Why Care About Dance Education

This is a critical time for arts education in our public schools. Funding for all schools is being reduced, and the arts is always among the first programs to be eliminated.  This is truly an unfortunate turn of events for Marin County schools! Recent research has shown that tools developed through arts education extend to other subjects.

A widely quoted 1995 study of SAT scores indicates that students who studied the arts for four years or more scored an average of 59 points higher on verbal sections and 45 points higher on math.

Just like athletes in our public school systems, dancers at MDT go through a highly disciplined training program that encourages personal growth in mind, body, and spirit. Dance is a universal non-verbal language that bridges world cultures and creates an environment that allows young students to mature, build self-esteem, and make significant social contributions beyond their training at Marin Dance Theatre. 

As their degree of technical skill and artistry blossoms, some will become career bound ballet dancers, others will continue their love of dance at universities and colleges of higher education; still others will share a life long passion of the traditions of dance with others and the communities they live in.

That’s why we feel strongly the benefits inherent in our comprehensive training programs must be shared with those that are less privileged.

Lastly, as our students receive their dance training and performance opportunities, they reach a level where they are excited to perform in various outreach venues. Not only do these students gain additional performance experience, they experience the very joy that they themselves are giving to others.