MERIDIAN —     A collaboration between a local gospel choir and a nationally touring dance troupe is among the new line up of educational programs scheduled by the Mississippi State University Riley Center for Education and Performing Arts.

    The 2010-11 season was announced Wednesday in the historic Grand Opera House with a presentation by Meridian's own William Myles and Young People of Praise (YPOP). The contemporary gospel choir will collaborate with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC), one of nine educational performances.

    Geared to students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade, the educational performances are attended by schools from across central Mississippi and Alabama who bring classes and sometimes multiple grades. The programs are accompanied by study guides that reinforce connections to relevant curriculum and subsequent teacher training on how to use the arts as a teaching tool in the classroom.

    With partners Meridian and Lauderdale County Public School Districts, the MSU Riley Center participates in the John F. Kennedy Center's Partners in Education Program, adhering to the Kennedy Center's proven model to integrate the arts into the classroom as a highly effective teaching tool.

    "Not only are we exposing students to world class entertainment in a stunningly beautiful historic theater, but we are also providing teachers with the tools and training they need to effectively use the arts to teach core subject matter – whether it be history, science, math or language," said Dr. Charlotte Tabereaux, education director for the MSU Riley Center.

    "Whether it is as simple as singing the ABCs, creating a stronger understanding for American history through a theater performance or using musical notes to comprehend fractions, the arts has the power to engage the mind in meaningful, lasting learning," Tabereaux said. "Brain research supports this connection as do higher test scores, lower drop-out rates and fewer disciplinary problems, which are all associated with schools with strong arts integration."

    Representatives of both local school systems consider the partnership with the Riley Center an invaluable educational tool.

    "Meridian Public School District is excited about the partnership with MSU Riley Center and the opportunities that it will afford our students and teachers," said Amy Carter, executive director of curriculum assessment and professional development for MPSD.

    "It gives us a vehicle to improve performance in our school district by using the arts, and just makes learning more relevant for our students," Carter said.

    Linda Dulaney, test coordinator for Lauderdale County School District, said the partnership provides the district educational programs that would otherwise be impossible.

    "We could never afford, on our own, to bring this quality of entertainment," Dulaney said. "And the integrity of the instructional support that's provided along with it is great for our students and our teachers."

    The school shows series includes performances for younger audiences such as "The Little Red Hen," "Giggle, Giggle, Quack" and "Charlotte's Web," as well as performances such as "The Diary of Anne Frank" and a lecture/demonstration by Dayton Contemporary Dance Company for older students. These performances are presented exclusively for school groups, and therefore attendance is limited to students, teachers and school-appointed chaperones.

    However, the center is providing educational offerings that go beyond school shows, thanks to its acceptance into South Arts (formerly the Southern Arts Federation) two-year dance tour initiative. South Arts in conjunction with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is providing funding for educational outreach activities in the communities where nationally touring dance troupes perform. The MSU Riley Center is one of only 11 performing arts centers across the Southern region selected to participate in this initiative. As a result, the contemporary dance troupe, DCDC, will extend their stay in Meridian, allowing the professionally trained dancers to lead "master classes" or dance workshops, which will be held Nov. 5 and 6.

    Similar to that of Alvin Ailey Dance Company, DCDC has a strong African-American heritage and commitment to community outreach. Their mission is to deliver contemporary dance of the highest quality to the broadest possible audience. In addition to fostering artistic creativity without boundaries, DCDC also reaches into the community an unites a highly diverse demographic.

    DCDC is presenting an evening performance as part of the center's fall/winter series that will defy boundaries by incorporating multiple art forms through its collaboration with Meridian's own William Myles and YPOP. The vocal ensemble, which just released its second CD "William Myles and YPOP," will perform several gospel numbers – including "His Eye Is On the Sparrow," "Precious Lord" and "Giants" – while the dance company performs original choreography set to the live music.

    "This is a great opportunity for us to partner with a national group performing at the MSU Riley Center," said Myles, founder and director of the 25-member ensemble. "It's exposing community artists with the opportunity to perform on a main stage – under the same lights, under the same conditions – with national artists. It also gives the community a sense of pride because not only is one of their own performing on the Grand Opera House's stage, but they are doing so alongside national artists."

    Collaborating with regional talent and incorporating multiple arts forms into their performances is not new territory for DCDC. The group has infused jazz and the visual arts into past performance tours. The company's choral director will be in Meridian working with YPOP in advance of the show, providing a unique learning experience for chorus members. In keeping with DCDC's commitment to outreach and education, a choral workshop will be offered to the public while the director is visiting (Date and time will be announced later).

    "Talk about reaching into the community and living up to its mission, this is a very unique and special way of engaging the community in the arts," said Dennis Sankovich, executive director of the MSU Riley Center.

    "Providing personalized instruction and inspiration in areas of dance and chorus is hugely beneficial to our area young people. Experiencing YPOP on stage with this nationally acclaimed dance troupe will also create a very rich artistic experience for the audience and choir participants to cherish," Sankovich said.