River North Dance Chicago

Community

community_cropped

The arts permeate into the students' academics, but they also learn encouragement of self and others.... An amazing outlet.

Chicago Public School Teacher

Thank you exposing the students to a discipline that stretches more than just their physical being.

Elementary School Teacher

Education + Outreach

River North Dance Chicago’s Education + Outreach Programs are committed to providing community dance education and performances in Chicago and beyond:

  • Making dance accessible to audiences of all ages and backgrounds;
  • Teaching various dance styles to provide a compelling access point for the study of the arts;
  • Using dance as a catalyst to teach students how to connect to themselves and their community;
  • Encouraging social interaction, emotional connection and problem solving skills to enhance academic success.

The Education + Outreach Program’s roster of seasoned teaching artists reflects the Company’s eclectic artistic profile, encompassing many styles and genres. RNDC’s teaching artists are selected on their history of excellence in working with youth. Working with the leadership from each partner school, River North assigns a teaching artist who specializes in a dance style that will resonate best with the students’ interests and goals, allowing for a specialized curriculum and a deeper resonance for the young dancers.

Street Beat: Performance Assembly

Street Beat: Dance Through the Decades is River North's kid-acclaimed Family Show that teaches students about the historical and social conditions of the 20th century and how the social and cultural underpinnings influenced pop culture.
Chance to Dance: Winter Camp

Designed for young movers, Kindergarten through Grade 6, each camp session offers classes in yoga, beginner jazz and hip-hop, lead by our roster of seasoned Teaching Artists. No prior dance experience needed!
The Beat Goes On

Since 2000, River North's The Beat Goes On has benefited under-served Chicago Public School students through in-school and after-school residencies. Now aligned with dance-specific Common Core State standards, this program also helps students achieve parallel goals in reading and mathematics in dance.