Guilford County elementary school students learn dance from professional artists

Dance Project, a Greensboro-based nonprofit, took up residency at Peck Elementary School in January. 

Since then, dance teacher Jade McNamara has been giving lessons to six kindergarten and first grade classes every week. 

She says she’s not typically a morning person, but Tuesday and Friday mornings at Peck have changed that. 

“I love dancing with these kids in the morning. Every class is different, which is also awesome and cool. And it's cool to see how the little light bulbs go off when they finally get something and how excited they get,” McNamara said. “It’s a really awesome experience, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.” 

Dance Project has worked with Peck for several years now. Dance lessons were virtual in 2020, but now they take place in the school cafeteria. The children stretch, skip, strike poses, wave scarves, and use their imagination to come up with their own moves. 

Kindergarten teacher Candis Little says the classes have taught her students about more than dance, too. She’s noticed that they collaborate better, and seem to have higher self-esteem. 

“It has really made a tremendous difference from the beginning of the year seeing my students to now,” Little said. “It has helped them mature and get ready for first grade and that's the goal."

Anne Morris is one of two executive directors for Dance Project. She says this program is a way to remove barriers to dance education.

“A lot of schools in Guilford County have dance educators in the school, but many don't. And Peck is one that doesn't,” Morris said. “And so we're really excited to be able to supplement the other ways that they're learning here with some creative dance.”

Dance Project's residency will come to an end on March 31, but not without a celebration. Peck Elementary School students will be performing at the Greensboro Cultural Center this Saturday. 

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.