Arts - in - Education
Footworks is a leader in the field of Arts-In-Education and has been dedicated to youth and family audiences since the inception of the Company over 45 years ago.
Footworks presents live music and authentic American traditional dance in an energetic, engaging performance with plenty of audience participation. Footworks conveys the power and joy of percussive dance while illuminating the multicultural roots of American music and dance, including African, European, and Native American traditions. Live music and an exciting array of percussive dances are performed, including step dance, gumboot dance, tap, clogging, and hamboning, along with inspiring audience participation.
Keeping the Beat: Multicultural Influences in American Music and Dance
ASSEMBLY PROGRAM
Grade Levels: K-5, 6-8, 9-12
Curriculum Connectors: Multi-Cultural, History/Social Studies, Music, Dance, and Physical Education
.jpg)
ASSEMBLY PROGRAM
Irish Roots and American Branches
Performing live Irish music and dance with their descendant American styles, Footworks illuminates the American story of traditions coming from the Old World and meeting others here, resulting in new traditions. Students learn the powerful role the Irish played in the shaping of Maryland, the United States, and American culture.
Grade Levels: K-5, 6-8, 9-12
Curriculum Connectors: Multi-Cultural, History/Social Studies, American History, Music, Dance and Movement
ASSEMBLY PROGRAM
Build A Better World
Award winning Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble presents "Build A Better World", a family-friendly show for all ages that includes live music, dancing, audience participation, and lots of fun that will inspire students and audiences of all ages to do their part to build a better world. Come join world class artists as they perform an interactive and uplifting show that promotes civic competence and inspires audiences to be active and engaged participants in public life and is sure to get everyone smiling, toe tapping, singing, and clapping!
Grade Levels: K-5, 6-8, 9-12
Curriculum Connectors: Social Studies, United States History, Maryland History, World History, Music, Dance
PROGRAM PLUS WORKSHOP
Follow the assembly program “Keeping the Beat” or "Irish Roots and American Branches" with up to four 45-minute workshops, giving classes a chance to try out the dance steps they've just seen. Classes will work with Footworks dancers on age-appropriate dance steps. This is a wonderful activity for P.E. or dance classes. (2 artists)
Grade Level: K-12
Curriculum Connectors: Multi-Cultural, History/Social Studies, Music, Dance, and Physical Education
RESIDENCY PROGRAM
Roots and Rhythm
Traditional music and dance is an activity that Footworks presents in a way that makes participation accessible and fun with an approach that brings students together in a positive, constructive, and participatory way, building community and connecting the participants to each other and to their culture. The learning sequences develop motor skills and communication skills, teaching how to focus, follow directions, and work with others. Every individual understands that they are an important part of the whole. Workshops include percussive dance, singing, “hamboning” and improvisational exercises. (2-3 artists)
Grade Level: K-12
Curriculum Connectors: Multi-Cultural, History/Social Studies, Music, Dance, and Physical Education
ARTS INTEGRATION
Footworks’ is dedicated to Arts Integration and partners with Arts for Learning Maryland, Wolf Trap Early Learning Institute, and Washington Performing Arts to Integrate the Arts into School Curriculum throughout the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area. Footworks' teaches residencies, serves through Arts for Learning Days in local schools, gives Baby Arts Play residencies, teaches as part of Summer Arts for Learning Academy, as well as offers after school programming.
Director Marsha Searle is a certified Teaching Artist with Arts for Learning Maryland, an Early Learning Teaching Artist with Wolf Trap Maryland and Wolf Trap National, and a certified Teaching Artist with Washington Performing Arts. Contact us today to see how you can be a part of our latest programming!
EARLY LEARNING ASSEMBLY PROGRAM
World Dance: Rhythm and Melody from Across the Globe
Embark on a captivating journey into the realms of rhythm, music, and percussive dance with the "World Dance" presentation by the Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble. This mesmerizing performance brings forth the rich tapestry of traditional dance and music from various corners of the globe, including Ireland, South Africa, China, Mexico, and the United States. Led by the virtuoso performers of Footworks, this interactive assembly invites students to join in, singing along, creating rhythms, and dancing to live music. It's a joyous celebration of diverse world cultures that promises to engage and inspire all in attendance.
Age Level: Birth-6
Curriculum Connectors: Steady Beat, Dance, Music, Fine Motor Skills, Focus, Social-Emotional Learning
Baby Arts Play Residencies
Baby Artsplay!™ residencies provide hands-on music, movement, and drama experiences that parents, caregivers, and early childhood educators can use daily in order to set their young learners on a path toward kindergarten readiness.
Age Level: Birth-4
Wolf Trap Residencies
Literacy based residencies train early childhood educators to effectively integrate the arts in their classrooms and provide joyful, active learning experiences that encourage critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration.kindergarten readiness.
Grade Level: Pre-K and Kindergarten
WOLF TRAP RESIDENCIES
EARLY LEARNING THEME-BASED RESIDENCY PROGRAM
Mountain Music: Appalachian Songs, Steps, and Story
Welcome to Mountain Music where the hills of Appalachia come alive for students through vibrant stories, stirring melodies, and traditional Appalachian dance. Students will dive into the region’s rich cultural tapestry, learning traditional steps and a social dance, and creating steps in the Appalachian tradition using music and story to facilitate movement.
Age Level: 3-6
Curriculum Connectors: Steady Beat, Dance, Music, Fine/Gross Motor Skills, Focus, Social-Emotional Learning
EARLY CHILDHOOD INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS
Appalachian Melody and Movement
In this interactive workshop, our experienced Teaching Artist Marsha Searle and a world-class Musician will guide you through the vibrant beats and melodies of the Appalachian region. From the spirited tunes of the fiddle to the rhythmic footwork and social dance passed down through generations, you’ll learn the steps and delve into the cultural significance and stories behind each movement.
Age Level: Prek-K
A Ceili - An Irish Music and Dance Party
Join us for this fun-filled event featuring live music and dance for everyone. Sing along and learn a traditional Irish song and dance, all while enjoying the lively rhythms and infectious energy of Irish culture. This workshop promises to be a memorable experience for all, bringing together music, movement, and joy in a celebration of Irish heritage!
Age Level: Prek-K
INTERACTIVE FAMILY ENGAGEMENT NIGHT WORKSHOPS
Appalachian Dance and Literacy Family Night
Footworks presents an Appalachian Dance and Literacy Family night, with live music, percussive and community dance, and so much to learn and enjoy. Footworks will teach ways to make reading engaging at home and at school using the principles of dance. Families will learn an Appalachian song and Clogging step and participate in a community dance and create their own dance steps using principles from Literacy. Join us for an evening of fun, learning, and creating community!
Age Level: K-8 and Adults
Irish Music, Dance, and Math Family Night
Footworks presents an Irish Music and Dance and Math Family night, with live music, percussive and community dance, and so much to learn and enjoy. Footworks will teach ways to make math engaging at home and at school using the principles of dance. Families will learn about Irish Music and Dance and learn an Irish song and Sean Nos (Old Style Irish) step and participate in a Set (Irish Community) dance and create their own dance steps using principles from Math. Join us for an evening of fun, learning, and creating community!
Age Level: K-8 and Adults
A Science and Appalachian Music and Dance Family Night
Ignite your sense of wonder and joy as Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble’s Director Marsha Searle and Science Teacher Julie Depner present “Studying our World: A Science and Appalachian Music and Dance Family Night” filled with live music, percussive and community dance, and so much to learn and enjoy. Families will learn how to make science engaging through dance and movement and how to be a scientist and approach the world with curiosity. Families will learn scientific principles and use these same principles to create dance and to stay curious about the world around them. Families will learn about Appalachian music and dance and learn an Appalachian song and Clogging step, participate in a community dance, and create their own dance steps using scientific principles and observations. Join us for an evening of fun, learning, and creating community!
Age Level: K-8 and Adults