MOTION & MUSIC ACADEMY

The much-anticipated launch of the Mann Center’s first after school arts program, Motion & Music Academy (MMA) is finally here!  

Motion & Music Academy serves children in 4th to 8th Grade and is a partnership-based program designed to bring acclaimed arts organizations to the West Parkside neighborhood. Program partners include:

• Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Lead Artistic Partner
• Philadelphia Ballet, Program Partner, Dance
• Sister Cities Girlchoir, Program Partner, Choir
• Mad Beatz Philly, Program Partner, Drumming
• Global Leadership Academy, Program Site Partner

Motion and Music Academy is an all year round after-school arts learning program designed to provide quality choir, drumming, and dance classes to students of the Parkside neighborhood. The Motion and Music Academy program is driven by three pillars:

1. Access and Excellence – regardless of zip code, all children deserve arts education and access to new arts experiences such as concerts, art exhibits and the opportunity to perform for others. A child’s neighborhood shouldn’t dictate the quality of arts education they receive. 
2. Culturally responsive Arts Education – students will receive arts instruction representative of multiple traditions and culture across the board, providing a rich and inclusive curriculum.
3. Community – We will have a strong focus on bolstering community through the arts, both the internal initiative community (student to student and families to families), and more broadly through our reach into the local Philadelphia community.

Program Materials: This program is designed to create a level and equitable environment for all MMA participants. This means that all students enrolled will receive the necessary equipment needed to learn and have a successful experience.

• Dance students will receive: 1 classic black ballet leotard, 1 pair of flesh-tone footed tights, 1 pair of flesh-tone dance shoes, 1 crewneck MMA branded sweatshirt, 1 pair of black sweatpants, access to 6-foot ballet barres.

Curriculum: MMA students will receive a comprehensive skill-building arts education experience from the Mann’s dedicated cultural partners. Students will learn the following:

• Dance students are learning classical ballet, the foundation to all major dance genres. The Mann is fortunate to have Philadelphia Ballet instructor, Blanca Huertas, lead MMA’s dance program. 25 GLA students enrolled in dance, will learn ballet technique and dance foundations. This provides a serious opportunity for these students to build viable dance skills. The fall semester will culminate in a virtual dance performance for families to enjoy over the holidays.

With a comprehensive curriculum, Motion & Music Academy is designed for students to build upon their attained skills and continue to develop year after year. The MMA program will eventually have students with different levels of skill mastery.