rave reviews

students - rashkis elementary school

Arts in Action is a one-of-a-kind program. It teaches critical thinking and life skills as well as builds appreciation for the performing arts. Arts in Action is the program that should be in ALL Durham public schools!
- Mary Casey, Director K-12 Arts Education, Durham Public Schools

I believe in North Carolina Arts in Action because it allows for diversity and gives students the opportunity to express themselves. I very much want the program to continue, I would love for this program to at least work with grades 3-5. It would be ideal if we could have the program in the entire school.
- Deshera Mack, Rashkis Principal

This program provided exposure to a new area of talent for students, the opportunity for all to excel, high levels of engagement. It pulled our whole school community together and it was clearly an opportunity for success.
- Shelia Burnette, Frank Porter Graham Principal

The program put Fayetteville Elementary School on the map! The community was ecstatic and continues to talk about the wonderful performance. (The program) helped expose the many hidden talents of so many students.
- Toni Moore, 5th grade teacher

Arts in Action is so much more than a dance program. These children have learned extraordinary lessons that they can apply to many other areas of life. Arts in Action gave them an opportunity to excel, inspired them to care about themselves and their peers, and set a high standard of excellence that many would have thought unreachable. I can’t say enough about what Arts in Action did for my students.
- Queen Bass Scarborough, Fayetteville Street Elementary School Principal

I love the way AIA inspires confidence in my students. It's amazing that a dance program can have such an impact on boys.

I love everything about NC AIA. It can be difficult to work all the classes into our schedule because it does take a chunk of time, but it is SO worth it! And I love, love, love that this year's theme enhanced our curriculum!

AIA evens out the playing field. Everyone has the same new opportunity to excel. The high level of student engagement is great. All my kids loved the program. Students saw some of their more timid classmates in a totally new light.

I thought the AIA program was a very professional and well-executed program. All the kids were able to participate and it followed a theme, which made it more cohesive. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

(I loved) the joy and pride this program brought to all children.

My son spoke very enthusiastically about the program and showed us dance steps all the time. I loved the children’s enthusiasm for it!

The whole process is just awesome. The students become part of something that is larger than they are – working as a class community to accomplish a common goal!
- Cindy Daniels, Asst. Principal, FPG

This program is invaluable to the children, feeding them not only the academics but the aesthetics of life (spirit, mind and soul).
- Mrs. Noell, Music Teacher

I like the high expectations for all. The physical movement during the class is always high - I love that as a PE teacher. The students gained confidence, ownership, responsibility and dedication.
- Mrs. Wood, PE Teacher and North Carolina Arts in Action Liaison

As a mom, I want to thank you for doing the AIA program in the schools. My daughter has always been very outgoing, but lately as the pre-teen years are approaching I have noticed her become much more self-conscious and lose a lot of her previous confidence. With AIA, she is always enthusiastic to dance and so excited about the performances. It is nice to see her smiling face performing in front of groups of people, without the shyness and hesitation. Whatever you and your dance instructors are doing for these children, its working and it’s wonderful!
- 4th grade parent