Waltzing their way to self-confidence

      Fourth-grade students from Ogden Elementary School recently concluded a 10-week, 20-session ballroom dance program through Dancing Classrooms Long Island: Transforming Lives One Step At A Time, a social development and arts-in-education residency program that aims to help young people develop a positive self-image and essential life skills such as confidence, respect for others and social awareness.
      Dancing Classrooms is the creation of American Ballroom Theater's Artistic Director Pierre Dulaine and his partner Yvonne Marceau. Featured in the documentary film, “Take the Lead” starring Antonio Banderas, the program is designed to combine key aspects of physical education, music and character building at the upper elementary and middle school levels. In 2007-08, CoDanceCo, an East Patchogue-based nonprofit, became the National Network site for the program.
      At Woodmere Middle School, the students took part in a three-hour performance to showcase their dances and celebrate their accomplishments on March 9.