(Left) Yvonne E. Walker, President of the Dance Guild of Baltimore proudly posing with Continental Lorna Byers who summitted
her organization to receive our 2007 Memorial Award.
Yvonne E. Walker got the idea to start the Dance Guild of Baltimore after talking to family and friends who teach in Baltimore
City public schools. The common thread through all conversations was budget cuts that resulted in a reduction or total elimination
of arts education in schools. Yvonne decided to focus on dance because she was already involved in this area through Baltimore
DanceTech, member of the board of Directors of Dance Baltimore, and a member of the Maryland Council for Dance. The Dance Guild
of Baltimore was designed to specifically address her concern that disadvantaged youth are being underserved due to a reduction in
arts programs in schools and by the local arts community. The Dance Guild of Baltimore attempts to fill the gap between city
schools, busy parents, increasing ticket prices and inaccessible professional performances and disadvantaged children.
The Dance
Guild of Baltimore is a non profit 501(c) (3) organization. They currently have two programs that make it possible for children
to realize their dreams, build confidence and self esteem, and encourage their self expression. Their most popular program Discover
Dance! has served over 5,000 children since 2000. Discover Dance! is a community outreach program that provides an opportunity
to attend professional dance performances for young people who may otherwise not have such a chance. The other is Dance Kidz,
an after school outreach program that places an emphasis on student involvement and introduces children to dance through creative
movement.
Partnership schools include:
Govans Elementary
The Stadium School
Coldstream Park Elementary
Rosemont Elementary
Highlandtown Elementary Woodbourne
Center
Child First Afterschool Program
The Dance Guild of Baltimore provides tickets free of charge and covers the cost of bus transportation
to the different events. They also provide tickets to other organizations that provide services to children.
For more information contact:
The Dance Guild of Baltimore
P.O. Box 2003
Baltimore, MD 21203
(410) 276-4638
©2007 Continental Societies, Inc.
PO Box 67843-0020
Baltimore, MD 21215
Last Date Modified: March 26, 2008
