Ballet of Santa Teresa of Rio de Janeiro

The Santa Teresa Ballet develops projects for sociallyat-risk children, adolescents, and families. Its mission is thecomplementation, foundation, and integration of this target population throughcultural expression and education. The STB began its activities in 1999, when girls from thesocially at-risk areas of the neighborhood of Santa Teresa asked for balletclasses taught by Vania Farias, a professional classical ballet teacher. Ms. Farias observed through statistics andpublic opinion surveys the division between the target population and theleisure and cultural activities in the neighborhood, due to lack of specificoffers, and mostly due to existing prejudice between social classes. In 2001, realizing the prospect of daily classes, theProject was created to offer classical ballet education, Spanish dance classes,music lessons, choral classes, art and dance history, motor skills, educationalrecreation, homework help, preventative health education, arts and craftsclasses for mothers, group excursions, and performances. All of the activities areaccompanied by orientation and social assistance. Starting in 2004, otherdisciplines were added, including English classes, theater classes, artclasses, and after-school help with schoolwork. The first STB classes for 12 beginning students took placesix years ago, in the basement of the Neighborhood Organization for the CoroaCommunity, right in the middle of the favela. Today, the STB Project operatesin the Christian Workers Federation of Rio de Janeiro, in Largodos Guimaraes, in the heart of Santa Teresa, at 501 Almirante Alexandrino Street. There are 150students divided into six sessions, from three to eighteen years old.Approximately 94% of the students come from the favelas Morro dos Prazers,Coroa, Fogueteiro, Fallet, Escondidinho, Mineira, and Sao Carlos, while about 6% of the students come from thetraditional parts of Santa Teresa (children of intellectuals, artists,foreigners, and people involved in social development). This method aims topromote the integration of the favela and non-favela communities of theneighborhood, and the past few years have shown excellent results. The course is completely free, as well as the performances,daily snacks, daily activities, and transportation to all outside activitiesand events. The Santa Teresa Ballet does not have auditions for entry: allchildren that sign up are accepted into the school, by chronological order onthe waiting lists. The only thing needed to sign up is proof of registration asa student in a public or private school, and a medical exam given by the HealthClinic of Santa Teresa. The studentsmust attend all classes and activities in their session. Because of this, theactivities act as an attraction so that all students receive a uniform, solidcultural base, aiming to bring them better opportunities, better their lives,and help them become well-informed citizens.The results of the studentsâ?? accomplishments are clear:· Social Integration: Decrease in socio-culturaldifferences between social classes· Academic Education: Decrease in number ofstudents held back and number of illiterate students, with an increase in levelof education, giving the students a higher level of professionalcompetitiveness in the future job market; decrease in levels of child labor andviolence· Preventative Health: Zero incidence of pregnancyand sexually transmitted disease amongst STB students; decrease in domesticaccidents, increase in healthier eating and better hygiene· Cultural Education: Intellectual instructionthrough continued access to cultural activities Today, the Santa Teresa Ballet has partnerships with: the DesiderataInstitute, the Marques de Salamanca Institute, the French Charity Society, RioVoluntario, AFS Brazil, Iko Poran, CMS Ernani Agricola (local health clinic),the Christian Workers Federation of Rio de Janeiro, the Stage Edcuation Projectof the Municipal Theater of Rio, CMDCA, a-tribo2p, Antares, Santa Teresa MovieTheater, public schools of Santa Teresa, Agenda 21 Coordination of the SantaTeresa neighborhood, and the Neighborhood Associations of Santa Teresa andsurrounding areas.