Continuing a mission to bring dance to the public, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater made a stop in Seattle this year, and for the first time ever brought their week-long residency program with them.

Sixth graders at Denny Middle School were given the opportunity to experience this program.

"The residency is a curriculum-based program using Revelations (Alvin Ailey's signature show) as a jumping off point to tie in with language arts, history and dance," said Nasha Thomas-Smith, the director of arts and education for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

"For a lot of students this is their first time going to a theater in their community and their first introduction to dance," Thomas-Schmitt said, which offers students first-hand experience with dance and to legendary dancer, teacher and choreographer Alvin Ailey.

Seattle was selected by one of their major donors, Morgan Stanley as one of 10 cities the group would visit on their residency program tour.

The Seattle Theatre Group was asked by the residency program to look at surrounding schools to find the best fit. said,

"We were looking for a diverse school," said Annenelia Bach, education programs manager. "Denny also has a fairly large percentage of students on free or reduced lunches, which was another requirement. Also, we wanted a school with strong administrative support. After we met with Principal Jeff Clark it seemed like a good fit."

Sixth grader Katherine Foster participated in the residency program and attended the Revelations show at The Paramount Theatre, offered complimentary to all participants in the residency program. "It was cool, I saw some of the dances they were talking about," Foster said about the show. Foster said she also enjoyed the residency program. "The dancing and the staff, they were really nice. Learning the Revelations dances was really fun."

Two 90-minute sessions were held each day early in March. About 120 students participated in either a morning or afternoon session.

"The residency program began with a professional development workshop working with teachers whose students would be participating in the program," Bach said.

March 7 to 10 Bach said was for the students.

"The sessions began with a warm up dance routine that the students built onto every day," Bach said.

The lesson plans additionally incorporated Alvin Ailey's original choreography, lectures about Ailey's background and history from his lifetime and exercises that incorporated the students' own dances and ideas.

"It was absolutely amazing, I know it left a lifelong feeling inside each child's heart," principal intern Chanda Oatis said. "It was fun to watch them grow, learn and do things they might not have ever done."

Thomas-Schmitt described some of the different activities students engaged in. One activity included students coming to class prepared with a poem about their favorite color. Working in groups the students were asked to select a poem to use to put movement and choreography to.

"It's a fun process for them," Thomas-Schmitt said. "They get out of the classroom, move around and think."

Thomas-Schmitt, who was first hired by Alvin Ailey, said she believes strongly in her work and is committed for several reasons.

"I definitely feel [Ailey] was a strong contributor to American culture. It was an honor to be hired by him and to work with him. He cared a lot about his dancers and he was very inspiring. I want to help keep his legacy alive."

Thomas-Schmitt said she hears wonderful feedback about the residency program from faculty, teachers, students and parents. She said parents have told her their kids are up early and to school on time during their weeklong residency in a location. "They've told me their kids will come home dancing and are not only doing their homework, but are spending lots of time on it. Programs like this always bring out the best," Thomas-Schmitt said.

Thomas-Schmitt, who's been in her position for seven years, said one of the greatest things in teaching the material is to work with the kids and see the fears, joys and enthusiasm of the students.

"It's been life changing. You're always sad to leave. When we left Charlotte (North Carolina) the kids were crying. It's amazing how something so simple can mean so much."

Lauren Gardner is a University of Washington journalism student and can be reached at wseditor@robinsonnews.com