Third Graders Experience Cultures With Symphony Space

Third graders gained a deep appreciation for the dance and music of different cultures through an enrichment art program with Symphony Space from June 8-12. The students connected with two teaching artists through workshops and interactive performances to learn about folk dances of Mexico and music of Brazil.

“The residency is tied into our English language arts units and social studies work – bringing geography, culture and community studies to life through movement, maps and storytelling,” third grade teacher and curriculum leader Krystle Tawil said. “It also supported our current research unit, where students have been working in clubs to explore specific subtopics about Brazil and Mexico, such as holidays, food, geography, landscape, and sports and hobbies.”

In the Mexican Dance workshop, the students learned regional folk dances that reflected local traditions and costumes from regions like Chiapas, Jalisco and Veracruz, using props like hats and skirts. In dance, they practiced posture, coordination and direction-based movement.

In the Brazilian Drumming workshop, they explored samba rhythms through call-and-response, teamwork and layered percussion. The samba rhythms were inspired by Rio’s carnival, focusing on drumming techniques and group rhythm-building. In drumming, the students used hand and stick techniques to build polyrhythms with instruments like surdos and snare.

Tawil said the most meaningful part of the program has been watching the students gain confidence, express themselves creatively and develop appreciation for cultures beyond their own.

“I hope they gain a deeper understanding of cultures around the world, the value of collaboration and the joy of expressing themselves through music and dance,” she said.

The students demonstrated what they learned during a final performance on June 12.