HENRY COUNTY, Va. (rbs news now) — Piedmont Arts hosted the Southwest Virginia Ballet’s Dance Español program as part of its educational outreach initiative in local elementary schools.

Designed for fourth graders, the program combines dance education with Spanish vocabulary, helping students learn the language through movement, according to a news release.

Students from Axton Elementary and G.W. Carver Elementary participated in the program, spending the week learning from Pedro Szalay, artistic director of the Southwest Virginia Ballet.

The lessons culminated in a performance on August 23, attended by parents, teachers, administrators, and classmates.

At G.W. Carver, Szalay addressed the audience before the performance, discussing the program’s mission: teaching children to feel confident in their bodies, respect others, develop self-awareness, and embrace new languages.

Several Carver students, including Sadie Morris, Kayla Ayers, and Ella James, shared their experiences.

The release said Morris and Ayers spoke about the friendships they made, their excitement over learning new vocabulary, and their nervousness about performing.

James, a more seasoned dancer, expressed confidence, noting she no longer experiences stage fright.

Morris and Ayers said that seeing their families and friends in the audience helped calm their nerves.

In addition to learning new skills and making friends, all participants received t-shirts that displayed their school’s colors for their involvement.

Dance Español will continue its outreach by visiting Martinsville City Public Schools in the spring.

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