The Curtain Rises Again on SIUE’s Performing Arts After School Program
After a hiatus due to funds, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s East St. Louis Center Performing Arts will once again offer its after school program for students beginning Monday, October 3.
“The Metro East area has a world-renowned cultural legacy in the performing arts. The SIUE East St. Louis Center has played a principal part in that, with the legendary Katherine Dunham having started a dance program here,” said SIUE East St. Louis Center Executive Director Jesse Dixon. “So, it is with great pleasure and excitement that we are once again offering the popular East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts program.”
Classes will be offered to students, ages 6-17, from Monday-Thursday through May 2017. Classes include: jazz, ballet, Dunham Technique, drumming, piano and guitar. A community performance will conclude the program 
year, and allow students to showcase their talent and skill. The performance date will be advertised at a later time. The cost of the program is free.
“I’m deeply pleased that SIUE recognizes the importance of the culture growth that the SIUE East St. Louis Center Performing Arts program brings to the community,” said Performing Arts Program Director Jack Williams, who has worked as an instructor in the program for more than 33 years.
For the last two summers, the SIUE East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts has offered summer camp, which has been oversubscribed both years, according to Dixon. “The revitalization of the after-school program will enable instructors to go much deeper with students in developing their technique and skills,” he said.
With a focus on empowering people and strengthening communities, the SIUE East St. Louis Center is dedicated to improving the lives of families and individuals - from pre-school through adult - in the Metro East. Head Start/Early Head Start and a charter high school are among the programs that offer the community renewed hope and an opportunity to reach educational, career and life goals. The Center also assigns first priority to encouraging, supporting and improving the educational success of the residents of East St. Louis and surrounding urban communities. The Center provides comprehensive programs, services and training in the areas of education, health, social services and the arts.
Photos:
Shown are students from the SIUE East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts program summer session.
