A Legacy of Dance Education in East New York
For 30 years, Marcella Jones has dedicated her life to dance education in the NYC Department of Education. For the past two decades, she has been shaping young dancers at Performing Arts & Technology High School (PATHS) ay Thomas Jefferson Campus HS in East New York, Brooklyn. Her program, PATHSDANCE, provides students with rigorous training in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop, Majorette, and African dance, giving them a strong foundation in diverse dance styles.
More than just a dance program, PATHSDANCE is a launching pad for aspiring dancers, showing students that dance is not just a hobby but a professional career path. Jones believes that exposure beyond the classroom is essential and that her students deserve to experience the professional dance world firsthand.
Last year Mrs. Jones took students from PATHSDANCE to Basel, Switzerland to train and perform at the Braswell Arts Center. While on their trip to Switzerland they spent a day in Paris, allowing Brooklyn students an opportunity for a life-changing experience.
A Life-Changing Opportunity: Training with Deeply Rooted in Chicago
From April 13th to April 21st, 2025, PATHSDANCE students will travel from Brooklyn to Chicago for an exclusive training experience with the world-renowned Deeply Rooted Dance Theater. This immersive program will allow students to train with elite professionals, expand their artistic horizons, and build confidence in a competitive industry.
“The goal is for my dancers to learn to be curious and confident instead of timid and fearful,” says Jones. This experience will inspire them to aim high, reinforcing that dance is not just an extracurricular activity but a legitimate profession with boundless opportunities.
Help PATHSDANCE Raise $10,000 for Travel Costs
To make this dream a reality, PATHSDANCE is seeking to raise $10,000 to help offset travel costs for students. This financial support will ensure that every dancer, regardless of their economic background, can take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Every contribution will directly impact these students, allowing them to step outside their small studio in Brooklyn and embrace a world of artistic excellence in Chicago.
How You Can Support PATHSDANCE
Your donation will help cover:
✅ Travel expenses (flights, accommodations, and meals)
✅ Training fees with Deeply Rooted Dance Theater
✅ Essential resources for students to fully engage in this experience
Join us in supporting these talented young dancers as they embark on the “Deeply Rooted Experience.”
🔹 Donate Today and help PATHSDANCE take this important step toward the future of professional dance!
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