Dance is good for your health at any age. Creative movement and expression have the power to heal, to help people recover from trauma, express emotions nonverbally, improve cognitive decline and communication, bring joy and laughter. BD aims to bring the joy and benefits of dance into the community around us, and participants are invited to explore and express their creativity and unlock hidden talents in our multifaceted programs for learners at all levels and of all generations.

For information on booking, please contact:
Nancy Warzer-Brady
Education & Community Engagement Director
nancy@backhausdance.org

The Dance for Kindness Project

youth athletics/physical education program

The Dance for Kindness (DFK) Project, funded by the City of Santa Ana’s Revive Santa Ana youth program in 2022-2023, is an innovative, athletic/physical education and dance education partnership with Carver and Adams Elementary Schools, Santa Ana Unified School District, reaching approximately 900 students of all abilities, teachers, aides, staff and parents on each school campus. The Dance for Kindness Project responds directly to the public health emergency and negative economic impacts of COVID-19, specifically linked to the American Rescue Plan Act funding in Economic Category 2.25: Addressing Educational Disparities: Academic, Social, and Emotional Services, reaching disproportionately impacted youth.

Program components include:

advance planning with the principals and teachers at each school
pre-and mid-point assessment and final qualitative and quantitative teacher evaluation
Teacher Workshops for the entire school staff led by Backhausdanc teaching artists (1 at each school)
a six-part, structured, interactive workshop series for every class taught by Backhausdance teaching artists (total 180 workshops)
Dance for Kindness interactive assemblies performed by Backhausdance professional company members where all students have an opportunity to participate ask questions directly to the dancers (2 assemblies at each school, total 4)

Dance for Kindness workshops provide rigorous and adaptive skill-based athletic and creative movement centered around themes of trust and character building, gaining self-confidence, empathy, anti-bullying, non-verbal and verbal communication, teamwork, putting forth your best effort, and being responsible and respectful, aligning with the foundations of youth development. The workshop series is designed to introduce students to contemporary dance in a safe and fun environment to expand students’ athletic potential and coordination/motor skills while instilling healthy and positive ways to express emotions and expand capacity for socialization and resiliency. Dance for Kindness assemblies for the entire school demonstrate the joy and art of contemporary dance, athleticism, physicality, emotional expression and the human connection.

More than ever, dance, athletics, physical education and creativity are essential for youth who have been marginalized and impacted by the ongoing heartbreaking effects of loss, social and physical isolation of the global pandemic. Physical education/athletics and dance are not offered consistently and equitably in Santa Ana schools, and all students need access to stimulating kinesthetic-based programs that engage their bodies, imaginations, and minds, Dance for Kindness has been designed to connect with California Department of Education Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) concepts, curriculum standards in Dance, Physical Education, STEAM, English/Language Arts, CTE, PBIS and more.

More Information

Ballet and Creative Dance Classes for Youth

Through a partnership with the City of Santa Ana, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency, Backhausdance’s beloved dancer and teaching artist Chihiro Sano presents classes for ages 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12, open to students in Santa Ana and the entire community. In a structured and fun class series, students will learn basic ballet terminology and technique by experiencing the joy of movement, building confidence, coordination, and locomotor skills while expressing themselves through dance. Classes are offered on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings. Required registration through City of Santa Ana:

Monthly registration fee: $30.00

Workshop: The Joy of Backhausdance

Multigenerational and seniors

Location- senior centers or community organizations
Possible Formats - introductory class session, workshop series, and/or artist residency

Experience the joy of moving in this 75-minute introductory class session. Everyone has the potential to dance! The class – which will include elements of modern, ballet, and creative movement – can be done seated in a chair, holding onto a chair, or standing freely, and will enhance participants’ balance, cognition, motor skills, and overall happiness. Dance is good for your brain!

Dance for Everybody!

Multigenerational

Location- organization or community sites

Participants of all ages will enjoy activities exploring balance through basic modern dance movement. The 45-75 minute workshop experience includes a lecture/demonstration providing insight into the craft of choreography by artistic director Jennifer Backhaus and company dancers and/or a performance with everyone.

Dance for Parkinson’s Disease Workshops

Under development and coming soon!