The Fusion Dance Crew, from Arts & Academics Academy, recently performed at the OSPI 2009 Arts Time Conference. The Arts Time Conference is held biannually to support and promote arts education in the State of Washington. Along with performing, students taught teachers during a hip hop workshop for educators from all over the state. One of the highlights of the conference was a meeting with Fusion Dance Crew members and Anne Rene Joseph, the Arts Program supervisor for OSPI. Students presented Ms. Joseph with a Fusion Crew t-shirt, and she expressed interest in visiting the Arts School.

During the workshop for teachers, Hip Hop You Don’t Stop!, students took on the role of teacher as they helped adults learn the dance moves. Then students created short dances with the teachers and performed them in a birthday circle. About 40 teachers were in attendance during the workshops (mostly non dancers). Students found it very empowering to be in the role of teacher and share their knowledge and passion with adults who wanted to learn from them.

Last summer, work was completed on the new Dance Studio on the Evergreen Campus as part of the Arts and Academics Academy. Under the inspired leadership of instructor, Maya Soto, hundreds of students participate in Dance, Yoga, and Conditioning in the Arts School every day. Ms. Soto also runs an after-school program that is open to all students on the Evergreen Campus and includes the student performance group, Fusion.