OUTREACH

DANCE FOR JOY

 

 

Berest Dance Outreach Program


DANCE FOR JOY

 

When students enter Berest Dance Center, dance is the only thing that matters. Differences disappear, anxieties are left at the door, and all ages and nationalities become one in their passion for dance. The comradery is obvious at first glance into a class. 
 
We are dedicated to supporting and guiding students toward finding their highest potential. Along with comprehensive ballet training, Berest offers opportunities to study multiple genres of dance, including modern, contemporary, improvisation lyrical, jazz, musical theatre, broadway dance, tap and hip-hop. We want our students to find their voice by discovering the many styles of dance we offer.
 
BDC is dedicated to nurturing young aspiring dancers, regardless of their financial circumstances. Click to read News article 6/20/2023
 
In 2021 the Berest Dance Center introduced Dance for Joy, an opportunity for young dancers with financial need to enjoy free lessons and experience the many benefits of dance. The program delivers a curriculum for students to grow proficient in dance techniques that are refined through creative repetition and integration into sequences , combinations and performances that become more sophisticated over time.
 
DFJ's main goal is to empower students who could not otherwise afford classes with a passion for dance by nurturing their artistic ability, their confidence in dancing, and their desire to pursue dance in its many genres.
 
We invite you to contribute to fund tuition and dancewear costs and continue classes for students who otherwise could not afford lessons. Your donation can help invite new students into our studio and continue programming for our current dancers, who will advance to higher levels of instruction in the coming Fall.
 
Every gift of any size means so much to our students. Your donation to Berest Dance Center will help us foster the dreams of our dedicated young dancers and will sustain our vision of giving young dancers a bright future in the arts.
 
Donations to Unique Projects in support of the Berest Dance Center’s Dance for Joy Outreach Program are tax-deductible using the “Donate Now” or PayPal link below. If donating via check, please make the check payable to Unique Projects, Inc. and note BDC in the memo. 
 
Donate Now:
 
We are proud to have Unique Projects/Pentacle Inc. as our fiscal sponsor.
 
Inaugurated in 1988, Unique Projects, Inc. is a program created and administered by Pentacle/DanceWorks, Inc. Unique Projects, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit corporation that provides a tax-exempt umbrella and technical assistance on a project-by-project basis to artists and companies whose work is of high caliber and for whom the program’s specific structure is appropriate. For additional information please visit www.pentacle.org. 
 
Note - You may also make a non-tax-deductible donation through the Parent Portal.
 
Thank you for your generous support.       
 
 

Fall of 2025, Ashley will be going into her 5th year as a scholarship student

 

During these 5 years, we have been thrilled to witness students like Ashley Castillo. Now 13 years old, Ashley has progressed to an intermediate level of training, with additional dance hours added to her weekly schedule. She is currently studying ballet, tap, and musical theatre, with the tuition awarded to her. Ashley also performs in our Holiday Show as well as community events with her Berest Dance peers. As she continues to advance, she will have the opportunity to explore other genres, including modern, contemporary, lyrical, and jazz.

Her enthusiasm and determination to excel in dance are unparalleled: Dance has become the cornerstone of her life. Moreover, her family expressed gratitude for the joy it brings to their daughter is beyond measure.Ashley dreams of graduating from Berest with a future in dance.

Dancer Scholar
Inspired by the commitment and passion of our recipients, we have now created the Dancer Scholar initiative. This program is designed to support dancers who are serious enough to pursue dance beyond the Berest Dance Center. Through high-quality training and instruction, those interested in a dance career will refine and broaden the skills necessary to prepare them for a dance major in college or a post-graduation career in a dance company. The program includes comprehensive support from high school counselors, college admission specialists, and dance professionals who coach senior solos as well as audition skills.

Enrollment in the DANCE SCHOLAR program allows a student to participate in the following :

BEREST AND BEYOND- a program of experts addressing college preparation/ career planning in dance to be offered to students in the Dance Scholar Program in their Sophomore year of High School

Offering scholarships and services enables Dance Scholars to stay on the course to graduation-creating a pivotal opportunity to transform their lives and launch successful careers post-graduation.

Our most recent 2024 sponsors
A heartfelt thank you to Damon Gersh, and Dave and Carrie Kerpen, our most recent sponsors, A special shoutout to Sadie Steinberg, who has chosen "Dance for Joy" to be the recipient of her 2025 Bat Mitzvah project and to Hannah Edelson for selecting "Dance for Joy “as her 2024 Bat Mitzvah project. We are also grateful to Smusht for their corporate sponsorship, HeartsPW for their unwavering support, and Dejana of Port Washington. Thank you all for helping Dance for Joy continue its mission.

 

Your Gift Makes a Difference

SPONSORSHIP LEVELS for 36 Weeks of Dance Training

Platinum-$10,000-unlimited hours of dance training weekly
Gold -$5,000-$9,999 -five to 8 hours of dance training weekly
Silver $2500-$4,999- two to four hours of dance training weekly
Bronz- $1000-2,499- one hour workship classes weekly
Supporter-$500-$999 one/half to one hour class weekly
Friend-$100-$499 coaching class or small group
 

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Click the image below to read about our program

2020 Dance for Joy recepients