Programs

Educational Programs

We reach over 10,000 students every year in schools throughout the Front Range, with an emphasis in the 6 counties of the Greater Denver area. Our programs employ dance to empower youth and gain the tools to express themselves, communicate with others, problem-solve through improvisational thinking, take artistic risks, and engage in interdisciplinary learning experiences with historical and cultural studies.

Accessibility and Trauma Informed Practices:

All of our instructors who work with Early Childhood through High School students use trauma-informed practices in their curricula and teaching, and work with all types of students, regardless of disability; everyone can dance! We have a deafblind intervener specialist fluent in ASL on staff to support students with vision loss and/or Deaf and hard of hearing. We have instructors trained to work with children and adults with special needs or limited mobility, and work closely with school partners and their resource staff to provide accommodations for students as necessary based off of their IEPs, etc., to give students the highest quality of dance education possible. We also have multiple staff that are bilingual in languages such as Spanish and French to reduce language barriers during instruction.

**Early Childhood Education**
Through a partnership with the Denver Mayor’s Office of Children’s Affairs established in 2010, CMDance has introduced dance education to the Denver Great Kids Head Start Program, as well as other ECE programs in Denver. We prepare children for kindergarten to enter with confidence for continued school success.
Participants: 1000+
Age Range: 4-5
Low Income: 95%
40% female / 60% male
Dedicated Staff: 4

**K-12 Dance Education**
The CMDance resident staff of instructors delivers age-appropriate vernacular in-school dance training in Swing, Jazz, Latin, Lindy Hop, Argentine Tango, Cueca, Chacarera, Rapanu. Instruction takes place during the school day and after school, and classes often end with a performance.
Participants: 2000+
Age range : 5-17
Low income: 75%
60% female, 40% male
Dedicated Staff: 7

**Intercollegiate** **Dance** **Programming**
Our intercollegiate program brings college students from western United States together each spring in Denver. For many of these students, it is their first time dancing. While others may only have been dancing since the start of the school year. The intercollegiate program provides an opportunity to share their creativity and passion for the arts. At this event, they learn from world class instructors, develop a deeper understanding of the complex African-American culture and history of these dances and on Saturday evening compete for the title of **Swing Team Champions!**

Program Offerings

Early Childhood Education

One-Time Workshop: Dance with Visiting Artist(s) in Residence

One-time workshop, or miniseries with specialist instructors.

We host internationally acclaimed talent from all over the world and make them available to teach in local schools. Learn more about our Guest Artist Program and available visiting artists here.

In the past we have been able to offer:

Swing Era dances: Lindy Hop, Jazz, Balboa, Collegiate Shag, St. Louis Shag
South/Central American dances: Argentine Tango, Bachata, Merengue, Salsa

Modern Urban dances: Chicago Footwork, House, Bboy, and Locking

One-Time Workshop: Dance with Local Teaching Artist(s)

Denver boasts some of the most talented vernacular dancers in the nation. Our local teaching artists regularly perform and teach around Denver, the U.S., and abroad, and are active in developing age-appropriate dance curriculum for a one-time workshop or miniseries.

We offer: Lindy Hop, Basic Swing, Balboa, Collegiate Shag, St. Louis Shag, Charleston, Vernacular Jazz, Blues, Bachata, Merengue, Salsa , Tango, Waltz, Foxtrot, Hip Hop, Chicago Footwork, West Coast Swing, Tap, and Ballet

One-Time Workshop: Jazz Clinic for Middle/High School Jazz Bands with Visiting Artist(s) in Residence

This program provides a unique opportunity to receive a one-time clinic or mini-series with internationally acclaimed jazz musicians. Several times a year, we bring in some of the best Swing, Jazz and Blues musicians in the country, and make them available to your aspiring Jazz students.

Extended Dance Program

All classes are tailored to age groups 5-18. This program consists of at least 1 class per week, for 6-12 weeks. Depending on needs and age, classes range from basic motor skill education to specialized dance techniques.

We currently offer extended dance programming in: Basic movement, Basic Swing, Lindy Hop, 1920s Charleston, Vernacular Jazz, Bachata, Merengue, Salsa, Ballroom, Tango and Modern Urban styles

Extended Dance Program: Student Performance

Do your students have a ball, showcase or cotillion coming up? We provide custom choreography to suit the needs of your event and make your students shine!

We currently offer student dance performance programming in basic Swing, Lindy Hop, 1920s Charleston and vernacular Jazz. If you would like choreography in a style not listed here, please contact us directly to discuss other options.

This program requires a minimum of 8, 1-hour sessions.

Activity Day: All-Day Program

This programming is designed for Field Days, Health/Wellness Days, where students get a taste of dance as a fun way to exercise. This program is also the best option for a “CMDance takes over your classroom” day. The classes run from 25-45 minutes, and are offered in a variety of styles. We take requests!