KANSAS EDUCATION ENRICHMENT PROGRAM EDUCATION MARKETPLACE

Educational Value

Kanvas was founded to give children in rural areas of Kansas the opportunity to develop their dance careers and experience dance at a higher level than is typically available to rural communities. The company offers many dance scholarships and training programs to dancers and potential dance instructors and performs throughout Kansas for various organizations and events. Kanvas also has expanded and is now offering music lessons at their Council Grove location. Kanvas offers performing arts opportunities for these musicians, along with private and group music lessons. Mission: Kanvas aims to raise the level of dance education in Kansas, especially in rural communities by networking with surrounding dance resources. Kanvas is committed to providing lasting dance programs that help teach children the many skills and joys associated with dance and the performing arts. Dance helps develop not only the dance specific skills in an individual, but also their confidence, understanding of their body, their sense of responsibility, and their exposure to music and art culture. Kanvas specifically is dedicated to preserving ballet foundational training which teaches the classical forms of ballet. Ballet teaches discipline. Ballet requires the memorization and reiteration of patterns at the barre. This exercises the brain and helps make the memorization of longer strings of choreography easier. Each and every ballet class, at every level, in every studio and every country of the world starts with plies at the barre. Repetition, muscle memory and mind-body connection are key elements. Every dancer must connect her brain and their body, their emotions and their movement. This takes focus, patience and self-control. Ballet teaches focus and neuromuscular coordination. From the very first barre exercise, dancers are asked to coordinate their legs, arms and heads while holding their alignment correctly and appearing composed. Ballet introduces students to classical music. The benefits of listening to classical music are well-documented, especially for the young. A happy side effect of ballet class is the introduction to many great composers. Musicality is developed naturally through choreography set to the classics. Ballet is one of the oldest dance genres. It connects us to our craft and dancers throughout history. Because ballet has been evolving for hundreds of years, it is the most comprehensive method of developing human potential through movement. Dancers achieve great things in ballet class and are then free to translate those achievements to any genre they choose. A house without a solid foundation will surely collapse. A dancer with a solid foundation in ballet will soar to new heights in whatever genre he/she decides to pursue. This is why Kanvas is dedicated to preserving and implementing a ballet based curriculum in all of their courses.