For two weeks in November, the halls of Homer Middle School echoed with the rhythms of Latin music as students and teachers in PE classes learned the ins and outs and round-abouts of partner dancing. We’d like to thank our  Artist in the Schools instructor, Eddie Wood, for sharing his expertise and enthusiasm. 

Throughout his instruction, Eddie encouraged students to respectfully and kindly dance with their partners as they practiced proper dance techniques. We learned to lead and follow, to frame up and bow down, to turn right and left. We learned the two step and the salsa, the polite way to decline a dance, and how to find a down beat. Mr. Wood’s residency  culminated in a school wide performance with 180 synchronized students dancing in circles around the gym floor. 

On behalf of all the Homer Middle School Huskies, we’d like to thank Bunnell Street Arts Center’s Artist in the School program, the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Rasmuson Foundation, Jazzline, and Alaska USA for their support. Thanks also to our principal Kari Dendurent, who makes fun things happen every day at HMS.