NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Third, fourth and fifth graders at Jefferson Elementary recently completed an exciting hip hop residency that aimed to get students moving and to think of their bodies as instruments of art.
As many as 300 children in 16 classes participated in the residency led by Jamal Josef of the New Beginnings Performing Arts Studio in New Rochelle. Josef was invited at the suggestion of physical education teachers Billy Murphy and Eddie Ortiz.
Students learned a hip hop dance routine during a 50-minute class. The dance workshops helped them identify and demonstrate movement and skill in performing dance. Students worked alone and with partners to show that dance is a way to create and communicate.
“It’s motivating for kids,” said LeAnn Bruno, assistant principal of Jefferson Elementary. “The kids were really excited because it’s an art form they can relate to.”
The hip hop residency was funded through an arts and education grant by the City School District of New Rochelle.
