While I dance I cannot judge, I cannot hate, I cannot separate myself from life. I can only be joyful and whole. This is why I dance!
~ Hans Bos
MITS callers and choreographers look forward to sharing how simply holding the hand of the person next to you and moving together in rhythm, creates a magnificent flow of circles, squares and lines as a community.
All School Dance programs are workshops with one to three classes per session and in most cases, are accompanied by live music. Community & Family Dances are available as a trio or quartet including a caller.
We have dance programs for both school and community.
School dance programs are 60 to 75 minutes interactive sessions with 1 to 3 classes, and in most cases, accompanied by live music. Please scroll to the end of this page for Dance Format/Fee information.
Puja Amin
Bollywood Dance Workshop
Grades JK to 3, 4 to 6, 7 to 8 | 1 class/session for Intro or 2 classes/session for 6 day series
The Mumbai-based Hindi language film industry in India is informally, and very popularly, known as Bollywood. Various influences on Bollywood music introduce the student to diverse styles and energy of musicality and dance rhythms. Experimentation includes vocal work and/or hand and feet sounds as percussive elements. Students may also work with other visual props and musical instruments given the opportunity – all within a loosely structured choreography leading to a final performance. Available as an introductory program (1 to 2 visits per class) or as a series leading to student showcase (5 visits per session).
Njacko Backo
Let’s Dance For Life!
Grades K to 8 available in French | 2 classes/session, maximum 2 sessions/day | available for morning visits only
Njacko ramps up daily physical education and dance programs by incorporating traditional African choreography and chants in a safe, fun and simple dance repertoire. In keeping with tradition, older students are encouraged to assist younger students deepening their sense of community. Available for a single visit as well as a residency including student showcase.
Sarina Condello with emerging artist Bailey Davis
Bees That Dance
Grades JK to 8 | 5 day series with 4, 45-60 minute sessions/day | one class/session culminating in a student showcase
Through creative movement students explore the collaborative nature of honey bees, how they communicate, travel and interact. Students learn basic elements of choreography and improvisation to express their learning as well as their thoughts and feelings about bees demonstrating an increased kinesthetic, spatial, and rhythmic skills and effort awareness.
Andrea Haddad
Rigodon…Dansons!
Grades 4 to 12 available in French | 1 class/session, maximum 3 sessions/day
Tout le monde balance et tout le monde swing! Hold a québécois veillée in your classroom and watch out for that queue du loup! Students learn to play the spoons, dance the gigue, a cotillon or a carrée, and enact the story of Rose Latulippe.
Hannah Naiman
Contra and Square Dance (as a duo or trio)
Grade 5 to 8 | 2-3 classes/session, maximum 3 session/day
Contra and Square dancing go together like peas and carrots! Contra dancing is like square dancing, but in longer rectangular shapes. Students and teachers learn basic dances to live music in this fun and cooperative dance experience. These workshops will cover diverse styles of dancing, ranging from Tennessee and Kentucky, to New England. Available as a single visit as well as a 5-day residency where students will learn a few new dances daily, and at the end of the 5 days they’ll put them all together and have a dance party!
Singing Dances
Grades 1 to 4 | 1 class/session, maximum 3 sessions/day
Hannah fosters group cooperation and physical coordination with students and their teachers through traditional rhythms, songs and dances.
COMMUNITY DANCES
“If you can walk, you can dance.”
The following Community and Family dance programs – often for potluck dinners and fundraising events – are available as a trio or quartet and include live music and a caller. No dance experience is necessary!
Hannah Naiman
Family Dances (Single Event)
These dances are simple and fun where grown ups and little ones all dance together in circles, lines and squares. Hannah will teach all the dances to the group, and then strike up the band and continue to guide the dancers along in time with traditional tunes!
Bill Russell & Anne Lederman
Harvest Hoe-Down (Single Event)
Designed for beginners, the focus is on having fun! Bill calls and Anne fiddles for traditional square, round, and contra dances for a single event or evening. As a trio or quartet.
La Bastringue va commencer! (Single Event)
La Bastringue va commencer! is a fun, interactive program for dinner dances, fundraisers and potlucks. Bill calls and Anne fiddles for an evening of traditional danses canadiennes.
DANCE Fees
| Half-day *up to 2 sessions | Full day * up to 3 sessions | |
| Solo | $345 | $445 |
| Duo | $495 | $685 |
| trio | $650 | $895
|
| 5-day residency | |
| Solo | $1,605 |
| Duo | $2,330 |
| Single event – available as a trio or quartet – contact MITS office for fee information. |