Children go wild for dance
First time program offered to youngsters in Hall Beach
Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services
Published Monday, July 14, 2014
SANIRAJAK/HALL BEACH
The children of Hall Beach were introduced to a new discipline this year - dance.
"Being the first program of its kind here in Hall Beach, the children were unsure of what to expect and, therefore, a little hesitant to start," said Cassandra Iannucci, the Arnaqjuaq School teacher who, with the help of funding from the sports and recreation division of the Department of Culture and Heritage, offered the classes.
The students from one class of the Hall Beach Meaningful Movement dance program – back row, from left, Julianna Irqittuq, Josephine Curley, Angeline Piallaq, Macy Angotautok and Sara Thornhill. Middle row, from left, Louisa Nagmalik, June Curley and Bernadette Gibbons. Front row, from left, Tara Kuppaq, Destiny Kukkik, Audrey Qanatsiaq and Jenna Nagmalik. - photo courtesy of Tracy Laine |
"However it didn't take long before the children were leaping and twirling around the halls at school and asking for extra dance classes every day after school."
Beginning in March, the dance program called Meaningful Movements offered classes in ballet, creative dance and acrobatics to children from the age of five to 10. The program drew almost 50 participants in total during the course of a 10-week program. Each class had around 10 to 15 participants, with a total of four classes.
"The dancers' enthusiasm and skills improved with every class," said Iannucci. "Their enjoyment of dance spread like wildfire as their friends caught wind of how much fun they were having dancing."
Such a simple pastime as dancing offered the children an endless list of gifts.
"In addition to being a fun and creative outlet, dance offers many important benefits for a child's well-being," said Iannucci. "Dance encourages self-motivated learning, self-reliance and self-discipline, it boosts self-confidence and self-esteem."
Further, she said dance teaches control and offers coping strategies for managing stress and releasing tension. Physically, dance classes offer exercise, improve coordination, flexibility and spatial awareness.
"It teaches movement vocabulary and fosters movement development. Socially, dance improves the capacity for co-operating and leadership skills, builds respect and improves problem-solving and communication skills.
"Dance is a place for children to integrate their physical, mental and emotional experiences to create art, improve their sense of self, develop life skills, all the while having fun."
Classes would not be complete without an end-of-year recital. The showcase of weeks of hard work and fun, dedication and discipline took place May 29 in a classroom at Arnaqjuaq School.
"Each class rehearsed a dance that they performed for the audience," said Iannucci.
Costumes are a must, adding a magical quality to the experience.
"It's one thing to feel like a dancer, but putting on a tutu and colourful costume adds a whole other dimension to the experience of performing arts."
And, with dance costumes not readily available at the local store, the teacher turned to Front Row Centre in Aurora, Ont.
"They graciously supplied the dancers' costumes and dance shoes with donations and discounted prices."
"The program was so successful it will continue for the original age group ... but the joy of dance spread through the community.
"We were blown away by the interest for additional classes to be added for all age groups, even adults," said Iannucci.
"This is something that we can look forward to introducing in the future."
