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June  2016
A Letter From DCLI's Founder


DCL
I's Producing Director Tries on A New Hat
2015-2016 has been a remarkable school year for the Dancing Classroom s LI team, and in particular, for me.  It has been a time of reflection as well as building anew as CoDanceCo, the non-profit home for DCLI,  transitions to new leaders and leadership structures. 

It was ten years ago that a local educator's enthusiasm, shared with me over a recent viewing of the documentary "Mad Hot Ballroom," led me to connecting with Pierre Dulaine and his Dancing Classrooms visionary work. Since that time, one connection at a time, DCLI has grown the roots needed to re-blossom into a new beginning.  Guiding and nurturing DCLI and CDC's next steps will be two women who inspire me.  

Katie de Bruin has worked side-by-side with me over the last eight years giving generously her skills, talents, and creativity to
Katie De Bruin
set DCLI up as a model Global Network Dancing Classroo ms site. Over her tenure she has worked in  many capacities--Teaching Artist, Educational Liaison, School Coordinator, and Global Network Senior Teaching Artist--and now as DCLI's Program Director. DCLI could not be in more steady, joyful hands as it sets its programmatic course for the next ten years.


It wa s a little more than one year ago that a new connection was made w ith a woman open to possibilities, Susan Tribelli. An ad  for new  DCLI Teaching Artists caught her eye, and Susan's ability to  take a risk and t ry  something new has led to discovering how her talents, skills, and thoughtfulness will provide CDC and DCLI with new executive leadership. We are thrilled that Susan has agreed to serve as our Interim Executive Director & General Manager. Susan will provide the sure guidance and support required for CDC's Board and staff to review and renew the organizational structure required to sustain and support DCLI's mission.

For you, the reader, please know that you are a large part of what has made this year, and all past years, remarkable. Your participation in Dancing Classrooms, whether as a school partner, parent, student, individual supporter, community business leader, past or present staff member, comprises the foundation from which DCLI is able to inspire children with the transformative nature of making productive social, emotional connections through Dancing Classrooms.  THANK YOU!

As for me, at the end of July I will fully transition out of "directing" the day-to-day operations to serve on CoDanceCo's Board of Trustees. I look forward to working as a team member on CDC's Board as it works with the staff to move DCLI into its promising future.

Wonderful things have been achieved through teamwork and collaboration with all of you. I am so grateful that we could dance together, making eye-to-eye and hand-to-hand connections with so many children and their families. In the words of actor Richard Gere, "it is that simple connection which makes everything meaningful."                        
Warm regards,
Nancy 

Colors of the Rainbow

COR 2016
COR Final Results
On Sunday, June 5, we celebrated our Fifth Annual Colors of the Rainbow Team Match at Sachem North High School with 11 elementary schools from Nassau and Suffolk County showing all that they've learned on their Dancing Classrooms journey. We could not be prouder of our students and their accomplishments! Thank you to all--Teaching Artists, Liaisons, Coaches, Principals, Teachers, Parents, Judges, DCLI staff, and our financial contributors--who made this day possible. 

GOLD
Lynwood Elementary/Sachem 
 Ogden Elementary/Hewlett-Woodmere
John Philip Sousa Elementary/Port Washington 

SILVER
John J. Daly Elementary/Port Washington
East Elementary/Long Beach
Idle Hour Elementary/Connetquot Central  
South Salem Elementary/Port Washington 

BRONZE
Guggenheim Elementary/Port Washington 
Manorhaven Elementary/Port Washington 
Our Lady of Lourdes/West Islip/Diocese of Rockville Centre
Willow Road Elementary/Valley Stream #13 

Thank you to the brave adults who danced after the students' rounds to raise money for their school's next residency, and to "Dance it Forward" to help out other schools that don't have the resources to consider Dancing Classrooms. 

2016 DANCING IT FORWARD RESULTS

GOLD
  John J. Daly Elementary/Port Washington School District
SILVER
Ogden Elementary/Hewlett-Woodmere
Willow Road Elementary/Valley Stream #13
BRONZE
Lynwood Elementary/Sachem

To see some fabulous photos of our Colors Match, check out our album on Facebook.

On Stage This Summer

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY for DCLI STUDENTS to PERFORM!
The DCLI Performance Ensemble has been  invited back to perform at the Vanderbilt Museum's "Midsummer Night Dances" and to open the Gateway Playhouse's presentation of "Dance to the Movies" featuring pros  from  Dancing With the Stars and contestants from  American Idol and  So You Think You Can Dance


There are limited openings so if you'd like to be part of our DCLI Performance Ensemble, please contact us by June 30th!


Vanderbilt's
 "Midsummer Night Dances"
 Thursday, July 21st

Gateway's
"Dance to the Movies"
Friday, August 12th 

Photo by Alexander Skalij