Dancify That + SEL

social emotional learning through creative movement

Movement as a way to explore self-expression, social awareness and decision making for grades 1-5

  • Our SEL (social emotional learning) curriculum is an amalgam of dozens of approaches from across the country. SEL increases students’ capacities for self awareness, social awareness, and healthy decision making. We explore emotional literacy, identity, stories, and the dynamics of school yard scenarios with creative movement. Our activities are a launch pad for discussions that help students build new friendships, release physical tension, and build empathy for the world around them.

  • We offer a flexible variety of workshops, residencies, after-school offerings, and assembly shows to schools and student groups of all sizes. Classes/workshops run 20-120 minutes. We can bring our own SEL curriculum, or work with a teacher to integrate academic curriculum. Residencies of 5 or more sessions can culminate with performances/sharings with the school community. We also offer interactive assembly shows that use movement to reinforce SEL and catalyze community building. Our assembly shows are performed by professional dancers and teaching artists representing a variety of dance styles and backgrounds.

  • We approach “dance” from the perspective that the body is a tool for communication – everyone uses and reads “body language”. Our goal is to help students build confidence, awareness, and empathy through movement games that exercise their ability to read and express emotions, ideas and stories. Students will work collaboratively and individually in making “dances” based on their own moves. Any movement can be used in “dance”. In addition to using school yard scenarios and SEL literacy as inspiration for movement, we have had students make soccer dances, dances based on video games, nature, poetry, and friendship. These dances, when performed for classmates, become a source of inquiry. We then have students reflect and respond to their classmates' work with compliments and questions. During this time students are able to exercise their communication skills, thinking critically about what emotions were present and what story the dance might have been telling. Our goal is to help build a culture of self-expression, meaning-making and empathy through movement activities.

  • Dancify for SEL is the educational branch of “Dancify That”, a live comedy and dance game show produced in New York City. In the show, teams of 2 compete in using stories, memes, weird science, and viral video clips as inspiration for dance. More about the show can be found here.

Billy Schultz
creator, founder and lead teaching artist

In a time when screens dominate the educational landscape, it’s crucial we find ways to keep kids in touch with their bodies. Studies show that learning is best achieved by a combination of sensory modalities. Physicalizing learning with creative movement powerfully reinforces abstract concepts, releases tension, and stimulates the brain with dopamine and endorphins. It also improves mood, increases motivation, improves social interaction, and helps shape a healthy classroom culture. 

  • I spent a decade developing circus, theater, dance and puppetry lesson plans for young people. During this time I collaborated alongside some of the most talented teaching artists in New York City making lesson plans based on history, self-expression, relationships and more. On the side, I began developing “Dancify That” - a dance game show that challenges contestants to transform videos, memes and stories into dance. I experimented with how comedy and dance can fit together to create surprise, delight, communal joy, and connection. The lessons I learned experimenting with the show have given me exciting insights into student engagement.

    In addition to writing hundreds of performing arts lesson plans, I bring 4 years of experience as a classroom teacher to my work. I know how busy teachers and administration are and keep that in mind when collaborating with schools.

    I know what it’s like to be a kid who “doesn’t dance” or “can’t draw”. That was me. Memories of being that kid help me create lesson plans that can engage even those don’t identify as “artistic”.

    I’m currently booking workshops for the 23-24 school year. Depending on the situation I might teach solo, or bring a co-facilitator. Below you’ll see images of some of my team. If you’re at all curious about how we could work together, say hi at dancifythat@gmail.com

Meet the Team

  • Olney Edmondson

    Dancer, Educator

  • Patrick Ferreri

    Dancer, Educator

  • Ze Motion

    Dancer, Educator

  • Fola Walker

    Dancer, Educator

  • Jess Grippo

    Dancer, Educator

  • “Dear Billy, Thank you so much for bringing Dancify to our community. What a joyful way to spend an hour together. The program thoughtfully wove dance, expression, movement, theater, community, music, performance, storytelling and let’s not forget the laughter... an uplifting experience for everyone.”

    Phoebe W. (Parent)

  • Dancify That was fabulous. My students LOVED it.

    Alycia Z. (elementary school teacher)

  • My 8-year-old son was hooked from the first minute on Dancify That's infectious energy. Not only did the performers delight with a wide range of dance styles and music, they helped transform my son's perceptions about what dance could be.

    Margaret S. (Parent)

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