HEARTS Funding Music, Arts And Dance Program in Port Washington

Kindergarteners in the Port Washington School District will soon have something to dance about. 

Local arts organization Helping Enrich The Arts of Port Washington, or HEARTS, is funding a new $3,000 dance workshop program for all kindergarteners attending Port Washington Schools. The initiative is the latest addition to the music, arts and dance programs supported by HEARTS. 

Karen Guy, a retired special education teacher and full time dance instructor from Berest Dance Center, is leading the program.  

“We’re very proud to be able to support this fun dance initiative for kindergarteners especially in light of the state mandated budget cuts that have impacted the discretionary music, arts and dance programs offered to children in the school district,” said HEARTS founder Damon Gersh, in a press release.

HEARTS is the grassroots community group that produced the first annual that featured fun, interactive activities and a diverse group of artists, live music, dance and theatrical performances by Port Washington residents in support of local arts educational programs.

The community organization has also helped launch a summer music program for English language learning students. It also provided $3,500 in discretionary arts grants at the beginning of the school year to the district's HSA cultural arts committees to support the creative arts programs and resources provided to local students.

The group is hosting its annual cocktail mixer and community meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 16 from 7-9:30 p.m. at H on the Harbor by invitation. Orgainzers will share the HEARTS' vision, priorities and initiatives includingplans for the second annual PortFest 2013 scheduled for May 11, 2013.  

HEARTS welcomes members from the community interested in the arts and arts education to learn more about their grassroots initiative to enrich the arts in Port Washington and its public schools. For more information visit the organization's website. To receive an invitation to the upcoming Jan. 16th event, contact the group at heartspw@gmail.com.