School Residencies

BFS arts residencies fulfill the BFS mission by bringing traditional and/or participatory dance, song, and/or music to students, staff, and families in PreK-12 schools.

Key Aspects

BFS arts residencies will:

  1. Provide music & movement experiences, including these aspects (ideally):
    1. Connect to local culture and history, and/or
    2. Sample different regional or global cultures, and/or
    3. Align with curriculum standards 
  2. Be participatory
    1. Inclusive (anyone can join)
    2. Adaptable (easily modified)
    3. Accessible (no special skills needed)
    4. Non-hierarchical (all in it together, team-based, non-competitive)
  3. Cultivate prosocial behaviors
    1. Cooperation 
    2. Mutual respect 
    3. Kindness & empathy

Resources for Educators

Many gifted leaders have published materials for use in classrooms or with other community groups. Organizations host camps, conferences, and other learning opportunities.

Publications & Resources

A guide to online and community resources for music and dance.

Download the Guide

Annotated Bibliography

Dance-related children’s books includes titles available at local schools and the Belfast Free Library.

Download Bibliography

Impacts

One evening, a parent messaged, “My child couldn’t stop talking about a dance in French. Can you send me the music?” We replied and the parent immediately messaged, “Thanks! She’s dancin’!”

A fifth grader, excited about learning ukulele chords in a BFS residency, put a ukulele on their holiday wish list.

At a school residency, a student who has challenges in school was invited to try out the wooden spoons. They demonstrated extraordinary rhythm and skill, outshining grade-level classmates and receiving effusive compliments from the performers.

Want to Read About Past BFS Residencies?

Click the links for more info about programs with school partners:

  • RSU 71 (Belfast, Belmont, Morrill, Searsmont & Swanville ME)
  • Prescott Memorial School in Washington ME (here, here, here, and here)
  • The Game Loft, Monhegan Island, and Waldo County Schools (here)
  • Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School (here)
  • The Maine School of Mathematics and Science in Limestone ME (here)

Examples of BFS Residencies:

BFS can provide a variety of residencies. For example:

  • Singing work songs in a school garden or classroom kitchen
  • Dancing and drumming with traditional West African rhythms
  • Learning square dances done in the local community for generations
  • Playing ukuleles together, as a group

“Thank you so much for coming in! I have already been using a bunch of the things I learned in all my classes. It has truly freed me up to put the fun back in music.”

— Elementary school music teacher

“I like playing the ukulele with my friends. My class has been learning our first ukulele song and have all learned how to tune the instrument. Every ukulele day, I can’t wait for the lessons to start!”

— Grade 4 student in RSU 71

“I was amazed by how well-behaved and engaged our students were, with the whole student body dancing in the gymnasium. This was an incredible experience for them!”

— Elementary school principal