Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts has awarded grants to 14 teachers at public high schools and middle schools in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., to fund music, dance, and theater projects in their classrooms. 

Three teachers at FCPS schools are among the grant recipients. The grants are part of Wolf Trap’s Grants for Performing Arts Teachers, an annual program that issues financial awards to support area public school teachers who are working to bring new and exciting performing arts experiences to their students. 

All grantees and their students are invited to participate in a celebratory day of learning at Wolf Trap; participating high school students will perform at The Barns at Wolf Trap on Monday, April 28. 

Grants awarded to teachers in FCPS include one to Courtney Betzel, West Potomac High School Academy, for the project “Dance Masterclasses at West Potomac High School Academy.”

Partnering with ClancyWorks Dance Company, students will participate in lectures and dance instruction to understand the cultural and historical fundamentals of Hip Hop genres and classical Indian dance styles. Students will then work with artists to choreograph a piece that celebrates the similarities and differences between the genres to be later showcased at a spring performance. Through this project, students will gain a better understanding and appreciation for the diversity and richness of dance across cultures.

Wolf Trap’s annual grants program celebrates high-quality instruction and performance achievements of public high school and middle school music, dance, and theater teachers. Awardees receive a financial grant of up to $5,000 in support of special projects that align with Wolf Trap’s performance and education priorities.