Performing Arts - Show Off
Many youth enjoy performing, whether as an actor, dancer or singer. Being in the spotlight gives kids increased confidence and the ability to make instantaneous decisions, especially when they learn how to improvise and to build their skills in related areas, like producing and directing. They develop new techniques and also learn about technology.
Featured Program - Dance Encourages Foster Girls
Maryvale in Rosemead is a group home for 80 foster girls, ages 6-18, who have been abused and neglected. Create Now has provided them with creative arts programs for over 8 years and they once again opened their doors to us in hopes of bringing encouragement through the art of dance.
Micol Arias is a trained dancer who performs with the “Let’s Dance Company” at East Los Angeles Community College. She coached six girls ages 9-14 in dancing at Maryvale for an hour every week. As the month-long workshop progressed, the girls were eager to learn new dance combinations. They were thrilled as they mastered the steps. These dance workshops helped the girls to focus and encouraged them to strive for more.
“Working with the girls at Maryvale, was a wonderful experience,” Micol said. “When I signed up to volunteer for Create Now, little did I know that my experience would be so rewarding. Coaching the girls allowed me to use dance as a form of therapy. What was really inspiring about teaching the girls was their excitement to learn new dance combinations.
Featured Program - Ballet Brings Joy to Abused Kids
Lindsey Bogan is a professional therapist for foster youth who are aging out of the system. She contacted Create Now with the goal to share her passion for ballet with a group of abused and neglected children. We referred her to Hillsides in Pasadena, which is a large group home for around 100 children aged 7 to 18. Lindsey brought all of her students ballet slippers and canvas bags that they could decorate to hold their dance gear.
"On my first day at Hillsides, I was greeted by several wide-eyed 11 year olds, eager to learn a new skill and excited to simply have a visitor. I was immediately inspired by their eagerness to learn and their excitement to show me the steps I taught them. And I knew that because of my professional and personal background, I could make a positive impact on these young, aspiring artists who come from very difficult backgrounds."
More Featured Programs
From Hollywood to Hollygrove
Fostering Laughter
Dance for Foster Youth