Bringing The Arts To Life
My 5-year-old grandson, Thomas invited me to his dance performance at his school. I enjoy my grandkids’ school programs beyond words. There’s something extra sweet about the all-encompassing wave I receive when they see me walk in. Such occasions are definitely priceless.
Prior to, I knew that Muse Machine was somehow involved which made me extra excited. Muse Machine is one of the most treasured performing arts programs here in the Dayton area. Muse is a nationally celebrated arts education organization that has served more than 76,800 students across the greater Miami Valley region since 1982. Many of you might be familiar with the annual Muse Machine musical performance that brings students of all ages together for a large scale production at the Victoria Theatre.
Muse is also heavily involved in our community elementary schools. It offers week-long residencies for pre-K and elementary students and teachers. During such residencies, Muse musicians, dancers, actors or visual artists collaborate with young students. Together, they write original music and songs, choreograph new dances, perform theatre pieces, and create works of visual art that help students supplement learning across the board. We all know childhood education is profoundly enriched by the infusion of the arts. Muse offers a powerful way to do just that while supporting all other facets of subject learning.
As I walked into the school auditorium, the 4 and 5-year-old kids were seated on the floor with an air of confidence. They were ready to go. After an introduction by the Muse artistic director, I witnessed an unleashing of creativity with these very energetic children. The creative movement program was a celebration of opposites. Through song and dance, these eager kids jumped, moved, and waved themselves with intention to tell a story of opposites. They jumped up, they jumped down. They hopped slow, they hopped fast. They moved cold, they moved hot. Their arms went shallow, their arms went deep. Everyone in the room was smiling. To see these kids, without inhibition, immerse themselves fully into an experience of artistic expression was nothing short of delightful and absolutely engaging. Their fun was infectious.
The infusion of art into emerging minds is priceless. I smiled watching these kids who have so much potential. The lack of inhibition and directed free flow of movement uplifted the room. Moving, feeling personal style, and following direction with purpose was engaging. I saw first-hand how Muse Machine invites really young kids to become part of the transformative world of art through performance. Thomas and his peers were one with their Muse Machine artistic director. I saw the fruits of their practice and collaboration. There was no question, music moved these young kids in more ways than one.
After hugging my grandson and telling him how happy I was, I left him to continue his day of learning. I can only hope he and his classmates will find other opportunities to access their true essence and expression through music, dance, and art. For so many young kids here in the Dayton area, it’s good to know Muse Machine will continue to be part of that hope.