INDUSTRY INSIGHT
EDUCATION
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Dance During the Day at Sewickley Academy
By: Dance Teacher Joe Jackson
S
ewickley Academy is committed to providing a strong and diverse
education in the fine and performing arts. With courses ranging
from ceramics to sculpture, hip-hop to ballet, and contemporary music
production to advanced technical theater — taught by educators who are
professionals in their field — the arts at Sewickley Academy are distinctive.
Dance begins for all students in Grade 1 and continues through Grade 5
as part of the Lower School curriculum. Once students enter the Middle
School, arts courses become electives but they also become more specific
in their medium. From Middle School to Senior School, students can build
their dance knowledge in a variety of styles and tailor their experience to
best suit their schedule. All dance courses are part of the tuition; no extra
fees are associated with any dance class. Even tap shoes are provided for all
students interested in learning to tap!
Most dance classes are offered during the school day with the only
exception being two after-school classes for Lower School students. In the
Middle School, all arts courses are scheduled during specific periods of the
school day which allows for students to select an offering that best suits
their interest. In the Senior School, there is more flexibility with scheduling
but all dance courses still take place during school hours.
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Students benefit from performing arts programming in a myriad of ways.
First and foremost, they are gaining an understanding and appreciation for
various styles of art. Second, they are discovering fun ways to stay healthy
and fit which will benefit them throughout their lives. Finally, throughout
the Academy’s various productions for the community, students gain the
invaluable skill of public speaking and the confidence to address a crowd.
With my professional network, I can provide a connection to the current
performing arts scene and access to organizations and individuals that
can help enrich the students’ arts experience. For instance, during the past
two school years, Sewickley Academy hosted a special Artists in Residence
Program. We brought in professional dance troupes from the Pittsburgh
area to provide our students with a unique and varied experience while I
had to step away for rehearsals. I was cast in two shows for the Pittsburgh
Public Theater and was able to bring in resident teaching artists to
continue the artistic growth of the students. Both years were extremely
successful and provided a completely different experience for students.
The Arts Department faculty members are constantly looking at options
for bringing in new and exciting programming.
To learn more about the arts at Sewickley Academy, visit
www.sewickley.org and click on ARTS.