According to Jessica Clayton, the Director of Dance Exploration, LLC, in Colorado, Dance Exploration 
is leaping and jumping into local schools across Denver and surrounding metro areas teaching their one of a kind Dance to Learn!™ Curriculum. Their curriculum is designed to teach the whole child. With segments of class focused on Learning, Discovery, Expression, Acceptance and Movement they have created 5 Methods of Dance™ that are sure to compliment any classroom and enhance the students’ overall learning experience!
In Jessica’s opinion their dance studio differs from other dance studios mainly because of the fact that they are not a dance studio in the traditional sense, but rather an after school dance program and mobile studio that travels to many different locations including schools, day care centers, wellness centers, fitness centers, play gyms, libraries, museums and parks!
Dance Exploration’s educational after school program was founded in 2008 by Jessica Clayton, as a mobile dance studio reaching children in Jefferson County schools and day cares. Word spread about the fun, entertaining and educational experience that was being shared with children across the state and by 2014 Dance Exploration had reached its 100th location and had brought dance to nearly 2,000 children around Jefferson County, Denver County, Douglas County, Adams County and Boulder Valley School Districts.
Jessica says they reach so many diverse populations of students- from the preschoolers who are just exploring dance for the first time to the elementary kids who have never been exposed to dance or arts classes. Due to the diverse differences of their demographics of students compared to those of a pre-professional dance studio, their proudest moment is seeing elementary kids who have never danced, and who probably never dreamed of dancing, perform for families and friends after only being exposed to a dance class for a few short weeks. Their goal is to inspire these kids to keep staying active and dancing on their own as long as possible.
At Dance Exploration, they believe that dance is not merely a fun and recreational outlet for self expression. Dance is also a very important tool in the development and growth of children. Dance should be taught at a very early age and continue into adolescence. Their ‘Dance to Learn!’™ Curriculum along with their 5 Methods of Dance™ have been designed to teach the whole child from preschool to elementary school to ensure their students’ continued success in school.
Dance Exploration’s program doesn’t focus as much on technique as a competitive studio would. Seeing raw, first time dance students trying something they have never done before is pretty amazing. They usually start by saying ‘I can’t do it!’ and through positive encouragement and continued practice, by the end of the session, they are usually completing pretty difficult dance moves for someone who has never danced before. As far as competitive dancers, Jessica believes that the biggest mistakes she sees dancers make is being too hard on themselves! Rome wasn’t built in a day and practice makes perfect. She would counsel competition dancers to not give up or get frustrated – you can do anything with a little patience and hard work.
Jessica’s goal is to begin their expansion through finding individual Dance Ambassadors to invest in their ‘Dance to Learn!’™ Curriculum and help them on their mission to transform the quality of Dance Education being provided in K-12 schools. With the help of Independent Dance Ambassadors, they can bring their program to children in schools nationwide! Too many schools combine dance with physical education. This means non-dancers are teaching dance principles. Dance Exploration asks the schools, “If they would not have someone who has never done a math problem teach a math class, why would they have non-dancers teach dance?” By educating and training Dance Educators in their marketing approach and curriculum, they can reach more schools and will be closer to bringing quality dance classes to underprivileged kids.
Jessica says she started her “studio” because her philosophy is dance is universal and everybody regardless of age, race, gender, social status or ability should have access to dance and quality dance education – not simply because of the numerous benefits dance can bring but also because dance can improve the educational experience our children have in schools. In Colorado there are a handful of other after school dance programs. She was never satisfied with the curriculum that these programs provided as an afterschool program. She believes that if Dance Exploration is in the schools, they should be teaching a curriculum that the kids won’t find at a regular dance studio. It needs to be different, more focused on learning, childhood development and taught as a way to help 
kids with other aspects of their lives. So improving the curriculum offered to kids in schools became a passion for Jessica.
Dance Exploration’s ultimate goal is to collaborate with all early childhood education centers, schools, community and recreation centers. They look to train and educate childhood educators on ‘Dance to Learn!’ Curriculum™ principals and the 5 Methods of Dance™ to ensure that dance can be used as a tool for teaching and educating more children. By franchising and selling their Curriculum models to educational institutions and dance studios, Dance Exploration can ensure that the ‘Dance to Learn!’ Curriculum™ can reach kids nationwide!
At Dance Exploration, they believe that every child should be given an opportunity to dance regardless of social status, race, or ability! They make their classes available to everyone through financial aid services, scholarships and payment plans. In 2013, they started our ‘Dance to Learn!’ in a Title 1 Schools initiative designed to raise money for Title 1 schools in Colorado that needed financial assistance in funding their programs.
In the opinion of some, Dance Exploration is the best dance camps in Colorado. They; offer camps for everyone. They are themed for Little Princesses, Super Heroes, Dancers, Singers and more. They are sure to have a camp that is right for every child!
With their goal to expand nationwide, Jessica also has a desire to bring dance classes to underprivileged kids in Title 1 Schools. They raise money every year to fund free 6 week dance programs for children in these schools!
If you would like to donate visit http://www.dancexploration.co/dance-to-learn-in-title-one-schools.html and to learn more about becoming a Dance Ambassador visit: www.dance-to-learn.com.
If you would like more information about Dance Exploration, LLC, visit their website at www.dancexploration.co, call them at 303-949-1975 or email them at info@dancexploration.co. In addition, you can also “Like” them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, connect with them on Instagram, “Pin” them on Pinterest, check out their blog at DanceExploration.wordpress.com and check them out on YouTube, GooglePlus and Tumblr.
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Jessica Clayton of Dance Exploration, LLC.
Written By Cyndi Marziani
Owner
BDancewear.com
