To dance is to be out of yourself. Larger, more beautiful, more powerful. This is power, it is glory on earth and it is yours for the taking.

-Agnes De Mille

Welcome to the CPS Office of Arts Education Dance page! During my time as Dance Curriculum Supervisor I have had the great pleasure of getting to know the CPS community and the array of dance programming taking place in our schools. Dance opens the mind to think critically, creatively and constructively. It is an art that I have been passionate about for years and am thrilled to now champion it in our schools. Through my work I’ve had the honor of meeting dance specialists, classroom teachers and teaching artists alike who are outstanding in their efforts to bring dance into their students’ lives. I am constantly impressed by the amount of work they are able to achieve even when faced with space and equipment limitations. Their perseverance and dedication to enhance learning through the arts deserves standing ovations on many fronts.

The benefits of incorporating dance into a person’s life are immeasurable and have particular impact in our youth. Beyond the technical aspects of coordination, exercise, strengthening, musicality and flexibility, studying dance provides opportunities to explore the concepts of team work, self-confidence, self-awareness, communication, responsibility, goal setting, respect, discipline and much more. It provides an outlet for expression, self-efficacy and accomplishment, with achievements ranging from small to grand. Dance is a part of human nature and provides a connective tissue not only to other academic subjects, but to other parts of the world.

It has been a pleasure serving you as Dance Curriculum Supervisor and I encourage you to explore how dance might become a part of your life, both inside and outside of the classroom.  Enjoy browsing this section of our website!

Best wishes,

Maliwan Diemer