BFAK Blog
Ballet For All Kids: A Sanctuary for My Life's Work
Every time I come back from a performance, I love to share my experience with the dancers of Ballet for All Kids, so Bonnie coordinates a spectacular event with a special performance just for them! Seeing their faces light up in a studio I spend so much time in is rewarding in ways I simply can't put into words! Thank you to everyone who makes Ballet for All Kids such a charming place for the priceless work of the arts.
The Props that Prop Us Up
Using props is great for kinesthetic learners. Some kids just learn better with touch. Being able to use a manipulative helps them to internalize the ballet technique. Often holding a wand or scarf with a “ballet” hand, helps the students to be able to understand the movement.
BFAK Needs Your Help
BFAK faces challenges, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. We experienced a significant loss of students and revenue during this time, yet our expenses, including rent and insurance, continued to accumulate. As we strive to rebuild our student base and sustain our operations, we are in need of support from generous individuals like yourself.
Holiday Cheer For Interns
Read an intern testimonial that warms all out heart in the spirit of this joyful holiday season.
Student Spotlight: Charlie
Hear about one of our students, Charlie! If you would like your child featured, please submit a blurb and their picture under the Get Involved—> Send Feedback.
Virtual Class Testimonial
Wondering how effective are ballet classes on zoom? Here we asked some of our parents and kids to share their feedback.
BFAK in Greece
You can be certified in teaching the Schlachte Method today! The wonderful Anna Xasanidou has already been certified and is helping teach students in Greece. We are so happy to see the impact the Schlachte Method can have on student’s lives. Read below an interview we had with Anna about her experience becoming certified!
EveryBODY Dance Documentary
Excited to announce that the documentary @EveryDANCEdoc is premiering at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on 3/5 & 3/6. Featuring our work at Ballet for All! Follow five amazing kids on their journey through life and toward their dance recital. Produced and directed by Dan Watt.
Give the Gift of Dance
On this Giving Tuesday, we ask once again to please consider donating to BFAK. Even though we continued to offer classes for free, our studio rent, insurance, and other costs continue to accrue. We now have a backlog of rent to pay and need your support. Please help us to continue to offer children of all abilities the chance to gain the benefits for a classical dance education.
NYPL Little Learners Videos
Ballet For All Kids partnered with the New York Public Library to create a series of brief virtual storytime/movement videos. Join our BFAK teachers as the read stories, play games, and teach ballet basics.
Love, Tess
Or perhaps it’s the inclusivity, the most overlooked part of BFAK, that we teach real, classical ballet to all people, that we have people with disabilities, people that are typical, all learning the same thing, nothing sacrificed, because we are all just people and we really can learn together.
Ugly Duckling
I think everyone would agree that The Ugly Duckling is iconic. The title alone brings so many things to mind — mean ducks and vulnerable baby swans and the grace of finally coming home to those that love and appreciate you. It’s practically shorthand for that experience by now.
The Little Nutcracker That Could
Two years ago when our little dance troupe decided to show the world what we could do, we began to stage our own interpretation of The Nutcracker.
All I Really Needed to Know I Learned in Ballet
The more I teach ballet the more I realize how much ballet has to teach. Ballet has given me a philosophical foundation for many of my life lessons. -Bonnie Schlachte
