Having a Ball

The Having a Ball ballroom dance intensive program, is run by the CPS Office of Arts Education and is partially funded by a U.S. Department of Education Carol M. White physical education grant with the support of the Chicago Board of Education. Having a Ball concentrates on 5th grade students who learn the International Style of ballroom dance which not only provides physical exercise, but also introduces a fresh way of learning history, geography, and culture. Another equally important benefit is the development of students’ confidence and self-esteem as well as the cultivation of important skills such as communication, teamwork, goal setting, leadership, posture, coordination and musicality.

The 20-week curricular program involves regular ballroom dance instruction as well as classroom instruction involving related subject areas including fitness, nutrition, socio-emotional skills and cultural connections. Students learn the Cha-Cha, Waltz, Tango, Paso Doble and Jive and have an opportunity to participate in a culminating event as well as in in-school demonstrations.

Click here to view photos from the 2008-2009 Final Competition.
Click here to watch the Having a Ball (HAB) Promo Clip 2008.
Click here to view photos from the 2007-2008 Final Competition.

** In the News **
Click here to see the finalists featured on WGN's Midday Fix.
Click here to see the feature in BroadwayWorld.com.
Click here to watch the program on NBC Nightly News' Making a Difference series.
Click here to watch students perform on ABC7 News.
Click here to watch NBC's coverage of students dancing in the Final competition.
Click here to see the spotlight article from the CSP website.

Dance Express Library

OAE offers an opportunity for teachers to borrow resources for use in their classroom from the Dance Express Library. Materials available for check out include dvds, cds, books about a variety of dance disciplines including modern, jazz, ballroom and ballet. Please call 773-553-2170 for more information.

Click to view available titles. If you are an organization or individual interested in donating materials please contact OAE.

Professional Development and Teacher Forums

The Office of Arts Education works to respond to teacher feedback to structure professional development opportunities as well as opportunities for teachers to gather and share ideas. Information about these events and professional development opportunities presented by area arts partners will be available on the OAE website and in the monthly E-Newsletter.

Chicago Guide for Teaching And Learning in the Arts: Dance

A major work of OAE is the development of the Chicago Guide for Teaching and Learning in the Arts, a curricular framework for each of the arts disciplines designed to facilitate quality arts education in Chicago public schools. This ongoing project would not be possible without the time and energy generously provided by Chicago Public School teachers and arts partners committed to expanding the breadth and reach of dance in our schools.

Elementary Dance Scholarship Program

In the fall of 2008 OAE proudly launched the pilot of its Elementary Dance Scholarship Program (EDSP), an initiative to increase the number of opportunities within CPS for quality, discipline based dance experiences. Students are selected by audition, which is open to participating Having a Ball schools, and meet twice a week, after school at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s Lou Conte Dance Studio. First year students (6th grade) study ballet and ballroom with EDSP's faculty. Additional dance styles may then be added as the students advance through years two and three. Performances include in-studio demonstrations and a presentation at the culminating event of the Having a Ball program. The program is provided free of charge to students and schools through OAE and focuses on helping students achieve artistic and academic success.

Follow the pilot year through the photo album or view photos from the EDSP performance at the Having a Ball finals!

** EDSPP was featured on CPS Right Now and as a spotlight on the CPS website!**

Visiting Companies

OAE is pleased to have an ongoing relationship with dance companies who make Chicago part of their touring season each year. Often working in conjunction with the presenting organization, these companies have presented workshops, master classes and lectures in Chicago Public Schools, reaching both elementary and high school students. Among the nationally recognized groups who worked with OAE and provided such opportunities during the 2007-2008 school year were American Ballet Theatre and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Summer Dance Boot Camp

The Summer Dance Boot Camp started in the summer of 2009 and is open to students who have participated in the Having a Ball ballroom dance intensive during the school year. It is an opportunity for students to experience continued dance education in a rigorous setting and stay active during the break. In addition to ballroom, other types of classes such as jazz, African, modern, yoga and pilates will be taught. The program is offered free of charge to participating students through the support of a U.S. Department of Education Carol M. White physical education grant.  

Click here to view photos from the 2009 Summer Dance Boot Camp.