OPEN WORLD DANCE FOUNDATION PRESENTS: DANCE WITHOUT BORDERS

The Open World Dance Foundation, which was founded by Ms. Shchelkanova, is saving the lives of orphaned Russian children by teaching them how to dance. While some of the children are finding that they have an innate gift and a talent they never knew they had, others are finding hope, purpose, and a joy for living that was missing before. The purpose of the performance on April 21, 2012 is to raise funds and to broaden awareness of the work that Ms. Shchelkanova and her team have accomplished so far in Russia. Ultimately, they would like to pave the way for similar activity here in the United States, perhaps eventually reaching more countries.

The performance will be held on the stage of the Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York with the personal support of Mikhail Baryshnikov and in participation with such world stars as opera diva Anna Netrebko and stars from American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, and Boston Ballet. Moreover the students of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of American Ballet Theatre and the ABT Studio Company will participate in the performance.

This event is a continuation of an international project organized by Open World Dance Foundation together with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of American Ballet Theater. Through the project, in November 2011, 64 teachers of additional education from orphanages and dance studios in St. Petersburg and surrounding area took part in the pedagogical seminar where they had the opportunity to gain new knowledge about peculiarities of working with preschool children, and their students had the opportunity to discover their talents and gain support in their early professional orientation.

On their visit to New York the children will be given the opportunity to participate in JKO school classes together with American classmates as well as to attend American Ballet Theatre rehearsals. It is also planned to visit some museums, Broadway musicals, and other events.

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