HOP for Dance Collaborates with Hoboken Housing Authority for Scholarship Program
The Hudson Outreach Program, HOP for Dance (HOP), is working with Hoboken Housing Authority (HHA) to provide formal dance training and scholarship opportunities to the HHA child residents. Kicking off February 25th at the Black Youth Empowerment Luncheon hosted by HHA, students may register at the event to audition for 24 spots in the “HHA Workshop.”
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The “HHA Workshop”, a long felt dream by HOP, made possible by Executive Director Carmelo Garcia and Mr. Luis Acevedo of HHA, is an 8 week dance training program. The “D Quarter” is designed to give children of the community means of extracurricular activities they could not otherwise take part in before. The students will receive training in 3 specific disciplines from professional instructors of Hudson Dance & Movement: Ballet, Ballroom, and Contemporary. A brief performance will mark the end of the quarter when 5 students will be chosen to receive Hudson Dance & Movement Summer Intensive Scholarships provided by anonymous sponsors through the HHA.
The 5 students chosen will undergo a week of rigorous training in Hoboken’s premier dance school, Hudson Dance & Movement. Upon completion of the summer intensive, HDM Artistic Director, Bethany Marc-Aurele, will hand select a single student to receive a full tuition scholarship through HOP.
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“We’re delighted to expose our kids to creative opportunities that bond housing, education and the arts for our kids to pursue their dreams. This is another milestone, to partner up with such a premiere dance company is exciting”said Exec. Director Garcia
A signed agreement requires students to maintain good grades and positive involvement in and outside the classroom.
Although this is the first collaboration between HOP and HHA, it certainly will not be the last. In addition to the “HHA Workshop”, HOP is also scheduled to offer a second Ballroom Program at Conner’s Elementary School in May of this year. HOP directors hope that the upcoming activity will send a positive message and generate excitement in the surrounding community and organizations leading to more projects for the outreach program.
