Limón4Kids


Limón4Kids is the newest Arts and Education program to introduce middle-school youth in largely Hispanic neighborhoods in New York City schools to modern dance and to modern dance pioneer José Limón.   The program focuses on the goals of dance-making, dance technique, dance literacy, and performing.  

The inspiration and content of the program is José Limón’s famous work “La Malinche.”   All 13 members of the Limón Company are involved in the project, which involves approximately 170 enthusiastic students, grades 6 & 8, in their schools in Washington Heights and Bayside, Queens.   Program is led by the Company’s Associate Artistic Director Roxane D’Orleans Juste, a Company member since 1983, master teacher, stager of Limón works for companies around the world, and Bessie Award winner “for her majestic stage presence, infectious lightness, joyousness and emotional depth in works by José Limón, Donald McKayle, Susanne Linke and others.”

Limón’s personal story introduces the students to such concepts as heritage, community, identity and communication.   The movement classes are used as a tool to help students develop movement language skills, thread through both an artist’s and their own imaginary worlds.   Students create their own dances in relationship to the story, and have the opportunity to perform their work for their friends at a final assembly.

Support for the pilot program is generously provided by the Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation, Mex-Am Foundation, and the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

http://www.limon.org