Nashville Ballet Launches Pilot Program "A Step Ahead"

Nashville Ballet's unique pilot educational project, "A Step Ahead," launches this week in its five Davidson County residency schools, which will use the 27-week curriculum to provide third- and fourth-grade students with a basic understanding of dance while incorporating core subjects such as math, science and language skills. The in-depth lessons also support universal themes like the importance of working together, accepting each person as unique, and embracing other cultures.

The five elementary residency schools are Glengarry, Hattie Cotton, Inglewood, Smithson-Craighead, and Sylvan Park.

Director of Education and Community Engagement Cathy Ratliff notes, "We are very excited to partner closely with these five schools and would love the opportunity to share this customized arts-based learning tool with even more students. Hopefully we can work with the Nashville community members and corporations to secure the funding to add five additional schools next year."

Artistic Director Paul Vasterling states, "It is vital that the arts can connect with curriculum in the classroom. People will see the benefits of utilizing dance as a tool for improving learning skills and spatial development...just as we see with music." "A Step Ahead" joins other Nashville Ballet programs which service over 40,000 children each year in a 15-county area of Middle Tennessee.

Founded in 1981 as a civic dance company, Nashville Ballet is the largest professional ballet company in Tennessee. As the second largest producing arts organization in the Middle Tennessee area, Nashville Ballet presents a varied repertoire of classical ballet and contemporary works by noted choreographers, along with original works by Artistic Director Paul Vasterling. Nashville Ballet and the second company NB2 (a pre-professional training company) serve nearly 70,000 adults and children annually through performances, and our education and community engagement program. Our curriculum-based outreach program brings dance education to community centers, colleges, public libraries, eight resident schools, and public elementary and middle schools over a 15-county region throughout Middle Tennessee. Educational funding is provided by Metro Nashville Arts Council, Dollar General, Cracker Barrel, HCA Foundation, Gaylord Entertainment Foundation, and Caterpillar Financial. The School of Nashville Ballet, affiliated with Nashville Ballet, provides world-class instruction in Ballet for the dancers of tomorrow.