Dance for Schools

- 3825 Newport St, Denver, CO 80207

Introduction / Overview

In the expansive world of dance education, Dance for Schools stands out with a clear and powerful mission: to provide every student around the world access to quality dance education, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background. This Denver-based organization, co-founded by Joe DeMers and Winifred Harris, is not a traditional dance studio with a regular class schedule for the public. Instead, it is a specialized service that provides educators with a comprehensive and standardized dance curriculum designed to teach movement literacy, personal expression, and dance technique, composition, and history. Their vision is to create a world where dance education is a space that allows students to be honest, honored, respected, celebrated, and enjoyed for exactly who they are. For public educators in Colorado, this means having access to the tools and knowledge needed to effectively teach dance, even if they aren't equipped with extensive dance training themselves. The curriculum, known as Crea Movement™, is a transformative tool that empowers students to build confidence, take risks, and show up stronger and more present than the day before.

The story of Dance for Schools is deeply rooted in the Denver community. Joe DeMers, a former Director of Dance at a Denver Public Schools (DPS) high school, recognized the power of dance as a universal language in a classroom with over 70 nationalities represented. He co-created the Crea Movement™ curriculum with Winifred Harris, a master dancer and visionary artist, to address the need for an engaging, culturally-relevant, and effective dance program for beginners. Their collaborative effort resulted in a curriculum that is an expression of culture and a reflection of our times, inspiring even reluctant students to dance. While the organization's primary focus is on providing these educational resources, it also offers master classes, which bring a high level of expertise directly to students. The types of dance covered, from modern to jazz and cultural dance, are designed to give a well-rounded and deeply appreciative understanding of various dance forms. For anyone in Colorado passionate about dance education, Dance for Schools is an invaluable resource that is working to reshape how movement is taught and experienced in our schools.

Location and Accessibility

Dance for Schools is located at 3825 Newport St, Denver, CO 80207, USA. This address places the organization in a residential part of Denver, allowing it to operate as a centralized hub for its mission. While it may not be a public-facing dance studio with daily drop-in classes, its physical location serves as the base for its operations, curriculum development, and administrative activities. The public data available notes the presence of a wheelchair-accessible car park. This is a significant feature, demonstrating a commitment to accessibility for any educators or partners visiting the facility. The location is easily reachable from various parts of Denver, and its presence in the community serves as a reminder of the valuable resources it provides to schools throughout the region.

Services Offered

• Dance Curriculum for Educators: A comprehensive, standardized, and engaging curriculum (Crea Movement™) designed for high school dance teachers to use in their classrooms.
• Dance Lesson Planning: The curriculum includes full lesson plans, instructional videos, and assessments to support teachers in delivering effective dance education.
• Cultural Dance: Programs and lessons that explore and appreciate dance from various eras and cultures, highlighting its historical and social context.
• Modern Dance Lesson: Specific lessons and units dedicated to the principles and techniques of modern dance, suitable for beginning dancers.
• Jazz Modern Dance: A blend of jazz and modern dance concepts to provide a versatile and dynamic movement experience.
• Swing Dance: Lessons and workshops in swing dance, including its history and cultural significance.
• Master Classes: Expert-led dance classes provided to schools and organizations, bringing specialized training directly to students.
• Dance Education Programs: The development and implementation of dance programs in schools to promote movement literacy, personal expression, and academic growth.
• Creative Dance Exercises: Fun and innovative exercises designed to encourage students to explore improvisational movement and personal expression.

Features / Highlights

• Focus on Educational Resources: Unlike a traditional dance studio, Dance for Schools is a unique organization that provides a comprehensive, pre-made curriculum specifically for teachers, helping to fill a crucial gap in arts education.
• Commitment to Inclusivity: The organization’s vision is centered on making quality dance education accessible to every student, regardless of background, and empowering them through movement.
• Founded by Experts: The curriculum was created by Joe DeMers, a former high school dance director, and Winifred Harris, an acclaimed dancer and master teacher, ensuring the content is both educationally sound and artistically rich.
• Holistic Curriculum: The Crea Movement™ program covers not only dance technique but also history, composition, creative movement, and a focus on building confidence and resilience in students.
• Specialized for High Schools: The curriculum is specifically tailored for high school dance teachers, addressing their unique classroom needs and challenges.
• Serves a Wide Audience: While its direct clients are schools and educators, the ultimate beneficiaries are students across Colorado who gain access to a high-quality dance education.
• Good for Kids: While the focus is on a high school curriculum, the underlying philosophy of fostering hope, joy, and kindness through dance is inherently "good for kids."

Contact Information

Address: 3825 Newport St, Denver, CO 80207, USA

Phone: (303) 931-1246

What is worth choosing

For parents, teachers, and school administrators in Colorado, Dance for Schools is worth choosing because it provides a service that is both unique and deeply valuable. Unlike a traditional dance studio, this organization directly addresses a systemic need within the educational system by offering a professionally developed, comprehensive curriculum that empowers teachers to bring quality dance education to their students. This means that a student in a public school setting can receive an engaging and well-structured dance education, even if a dedicated dance teacher is not on staff. The Crea Movement™ curriculum is not just about teaching steps; it’s about using dance as a vehicle for personal growth, cultural understanding, and emotional expression. The curriculum is designed to push every student to their own version of excellence, whether they are a natural performer or a reluctant participant.

The expertise behind the organization is another compelling reason to choose it. The collaboration between Joe DeMers and Winifred Harris ensures that the curriculum is both pedagogically effective and artistically rich. Their deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within a diverse classroom setting is reflected in a program that is truly inclusive and respectful of all cultures and backgrounds. The focus on making dance accessible to everyone, a core part of their vision, resonates with the diverse population of Colorado's schools. By providing this resource, Dance for Schools is not just running a business; it is actively contributing to the educational landscape and helping to ensure that the transformative power of dance is not limited by a student's economic background or school district. For educators seeking to integrate a high-quality arts program into their school, or for parents who want their child to have access to a well-rounded and enriching education, Dance for Schools is an invaluable partner that is truly making a difference in the lives of students across the region.

Dance for Schools

3825 Newport St, Denver, CO 80207, USA