Arts Partnerships at PS11
Education in Dance
This is an integrated arts enrichment program which provides a meaningful introduction and foundation in the arts for kindergarten students at PS11. The program stimulates creativity and intellectual growth while contributing to emotional and physical well-being. Residencies combine basic dance skills with creative movement, theater games, an exploration of quality music, visual art forms and tumbling as it relates to dance. The syllabus highlights shapes, levels, colors, loco motor methods as well as sensory awareness and self -esteem techniques to nurture the artist in each child.
Joyce Theater
This residency is designed to foster an understanding of dance and dance aesthetics for our first grade in order to encourage the development of their perceptions and imaginations, and to integrate the arts into classroom learning. Students attend four performances per year and participate in lessons which prepare them for each performance.
Juilliard Morse Fellows
The Morse Fellowship Program brings Juilliard students-extensively trained as artist-educators-into our second grade classrooms on a weekly basis throughout the school year. Working as partners with the classroom teacher to mesh their musical explorations with the teacher's curriculum, the Juilliard students develop and present lessons that encourage young children to learn basic elements and understand musical concepts through projects, activities, concerts, and listening to a wide range of classical works.
Juilliard Concert Fellows
Fourth grade students come to Juilliard to attend five chamber music concerts. These concerts, performed by Juilliard students, feature the instrument families of the orchestra. The students are prepared at their own schools, both before and after the concert, by the Concert Fellows, who function in the role of teaching artists.
Juilliard Instrumental Music Program
The Instrumental Music Program offers introductory instruction on violin or viola to a selected group of fourth- and fifth-graders, in small groups, on a weekly basis throughout the year. The children are provided with an instrument and music materials, and they are expected to perform in an ensemble concert at the end of the year.
Circle in the Square Playwriting
Master Teaching Artist Daniel Judah Sklar, who created the program “Playmaking” is the lead teacher for our third grade playwriting program. Circle in the Square graduates join him to teach third grade students how to write plays while honing their communication skills through acting, storytelling and theatre games. Each residency culminates in a presentation of the children’s plays for their families, guests and other third grade PS11 students. The plays are performed by professional actors at Circle in the Square Theatre on Broadway.
Town Hall African Dance (3rd grade) and Latin Dance (4th grade)
The Town Hall Educational Outreach Program supports our arts education instructional programs by providing expert teaching artists who work directly with students and classroom teachers expanding their knowledge and experience in the areas of African Dance and Latin Dance. Each residency concludes with a performance for families and community members.
Rosie’s Theater Kids
Using professional teaching artists, Rosie's Theater Kids offers classes in dance, music and drama and a professional theater experience for our fifth grade students. During the residency students will attend a matinee show of a Broadway production. The residency concludes with a performance for PS11 families, their friends and community members.
Ballroom Dance (Dancing Classrooms)
The program is a 10 week residency for our fifth grade students, culminating in a showcase where every child performs. Audience members include parents, the 4th grade, and school staff. As a special activity, each school in the Dancing Classrooms program selected students will participate in a city-wide team match, the Colors of the Rainbow. At the close of each course, students audition to participate, with twelve students advancing to the competition.