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Dancing Out
Of Poverty
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Immigrants from all over the world move to Washington, D.C. looking for new opportunities. Some don’t know much English when they arrive. But at one elementary school, they’re learning the universal language of music—and dance. Kim Riemland has the story. |
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SCRIPT:
(Locator: Washington, D.C.)
Teacher: “You feel tall? You feel long?”
Student: “When I grow up, I want to be an ice skater.”
Teacher: “Nice long back.”
Student: “I would like to be a vet.”
Her students’ families come from Ethiopia, El Salvador, and many other
countries.
Student: “…a doctor and a ballet teacher.”
Teacher: “Right on the music.”
Dance instructor Barbara Gaskill wants to help make dreams come true for
children of immigrants in Washington, D.C.
Barbara Gaskill/Founder, The Ballet Studio: “It just changes their whole
self-image. They’re doing something special.”
Gaskill had her own dream: a ballet company for these children. Her
church, Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist, helped her launch the
project.
Teacher: “Stretch. Get it straight.”
Now, with the help of the church and other donors, she dances her way
into the lives of inner-city families…teaching youngsters the discipline
and grace of ballet.
Erica Hodge/Dance Student: “I like ballet because it was invented by a
French king.”
The dance of kings may help these elementary school students learn more
than plies. They’ve ventured beyond the boundaries of neighborhood
poverty. Some have gone on to prestigious high schools and universities.
It might not have happened without ballet.
Rosa Santos/Parent : “She will have more opportunity in a lot of places
since she learned how to dance ballet.”
Barbara Gaskill/ Founder, The Ballet Studio: “I think it’s at least as
important as library funding or any other school program.”
(Piano music plays)
Gaskill says many of these students may not become professional
dancers...
Teacher: “Thank you, Erica.”
…but she says the self-esteem and the lessons they learn here can last a
lifetime.
TAG:
The Ballet Studio opened in 1992. Barbara Gaskill, who also teaches
dance history and appreciation at the University of Maryland-College
Park, says she didn’t know the program would attract so many
international students. She’d like to find a larger home for the program
so she can teach more students and offer summer classes.
For more information, visit
The Ballet School or call 202-244-3512.
Also, see
Dance of kings helps inner-city youth.