NORD/NOBA Center For Dance Receives National Recognition

The New Orleans Ballet Association is one of only twelve national agencies to receive a grant dedicated to fostering the development of arts programs for older adults. One of two agencies in the southeast to receive the award, this year marks the organization's second consecutive year as a grant recipient of the MetLife Foundation Creative Aging Program.

In partnership with the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD), NOBA has initiated its third year of innovative programming that combines stretching, social dance and ballet skills in classes for more than 60 older adults in the local community. Aline De Souza, the teaching artist, engages her classes by integrating sequential skill-building and drawing on the participants' memories, life experiences and music preferences. The goal is to improve their overall health and increase their knowledge of and skill in dance. Classes are taught at the NORD Behrman and St. Bernard Centers and are offered on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Behrman NORD Center in Algiers and on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the St. Bernard NORD Center in Gentilly. Both centers offer classes in stretch and cardio.

"It's important for all people to stay active, but it's particularly essential for seniors as they continue aging. These fitness classes keep my students moving beyond their basic day-to-day lives, and they are constantly giving me positive feedback on how helpful the classes have been. I'm proud to be doing something that is making a difference in their lives," said De Souza.

On February 28 at 2:30pm, participants of the program from the Behrman and St. Bernard NORD centers will participate in the Team Dance segment of the Greater New Orleans Senior Olympics, to be held at Clearview Mall. Each group will perform two dances, with music ranging from Ernie K-Doe's Mother In Law to Al Green's Take Me to the River. Last year, the senior group from the St. Bernard NORD center won the silver medal.

"When we proposed the idea of the Senior Olympics to the classes, the seniors were excited for the chance to participate, and they are very committed to the ongoing process involved. They assist in many elements of the performances, including the creation of the piece to be performed, rehearsals and costuming. The participants also work with me to select the music and develop the choreography," said Aline. In addition to the standard 2 hour classes, seniors that will perform in the Senior Olympics are devoting time after class to practice their routines.

The Creative Aging Program was initiated in 2009 by MetLife Foundation and the National Guild in response to the rapid population growth of Americans aged 60+, as well as the research demonstrating the potential health benefits of professionally-led, participatory arts programs for older adults. This program is designed to increase the capacity of community arts education providers to serve older adults; provide models of high quality creative aging programs to the field,and raise public awareness about the benefits of creative aging programs.

NOBA is the Central Gulf region's premiere presenting and service organization dedicated solely to the art of dance. NOBA's dynamic Main Stage season annually features a diverse array of world-class companies and artists. Each year NOBA provides concerts, classes, workshops and lectures to more than 25,000 area dance enthusiasts of all ages. In addition, NOBA's nationally recognized award-winning education programs provide the youth of our community access to quality arts programs with 2,500 free dance classes and workshops annually at eleven sites throughout the Greater New Orleans area. With a mission of access to the art of dance, more than 90% of all NOBA's activities are free to the public.

The MetLife Foundation Creative Aging Program is funded by MetLife Foundation and administered by the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts.

NORD/NOBA Center For Dance
The NORD/NOBA Center For Dance is a cultural community partnership between the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) and the New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA). Founded in 1992 with seed money from the Freeport-McMoran Foundation, The Center was born out of a need to make dance accessible to all school-age children. A program that began with just 30 students now has an annual gross enrollment of more than 250 children at 6 NORD centers citywide. With a core curriculum of ballet, classes are open to any child in Orleans Parish with a demonstrated interest in dance. Through a professional faculty, master classes by NOBA Main Stage artists and other visiting artists, a mentor program and field trips, the Center works with each child to cultivate dreams and strengthen futures. The NOBA programs are a recipient of the 2005 Louisiana Governor's Arts Award, 2005 Big Easy Classical Arts Award, and 2002 Coming Up Taller Award.

The National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts
The National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts supports and advances access to lifelong learning in the arts so that all people may participate according to their interests and abilities. The Guild's 400+ member organizations include neighborhood music schools, dance studios, arts centers and community arts education divisions of museums, universities, and theater companies. They are located in urban, suburban and rural communities in 45 states. In concert with this dynamic network, the Guild researches and promotes best practices, provides opportunities for professional development and dialogue, advocates for broad access, and makes grants to the field. Collectively, the Guild's 400 + member institutions offer direct instruction to one million students each year. In addition to providing classes and lessons within their own facilities, most members also collaborate with senior centers, hospitals, public schools, and other agencies to increase communities' access to arts education. www.nationalguild.org

MetLife Foundation
MetLife Foundation was established by MetLife to continue the company's long tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. The Foundation supports programs that improve education, promote health, encourage parental involvement and family engagement, help revitalize neighborhoods and stress accessibility and inclusion. Recognizing the vital role the arts play in building communities and educating young people, the Foundation contributes to arts and cultural organizations across the United States, with an emphasis on increasing opportunities for young people, reaching broad audiences through inclusive programming, and making arts more accessible for all people. For more information about the Foundation, please visit its web site at www.metlife.org.

Photo: NOBA, Trey McIntyre Project photo by Jonas Lundqvist

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