Since the fall of 2020, Houston Ballet has “traveled” from coast to coast entering hundreds of classrooms in twenty states across the country through Virtual Field Trips. The new Education and Community Engagement (ECE) program, a product of current times, combines aspects of Houston Ballet’s existing programs for a reimagined digital experience.
Available to grades K-12, Virtual Field Trips provide narrated, online performances featuring professional Houston Ballet dancers and Houston Ballet Academy students to schools near and far. “This digital dance program gives our students an opportunity to see a world outside of their homes and community. It’s been a tremendous outlet for us in so many ways,” says Erwin Brown, Piano Teacher at Atherton Elementary Fine Arts Magnet School in Houston.
While seeking digital programming for Atherton’s Fine Arts department, which includes dance, theater, band, choir and piano for Pre-K to fifth grade students, Brown found limited options. He was relieved when Houston Ballet’s Virtual Field Trip program was announced, allowing his students to participate in the Dancing in Texas and The Nutcracker digital performances last fall. “These are top-quality videos, but just the mere fact that it is free, that says a lot about Houston Ballet,” exclaims Brown. Virtual Field Trips are one of ECE’s many programs offered to participants at no cost.
With the current limitations to standard instruction, Virtual Field Trips help fill a gap. “Since we are not able to use music instruments with the students, we used the music in the videos as a tool to identify instruments as well as notes and duration.” Brown illustrates one example of how teachers are creatively incorporating these engaging online performances into their lesson plans.
At Atherton, displaying the Virtual Field Trips on “SMART Boards” provides an immersive theatre-like experience for the class. “The program gives the students the experience of seeing a real performance at a level in which they can understand,” explains Brown. “I learned how people work together to perform,” says Javar, an Atherton student who has participated in the program. Javar enjoys seeing the performers, which is an experience that is only available at school.
Students love the programs so much they don’t want the experience to end. “They ask ‘Can we see it again?’” recalls Brown. “When you get those types of responses from the children, then you know that you have accomplished your goal.”
The Virtual Field Trip experience continues beyond the video screening. Digital study guides created for each program identify learning outcomes and are filled with extension activities in alignment with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Brown uses the study guide in tandem with the school’s curriculum, describing the resource as a “perfect match.”
In addition to the educational benefits, Virtual Field Trips provide a bit of escapism for students. The ability to engage in the online performance is a much-needed outlet during the pandemic. “Just for those brief moments you forget about what’s going on outside, what’s going on at home,” says Brown. “For a few minutes they have an opportunity to dream and see something that they can appreciate.”
Witnessing the diversity of dancers in the performances can also plant seeds for students, especially in schools such as Atherton where the diverse student body is predominately Black. “They have an opportunity to see someone of their race in the videos,” notes Brown. “I really appreciate the fact that they have an opportunity to broaden their goals and aspirations.” Representation matters, and Virtual Field Trips can help students see the possibilities for their futures are limitless.
Summarized as educational, entertaining and inspiring, Houston Ballet’s Virtual Field Trips are just that. With endorsements from both students and teachers, Brown looks forward to the spring offerings and the possibility of more in the future. “I hope this program will be able to continue for years to come.”
Find details about upcoming Virtual Field Trips and register online today.
By Chenay Newton