DanceON
DanceON
"If all children in every school from their entrance until their graduation… were given the opportunity to experience dance as a creative art, and if their dancing kept pace with their developing physical, mental, and spiritual needs, the enrichment of their adult life might reach beyond the results we can now contemplate."
"If all children in every school from their entrance until their graduation… were given the opportunity to experience dance as a creative art, and if their dancing kept pace with their developing physical, mental, and spiritual needs, the enrichment of their adult life might reach beyond the results we can now contemplate."
— Margaret Newell H’Doubler
— Margaret Newell H’Doubler
DanceON
DanceON
DanceON is ARENA DANCES' in-school and afterschool contemporary dance residency program that empowers young people through creativity, movement, and meaningful human connection. Designed for middle and high school students, DanceON partners with schools to provide high-quality dance education that nurtures artistic expression while developing confidence, communication, collaboration, leadership, and critical thinking.
Grounded in the Minnesota Dance Education Standards and informed by the Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in Dance, DanceON offers students an immersive learning experience where dance becomes a tool for discovery—not only of movement, but of themselves and one another. Students learn to create, perform, reflect, and collaborate while strengthening the social-emotional and problem-solving skills that support success both inside and outside the classroom.
At ARENA DANCES, we believe every student deserves access to exceptional arts education regardless of their background or resources. DanceON intentionally partners with schools and communities that have historically had limited access to sustained dance programming, creating welcoming environments where every student feels seen, valued, and encouraged to find their own artistic voice.
DanceON is ARENA DANCES' in-school and afterschool contemporary dance residency program that empowers young people through creativity, movement, and meaningful human connection. Designed for middle and high school students, DanceON partners with schools to provide high-quality dance education that nurtures artistic expression while developing confidence, communication, collaboration, leadership, and critical thinking.
Grounded in the Minnesota Dance Education Standards and informed by the Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in Dance, DanceON offers students an immersive learning experience where dance becomes a tool for discovery—not only of movement, but of themselves and one another. Students learn to create, perform, reflect, and collaborate while strengthening the social-emotional and problem-solving skills that support success both inside and outside the classroom.
At ARENA DANCES, we believe every student deserves access to exceptional arts education regardless of their background or resources. DanceON intentionally partners with schools and communities that have historically had limited access to sustained dance programming, creating welcoming environments where every student feels seen, valued, and encouraged to find their own artistic voice.
Moving Practice
Moving Practice
Moving Practice is the professional development and apprenticeship pathway that extends DanceON beyond the classroom. Through ongoing mentorship, continuing education, and hands-on teaching experiences, the program supports emerging and professional teaching artists in developing their artistic voice, strengthening their pedagogical practice, and building leadership skills.
Participants engage in curriculum development, classroom observation, mentorship, and paid teaching opportunities, gaining practical experience while contributing directly to DanceON residencies. This creates a sustainable pipeline of highly skilled teaching artists who are prepared to lead with creativity, compassion, and excellence.
A central goal of Moving Practice is to diversify who stands at the front of the classroom. By investing in artists from a wide range of lived experiences, students have greater opportunities to see themselves reflected in their teachers, mentors, and creative leaders.
Moving Practice is the professional development and apprenticeship pathway that extends DanceON beyond the classroom. Through ongoing mentorship, continuing education, and hands-on teaching experiences, the program supports emerging and professional teaching artists in developing their artistic voice, strengthening their pedagogical practice, and building leadership skills.
Participants engage in curriculum development, classroom observation, mentorship, and paid teaching opportunities, gaining practical experience while contributing directly to DanceON residencies. This creates a sustainable pipeline of highly skilled teaching artists who are prepared to lead with creativity, compassion, and excellence.
A central goal of Moving Practice is to diversify who stands at the front of the classroom. By investing in artists from a wide range of lived experiences, students have greater opportunities to see themselves reflected in their teachers, mentors, and creative leaders.
Creating Pathways Through Dance
Creating Pathways Through Dance
Together, DanceON and Moving Practice create a continuum of learning—from student participation to artistic leadership. Young people experience contemporary dance as a powerful form of creative expression while building confidence, resilience, communication skills, and a sense of belonging. At the same time, teaching artists receive the mentorship and professional support needed to grow sustainable careers in arts education.
The result is stronger classrooms, stronger communities, and a stronger future for dance.
Because every school community is unique, ARENA DANCES works closely with educators and community partners to design residencies that are responsive, accessible, and tailored to each school's goals and students' needs.
We believe that when students have consistent access to high-quality arts education—and when they see themselves reflected in the artists who teach them—they gain not only creative skills, but the confidence to imagine new possibilities for their futures.
Together, DanceON and Moving Practice create a continuum of learning—from student participation to artistic leadership. Young people experience contemporary dance as a powerful form of creative expression while building confidence, resilience, communication skills, and a sense of belonging. At the same time, teaching artists receive the mentorship and professional support needed to grow sustainable careers in arts education.
The result is stronger classrooms, stronger communities, and a stronger future for dance.
Because every school community is unique, ARENA DANCES works closely with educators and community partners to design residencies that are responsive, accessible, and tailored to each school's goals and students' needs.
We believe that when students have consistent access to high-quality arts education—and when they see themselves reflected in the artists who teach them—they gain not only creative skills, but the confidence to imagine new possibilities for their futures.
Interested in bringing DanceON to your school or community?
Interested in bringing DanceON to your school or community?
To learn more about DanceON and Moving Practice, contact Mathew Janczewski, Founder & Executive Director of ARENA DANCES, at (612) 804-0238 or arenadances@gmail.com.
To learn more about DanceON and Moving Practice, contact Mathew Janczewski, Founder & Executive Director of ARENA DANCES, at (612) 804-0238 or arenadances@gmail.com.
Support Our Mission
Support Our Mission
Your contribution helps us continue creating transformative dance experiences, supporting our artists, and bringing contemporary dance to our community.
Your contribution helps us continue creating transformative dance experiences, supporting our artists, and bringing contemporary dance to our community.
2000+
2000+
Annual audience members
Annual audience members
5+
5+
Professional dancers
Professional dancers
60+
60+
Productions created
Productions created
Photography Credits:
Bill Cameron, Galen Higgins, Laura Selle Virtucio, Jake Nehrbass, Armour Photography
©2026 ARENA DANCES |All rights reserved.
Photography Credits:
Bill Cameron, Galen Higgins, Laura Selle Virtucio, Jake Nehrbass, Armour Photography
©2026 ARENA DANCES |All rights reserved.
Photography Credits:
Bill Cameron, Galen Higgins, Laura Selle Virtucio, Jake Nehrbass, Armour Photography
©2026 ARENA DANCES |All rights reserved.