School Outreach

ODC believes that the most lasting and meaningful educational experiences come from intimate exchanges in which artists work directly with individual students. Involvement in the arts is crucial to a child’s success both socially and academically. We are dedicated to passing on a lifelong love of dance, music, and movement to the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts.

• Making Moves

  Making Moves delivers a custom dance curriculum into Bay Area schools and community organizations, while also serving to facilitate group on-campus visits to our vibrant campus. Our teaching staff includes some of the most highly esteemed artists from the Bay Area’s rich and diverse arts community. Together, we are committed to the philosophy that the art of dance belongs to all of us. More information is available here.

• The Four-Part Program

  The ODC Four-Part Program asks students and artists to create and perform material together, drawing inspiration from their day-to-day lives. The collaborative experience promotes a deep awareness of art and creativity, helping develop future arts enthusiasts and perhaps even artists. The Four-Part Program activities take place both in ODC's studios and on-site at partner schools and community centers. This reciprocal visit strategy is essential to building trust and helps incorporate the art experience into the daily lives of our young partners.

  Offered primarily to second through fifth grade classes, the program includes: an introductory interactive dance experience conducted by ODC Co-Artistic Director KT Nelson; a class with ODC/Dance Company members at the ODC Dance Commons; a visit to an ODC/Dance performance at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts to see a fully produced dance concert; and a closing interactive experience with Ms. Nelson at the school or community site.