Hispanic Foundation Aids Ballet Program
Feb 8, 2010 in GeneralBy KIM BROWN World Scene Writer
The Hispanic American Foundation contributed $5,000 to a Tulsa Ballet dance education program, which will benefit elementary school students at Newcomer School.
The Leaps in Motion program, which is primarily funded through the George Kaiser Family Foundation, works to introduce classical ballet history and technique to students taught by instructors from the Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education.
"We are grateful to the Hispanic American Foundation for identifying the need at Newcomer and for financially supporting the program," said Amy Miller, director of development at the Tulsa Ballet. "The students at Newcomer are predominantly Hispanic and are all recent immigrants to the United States. The program helps assimilate the children to the culture of our community through ballet lessons, including emphasis on physical activity, musicality and discipline."
The program serves several elementary schools in the Tulsa area and includes class uniforms for each child at no cost, a 45 minute instructional program, ballet class with piano accompaniment, tickets to attend a Tulsa Ballet performance and a T-shirt.
Students also learn ballet protocol, terminology, how to understand verbal instructions and how to work within a group.
"Supporting the arts through grants and scholarships is one part of the Hispanic American Foundation's mission. The other is supporting education for all ages," said Ronnie Donnelly, executive director of the Hispanic American Foundation. "Tulsa Ballet's Leaps in Motion Program brings classical music and the art form of ballet to young students in a school setting. The educational component complements the artistic."
