Swan Lake with Frogs, Chickens, Rabbits, and More: Arts Integration with AACPS
- Cindy Case
- May 19
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 30
Although our blog post earlier this month looked back on our 2024-2025 season, there's an important postscript to our 46th season: our yearly Arts Integration performance with Anne Arundel County Public Schools. For this performance, young students from seven elementary schools were involved in every part of the process: from writing and designing costumes to learning choreography and performing.
Last year's performance featured their imaginative take on Sleeping Beauty. This year was no different: under the supervision of AACPS Academic Specialist for Dance Education, Nicole Deming, and with the instruction of BTM teachers Madeline Jones, Brenna Mazzara, and me, local students made their mark on the story of Swan Lake.
Fall 2024: Gearing Up
Every year, each school is assigned its own section of the upcoming story to tell. Like the chapters in a book, these sections will eventually fit together to tell the entire ballet from start to finish.
Some schools incorporate this storytelling into class as a creative writing assignment, ultimately inviting the students to work together to create a final version. Other schools, like Severn Elementary above, will identify students with an interest in writing and task them to put the story section together.
Although our lead teachers at each school will eventually order the costumes, the design process is another element in this Arts Integration program. Above, students from Riviera Beach Elementary present their designs for the show.
Spring 2025: Rehearsals Begin
At the start of the spring semester, the schools are ready for us! Madeline, Brenna, and I each have 10 class sessions with each school to teach basic dance concepts, introduce elements of stagecraft such as ballet pantomime, and rehearse students for the performance.
Most of the classes incorporate students from a few different grades, meaning that they may be working together for the first time. That diversity, whether in age, ability, or anything else, is one of the program's strengths. Program teacher and company dancer Brenna Mazzara shares:
"One thing I noted at one of my schools was that at least one of the students was an ESL student, and the teacher specifically made room in the program for her. It was great to see her connecting with other students and really enjoying the structure of dance class. It was a nice example of how dance education is a truly impactful way to connect."
-Brenna Mazzara
As teachers, we feel lucky to connect with students about the arts. After receiving the story sections from the writing teams, Brenna, Madeline, and I select music and choreograph steps to highlight each school's unique personality.
April: Time for the Show
After 10 hours of rehearsal, practicing with props, and trying on costumes, it's time for the stage! Two days after the company closed Swan Lake, students gathered in our resident theater to take their turn. They weren't alone: in between each student segment, the BTM professionals performed excerpts from our production. Seeing the two versions of each section back-to-back helps tell the story while also creating a fun contrast.
We want the experience to be fun for the kids while also providing them a window into the world of performing arts. Program teacher and company dancer Madeline Jones has this to say:
"This performance is one of my favorites all year. From watching my students shine onstage to hearing them gasp in the audience while watching the company dancers, I can feel the love for ballet all around. Many of the students' enthusiasm is unmatched, and their hard work, dedication, and emotional investment in the program are inspirational. It's the perfect way to end the season every year." -Madeline Jones
A Big Thank You to Our Arts Integration Teachers
Although Brenna, Madeline, and I do our best to prepare the students for their performance day, the program would not be the same without the incredible work of the participating public-school teachers! These teachers sign on to the program in the fall and do all the work behind the scenes: helping students write their portion of the story, ordering costumes, facilitating permission slips, and supporting our students every step of the way.
From the teachers here at BTM, we are incredibly grateful to lead AACPS teachers Elizabeth Heist, Melissa Kelly, Tara Cuzzart, Jennifer Taylor, Shemeada Clark, Jayden Johnson, Bonnie Bowen, Katherine Moynagh, Kelly DeLeon, Ryan Plumer, Kelli Johnson, Leah Huddleston, Tishona Lyn-kew, and Karima Hilliard. Along with Nicole Deming, they make this program possible.
We're excited for what the future holds for this program! Next season, the students will take on La Esmeralda. Somewhere in the not-so-distant future, I hear the sound of tambourines jingling...
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Student performance photos by Joseph Mazzara
Rehearsal photos by program teachers
