Dance – The Next Generation

Dance – The Next Generation (DNG) provides equitable access to quality dance education by offering a comprehensive dance program, free of charge, to underserved children of Sarasota communities. Operating after-school at our Tallevast Studios in Sarasota, students in grades 3-12 are immersed in an inclusive, diverse, and well-rounded dance program including academic mentoring and enrichment opportunities through collaborations with community partners.

THE PROGRAM HAS THREE MAIN GOALS:

• Introduce students to life skills & self-discipline gained through dance • Enable students to achieve academic and personal goals • Ensure students graduate from high school

2021 - 2022 Season Highlights

• 120 students enrolled in the program including 70 new students in grades 3 and 4 who joined the program in

December

• College Tours – we provided middle and high school students an opportunity to visit the State College of Florida,

The University of South Florida-Sarasota/Manatee and The

University of South Florida-Tampa

• Middle and high school students performed for the first time in The Sarasota Ballet School’s annual Nutcracker Festival in

Rosemary Square

• 105 Volunteer Hours earned by DNG students applied towards high school graduation

• Students and their families attended The Sarasota Ballet’s performances of A Comedy of Errors and Giselle • 108 students performed alongside students from The Sarasota

Ballet School and The Margaret Barbieri Conservatory during the End of Year Performance of Alice in Wonderland.

“It was a challenging year for the kids. But, they did a great job. So proud to be a parent of one of the DNG dancers.”

From Parent of S. Dickson, high school student