racoco and Morgan Stanley

	February 9, 2005
	Morgan Stanley Sponsors Modern Dance Workshop for the Chelsea Mentoring Program

	The Chelsea Mentoring program is sponsored by Morgan Stanley as part of the NYC Board of Education Office of Strategic Partnerships. The program's goals are to provide high school students with exposure to a work environment and relationships with an adult who can give them attention and guidance. Mentors work one-on-one with students to set goals based on each student's current needs and ambitions. Volunteers direct and participate in activities that encompass: college prep workshops, tutoring, lifeskills presentations, social activities and financial (personal and investment) education. Recently, racoco productions inc., a New York City performance company, volunteered to conduct a workshop for the mentoring program. Director and choreographer Rachel Cohen and company members gave students a "day in the life of a dancer," using material from their upcoming production, "If The Shoe Fits," as an introduction to how modern dance pieces are developed. The workshop explored methods of generating material and working with music. Students were encouraged to experiment with elements of dance and clown and mask techniques, and then worked together with the dancers to create their own phrase and storyline. The students dove into the new medium. "A lot of people are afraid of dance, or at least uninterested," Rachel said. "It was exciting to watch the students engage with what we were doing, and make it their own." As a follow-up to the workshop, the students will also attend a performance of "If The Shoe Fits." (Matinees are free for students under 18.) If you are interested in being a mentor or volunteer, please contact Liz Knoop the program coordinator: 718-754-4378