourth-grade year. Upon graduation from the two-year program, select students are invited to continue their training in Pacific Northwest Ballet School Level III classes.
DanceChance classes are taught by Pacific Northwest Ballet’s School’s renowned faculty of educators and accompanied by professional dance musicians.
DanceChance aims to enrich the lives of students through classical ballet training and a broad exposure to many aspects of professional ballet. DanceChance provides students with tuition-free classical ballet training, ballet attire and shoes, transportation to/from school and tickets to Pacific Northwest Ballet performances. Additionally, DanceChance students experience masterclasses in various styles of dance, costume shop and backstage tours, opportunities to observe Company class and meet professional dancers, and family engagement events intended to familiarize students’ parents and siblings with their ballet studies.
DanceChance and Academic Education
Through classical ballet instruction, DanceChance instructors aim to foster creativity, focus, self-regulation, a willingness to try new things, perseverance, curiosity and a strong sense of self. These traits serve those aspiring to careers in professional ballet and are also strong contributors to academic success. Research shows that arts education promotes life skills, such as the development of informed perception, problem-solving, confidence and discipline (Americans for the Arts, 2002). Studies have demonstrated that the physicality and expressiveness of dance alters brain function, strengthening memory capacity and neuronal connections (Harvard Mahoney Neuroscience Institute, 2019).
DanceChance students are expected to maintain strong academic standings and to make up schoolwork missed during the periods of their school days in which they attend ballet classes. Occurring as a regular part of students’ weekly schedule, DanceChance classes are embedded within students’ education and become an integral part of their school experience. Parents have reported that their children advanced academically while a part of the DanceChance program, and many have correlated this success with participation in the program.
Performance Opportunities
DanceChance students perform in the annual School Performance and often have the opportunity to perform in Company productions, such as George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®, The Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Following their graduation from PNB School, DanceChance alumni have gone on to dance professionally for the Pacific Northwest Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Oregon Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet and Singapore Ballet Theatre, among others.
Mentorship Program
The DanceChance Mentorship Program serves as a support system for DanceChance students and their families upon graduation from the program. Entering into the larger PNB School in Level III can be a challenging transition. Upper-level DanceChance graduates serve as mentors for younger DanceChance graduates, providing guidance and encouragement as students become increasingly committed to their ballet training. Through the Mentorship Program, alumni families develop strong ties and networks of support within the DanceChance community.
Photos © Lindsay Thomas and Joseph Lambert.
“I felt really, really awesome, honored and excited to be selected for DanceChance.”
“I felt happy when I was selected for DanceChance because I always wanted to be in a ballet.”
“It was very thrilling and exciting to be selected for DanceChance.”
“My favorite thing about DanceChance is that we get to make new friends and do cool stretches.”
“I never knew how to do ballet and now I have learned so much.”
“My favorite thing about DanceChance is the exciting stuff you learn every week.”
Former DanceChance Students
| Student Name | Company |
|---|---|
| Jade Butler | Grand Rapids Ballet |
| Alice Cao | Ballet Memphis, American Repertory Ballet, Singapore Dance Theatre |
| Elena Carter | Ballet Nebraska |
| Carlos Cruz | Oregon Ballet Theater |
| Alexa Domenden | Oregon Ballet Theater II, Oregon Ballet Theater |
| Enrico Hipolito | Ballet West II, Kansas City Ballet |
| Eric Hipolito | Pacific Northwest Ballet, Ballet Arizona |
| Angeli Mamon | Pacific Northwest Ballet |
| Ken Mankin | Kansas City Ballet II, Ballet Austin, Ballet Met II |
| Joh Morrill | Pacific Northwest Ballet |
| Kuu Sakuragi | Alberta Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet |
| Anders Southerland | Milwaukee Ballet II, Houston Ballet II, Nebraska Ballet |
| Levi Teachout | Grand Rapids Ballet |
| Bella Ureta | Boston Ballet II, Cincinnati Ballet |
| Quinn Wharton | San Francisco Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago |
Seattle Partner Schools
| School |
|---|
| Arbor Heights |
| Bailey Gatzert |
| Broadview-Thomson K-8 |
| Dearborn Park International |
| Dunlap |
| Graham Hill |
| Hawthorne |
| Kimball |
| Leschi |
| Maple |
| Northgate |
| Olympic View |
| Sanislo |
| South Shore K-8 |
| Wing Luke |
| Olympic Hills |
| Thurgood Marshall |
| Rising Star |
Number of DanceChance Students Enrolled
| Class Level | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| DanceChance I | 80 |
| DanceChance II | 29 |
| Level III | 7 |
| Level IIIC Boys | 5 |
| Level IV | 8 |
| Level IVC Boys | 3 |
| Level V | 6 |
| Level VI | 1 |
| Intermediate Boys | 5 |
| Level VII | 0 |
| Level VIII | 0 |
| Professional Division | 1 |
“Lowell Elementary School holds dynamic, integrated multi-arts programs at the core of its founding principles. As we grow and strengthen our multi-arts programs and partner with other schools in the Central corridor of SPS, prioritizing options for different art forms is the priority of our school leadership, community collaborators and families. DanceChance provides an aspect of music, movement and art that allows some of our students to participate in dance training that they might not have otherwise have an opportunity to access. It is a joy to see the importance and investment that children and families make in this commitment.”
“As a Title I school with such a diverse population and 82% on Free/Reduced lunch, our students unfortunately miss out on so many activity opportunities. We have so many talented students that just need the opportunity to be exposed to this kind of dance form, and DanceChance has been that opportunity for these students.”
“We see the arts as an essential part of every child’s education. DanceChance provides some of our students an opportunity to develop skills and focus through movement. They have the opportunity that would otherwise not be available to them due to the cost of participation in ballet. Our students that have participated continue to report that they enjoy the experience immensely and display greater self-confidence due to their selection and participation. We feel honored as a faculty that our students have this valued opportunity to grow and learn.”
“It is a tremendous opportunity for selected students to train with a world renowned dance company. We want students to have access to this unique program. As a Multi-Arts teacher at Olympic View these past ten years, I have been encouraged by the ongoing support and vision for all out students to experience the arts in as many ways as possible. I can only provide a portion of the experience our students crave and deserve. This program fits perfectly with our vision of growing meaningful partnerships with community art organizations.”
“DanceChance is a wonderful program which gives our students the change to be involved in an activity outside of the school day. All of our students are different; some of our kiddos excel in academics. Others follow their passion into the arts. DanceChance recognizes these kiddos by giving them the avenue to express themselves. I feel that once they excel in dance, they have developed the confidence in themselves to improve their academics. They gain confidence by participating in DanceChance performances.”
DanceChance has offered our community access to a program that many have not heard of or had any experience with. This program has been able to provide South Shore with a window into the larger Seattle arts community and expanded students’ horizons and literally changed their life in ways not imaginable. This program has also increased some of the family involvement as some families see this as an opportunity to have their children receive high-level services that usually would be out of reach. This program has been an integral part of the reason families choose South Shore K-8.”
Contact
For More Information
If you would like more information about DanceChance, contact Naomi Glass, DanceChance Manager at 206.441.2435 ext. 3516, or e-mail dancechance@pnb.org
Are you a former DanceChance student?
We’d love to hear your story and find out where you have gone in life! E-mail dancechance@pnb.org