Youth Arts Program

2008 Youth Arts Program,   July 21-August 9

 

photo by Arthur Fink

This summer will marks the 15th year of our Youth Arts Program (YAP), a community outreach program that brings youth from our community, and their families, together with world-class artists to experience music and dance firsthand.  YAP engages young people ages 6-17 in an intensive and enjoyable three weeks of dance and music classes taught by a staff of gifted arts educators. YAP is structured as a half-day (9am to 12:30pm) non-residential program.  During the three-weeks students experience a range of dance styles -- from modern and ballet to hip hop and social dance -- as well as musical genres from around the world.  The program is founded on the belief that the arts offer meaningful ways to engage children intellectually, emotionally and physically. Our mission is to enrich children’s lives through the arts.

Program Features

• Daily classes provide dance experience from hip hop and jazz to modern and ballet
• Music classes include singing, rhythm, drumming and music from around the world
• Every child takes dance and music
• Targeted learning groups for ages 6-8, 9-12, 13-17
• Younger students develop imagination and cooperation skills in creative movement classes
• Teens study choreography and collaborate to develop a new dance piece
• Classes and demonstrations by internationally renowned artists from Bates Dance Festival
• Performance opportunity at Festival Finale
• Complimentary tickets to select Festival performances and events
• Healthy snack each day at mid-morning break

The arts offer meaningful ways to engage children intellectually, emotionally and physically.

photo Phyllis Graber Jensen

Research shows that study in the performing arts:

• Increases children’s self-confidence
• Improves learning
• Increases self-discipline and expression
• Promotes tolerance and increases understanding of different cultures

 

Faculty & Staff

Professional, experienced, nationally recognized artists and teachers of children

Dana Reed  (program director/dance instructor) – BFA in dance, founder of Alternative Collaborations (a multi-media performance company), 12 years of teaching experience, currently teaches at Stage Coach Arts in New York City. Dana takes the reins this summer to direct YAP after seven years of teaching in the program.

Terrence Karn  (music director)– has trained with world’s great musicians, specializes in youth education, performs and teaches across US and Mexico and is currently living and working in Columbus, OH.   

Rose Leach teaching class - photo Phyllis Graber Jensen

Rosemary Leach (dance instructor) – BA in dance, toured as solo artist and with hoi polloi and Montana Transport Co., has 13 years of teaching experience and currently teaches in Montpelier, VT.

Patrick Ferreri (dance instructor) - BFA in dance, teaches at the Harkness Dance Center in New YOrk City and currently performs with David Dorfman Dance, Keigwin+Company among others.

Interns – Dance Education Interns are college students studying dance education.

Qualified teen assistants complete the YAP faculty/staff.

Admission Requirements

• Enthusiasm for the arts – dance and/or music
• Willingness to try new things and contribute ideas

photo Phyllis Graber Jensen

Children with no experience or lots of experience can participate, gain new skills, and HAVE FUN!

Program Cost

Tuition is $275 for the three-week program including a daily snack and complimentary tickets for select Festival events.  Family discounts are available.  Bates Dance Festival provides partial and full scholarships to qualifying low-income students from Lewiston-Auburn schools (those living in subsidized housing or on the free lunch program). Scholarship forms are available from school guidance office or at the Bates Dance Festival.  Lewiston students in grades 3-6 are also eligible for TOPS scholarships.

Refunds

If notified by July 1 a full refund will be made less the $10 registration fee. No refunds will be made after this date.

Program Location and Dates

Youth Arts will take place at the Mays Center on the Bates College campus.

Youth Arts Program will take place from Monday, July 21 through Friday, August 8 with an orientation meeting for all participants on Sunday, July 20 and the final performance on Saturday, August 9.

For more information call the Bates Dance Festival office at 786-6381 or dancefest@bates.edu

Program Sponsors

Youth Arts is made possible with generous suport from: Androscoggin Bank, Fisher Charitable Foundation, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Mechanics Savings Bank, Surdna Foundation, Sequoia Foundation, and TD Banknorth.