ROAD® Reach Out and Dance
ROAD® Celebrates 25 Years!
Reach Out And Dance® is Ballet Excel Ohio’s outreach educating children who might otherwise be unable to access the art of dance. ROAD® fulfills this mission through in school residencies, immersion pre-professional dance instruction and community educational performances. Using the energetic instruction of dance, children experience teamwork, self-discipline, and increased self-esteem. ROAD® strives for the best in each child artistically, physically, and mentally, while teaching that hard work and dedication lead to success in the dance classroom, school classroom, and beyond.
ROAD® Mission
ROAD® Mission
ROAD® is Ballet Excel Ohio’s outreach intended to educate children who would otherwise be unable to access the art of dance. ROAD ® fulfills this mission through inschool residencies, immersion in preprofessional dance instruction, and community educational performances.
ROAD® Vision
ROAD ® is Ballet Excel Ohio’s outreach dedicated to educating underserved children through the art of dance. We serve students who otherwise would not have the opportunity to experience dance & positively change the trajectory of their lives.
What Separates ROAD® From Other Dance Programs?
ROAD® does not stop in the school classroom. We are dedicated to providing interested students who participate in this 10-week session and performance with scholarships to continue with dance training at BXO for as many as 10 years! We believe if students are provided with an opportunity to experience the arts, they are more likely to stay in school, make and maintain healthy relationships, and be more confident in themselves and their potential. ROAD® strives for the best in each child artistically, physically, and mentally, while teaching that hard work and dedication lead to success in the dance classroom, school classroom and beyond.
IGNITE
Interest
The arts have the power to inspire, motivate, and uplift and are essential to a well-rounded education. Through the arts we foster self-expression and the celebration of joy. Our 10-week public school program introduces children in underserved communities to accessible dance by teaching creative dance movements and rhythm.
IMMERSE
in the Arts
ROAD® creates a nurturing environment for the children of underserved communities who have a love of dance. Several children who participate in our 10-week program receive full scholarships for pre-professional dance training at Excellence In Dance during the summer months. Our pre-professional dance training builds confidence, self-sufficiency, and discipline to impact their skills for life.
INVEST
in each Child
Each year ROAD® invests over $3600 in pre-professional dance training per student. Students who show a true commitment to excellence are then offered full scholarships for the entire school year. Scholarships are evaluated and carried over through high school graduation. Opportunities become bountiful as each dancer grow into a dedicated, confident, and responsible young adult. Many of our dancers have gone on to professional dance careers around the world.
IGNITE INTEREST
Tier One: We ignite interest
The arts have the power to inspire, motivate, and uplift and are essential to a well-rounded education. Through the arts we foster self-expression and the celebration of joy. Our 10-week public school program introduces children in underserved communities to accessible dance by teaching creative dance movements and rhythm.
Tier Two: We immerse
ROAD creates a nurturing environment for the children of underserved communities who have a love of dance. Several children who participate in our 10-week program receive full scholarships for pre-professional dance training at Nan Klinger Excellence In Dance during the summer months. Our pre-professional dance training builds confidence, self-sufficiency and discipline to impact their skills for life.
IMMERSE IN THE ARTS
INVEST IN EACH CHILD
Tier Three: We invest
Each year ROAD invests over $3,600 in pre-professional dance training per student. Students who show a true commitment to excellence are then offered full scholarships for the entire school year. Scholarships are evaluated and carried over through high school graduation. Opportunities become bountiful as each dancer grows into dedicated, confident, and responsible young adults.
ROAD® History
Reach Out And Dance® (ROAD®) was started in 1998 by Lori Klinger, Founder, Artistic and Executive Director of Rosie's Theater Kids. RTKids was awarded the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award and ROAD® is proud to have a staff of professional PS Broadway Certified Instructors trained by Thecla Harris and Ms. Klinger's continuing insight and support.
ROAD® is a ten-week program developed by Ballet Excel Ohio (BXO) to allow children in underserved areas to have an experience with dance and performing arts. ROAD® brings live accompanists and trained dance instructors into local schools which give children a theatrical experience during the school day. But the experience does not stop there! Children perform in front of the school to share the skills they have been taught in just 10 weeks!
GOALS:
- To keep kids moving and excited to learn
- To promote a healthy body, mind, and imagination
- To allow children in underserved areas to experience the art of dance
- To provide a dance experience that can expand beyond the classroom and target scholarship students
ROAD® Artistic Staff
Erin Miller, Artistic Director
Erin Miller grew up in Houston, Texas, and began studying Dance at age 3 and performing in community theater productions by the age of 4. After years of training, she found a love for creating dances and began choreographing routines for her dance studio’s competition team. Erin has studied the dance styles of: Ballet/Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern, Lyrical, Pom/Drill, and Musical Theatre. She has performed on the main stage of Carnival Cruise Lines (2009, 2011, 2013, 2015) with top performing group “Reaction” based out of Houston, TX.
After graduating from high school, Erin moved to Northeast Ohio to attend Kent State University with a major in Business Management and a minor in Dance. While at Kent State in 2018, she started teaching group fitness classes and became certified in WERQ Dance Fitness and later POUND Fitness. Erin graduated in 2020 and has been teaching Dance and Fitness in the Northeast Ohio area for the past 5 years. She loves sharing her passion for Dance with the next generation, and is excited to continue it as Artistic Director of Reach Out and Dance.
Thecla Harris, Artistic Consultant
Thecla Harris is currently the Director of Development with Habitat for Humanity of Washington & Dodge Counties in Wisconsin. From 2003 to 2018, Ms. Harris served as the Artistic Director of PS Broadway, the flagship program of Rosie O'Donnell's Rosie's Theater Kids (RTKids). Since its inception, Thecla helped develop and implement the program's curriculum, and led teacher-training workshops using the classroom techniques unique to RTKids. Her choreography has appeared on national and local levels, on numerous television shows, and at charity events in New York City. Ms. Harris taught in the advanced ballet department at the Schauer Arts Center in Hartford and she served as Academy Administrative Director with First Stage in Milwaukee.
Thecla trained professionally with Ballet Excel Ohio and Dayton Ballet II, and was a guest performer with numerous companies. She received a BA from the University of Akron and taight dance in the New York City public schools since 1995, including eight years with the National Dance Institute. She serves as Artistic Consultant for Reach Out and Dance (ROAD®) and BalletMet's Momentum in Columbus, Ohio. Thecla is an ABT® (American Ballet Theatre) certified Instructor.
ROAD® Programs Education Programs For Our Schools and Communities
Our dance curriculum provides several opportunities for enrichment and continuing performing arts education. We even design special programming to meet our clients'personal needs.
ROAD® 10 WEEK SECOND GRADE
- 10 weekly classes for second-grade students in their school setting or through our virtual video programs
- Themes like "Leaping Through Literature" and "Math in Motion" which tie into Ohio State Standards and the current season of Ballet Excel Ohio
- Culminates in ROAD® End of Session Show.
- Each student receives FREE tickets to Ballet Excel Ohio's March performance at the Akron Civic Theatre.
- Each student gets the opportunity to perform on stage at the Akron Civic Theatre during intermission.
ROAD® END OF SESSION SHOW
- A ROAD® performance that is performed in their school for their peers.
- Each student receives a free t-shirt to wear during the performance
- Announcement of students that will receive a ROAD® scholarship worth up to $28,000+ in pre-professional dance training at Nan Klinger Excellence in Dance!
ROAD® SCHOLARSHIP
- Partial and Full Scholarship to Nan Klinger Excellence in Dance Studio.
- Uniform stipend for required dress code with available funds
- Master class workshop opportunities with world-renowned dance professionals
- Performance opportunities with Ballet Excel Ohio On Tour and ROAD®.
ROAD® DEMONSTRATION PERFORMANCES
- Designed for community events and festivals
- An audience participation experience for children of all ages
- Presenting one of our many themes like Alphabet Soup or Create Your Own Dance. We can also customize the theme based on our clients' needs.
ROAD® JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Reach Out and Dance® (ROAD®) is in search of teaching artists
Use the energetic instruction of dance for children to experience teamwork, self-discipline, and increased self-esteem.
ROAD® strives for the best in each child artistically, physically, and mentally, while teaching that hard work and dedication lead to success in the dance classroom, school classroom, and beyond.
ROAD® 10 WEEK SECOND GRADE
- 10 weekly classes for second-grade students in their school setting or through our virtual video programs
- Themes like "Leaping Through Literature" and "Math in Motion" which tie into Ohio State Standards and the current season of Ballet Excel Ohio
- Culminates in ROAD® End of Session Show.
- Each student receives FREE tickets to Ballet Excel Ohio's March performance at the Akron Civic Theatre.
- Each student gets the opportunity to perform on stage at the Akron Civic Theatre during intermission.
ROAD® END OF SESSION SHOW
- A ROAD® performance that is performed in their school for their peers.
- Each student receives a free t-shirt to wear during the performance
- Announcement of students that will receive a ROAD® scholarship worth up to $28,000+ in pre-professional dance training at Nan Klinger Excellence in Dance!
ROAD® SCHOLARSHIP
- Partial and Full Scholarship to Nan Klinger Excellence in Dance Studio.
- Uniform stipend for required dress code with available funds
- Master class workshop opportunities with world-renowned dance professionals
- Performance opportunities with Ballet Excel Ohio On Tour and ROAD®.
ROAD® DEMONSTRATION PERFORMANCES
- Designed for community events and festivals
- An audience participation experience for children of all ages
- Presenting one of our many themes like Alphabet Soup or Create Your Own Dance. We can also customize the theme based on our clients' needs.
ROAD® JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Reach Out and Dance® (ROAD®) is in search of teaching artists
Use the energetic instruction of dance for children to experience teamwork, self-discipline, and increased self-esteem.
ROAD® strives for the best in each child artistically, physically, and mentally, while teaching that hard work and dedication lead to success in the dance classroom, school classroom, and beyond.
Celebrating over 25 years of Reach Out And Dance which has touched over 11,000 lives.
Over 7,000 audience members at BXO performances each year, reflecting our community's diverse economic, ethnic, and cultural groups.
Over 20 performances at more than 15 different community locations each year.
Over 1,500 free and hundreds of reduced price tickets distributed for the Spring Ballet to those who might otherwise be unable to attend.
30% of BXO company dancers represent underserved and/or minority demographics.
Over 400 Akron Public School second graders receive dance instruction for free in their classrooms through ROAD each year.
ROAD® Scholarship Program
ROAD® Scholarship Program is comprised of dancers who have graduated from ROAD® and have the desire to train beyond their weekly classes. ROAD® Scholarship Program dancers are selected through an application process held annually, following ROAD®’s End of Year Show. Members attend ballet classes in the Preprofessional School Division at Nan Klinger Excellence In Dance studios. They perform at Reach Out and Dance® events and Ballet Excel Ohio on Tour performances throughout the year.
ROAD® Dancers Receive:
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Partial and Full Scholarships to Nan Klinger Excellence in Dance Studio.
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Dance clothes furnished based upon need.
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Performance opportunities with Ballet Excel Ohio On Tour and ROAD®
Find out how you can support ROAD Scholarship Program through dancer sponsorship:
Contact Mia Klinger at ROAD@BalletExcelOhio.org or (330) 822- 4296
Become a ROAD® School
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Study Guides for Teachers and Principals.
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Information Packets for Parents and Families.
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Fit Minute- A fun opportunity for education on basic health principles.
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Free t-shirts and tickets to Ballet Excel Ohio's March Performance at the Akron Civic Theatre.
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Professionally trained Instructors and Musicians.
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Personalized program management and development.
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Our Commitment to Excellence.
Every Child Counts
Our programs depend on the support of our generous benefactors who believe in our mission. To help us make a difference in the lives of underserved youth, please consider giving to our cause.
For more information on Reach out and Dance®, complete the form below: