Charleston Gaillard Center Releases Dance.Laugh.Learn. Episodes

FOR RELEASE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 MEDIA CONTACTS: Kellie lawson Director of Marketing 843-242-3105 klawson@gaillardcenter.org GAILLARD CENTER SOCIAL MEDIA: @gaillardcenter @gaillardcenter facebook.com/thegaillardcenter

Charleston Gaillard Center Releases Dance.Laugh.Learn. Episodes February 22, 2021 – Charleston, SC – Today the Charleston Gaillard Center released its new educational virtual series with Dance.Laugh.Learn. The twenty-three videos feature the Gaillard Center’s early-childhood Artist-in-Residence, Dance.Laugh.Learn, promoting South Carolina’s dance standards. Each workshop will include a new dance component and is accompanied by a lesson plan for ages 4 years to 2nd Grade.

Watch the episodes and download the plans here. All videos and lesson plans are available for free as part of the Charleston Gaillard Center’s Education and Community Program.

Sterling deVries, Director of Education at the Gaillard Center, notes, “We may not be able to join our students in-person this season, but we are determined to share the arts with even our tiniest patrons. Students will learn three full dances.”

Funding for this program is provided in part by The Patrick Family Foundation.

ABOUT RYLEE COPPEL Rylee is a Pennsylvania native who followed her performing and teaching dreams to NYC. Rylee holds a B.A. in Music Performance from Ramapo College of NJ and has performed regionally and locally with such companies as; Charleston Stage, Joey Casella Productions, Theatre Rehabilitation for Youth, Roxy Regional Theatre, RWS and Associates and American Entertainment Productions. Alongside her performing, Rylee has been teaching Musical Theatre, Voice, Dance and Acting in

the NY/NJ, and SC areas for over 5 years. CARI Background check; SLED Check, Certified Yoga Instructor, Aura Wellness Center; CPR/First Aid, American Red Cross; Trauma Informed.

ABOUT KERRI FORD Kerri is a New York based performer who specializes in theatre for young audiences (TYA). She is an alumna of the educational theatre program at NYU where she graduated with a B.S. along with a certification to teach theatre in the state of NY (K-12;2004-2007). She has performed with a long roster of theatre companies who make it their mission to provide educational shows and assemblies to both children and adult audiences including: Winceyco, ArtsPower National Touring Theatre, Arithmitickles, and Periwinkle Theatre for Youth. Kerri is also professionally trained in movement and dance and has taught at private studios in the past. She continues to perform in the TYA field. CARI background check; NYC/DOE fingerprinted; CPR/First Aid, American Red Cross; Kappa Delta Pi member; Trauma Informed ABOUT DANCE.LAUGH.LEARN Dance.Laugh.Learn. combines music, dance, and theatre with proven methods in childhood development aimed at sparking a child’s creativity and establishing an early love for the arts. As a new program, we are constantly growing, and incorporating our own continuing education into the program. Each program offers different and unique objectives that are achieved in a positive and nurturing learning environment. Dance.Laugh.Learn. programs are designed to give your children the opportunity to express creativity, expand the imagination, strengthen communication abilities, and cultivate social skills through the use of the performing arts. All Dance.Laugh.Learn classes are educational and process-based and will develop skills in your child that will stay with them throughout their lives.

WEBSITE dancelaughlearn.org FACEBOOK @DanceLaughLearn ABOUT STERLING DEVRIES Sterling deVries, the Director of Education at the Charleston Gaillard Center, is dedicated to supporting the educational community through the arts. Following fifteen years as a classroom teacher, deVries builds on the knowledge that arts are an integral part of classroom content. Her Master’s degree in Arts in Education changed her approach to teaching and resulted in a student-centered, arts-enhanced method of content mastery.

ABOUT THE CHARLESTON GAILLARD CENTER The Charleston Gaillard Center is a 501c3 nonprofit performing arts organization in Charleston, South Carolina, committed to enriching lives through unforgettable experiences. Throughout the year, we provide exceptional programming and vibrant educational opportunities for the community.

Please consider a contribution as we continue to find innovative ways to connect, inspire, and entertain. Donate to support the arts in your community. You can learn more about our educational resources and programming at gaillardcenter.org. ###