Bliss Dance Project
Dancing is a popular pastime for the children of Bliss. With or without music, one would notice kids doing a few dance steps just for fun and laughs. School occasions are never without a dance presentation. However, most of these kids have never felt the comfort of wearing leotards and tights, have never seen jazz dance, nor felt the fine floors of a dance studio. With the talent present but the resources missing, Volunteer for the Visayans want to inculcate in them the love for dancing and give them the chance to further explore dance as an art, and for the children to develop a passion, learn discipline, and be out of the streets. Inspiration Chelsea, a 2007 VFV volunteer, initially taught a few eager children some simple dance steps and just two months after, what used to be a simple past time has turned into a daily dance activity. VFV saw a rapid growth in the number of dances and performances. With the help of another volunteer, Stephanie, who also led various dance workshops at the VFV Center, it became obvious that the children's dance group is really dedicated - that it caught the organization's interest for further development. The Project That is why VFV envisions to create a DANCE STUDIO. The kids will no longer have to endure the dusty and accident-prone street, where they usually express their talent in dancing, nor will they have to bear the limited space at the VFV center for classes. VFV aims to bring these talents home to a hub where these can be further nurtured - for no fee at all. The proposed Dance Studio (perspective, right photos) is a two-storey building that will house the dance floor on the second floor and three Fine Arts tutorial classrooms on the ground floor - accommodating about 60 students everyday. It is designed to be perfectly conducive for dance and arts lessons. The Dance Studio will also serve as a placement for dance volunteers who want to share their skills in the performing arts. How you can help Sponsor a child The Dance Sponsorship Program will match a sponsor with a dance student. For only $25 each month, a child will get regular educational and medical assistance, plus dance lessons. Be a Dance Volunteer Teach dance to young children of Bliss and learn the Filipino traditional folk dances as well. Involve others through a Dance Drive Conduct a "Dance Drive" at your school or local dance studio! Outgrown or out-of-fashion dance clothes (leotards, dance pants, shorts, dance costumes), outgrown dance shoes, old performance props, dance books, dance CDs, DVDs, Stereo equipment, etc. -- your contributions from your dance drive will help clothe all the dancers with proper attire as well as help them with costume costs. Make a Donation Your donation will help make the Dance Studio project a reality for these young dancers. A local architect designed the building for free and a study abroad office in Florida kindly donated funds to start the purchase of the lot. The next step is construction of the building -- donations will directly go to funding of the construction of the dance studio. Upcoming Program: International Dance Exchange The International Dance Exchange program provides collegiate abroad dance experiences for American dance majors and minors, and volunteer opportunities for all foreign dance enthusiasts young and old. International Dance Exchange works with American colleges and Universities on an individual basis so that dancers may study abroad and receive college credit that will go directly to their graduation requirements. International Dance Exchange also works with local dance studios, schools, conservatories and individuals who have a desire to travel alone or as a group to learn, teach, and perform dance in another geographical setting. For inquiries on how you can help, please contact: info@visayans.org +63 53-325-2462
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