Wingspan’s afterschool programs are developed and operated in partnership with school leadership, parents,
students and professional teaching artists. Classes offered, schedules and activities vary widely and are designed to accommodate the individual interests of each school community. Specialty classes include visits from guest artists and field trips to enriching, cultural activities.

Unique and popular classes developed by teaching artists include:

‘5, 6, 7, 8!’ Musical Mania is a song and dance experience like you have never had before. This class explores musical theatre dance and music, and gives kids the chance to do it themselves! They work on your turns and time-steps, as well as working on creating original songs!

For aspiring actors, designers, directors, and cinematographers, this class gives kids the chance to take part in film production at every stage. They even learn how to use a state-of-the art digital video camera! Kids watch and discuss commercials, documentaries, and other short films by kids, and they also take part in improv acting exercises, creating characters for their screenplay. The class edits the film together on Mac’s i-Movie and holds a public screening. At the end of the semester, each child gets a DVD copy of the movie!

This is a visual arts class with an emphasis on creativity, invention and fun! Kids learn to recycle paper to make collage greeting cards, create bead jewelry of their own unique design, and decorate and re-use old things to make candle holders, mirrors, secret boxes and more. Students cut, paint, draw, stitch, glue and sculpt — and turn trash into treasures!

In this class the dancers learn styles such as African, Jazz, Ballet, Salsa, Afro-Caribbean, Indian, Hip Hop, Funk and Swing. They will dance to music from all over the world and play games that help them listen to the sounds that make each style and culture unique. This class helps open young children to the awareness of other countries’ historical dance styles and find a common colorful thread that runs through ALL movement.