Learning
Arts

Dance

Move. Express. Connect.

At Dalton, dance is more than just movement — it’s a powerful form of creative expression that empowers students to think critically, create boldly, and cultivate a lifelong appreciation for the art form. Guided by expert faculty and guest artists, the program nurtures both artistic and intellectual growth, encouraging students to see dance as a lens for understanding themselves and the world.

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  • Building Community through Movement

    Rooted in Dalton's ethos of community building, dance classes invite and often incorporate the entire student body to witness or participate in the joyous power of dance.

    Student performances begin in First Program with showcases like Dance Around the World and continue in Middle School with signature experiences such as a flash mob and culminating performance in the Black Box Dance Theater. By High School, students have a range of dance opportunities, including the audition-based Dance Theater Workshop (DTW).

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  • An Artistic Exploration of the World Through Dance

    From the earliest years in First Program through High School, Dalton's dynamic dance curriculum engages students emotionally, intellectually, and artistically through a rich exploration of movement and storytelling. Students study somatics, Laban Movement Analysis, and a wide range of dance styles, including modern, jazz, musical theater, ballet, hip hop, West African, and other social and cultural dance forms, gaining a global understanding of dance as an expressive art form. The program is further enriched by visits from professional dancers and guest choreographers, offering students unique opportunities to learn from industry experts.

Dance Curriculum

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  • First Program

    Dance and theater arts come together in First Program to build a strong foundation in movement and storytelling. Through creative movement, students develop self-expression, imagination, and essential social-emotional skills, like intellectual risk-taking, cooperation, and collaboration. Inspired by books, arts, mathematics, and fairytales, students explore dance concepts while deepening their understanding of various topics. 

     
    Theater enhances this experience by fostering collaborative storytelling through voice, body, and words. Students engage in improvisation, puppetry, character study, and dramatization, bringing poetry, art, historical figures, and literature to life.

    Performances showcase students' learning and examples include "Dance Around the World," introducing global dance styles, a 2nd grade musical incorporating dance with the NYC social studies curriculum, and a culminating 3rd grade Shakespearian play – A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

    To learn more about the Dance program, please click on the First Program curriculum guide.
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  • Middle School

    The Middle School Dance Program approaches dance as an intellectual and creative art form, focusing on expressing and communicating ideas. The program evolves from foundational movement exploration in 4th grade to sophisticated choreography and performance by 8th grade.
    4th graders engage in creative movement and problem-solving, culminating in a Journey Dance that connects the grade-wide immigration studies with creative exploration of the immigrant experience with the Laban/Bartenieff Movement System.

    In 5th grade, students deepen their personal expression by choreographing duets inspired by their names and identities.

    6th grade entails a cross-divisional, Greek Festival that brings tales of Greek mythology and The Odyssey to life, challenging students to translate ancient themes into dynamic, expressive movement.

    By 7th and 8th grades, classes in Dance Styles and Dance Composition offer students ways to learn more about themselves, their peers, new cultures, and new ways of moving through original choreography and large and intimate scale productions. Students explore global dance, create site-specific dance films through DanceWAVE (Working Artists Video Ensemble), and develop their choreographic voices in Dance Composition. Signature programs include an annual flash mob for the Dalton community, inspired by styles like hip hop, A Chorus Line, K-Pop, and a culminating showcase in the Black Box Dance Theater, where students integrate music, props, and lighting.  

    To learn more about the Dance program, please click on the Middle School curriculum guide.
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  • High School

    The High School Dance Program introduces students to dance as both a physical discipline and a creative, performing art, welcoming dancers, athletes, actors, and anyone interested in exploring the world of dance. Through technical training, creative exploration, and enriching experiences with guest artists, workshops, and New York’s vibrant dance scene, the program inspires students at all skill levels to appreciate and integrate dance into their lives. 
    Formal dance opportunities in High School include: 

    Outside In dance concerts – Offers students the chance to engage closely with visiting choreographers from the professional dance world, culminating in a performance of new work in our intimate black box theater.

    Studio Works – Provides a venue for dance classes to share their efforts in a spirited community showcase.

    Dance Theater Workshop (DTW) – For those seeking deeper engagement with dance, DTW, an audition-based program, introduces students to choreographic tools and methods to develop authentic and unique choreography. The course uses improvisation, open structures, and choreographic constructs to generate movement. DTW offers students the opportunity to connect with their own voices and experiences and produce a work that culminates in a year-end dance concert.

    Beyond the curriculum, faculty support in preparing to apply to professional dance schools.

    To learn more about the Dance program, explore the High School course catalog.
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Dance Theater Workshop (DTW)

For those seeking deeper engagement with dance, DTW, an audition-based program, introduces students to choreographic tools and methods to develop authentic and unique choreography. The course uses improvisation, open structures, and choreographic constructs to generate movement. DTW offers students the opportunity to connect with their own voices and experiences and produce work that culminates in a year-end dance concert.

Dance Engagement Highlights

Grades K-3

53 East 91st Street, New York, NY 10128

Grades 4-12

108 East 89th Street, New York, NY 10128

Physical Education Center

200 East 87th Street, New York, NY 10128

Contact Info

212-423-5200    |    info@dalton.org

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