Highly trained teaching artists conduct all Kids Excel El Paso dance classes. KEEP Instructors and Musicians work closely with new Apprentices for an entire year to insure consistency and quality control for our programs.

In order to meet the growing demand for qualified instructors to implement our program growth, Kids Excel conducts a 2-week Teacher Training Workshop each Fall before our In-School classes begin. This intensive workshop (conducted in partnership with NDI master teaching artists) provides an introduction for professional dancers and musicians to the acclaimed NDI teaching methodology used in all Kids Excel programs. The workshop includes 3 daily classes with children at one of KEEP’s participating schools, showcasing the progress from first class to culminating assembly for the entire school. Afternoons are spent at KEEP studios practicing the NDI teaching techniques, studying the KEEP Curriculum Guide, and exploring and creating successful choreography for children. Trainees work closely throughout the 2-week training with the KEEP artistic team.

Successful workshop participants may be hired for a year-long apprenticeship with Kids Excel, working closely with the Artistic Director and other Instructors until they are fully trained and ready to conduct their own classes. Dancers and Musicians who are interested in auditioning to train as Instructors for Kids Excel programs should contact Gemtria St Clair for an interview.

The 2009-2010 Teacher Training produced 5 new apprentices for Kids Excel.