North Carolina Arts In Action

School residencies, the core of ncaia is the in-school program. Ncaia partners with area elementary schools and serves an entire fourth grade class in 16 weeks of instruction, using the internationally acclaimed teaching methodologies of the national dance institute. Each classroom receives one hour of instruction per ncaia "session". The students' hard work culminates in a series of live performances for the school community, family and friends. in 2022-2023, ncaia offered dance classes to 1,700 students in 64 classrooms throughout wake, durham, orange and chatham counties. Ncaia teaching artists and musicians were in 14 public schools leading 21 programs including leap, ncaia's saturday program. The theme for this year was "snapshots of North Carolina" which took our dancers on an imaginary trip across the state's three regions, exploring the natural beauty and resources that make the old North state a beacon for america.

Leap (learning excellence and perseverance) team, the ncaia alumni program broadened its services to include children currently participating in the ncaia fourth grade programs. These new fourth graders provided fresh energy and enthusiasm and served as beneficial ambassadors of the program at their elementary schools.