May 2022

For the first time in two years, Delphi Project Foundation students in the Let’s Dance Program and the High Choreographic Mentorship Program performed in-person to an enthusiastic crowd of family, friends, and visitors at the Cherry Street Pier. 

After COVID forced the cancellation of the culminating performance in March 2020 and only virtual programming last year, students were able to enjoy in-person classes in the Let’s Dance Program. Throughout the 2021–22 school year, students attended twice weekly after school classes to learn about ballet, African dance, modern dance, and hip hop.

On May 4, 2022, seventy-five students from five schools performed at Cherry Street Pier as part of the Behind the Stage Door Opening Week. The participating middle schools included Conwell Middle, Thomas Holme, Ethel Allen, Pan American Academy Charter, and Folk Arts Cultural Treasurers (FACTs) School. Students in the High School Choreographic Mentorship Program performed at the Cherry Street Pier on the opening weekend of Behind the Stage Door on April 30. This school year, students worked with dance professionals to learn choreography and create original dance pieces for the performance.

Students described the program as eye-opening, surprising, and therapeutic. The high schools that participated in the program included: Philadelphia High School for Girls, Franklin Learning Center, Esperanza Academy Charter High, and The High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA). During the opening weekend, over 3,000 people visited the Behind the Stage Door performance and exhibition at Cherry Street Pier.

The Impact:

“I have never choreographed but this experience has pushed me to more of a leader and to be more independent and confident.” –Samaya, student, Philadelphia High School for Girls

“Dance lets you be yourself, be free. It takes you to a different place, a happy place; dance is my happy place.” –Keith, student, Franklin Learning Center

“There is a lot to be learned other than basic dance technique. There’s teamwork, there’s discipline. It was awesome to see how the program allows students to see themselves as artists, and not just students; beyond just striving for a perfect tendu or arabesque, they can see themselves as creatives.”
–Dana Williams, dance teacher, Franklin Learning Center

Enjoy this 30 second clip of the one of the student performances.