IN-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
The In-School Program takes place during the school day and involves the entire grade – typically 4th grade. Each classroom receives 50-60 minutes of instruction per session (i.e., 4 4th grade classrooms = 4 hours of instruction per session). Classes are taught by a Lead Teacher/Choreographer, an Assistant, and a Musician. One of the hallmarks of our programs is having live music for every class and performance. All teaching artists are trained extensively in the teaching techniques of the National Dance Institute. A typical in-school program runs 16 weeks, culminating in two large-scale productions for the entire school, and the greater community.
Basic Structure
An Arts in Action in-school program runs approximately 16 weeks, depending on the needs and interests of the school. The first few weeks are dedicated to the basic pedagogy – learning the basics of dance and movement – directions, counting, rhythm, spatial relationships, etc. Using specific teaching techniques, games and challenges, students begin to understand that dance is how your body moves through space and time. The choreography is based in pedestrian movement – leaping, jumping, reaching, etc. – all executed with energy and precision. The instruction shifts to the creation of individual class dances choreographed on some aspect of the annual theme. An original script is developed each year to support the theme, along with original music. Students develop their class dances in preparation for the year-end productions for the school community during the day and for family and friends in the evening. Additional professional musicians and vocalists are added to enhance the students’ work.
Theme
The Arts in Action artistic team work with a theme throughout the year which is integrated into our lessons and inspires the design and culminating performance. The theme is aligned with Common Core State Standards and NC Essential Standards.
Workshops and Residencies
Arts in Action offers short term intensive programs to schools ranging from a one-day workshop to a month long residency specifically tailored to the school's needs. For more information, contact Artistic Director Suzi Landis at suzi@ncartsinaction.org.
As We Prepare for the New Year
Two of our spectacular supporters have together generously pledged $20,000 total, as a special matching gift in memory of Susan Garrity, our former Board Chairwoman. We hope this opportunity will encourage our community to give generously as we approach the end of 2024.
Any new or increased donations given from now through December 31st will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $20,000. This includes checks, stock transfers, and online gifts through our website.
Susan's extraordinary work in shaping NC AIA into one of the best arts education programs in the Triangle will always inspire us. Her intelligence, hard work, and commitment to our mission gifted us all with the belief that NC AIA's impact on children is undeniable.Help us honor Susan's legacy and keep our students dancing by meeting our $40,000 year-end goal.
WHAT WE DO...
Inspiring performance.
Empowering children.
Teaching children life skills
through dance and music.
To provide curriculum-integrated dance residencies to children in elementary schools using live music and a proven methodology to develop self-esteem, resilience, critical thinking and collaboration.
19,900
Children Served
22
Programs
1,700
Children Served Annually
NC AIA's Campaign for Growth:
NC AIA Executive Director Marlon Torres,
on Placing the Arts at The Center of Children’s Lives
NC AIA is raising funds to reach more children in Title 1 public schools in the Triangle, and you can help!
We are thrilled to announce that we have successfully met the Kenan matching grant, thanks to your generous support! We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for making this possible.
With your continued support, we are now approximately $31,000 away from reaching our total campaign goal of $1.3 million. We are confident that, together, we can achieve this milestone by our deadline on June 30.
THANK YOU WILLIAM R. KENAN, JR. CHARITABLE TRUST
for your belief in NC AIA and what we do for Triangle children.
Thank You To The Sponsors Who Have Come Aboard with Arts in Action
Presenting Sponsor...
OUR VALUE
We believe that the performing arts are a unique force to engage and motivate children to realize their full potential no matter their background, ability or socio-economic status.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Lars von Kantzow, Board Chair
Retired CEO Nomaco & Nomacorc; former CEO Pergo North America - Durham
Kim Stuntz, Board Treasurer
Director of Finance of Nitta Gelatin, NA - Morrisville
Jodi Schwartz, Board Secretary
Founder, Centerline Digital, Account Executive - Raleigh
Laura Bayzle, MBA
Vice President, The Link Group - Durham
Melody Diaz
Executive Administrator, Scottmadde - Raleigh
Leah Friedman
CEO, Leah Friedman Consulting - Raleigh
Freddie-Lee Heath
Retired Director of Arts Education for Wake County Public School System
Jeffrey LaRiche, MA
Senior Advisor to MYCO Medical Services & Former CEO of Castle Worldwide - Chatham, NC
Mary LeGere
Artistic Director Emeritus, Raleigh Dance Theatre
Former Director, Raleigh School of Ballet - Durham, NC
Shawna Lemon Ph.D., JD
Patent Attorney at Stanek Lemon Crouse & Meeks, PA - Morrisville, NC
Sam Kumar
CEO Myco Medical - Cary, NC
Mindy Solie
Community Activist - Durham
L. J. Yarborough, MBA
President, YAMS, LLC - Raleigh
Marlon Torres MBA, PMP, CAE
Ex Officio
Executive Director, NC Arts in Action - Chapel Hill
Suzi Landis
Ex Officio
Artistic Director, NC Arts in Action - Raleigh
HONORARY BOARD MEMBER
Deshera Mack (1955-2017)
Retired Principal Mel and Zora Rashkis Elementary
FOUNDER, NC AIA
Shirley Berger (1923-2011)
IMPACT REPORT 2017 - 2022
BY THE NUMBERS
22
22 programs across 15 schools in Chatham, Wake, Durham and Orange Counties
1500
1,500 4th grade students are participating in
2023-2024
18,400
18,400 children reached since 2005
Thanks to those who joined NC Arts in Action as we celebrated keeping the arts at the heart of Triangle elementary students’ lives through our joyful dance and live music programs.
Congratulations and heartfelt thanks to our honorees! We are excited to honor Vera Tayeh, Beverley Clark, and Tricia and Stuart Phoenix, whose leadership and generosity have helped NC Arts in Action grow and flourish. Thanks to their dedication, thousands of children have discovered confidence, resilience, and joy through dance.
LEAP TEAM SUMMER DANCE INTENSIVE
Registration Now Open!
The LEAP Team (Learning Excellence and Perseverance) is our group of alumni and current
in-school program dancers, ages 9 - 15, from each of our partner schools, who want to expand their Arts in Action experience beyond the school day. Dancers rehearse on Saturday mornings and have several performance opportunities throughout the Triangle. LEAP Team dancers are
NC Arts in Action's ambassadors.
You are invited to join the 2026 - 2027 NC Arts in Action LEAP Team season.
For the 2026 - 2027 school year dancers from NCAIA’s LEAP Team will continue and be focused on curriculum-based themes through dance.
DATES
Summer Dance Intensive Workshops
July 11 - Hip Hop Dance with Latissa
July 18 - Water Fitness with Coach Walt
July 25 - Physical Theatre with Matthew
August 1 - Final Showcase Performance
2026 - 2027 Rehearsals
1st Semester
September 12th - Fall Kickoff
September 19, 26
October 3, 10, 17, 24, ( No 31-Halloween)
November 7, 14, 21 (No 28 Thanksgiving weekend)
December 5, 12
2nd Semester
January 9, 16, 23, 30
February 6, 13, 20, 27
March 6, 13, 20, (No 27 Easter Weekend)
Apri 3, 10, 17, 24
May 1, 8, 15-Final Showcase Performance
All rehearsals are 10AM to 12PM and take place at:
City Ballet Raleigh, 7440 Six Forks Rd, Raleigh, NC 27615
For more information, please contact Kim Demery at Kim@ncartsinaction.org
The LEAP Team Dancer Registration Fee - $60
"The program has made my child even more interested in dance as something she can pursue after she completes the program." - LEAP Parent
"I love the confidence it's given her to be able to perform in front of a crowd." - LEAP Parent
"My child has deepened a love of dance. Instead of just undisciplined dance, he is now thinking of dance as more than just movement." - LEAP Parent
"I love the energy and purpose-driven program. LEAP is focused on all the right things: perseverance, hard work, creativity, and enjoyment. I wish the dance group felt more like a nurturing community than a collection of isolated individuals. - LEAP Parent
"I love how LEAP brings children together from different schools and develops new friendships. I love that it is an inexpensive way of broadening and deepening a love and appreciation for not only dance but music as well." - LEAP Parent
Information For Schools
North Carolina Arts in Action is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to bringing in-school and after-school dance programs to elementary schools in Orange, Durham, Wake, and Chatham counties in North Carolina. Through fiscal partnerships with individual schools, along with private and public funds, we inspire children through the arts.If you are interested in learning more about our programs and how we work with individual schools, please contact Artistic Director, Suzi Landis, at suzi@ncartsinaction.org or 919-619-0483.
