DancED Steps Up Outreach Classes

San Pedro City Ballet is raising $100,000 to expand its DancED Steps Up program to schools in underserved communities and in a new afterschool program at San Pedro Ballet School beginning in February 2016.

The DancEd Steps Up program has successfully provided dance education instruction (Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Modern, and Hip Hop) to children in public schools since 1995.


Public schools have nearly eliminated the arts curriculum. The arts, which include dance, are as essential to a child’s development as mathematics or science. Research has shown that Arts education strengthens student problem-solving and critical thinking skills, adding to their overall academic success, improved test scores, and social skills.


Since its inception, San Pedro City Ballet has strived to provide quality dance instruction to children and youth. Through dance instruction and performance, we have witnessed children excel not only in their physical and emotional development, but their grades also improve. Many school teachers often remark that students enrolled in our program perform better in school, are more focused and healthier.

We currently provide dance instruction at eleven public schools with over 1,400 children served in the Greater Los Angeles area. Our goal is to expand our outreach to more school sites. Additionally, we are the only organization to provide dance instruction to children in need in the entire Los Angeles Harbor area. DancEd Steps Up also addresses the growing national concern regarding obesity in children and youth. Therefore, our program also encompasses healthy lifestyles, good nutrition habits and exercise in addition to teaching dance education and instruction.

DancED Steps Up’s program goals:- 100% of students will learn a form of dance ~ Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Contemporary, Tap, or Hip Hop or a combination of styles.
- 100% of graduate students will demonstrate a life-long appreciation ofdance and the role it plays in one’s life and career path.
- 98% of studentswill develop coordination, flexibility, confidence, self-esteem, healthy lifestyles and nourishing eating habits.
- 98% of San Pedro City Ballet students will graduate to middle school/high school with excellent attendance.
- 75% of students will maintain a “C” grade average or better in school.
- 75% of San Pedro City Ballet teen graduates will graduate to college and “give back” by serving as mentors to younger and beginning students.
- Currently, 100% of participants are low-income or homeless, 44% are boys and 56% are girls, 88% are Hispanic, 6% African American, and 6% Caucasian or other.



The after school component is for students seeking to explore dance further, receive more extensive one-on-one guidance as well as to dance professionally.

Since the DancED Steps Up program is free of charge for students, your donation will help fund the cost of tuition, teachers, and performance and costume fees. All donations, of any size, help to fund this outreach programs. By making a fully tax-deductible gift in support of our programs, you can help make sure that San Pedro City Ballet continues to make an impact through dance education. You’ll also have the satisfaction of knowing that you made an important investment in the arts in your community. All donations will be publicly recognized. Thank you for your generous support!