A second level school at YWAM Montana
Course Description.
The heart of the School of Dance Ministries (SDM) is to use dance as a tool to bring healing and the Gospel to all types of people in all places, while helping students learn, experience and explore how dance can be used in ministry.
This course is designed for dancers who are eager and passionate about communicating the gospel through dance in all types of ministry settings. During the school, dancers will spend time training, preparing, and pursuing God’s heart both in the classroom and the studio. Classroom topics could include Identity, Dance Therapy, Ministry Planning, and Discipling the Dancer. In the studio, dancers will get a chance to train in various styles including modern, jazz and ballet, while also learning about topics such as pedagogy, composition and anatomy.
Our goal is to have students learn how to use dance as a means to bring the hope and healing power of God’s redeeming love to a world longing for Him.
SDM is 5-6 months long – 12 weeks of lecture phase in Montana and 8-12 weeks of outreach.
Dance Experience Preferred. Course Fees may vary depending on the number of applicants. The lecture phase amount comes to $4500,- with an optional outreach at the end of the school at $4000,-. The outreach is optional but highly recommended.
We do our very best to keep prices low, and unchanging, but all prices are approximate. Seasonal travel, outreach location (optional), and other unforeseen factors can impact the final cost. Please feel free to contact us for more details.
Lecture.
During the lecture phase, we study in many different areas which we feel are valuable to the integration of dance and ministry—whether you’re looking to enter missions, the dance industry, or simply love dance and desire a more well-rounded view of the art God’s gifted to you.
Our staff and teachers instruct from a foundation of truth and excellence. Our core classes within lecture phase include Dance Technique, Dance Composition, and Anatomy. We also offer a brief look at multiple other topics. Please note that you will not only be required to dance approximately 2-7 hours each day, but will also need to be prepared to sit in lectures, take notes, and read informational texts.
Outreach.
During the outreach phase, you will spend 8-12 weeks putting what you have learned into practice overseas in one of our six target nations. Performing, teaching dance workshops, and serving in practical ways are all a part of our dance outreaches. Coffee shops, orphanages, city streets, schools, churches, and hospitals are a few of the venues where we often minister. Each outreach concludes with a week-long debriefing time which focuses on helping you process through the entire school.
Vision.
The School of Dance Ministries provides intense dance training and gives space for dancers to grow deeper in their unique calling. This course brings head knowledge together with skill through the heart of the artist – in order to effectively train up skilled dancers who will share the love of Jesus on and off stage!
We know that an artist’s creativity and spiritual authority go together, and we are committed to giving dancers a place to walk fully in who God has called them to be as dancers.
Meet Your School Staff.
Monica Lefmann
Boston, MassachussetsSchool LeaderMonica is originally from Massachuttes and has been dancing since she was 5. She completed her Discipleship training school (DTS) in 2012. She has been serving with YWAM Mt since 2014. Her heart is to see dance bring freedom both in and out of the studio
Kyla Praetzel
Alberta, CanadaKyla is originally from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. She did her DTS here in Montana in the fall of 2012 and has been working with the dance department since March 2014. Kyla has been dancing since age 5 and now has a heart to see dance and all art forms to be freely expressed both in and outside of the church.
Adeline Milliron
MinnesotaAdeline is originally from Minnesota. She has been involved with YWAM since 2017. Even though she has been dancing since she was six, God really redeemed dance for her while in DTS which led her to be a part of the dance department in 2019. She loves seeing people use the art of dance to glorify God and to unite the body of Christ!
Saige Wichael
Seattle, WASaige is from Seattle, Washington and did her DTS in the fall of 2014. She has been working with the dance department since April 2020. Saige has been dancing since age 4 and has a heart to use dance to communicate truth and impact lives.
Savannah Vogee
CaliforniaSavannah is from California, she has been dancing for 21 years, she has been working with the dance department since 2018. Her favorite style is modern/contemporary because it feels more like her natural movement style and gives space for her to innovate and communicate truth.
Pursue your passions.
At YWAM Montana-Lakeside, we are all about doing whatever it takes to know God and to make Him known, together! We’d love to help you make that next step in your global missions education. Apply now!
School of Dance Ministries.
The heart of the School of Dance Ministries (SDM) is to use dance as a tool to bring healing and the Gospel to all types of people in all places, while helping students learn, experience and explore how dance can be used in ministry.
BE INSPIRED BY DANCE.
Stephen Scarbrough works with the School of Biblical Studies but also has a passion for the arts. He performed this dance along with a spoken word at our YWAM Montana community meeting on the theme of masculinity. It is incredible the power that comes with dance.
Instagram.
What our students say.
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