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Performance Art Partnership Benefits Hundreds of CCS Students
December 13, 2021 -- The youngest learners in Ms. Johnson’s Pre-K class at Lindbergh Elementary School are finding out school is a lot more than sitting in a classroom learning about letters and numbers. Once a week, these four and five-year-olds meet with dance instructors from Momentum, a Columbus non-profit group that engages school children in dance and performance art.
“Momentum compliments the educational experience for our youngest learners and fourth graders here at Lindbergh,” said Annette Tooman, Lindbergh Elementary School Principal. “To hear live piano music and see children expressing themselves through performance art is simply a joy as a principal.”
For 30 minutes, Ms. Johnson’s class ran around, jumped, and even rolled around on the floor as if they were a pumpkin, all as a Momentum musician played the piano. They were acting out the song, Going on a Hayride.
“Momentum helps my young learners expel some energy, learn how to control their bodies, follow directions and develop their memories,” said Pre-K Teacher Carol Johnson.
Since the start of the school year, the team at Momentum has been coming to Lindbergh Elementary twice a week. On one visit they work with Pre-K students, and the other time slot is reserved for fourth graders. This is the first time in nearly two years that Momentum is back in school buildings for face-to-face learning.
“In these times, it is essential to give children an outlet,” said Liane Egle, Momentum’s Executive Director. “Not only does the performance art we offer align with Ohio Department of Education standards for early learners, but we help students focus on social-emotional development by learning new creative ways to express themselves and interact with their classmates.”
Momentum, a non-profit organization started 19 years ago by bringing performance art into one Columbus City Schools building. Now the Momentum team partners with dozens of schools in Central Ohio. The CCS Schools that partner with Momentum include:
- Columbus Gifted Academy
- Columbus Spanish Immersion Academy
- Clinton Elementary School
- Eakin Elementary School
- East Columbus Elementary School
- Ecole Kenwood Elementary School
- Georgian Heights Elementary School
- Leawood Elementary School
- Lindbergh Elementary School
- Livingston Elementary School
- Maize Elementary School
- Parkmoor Elementary School
- Southwood Elementary
- Valley Forge Elementary School
In April, if health protocols permit it, the fourth grade students from all schools will collaborate for a Momentum live performance at the Joann Davidson Theater at the Riffe Center in downtown Columbus. In the meantime, Columbus City Schools students will be using the arts regularly thanks to this Momentum partnership to develop skills to enhance their academic success.