YOUTHMOVES
Since 2004, the Performance Garage has offered free dance classes to youth in the Spring Garden neighborhood, providing children ages 7-18 the opportunity to experience the joy of dance in a warm and welcoming environment.
YouthMoves enriches the lives of students by exposing them to the performing arts in a professional setting, and creates an outlet for self-expression. In addition to gaining formal dance skills, students have the opportunity to build confidence and self-discipline through physical and artistic education.
AT A GLANCE
Fall Semester
15 weeks of bi-weekly classes in Dunham and Graham Technique for Franklin Learning Center high school students.
Spring Semester
15 weeks of bi-weekly classes in Dunham and Graham Technique for Franklin Learning Center high school students.
Performance
Students from the Franklin Learning Center perform works by the Performance Garage's Teaching Artists alongside their own choreography.
Gala
Select students perform at the Performance Garage's Gala alongside work by professional dancers.
Open Classes
Friends and family attend technique classes to see students' progress.
Workshops
Students engage with the DanceVisions Resident Artist through masterclasses, and are able to attend HubChats, open rehearsals, and performances.
TEACHING ARTIST
Deborah Manning St Charles [Dunham Technique]
A native of Philadelphia, Deborah Manning St. Charles began her dance training at The Philadelphia School of Dance Arts. At age fourteen she joined Philadanco! where she worked with noted choreographers such as Talley Betty, Louis Johnson, Gene Hill Sagan, and William Dollar. Deborah continued her career joining the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1981. Upon retiring from the stage, Deborah has taught at many dance schools and universities across the globe. She also co-directed the Ailey Camp in Kansas City, MO. In 2001, Deborah acted as Artistic Administrator for Philadanco!
Now back to her roots in Philadelphia, she is a master instructor at the Philadelphia School of Dance Arts and continues to teach and mentor across the United States. Deborah acted as assistant re-stager of the ballet Bad Blood for Philadanco!’s 2014 Spring Season at the Kimmel Center. Currently, Deborah is also teaching at the French Communication Institute in Philadelphia.
“Performance Garage classes are strict, but not constrictive. We have more fun here than other dance schools … we learn more about the dance world other than just dancing… we learn something new every time class meets and not just rehearsing for a show that we must do… It (Performance Garage) gets us out of our comfort zone…”
Stanley | High School Student