What they reported doing
- #1 primary $6KCOLORS OF THE RAINBOW PROGRAM PROVIDES INTER SCHOOL TEAM COMPETITIONS TO ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS.
- #2 $0"COMMUNITY SERVICE" PROVIDES A DIVERSE ARRAY OF SPECIAL PROGRAMS TO DANCING CLASSROOMS SCHOOL PARTNERS, DANCING CLASSROOMS STUDENT ALUMNI AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC AFTER SCHOOL, DURING THE SUMMER AND ON THE WEEKENDS.
What they call their work
What they do
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Ballet and Dance Education Programs 5 activities
- Deliver 10-week social dance program for 5th grade studentsImplements a 10-week, 20-lesson in-school social dance residency program for elementary school students, using ballroom dance to foster social-emotional development, teamwork, and classroom engagement. Culminates in celebratory events involving families and school communities.
- Deliver special social dance programs for alumni and the publicOffers a range of special programs after school, during summer, and on weekends for school partners, student alumni, families, and the general public, expanding access to social dance education beyond the core curriculum.
- Host inter-school team dance competitionsOrganizes inter-school team dance competitions for elementary and middle school students through the Colors of the Rainbow program, promoting collaboration and skill development across schools.
- Provide social dance programs for adults 55+Offers the Silver Edition program and other live social dance lessons for adults ages 55+, including an 8-session residency teaching dances such as foxtrot, rumba, cha cha, tango, swing, salsa, and line dances. Programs include music, story sharing, and conclude with optional social dance events, delivered in senior centers, libraries, community centers, and health facilities.
- Train teaching artists in the Dulaine MethodProvides training for teaching artists in the Dulaine Method and Dancing Classrooms syllabus to ensure fidelity and quality in program delivery.
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Student Milestone Ceremonies & Events 1 activity
- Host culminating events celebrating student growth through danceOrganizes culminating events for students, families, and school communities to celebrate progress in social-emotional development through performances of dance and student writing.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Establish and support licensed nonprofit operationsEstablished CoDanceCo, Inc. as the licensed nonprofit operator of Dancing Classrooms Long Island with initial funding from the Dana Foundation, building local organizational capacity for sustained program delivery.
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Who runs it
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JENNIFER VARENKA | OPERATIONS DIRECTOR | 20 | $41K |
| JESSICA HEINS | PROGRAM DIRECTOR | 13 | $23K |
| NANCY J DUNCAN | TRUSTEE / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 18 | $23K |
- ANGELA TRIVIGNO — SECRETARY
- CAROLANN MORBILLO — TRUSTEE (AS OF MAY 2025)
- CATHERINE SCANDALIOS — TREASURER
- DANIELLE FACIOLLI — TRUSTEE (AS OF MAY 2025)
- DENISE PRESSER — TRUSTEE (AS OF MAY 2025)
- DOUGLAS S PLOTKE — TRUSTEE
- NATHANIEL OZARIN — TRUSTEE
- PHYLLIS OZARIN — CHAIRMAN
Who they work with
- American Ballroom Theater Company (ABrT) Network — Licensed Dancing Classrooms program model from ABrT to implement on Long Island.
- Belmont Elementary Partner — Supported implementation of the Dancing Classrooms program through its principal.
- Dana Foundation Funder — Provided a two-year grant to establish CoDanceCo, Inc. as the licensed nonprofit for Dancing Classrooms on Long Island.
- Dancing Classrooms school partners Partner — Schools that collaborate with Dancing Classrooms Long Island to deliver programs to students.
- Eastern Suffolk BOCES Partner — Provided guidance through its Arts-in-Education Coordinator during implementation of the Dancing Classrooms program.
- Knapp/Swezey Foundation Funder — Provides partial funding for organizational operations.
- National Education Association Partner — Highlighted by John Wilson, Head of the National Education Association, in support of the program's educational value
- New York State Council on the Arts Funder — Provides partial funding for programs with support from the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
- North Babylon School District Partner — Supported implementation of the Dancing Classrooms program through its Director of Music and Art.
- North Babylon UFSD Partner — Collaborates with North Babylon Union Free School District on arts and music programs.
- Port Washington Parent and Child Advocate Attorney Partner — Individual or organization providing advocacy support and endorsement for Dancing Classrooms Long Island.
- Pro Bono Partnership Partner — Provides free legal services to the organization through its network of volunteer attorneys.
- Professional Performing Arts School Partner — Site where founder volunteered and observed children, informing the development of Dancing Classrooms.
- Professional Performing Arts School Partner — Site where the Dancing Classrooms program was initiated through a volunteer dance class in 1994.
- YMCAs Partner — Provides Silver Edition dance programs in YMCA facilities for older adults.
- classroom teachers Partner — Collaborates with classroom teachers to develop curriculum connections that support academic content areas
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Arts-Based Social Development via Ballroom Dancemethodology: arts-based social developmentBy using ballroom and social dance as a transformative, arts-integrated practice, the organization fosters inclusive environments, personal growth, and positive social behaviors in children—especially those who are shy or marginalized—because the structured yet joyful format builds self-efficacy, posture, and social belonging through equal partnership and shared rhythm.
- Social-Emotional Learning Through Dancemethodology: social_emotional_learning_through_danceBy integrating social and emotional learning into structured ballroom and social dance instruction, the organization cultivates confidence, empathy, cooperation, and self-discipline in students because shared movement and partner interaction create experiential opportunities for practicing respect, teamwork, and emotional regulation.