HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — Pat Longinotti Head Start students jumped, sashayed and stomped on Jan. 29 as part of their introduction to dance from Hot Springs School District Dance Director Amy Bramlett Turner.

“Here we focus on how we can use movement to express ourselves so students that might not know how to deal with their emotions can express themselves through movement,” Turner said. “Hopefully, that will help them in life and also become a great athlete or student because life is overwhelming.”

Turner is an Artist in Education with the Arkansas Arts Council and partners with CSO’s Head Start program. She is also the Director of Hot Springs Dance Troupe and Secondary Arts Coordinator.
“Dance is so vital, I truly believe dance education is for all and should be accessible to all,” Turner said. “That’s why this is an amazing opportunity for us to bring dance education to these three to five-year-olds. At this age, it’s all about creativity, connecting cognitive and motor skills, and learning to be part of a group while also learning to push yourself as an individual.”

“Here we focus on how we can use movement to express ourselves so students that might not know how to deal with their emotions can express themselves through movement,” Turner said. “Hopefully, that will help them in life and also become a great athlete or student because life is overwhelming.”

She said sees the collaboration as an exciting opportunity to connect her dance program with Head Start, potentially fostering future students.
“I think this is a great opportunity for dance for this young age because not all these students may have the opportunity to dance, and so this is a time for them to really explore movement and express themselves and hopefully help them gain confidence, social skills, creativity, and all that good stuff.”