Our Mission
The Durango Dance Foundation is a nonprofit organization [501(c)3] committed to creating a radically inclusive dance community where every individual, regardless of background or ability, can thrive. We teach dance techniques that matter, empower our students to achieve excellence, and celebrate diversity while fostering belonging for all.
The Durango Dance Foundation is a nonprofit organization [501(c)3] committed to creating a radically inclusive dance community where every individual, regardless of background or ability, can thrive. We teach dance techniques that matter, empower our students to achieve excellence, and celebrate diversity while fostering belonging for all.
Our Approach
"Brain-Compatible Dance Education is a structured methodology for teaching dance using our 5-part lesson plan and strategies that create an environment in which the brain is ready, willing, and able to learn. Developed by our Founder, Anne Green Gilbert, this holistic approach allows students the opportunity to become skilled dancers, critical thinkers, innovative creators, successful collaborators, and respectful responders. Our teachers use the BCDE components, including BrainDance and the dance concepts, to guide students through an engaging experience, enjoyable for all types of learners and movers. Our students are given the opportunity to learn dance skills and also to develop their own creative ideas and voices through movement explorations, improvisation, and choreography. Brain-Compatible Dance Education supports joyful and transformative learning and self-expression!"
---From Brain Compatible Dance Education https://www.creativedance.org/brain-dance/
The components of the Brain Dance, the foundation of BCDE, are:
These movements are incorporated into every warm-up and cool-down (reverse order) as well as throughout class. Additional concepts of movement like space, level, energy, focus, pathways, speed, and more are incorporated on a monthly or weekly basis. (depending on maturity of dancers)
"Brain-Compatible Dance Education is a structured methodology for teaching dance using our 5-part lesson plan and strategies that create an environment in which the brain is ready, willing, and able to learn. Developed by our Founder, Anne Green Gilbert, this holistic approach allows students the opportunity to become skilled dancers, critical thinkers, innovative creators, successful collaborators, and respectful responders. Our teachers use the BCDE components, including BrainDance and the dance concepts, to guide students through an engaging experience, enjoyable for all types of learners and movers. Our students are given the opportunity to learn dance skills and also to develop their own creative ideas and voices through movement explorations, improvisation, and choreography. Brain-Compatible Dance Education supports joyful and transformative learning and self-expression!"
---From Brain Compatible Dance Education https://www.creativedance.org/brain-dance/
The components of the Brain Dance, the foundation of BCDE, are:
- Breath
- Tactile
- Core-Distal
- Head-Tail
- Upper-Lower
- Body Side
- Cross Lateral
- Vestibular
These movements are incorporated into every warm-up and cool-down (reverse order) as well as throughout class. Additional concepts of movement like space, level, energy, focus, pathways, speed, and more are incorporated on a monthly or weekly basis. (depending on maturity of dancers)