Since 1999, IBE has
provided highly successful residency programs to schools in the Philadelphia
School District, including Simon Gratz High School, Girls High, University City
High School, Northeast High School, Kenderton Elementary School, Anna B. Pratt
Elementary, George Washington High School and Leeds Middle School..
Residencies consist of a full year of weekly ballet training, which culminates
in a collaborative ballet performance with other local ballet students who
study privately. The performance is free for elementary school children in the
Philadelphia School District and is performed in the spring during the daytime
hours.
Residency students also are provided with free tickets and transportation to
the Donetsk Ballet's production of The Nutcracker.
“Ballet
has helped my students to communicate feelings, images and thoughts that would
never have been revealed had it not been for their experience with IBE.
Students entering the school anticipate the opportunity to be part of the
residency, and many graduates of the program have been inspired to become
dance educators and teachers of the performing arts, and are currently enrolled
in various universities and colleges.
Without IBE, many students would lose the opportunity for such a meaningful,
motivating experience.” - Dr. Delores Williams, Principal, Simon Gratz High School