Ausdance WA Projects
Launched in 2014, Ausdance WA’s Monkeyfunk program brought preschool children (0-4 years) and their parents together to dance, build confidence, and stay active.
Tailored for preschoolers, the sessions focus on developmental basics like skipping, galloping, feeling the beat, and interpreting music. Live music and dance activities helped refine movement skills, improve balance and strength, and expand movement vocabulary.
The workshops addressed spatial awareness, gross and fine motor skills, encouraged ongoing physiological development and strengthened parent-child bonds.
5
Locations
895
Preschoolers
Success of
Monkeyfunk
The success of Monkeyfunk is measured by the quality of delivery. Ausdance WA’s artists create a high-quality learning environment where children and parents can safely learn, explore, play, and develop new skills.
In 2018, artists Sete Tele, Marcio Mendes, Daniel Bowtell, Nicole Gallus, Justine Clarke (Broome), and Brie Healy (Wakathuni) participated in a Skype professional learning session. This session covered workshop content, strategies for engaging parents, integrating movement with music, and using props, supporting our regionally based artists. In 2018, we delivered numerous Monkeyfunk classes.
Kwinana
An eight week program of two classes per week ran from 8 May to 26 June 2018 at Ken Jackman Hall, continuing our relationship with the Darius Wells Library and Resource Centre and the City of Kwinana.
Alcoa Children’s Festival
In 2018, Monkeyfunk workshops were part of the Alcoa Children’s Festival at Calista Oval, Kwinana, on Saturday 17 March 2018. Two experienced Monkeyfunk dance artists and one project experienced musician provided two free 45 minute workshops for 1-5 year olds and their parents.
Gosnells
An eight week program ran from 11 May to 29 June in partnership with an organisation that provides specific programs to Aboriginal parents and children – the Child and Parent Centre in Gosnells offers an Aboriginal playgroup – Moorditj Kulunga.
Broome
An eight week program ran from 8 May to 26 June in partnership with Studio 34. This workshop series maintained its strong community influence in 2018 as it has executed over the past five years. The Broome artists have fostered a strong collaborative relationship and community approach to the workshops.
Wakathuni
Four week pilot series of classes, 13 November – 4 December. A pilot series of classes was run at the remote community of Wakathuni with in kind support from the Gumala Aboriginal Corporation at the 3A Early Childhood Education Centre.
