Red Bank Dance Studio Hosts Holiday Show to Benefit The New School of Monmouth County

HOLMDEL, NJ, November 30, 2010 (Press-News.org) The American Academy of Dance is pleased to present "A Holiday Festival of Dance" at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 4 at the Pollak Theater on the campus of Monmouth University to benefit The New School of Monmouth County. Contact The New School at 732-787-7900 for advance ticket sales or purchase at the door, $15.

Under the direction of owner Melissa Fagliarone, The American Academy of Dance is celebrating its tenth year, offering classes in ballet, tap, jazz, musical theater and hip hop for children ages 3-18, as well as adult dance classes. Ms. Fagliarone's commitment is "to give students a real appreciation and understanding of the true art of dance" and she "believes that the benefits of this last long after the applause."

This festive dance event has been choreographed to capture the spirit of the season and is a wonderful way to celebrate with the whole family. Dancers will perform highlights from "The Nutcracker," "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and "We Need a Little Christmas."
Students from the New School of Monmouth County-- who have been taking music and movement classes at the Academy-- will perform a dance to "Winter Song" and will also sing "So This is Christmas."

What: A Holiday Festival of Dane
When: Saturday, December 4 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Pollak Theatre at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, NJ
Tickets: Contact The New School of Monmouth County at (732) 977-7900 or TheNewSchool@Comcast.Net

The New School of Monmouth County - nestled in the heart of Holmdel-- is one of New Jersey's best-kept secrets, having successfully educated scores of children since 1969. Anything but new, The New School is an educational utopia in today's teach-to-the-test climate of public education.

The school began as alternative school under the direction of Susan Chilvers, where she remains its Director to this day. "The New School philosophy is simple," says Chilvers. "Children are naturally excited about education and will learn more if they are happy and can move at their own pace. Also cooperation is more healthy than competition, enabling children to develop into caring adults who can work together understanding differences and personality traits in themselves and others."

One only needs to spend a short time visiting the school to see this philosophy in action.

Small, multi-aged classrooms provide an intimate setting where students receive individualized attention from the teacher, learn from each other, are responsible for each other, and gain a new perspective of what it means to belong to a group larger than just one's peers. Leadership skills and empathy are learned from teaching younger children, and self-confidence develops from sharing with older students. Cooperation - an invaluable asset in today's business world - is fostered from the moment the children start their education at The New School.

The school utilizes project-based learning which takes into consideration the input of students. With this approach, students reach a deeper understanding of the subjects being taught and are often found exploring these subjects - on their own accord - long after the school day has ended. Project-based learning allows the children to be self-motivated thinkers who will look beyond the basic material that is placed before them.

Children from The New School don't have any assigned homework, so they have time after school for family togetherness and to do what children do best-- which is play. This downtime is so often undervalued in our society, but provides young minds the opportunity to think freely, explore the world around them and use their imagination. What's more, there aren't any tests or quizzes, leaving children to learn at their own pace without fear of failing to measure up to some arbitrar -- and often unfair -- grading system.

In essence, The New School is not only teaching, they are cultivating a life-long love of learning, inspiring intellectual curiosity, and nourishing an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. And THAT is good teaching.

The American Academy of Dance's (www.americandancenj.com) presents "A Holiday Festival of Dance" benefitting the New School of Monmouth County - a wonderful way to kick off the Holiday Season with your family, see some terrific local talent, and support a good cause all at the same time. Showtime, Saturday, December 4, 1pm, Pollak Theater on Monmouth University's Campus. Tickets are available by calling The New School (www.the-new-school.com), 732-787-7900 or at the door.

The New School of Monmouth County in Holmdel, NJ provides a unique environment where children are encouraged to play, experiment and observe-- with no active testing or homework. Dr. Susan Chilvers founded the school (www.the-new-school.com) 40 years ago, and it has been a staple among parents seeking an alternative to traditional classroom settings ever since.