Hello friends and supporters,

Last spring, our advanced Dance Education class, under Ann Biddle's guidance, designed and taught a Civics Literacy & Dance curriculum for 5th graders at the Fort River Elementary School in Amherst. This integrated dance and social studies curriculum focused on merging vital civics education principles with the artistry of dance. Our project offers a unique and impactful way to engage students in social activism through dance!

The curriculum project was a huge success. We have been invited to present our work at the annual National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) conference in Seattle, Washington, at the end of September. The NDEO Conference is an incredible platform where dance educators across the country come together to exchange ideas, present new research, and inspire one another. We are honored to have been selected to present our curriculum at this prestigious conference!

However, we need to raise funds to cover travel, lodging, materials, and food.

By showcasing our work at the NDEO Conference, we aim to ignite conversations, inspire educators, and promote a more inclusive and dynamic approach to dance education. Your support can make a huge difference in helping us achieve this goal. Every donation, no matter the amount, will bring us closer to sharing our innovative curriculum with a broader audience and impacting the future of dance education.

Thank you for your generosity and for believing in the power of dance to foster positive change. We are incredibly grateful for your support and excited to represent UMass Amherst Dance and our vision on a national stage!

With heartfelt thanks,

Sadie Arundale, Samantha Bishop, Madison Farmer, & Lauren Hanafin