Bernard Mangakahia with Williamstown North Primary School’s Grade 2s. 71771 Picture: PAUL JEFFERS
By Vanessa Chircop
STUDENTS at Williamstown North Primary School were last week kicking up their heals during the artist-in-residence program.
The program hosted artist and dancer Bernard Mangakahia who taught students from Grades Prep to 6 Polynesian, Native American Indian, New Zealand Maori, Hawaiian and Samoan dances.
Music classes were substituted by dance classes with Bernard who visited the school for the second year running last week.
Principal Wendy Emin said the artist-in-residence program highlighted the importance of the arts program at the school.
“It highlights the creativity of the students and picks up on the different ways children learn,” she said.
Ms Emin said Bernard’s workshops taught students tolerance and acceptance of other cultures and helped develop their understanding.
“It also helps build children’s self-esteem and confidence,” she said.
“The feedback from the parents has been incredible.”
Bernard said dancing was important for children. “You learn through dancing,” he said.
“Motion and movement creates emotion and with emotion you can do magic.”
Bernard said in one month he could perform in front of and workshop with 8000 children.
The father of three said he loves watching children’s enjoyment as they learn the dances and was pleasantly surprised that the children remembered him from last year’s program.
“Melbourne is a great place to do what I do because of the multiculturalism,” he said.
