Racially diverse music, dance classes for pre schooler?

[Anonymous]

I am looking for a class to enroll my daugher who is going on 3. She is AA and is in an all white daycare and we live in a mostly white neighborhood in Montgomery County. I love her daycare and my neighborhood but wonder whether she needs to have some periodic interaction with people of her same background. Are there any African American, Hispanic or or parents of biracial children who have their children enrolled in music, dance, craft activities that have a significant minority population? If so, could you please share - am willing to travel. TIA.

[Anonymous]

I am in the same situation. My daughter is enrolled in dance and she is the only AA in her class. I just learned about a dance academy called Starmakers. It's in Bowie. I will definitely look into it. I think it's important for our daughters to see others who look like them.

Best of luck

[Anonymous]

Thanks for that suggestion - this is OP again. I actually just found out about the Dance Institute of Washington - its really diverse from looking at the website. I actually called the school and they confirmed. Will go and observe this weekend. Good luck to you too!!

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much. I will check them out- that is much closer to my house.
Good luck

[Anonymous]

Joe's Movement Emporium in Mount Rainier. They have Creative Movement for 3-5 year olds on Saturday morning.

[Anonymous]

Washington Ballet is quite diverse. We love it.

[Anonymous]

When she turns 4, look into Jones Haywood School of Ballet in DC. It is fantastic! My 4.8 year old just completed her first year there and we love it! The instruction is top notch (although sometimes very firm). The music is not racially diverse at this level because it's classical ballet, but it's wonderful to see little girls from age 4 to young women in high school training at this amazing ballet company. This weekend, the students showcased their talent at a 2 sold out shows. They offer modern dance and tap at the older levels, so that's an option if she decides to stick with it. I love that my daughter can see little girls that look just like her performing ballet and she also experiences the older girls who are amazingly talented role models.

[Anonymous]

Where is JHSB?

[Anonymous]

Am I the only one shocked by this request? I am a minority but if I heard someone say they wanted to be around more whites I would be offended

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Am I the only one shocked by this request? I am a minority but if I heard someone say they wanted to be around more whites I would be offended

I am only shocked that she is surprised that the classes in Montgomery County are mostly white. I am Hispanic, mother of a biracial child and grew up in a predominately AA neighborhood (not DC area). I am assuming the OP is well educated and sadly, like me, she should be used to being a minority at this point. I am assuming the PP is not African-American or Hispanic because you are so "shocked" that she would want this. White is the predominant culture. It becomes uncomfortable being the ONLY one of a certain race in a class week after week. Maybe you haven't been around DCUM lon enough but people make the opposite comment all the time (SEE TC WILLIAMS POSTS ). It is usally coded in "terms of wanting to be around children with the same values" and the poster not being comfortable. But it is the same thing, really.

[Anonymous]

http://dansezdansez.com/

[Anonymous]

Not to mention recital costumes with "flesh toned" straps that, well, aren't.

[Anonymous]

I just wanted to point out that wanting to be around families with similar values verses being around families with the same skin are different. It sometimes appears linked but that is mainly because for instance a lot of white people in America grew up with similar influences and so therefore have similar values as adults. I don't characterize this as racist though just as I don't characterize the OP as being racist for wanting her girl to be around some children who may have some more similarities than other peers. It's not like these are the child's only friends. And really I don't know what school in the DC area is predominantly one race anymore.

[Anonymous]

My 6 year old DD takes ballet at ADI in Rockville and her class this year was very diverse. We have been very pleased with the classes there.

[Anonymous]

Thank you! I am the original OP and just thought back to check on this thread. We are at Petite Ballet right now but will definitely check out one of these other schools the next time around.