Fourth graders explore dance elements and vocabulary - positive and negative space, high, medium and low levels - and find their own solutions to creative movement problems while learning the social skills of cooperation, turn-taking, carefulness with each other. All this in a four day artist residency.

Professional development workshops offer in-school and after-school teachers an opportunity to explore movement, learn dance concepts, find comfort with their own moving bodies and have fun learning together. And, add movement games to their skills for corralling children's energy in a positive way.

High school students participating in a ten week artist residency learn elements of design that incorporate a variety of levels to end their dance.

Nancy Salmon demonstrates a concept for teachers in a professional development workshop sponsored by the Maine Humanities Council.

Nancy leads a workshop for early childhood educators called "Move to Read." The workshop identifies dance movement and theater games that support the cognitive skills necessary for reading and literacy development.

"White Crane Spreads Her Wings" choreographed by Peg Brightman for Nancy Salmon

Rehearsal photo

"The Soldier Returns" choreographed by Lisa Hicks

dance bag characters express themselves

"And the Beat Goes On" - elementary and middle school residencies designed and conducted by Nancy Salmon and Louis Gervais introduce students to music and social dance styles of the 1950s and '60s.