As Heard on NPR:BalletX Community Outreach Inspires New Ballet
“BalletX believes self-expression should be exploratory, innovative, and boundary-crossing. It should break barriers, change perceptions, and push limits. The confidence and creativity that arise from self-expression are also critical aspects of child and adolescent development.
BalletX's community outreach programs aim to ignite kids' artistic expression and build enthusiasm for school. Our programs are constructed with the goal to encourage parents and children to nurture imagination, both in the classroom and within the community.
Inside the Mind of the Composer and Choreographer is a new BalletX education venture in which students witness and take part in collaborations between dance and music.
In May 2011, BalletX began a residency with South Philadelphia's Andrew Jackson Public School that will continue through this fall. The residency gives students the opportunity to participate in improvisations sessions, rehearsals, and workshops.
"BalletX goes to school." Video by Peter Crimmins
BalletX Co-Artistic Directors Matthew Neenan and Christine Cox collaborate with Philadelphia composer, Robert Maggio in the residency program. In November, the project will culminate in two workshops. The Jackson Public student body will also view a documentary of the process at The Wilma Theater.
The participating residency students will have also served as the inspiration for a BalletX Fall Series 2011 World Premiere Ballet. The piece is choreographed by Neenan and set to an original score by Maggio.
Neenan says about his third collaboration with Maggio: "I'm deeply excited about this project. It's wonderful to collaborate with Robert again." Neenan and Maggio have previously collaborated on BalletX's 2005 world premiere, Vibrate, and the 2003 performance ofLe Trevail at the Pennsylvania Ballet.
"But what makes this piece even more special are the students of Andrew Jackson Public School," he continues. "They have so much artistic beauty to offer and I'm thrilled to have this opportunity to work with them."
Inside the Mind of the Composer and Choreographer is funded by the Philadelphia Chapter of American Composers Forum through the grant, Community Partners Project 2011.
“Inside the Mind of a Dancer”
April 18, 2010, The Wilma Theater
Co-Artistic Directors Christine Cox and Matthew Neenan and the BalletX Dancers demonstrated a ballet class as well as the beginning stages of a the choreography- both how the choreographer creates steps and how the dancer learns them
Lecture Demonstration, April 2010 BalletX continues its work with the students at
Greenfield Elementary School
Lecture Demonstration
BalletX performed 2 lecture demo's April 27, 2009 at
Greenfield Elementary School
for over 200 students
Monday, January 7, 2008 at 4:00pm Falls of Schuylkill Branch The Free Library of Philadelphia
3501 Midvale Ave (at Warden Drive)
Philadelphia, PA 19129
215-685-2093
Saturday, November 10, 2007 at 2:00pm Roxboro Branch Library
Friday, October 12, 2007 at 11:00am PCI (Philadelphia City Institute Library)
1905 Locust St.
19th & Locust on W. Rittenhouse Sq.
Phialdelphia, PA 19103
215-685-6621
Saturday, October 6, 2007, at 11am Andorra Branch Library
705 East Cathedral Rd. (Henry Ave. & Cathedral Rd.)
Philadelphia, PA 19128
215-685-2552
August 13, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.
The Oak Lane Library
a branch of The Free Library of Philadelphia
6614 N. 12th Stree Open to the Public
2007 Student Outreach Project
Ongoing partnership with The Philadelphia Art Museum,
Project HOME & Art Sanctuary
June 8 The Philadelphia Museum of Art
– Student tour with BalletX
June 13 at 4 p.m. BalletX Dress Rehearsal
– Student observation and Q & A with the Artistic Directors
June 14 at 4 p.m. Lecture Demonstration
– with Project HOME at the Honickman Center, 1936 N. Judson Street, Philadelphia
June 18 – 20 Choreography Workshop
– Students from Project HOME and Art Sanctuary create original new works with BalletX to be performed at the Honickman Center. Additionally, there will be a special Guest Speaker from The Philadelphia Museum of Art on the 18th.
June 20 at 6 p.m. Student Showcase
– Family and Friends are invited to the Honickman Center for the premiere performance of the Choreography Workshop. Reception immediately following.
Lecture Demonstration
June 26, 2006 Wild About Reading Summer Events
Philadelphia City Institute Library a branch of The Free Library of Philadelphia
1905 Locust Street
6:30pm - 7:30pm
Open to the Public
Lecture Demonstration
April 17, 2006
Philadelphia City Institute Library
a branch of The Free Library of Philadelphia
1905 Locust Street
12:30pm - 1:30pm
40 children from the Chester A. Artur Public School
Lecture Demonstration
August 22-26, 2005
Edinburgh International Festival
Edinburgh, Scotland
