In 1993, Richmond Ballet began to search for a new educational initiative to deepen the Ballet's impact on the community. The Ballet wanted to create an educational initiative that would provide interaction with groups of students and professional dancers on a long-term basis. From this search, Minds In Motion was created. Modeled after the renowned National Dance Institute, which was founded by former principal dancer with New York City Ballet, Jacques d'Amboise, Minds In Motion is now in its 15th year.
Minds In Motion is a
year-long program that teaches fourth-grade students discipline,
dedication and self-awareness by leading them through a series of
choreographic movements which must be memorized and expanded upon in
each class session. This is not a ballet class, but a way to teach
students the benefits of applying themselves to a task involving both
mental and physical challenges. It requires no special clothing, shoes
or equipment.
Minds In Motion in rehearsal
A pianist accompanies all of the classes, adding another enriching
dimension to the experience. The students must count the beats and
measures of the music and learn the elements of rhythm in order to be
successful in the program.
Minds In Motion focuses on
fourth-grade students because they have both the physical coordination
and the concentration skills necessary to benefit each week from the
forty-five minute classes. This age group is generally uninhibited and willing
to try new things with enthusiasm. The program enhances memorization
skills as the students repeat choreographic patterns in different
combinations throughout each class. They are required to remember this
choreography and expand upon it during subsequent classes. The
development of these skills can help strengthen mathematical abilities,
as well as provide a physical fitness component to a student's life. It
also requires each student to develop focus, discipline and
self-control.
TEAM XL/XL2/XXL
Team XL/XL2/XXL are successful after-school scholarship classes for selected Minds In Motion
students from each of the participating schools in Richmond and all satellite locations. These programs are
offered
free-of-charge. In Richmond's Minds In Motion program,
selected Team XL2/XXL
students will also have the opportunity to participate in the Ballet's
magical production of The Nutcracker.
SATELLITE LOCATIONS
Charlottesville, VA ~ Martinsville, VA ~ Roanoke, VA
Richmond Minds In Motion
2009-10 RICHMOND Minds In Motion's Theme: Chesapeake BayThis year, all
of Richmond Ballet’s
Minds In Motion
dancers will gain a greater ecological understanding and appreciation
of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. With over 3,600 species of
plants and animals
to dance about, we’ll mix it up estuary style with salt and fresh water
dancers! In partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, our
performance
will bring the Bay to life!
RICHMOND Participating Minds In Motion Schools 2009-10Richmond Ballet works with fourth-grade students at 20 area elementary schools including ten Richmond City Public Schools: Chimborazo Elementary, JB Fisher Elementary, John B. Cary Elementary, Linwood Holton Elementary, Mary Munford Elementary, Oak Grove Elementary, Southampton Elementary, Swansboro Elementary, Westover Hills Elementary and William Fox Model Elementary; one
Chesterfield County School: Bon Air Elementary; three Hopewell City
Schools: Dupont Elementary, Harry E. James Elementary and Patrick
Copeland Elementary; one Hanover County School: South Anna Elementary;
one Powhatan County School: Pocahontas Elementary, four Independent
Schools: Richmond Montessori School, Riverside School, St. Benedict Catholic School and The Steward
School.RICHMOND END-OF-THE-YEAR PERFORMANCE DATES AND LOCATION
Come see all 1,500 Minds In Motion students on stage at the Arthur Ashe Center on Saturday, May 15 & Sunday, May 16, 2010.
Please call 804-344-0904, ext. 325 for more information or to reserve tickets. Admission is free of charge.
Schools performing on Saturday, May 15th:
Dupont Elementary, Harry E. James Elementary, J.B. Fisher Elementary, John B. Cary Elementary, Patrick Copeland Elementary, Riverside School, Southampton Elementary, Swansboro Elementary, Westover Hills Elementary, and William Fox Elementary.
Schools performing on Sunday, May 16th:
Bon Air Elementary, Chimborazo Elementary, Linwood Holton Elementary, Mary Munford Elementary, Oak Grove Elementary, Pocahontas Elementary, Richmond Montessori, South Anna Elementary, St. Benedict School, and The Steward School.
STONER WINSLETT SCHOLARSHIP
27 dancers were
selected this year to participate in the Stoner Winslett Scholarship class, a beginning
level ballet class at Richmond Ballet. A scholarship fund was
established in October 1999 in honor of Ms. Winslett’s twentieth anniversary as
Artistic Director of Richmond Ballet. The specific purpose of this fund is to
provide basic ballet training for talented young students identified through
the Minds In Motion program.
Charlottesville Minds In Motion
2009-10 CHARLOTTESVILLE Minds In Motion's Theme: Dare To Discover
Charlottesville’s 2010 Minds In Motion performance will push
the boundaries of land, sea, air and space.
Students will dance their way through the history of exploration. From
the ancient Egyptians to Mars, we invite our audiences to join us as we Dare to
Discover!
CHARLOTTESVILLE Participating Minds In Motion Schools 2009-10
Burnley-Moran Elementary,
Clark Elementary, Greenbrier Elementary, Johnson Elementary, Jackson-Via Elementary,
and Venable Elementary School
CHARLOTTESVILLE END-OF-THE-YEAR PERFORMANCE DATES AND LOCATION
Come see all 300 Minds In Motion students on stage at the Martin Luther King Jr. Performing Arts Center in
a public performance on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 7pm & and a youth
performance on Thursday, April 1, 2010. Please email Caitlin Lennon at clennon@richmondballet.com for more information. Admission is free of charge.
Martinsville Area Minds In Motion
2009-10 MARTINSVILLE AREA Minds In Motion's Theme: 10th Anniversary
2010 marks the 10th anniversary of Minds In Motion in the Martinsville area! Join us as we celebrate
the history of our very first satellite program. Richmond
Ballet is proud to have been a part of the culture of Martinsville
and Henry County for a full decade!
MARTINSVILLE AREA Participating Minds In Motion Schools 2009-10Albert
Harris Elementary, Patrick Henry Elementary, Sanville Elementary, and Mt. Olivet
Elementary
MARTINSVILLE AREA END-OF-THE-YEAR PERFORMANCE DATES AND LOCATIONCome see all 300
Minds In Motion students on stage at Martinsville High School
in a public performance on Thursday, March 18 at 7pm & and a youth performance on Friday, March 19, 2010. Please email Heidi Pinkston at
hpinkston@piedmontarts.org for more information. Admission is free of charge.
Roanoke Valley Minds In Motion
2009-10 ROANOKE VALLEY Minds In Motion's Theme: Dare To Discover
Roanoke Valley’s 2010 Minds In Motion performance will push the boundaries of land, sea,
air and space. Students will dance their
way through the history of exploration. From the ancient Egyptians to Mars, we
invite our audiences to join us as we Dare to Discover!
ROANOKE VALLEY Participating Minds In Motion Schools 2009-10
Roanoke Academy,
Highland Park Elementary, Hurt Park
Elementary, Wasena Elementary, and East Salem Elementary
ROANOKE VALLEY END-OF-THE-YEAR PERFORMANCE DATES AND LOCATIONCome see all 300
Minds In Motion students on stage at the Roanoke Civic Center
in a public performance on Thursday, April 22 at 7pm & and a youth performance on Friday, April 21, 2010. Please email Rebecca Weger a
t rweger@richmondballet.com for more information. Admission is free of charge.
Recent Awards
In May 2001, the City of Richmond presented Minds In Motion with two awards: a certificate of recognition for the outstanding service Minds In Motion provides to the community, and a certificate of appreciation to Brett Bonda, the director of the Minds In Motion program, for his efforts in the Richmond City Schools with the Minds In Motion project. Brett Bonda also received the 2002 Richmond Magazine's Teresa Pollack Award for Excellence in the Arts for his contributions to dance.