5th Grade Residency Program

"Before the lesson, I was nervous, but I felt better after. I liked all of it, but the best part is that I got to express my feelings in another way."

— 5th Grade Student, Wing Lane Elementary, HLPUSD

Social Dance Lessons

Our longest-running program, Conga Kids’ 5th Grade Residencies, includes…

  • 19 lessons for every classroom, taught once weekly by a Conga Kids teaching artist-in-residence. (45-50 minutes per classroom, weekly).

  • Culturally diverse lessons in African Diasporic Social and Partner dances, including Merengue, Danzón, Salsa, Authentic Jazz, and Hip Hop!

  • Inclusive dance instruction uses a “lead and follow” approach rather than gender-based partnering.

  • Explicit integration of CASEL’s social and emotional learning framework, helping students develop essential tools for a successful life!

The Dances

  • Afro-Brazilian

    Our dance of PERSEVERANCE.

    Developed as our every-day warm-up, this routine includes elements of Samba, which can be traced back to the 17th century in Bahia, Brazil, and Bloco Afro, a style created in the 1960s that highlights Afro-Brazilian resilience.

  • Merengue

    Our dance of COMMUNITY.

    This fast-paced, Afro-Dominican social dance is the national dance of the Dominican Republic! Performed in a closed-hold position, this dance serves as an introduction to partnering in our 5th-grade program.

  • Danzón

    Our dance of CONFIDENCE.

    Danzón is a formal partner dance with roots in Africa, Cuba, and Mexico! Though it is Cuba’s national dance, Conga Kids focuses on the Mexican tradition of Danzón, which includes elegant movement danced in a closed-hold partner position.

  • Salsa

    Our dance of CELEBRATION.

    Salsa is a fusion of many Afro-Caribbean styles that were brought together in New York City in the 1960s by immigrants from many different Caribbean countries. Salsa is one of our favorite partner dances at Conga Kids - included in our curriculum since 2016!

  • Authentic Jazz

    OUR DANCE OF AUTHENTICITY!

    Authentic Jazz, or Vernacular Jazz, is a collection of swing and jazz dance styles created in African-American communities between 1880 and 1950! It includes solo Jazz steps, the Charleston, the Lindy Hop, and tap dance, which were all performed to big band jazz and swing music.

  • Hip Hop

    Our dance of INCLUSION.

    Hip Hop originated in Black and LatinX communities in the Bronx, New York in the 1970s. Conga Kids’ Hip Hop routine includes elements of old-school social dance moves and elements of freestyle/ improvisation, where students can show off their creativity and build steps with their classmates!

Performance Opportunities

5th Grade Culminating Performance

At the end of your 5th Grade Residency, Conga Kids will work with your school to facilitate a Culminating Performance, where all 5th graders will show off what they’ve learned with Conga Kids! Invite families, community members, and primary grade level friends to celebrate the 5th graders as they show off their best moves!

Conga Kids Competition Series

Every year, Conga Kids opens the opportunity for a small “team” of 5th-grade students per school to participate in our end-of-year celebration series, including…

  1. One Regional Semi-Final Competition, hosted in your community and featuring 6-12 schools from your area! The WINNING SCHOOL from each Semi-Final gets a ticket to…

  2. Conga Kids Finale Celebration at LA LIVE!, where schools from multiple districts compete to be crowned “Conga Kids Grand Champions!”

Join us in 2023/24!

Our 5th Grade Residency Program is priced per participating classroom, with required full-grade-level participation.