Making an Impact Through Dance

This fall, they headed to Foster Elementary to teach the students a short piece that they choreographed themselves. “It was so much fun,” said Alexandra Dassopoulos (Class of 2024). “The kids were so into it! They were a little shy the first day, but by the end of the day they had come out of their shells and were all working to perform the dance.”

 

The dancers started by choreographing combinations and a short dance, then working with the third and fourth graders at Foster during PE class. “Their PE coach said this would be a core memory for the kids,” said Alexandra. “When we came back the second day, we got lots of hugs. We showed them how to do eight counts with splits and kicking, and the kids went nuts!”

 

“The best thing about it was watching kids who started out shy and apprehensive realize how fun and fulfilling dance can be and end up having a great time,” said Jane Taten (Class of 2025).

 

Once the students learned the moves, the Hockaday classes created videos so they can continue practicing, and eventually perform for their friends and family at a school event. “It was amazing to see our student dancers teaching the skills they have learned at Hockaday to our school partner Foster Elementary,” said Laura Day, Executive Director of the Institute for Social Impact. “Our girls just made a fun and enriching couple of days for those kids.”