Ballroom Dancing a Hit at Zoller Elementary School
Students set to show off skills at grand finale Thursday

Twenty Zoller Elementary School fifth graders will perform an array of ballroom dance routines at the 6th Annual Zoller Ballroom Kids Grand Finale on Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 7 p.m. at the school.  The student dancers have been receiving lessons from two area professional ballroom dance instructors and they are ready to show off their dancing skills.

The Zoller ballroom dance program began in 2005 and was inspired by the movie “Mad Hot Ballroom,” which is about 11-year-old New York City public school kids who journey into the world of ballroom dancing.  While doing so, they are transformed from reluctant participants to determined competitors.   It’s caught on the same way at Zoller and continues to get stronger.  “The grand finale is a big night for our students,” said Principal Pat Doyle. 

In addition to learning how to ballroom dance, students gain self-esteem, respect for others, tolerance, fitness and skill proficiency.

The Zoller program has garnered a lot of interest and support.   The program is paid for through fundraising and in large part by donors from the community including Fred Astaire Dance Studio, USA Dance and The Ron Curry Foundation. Many sponsors and benefactors have made donations ranging from $30 to more than $800 each.

The grand finale will also feature performances by professional ballroom dancers.