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July 01. 2012 9:28PM
Emma Benson, 16, is the organizer of The Glory Project, a event geared toward raising money for the arts and art education. (COURTESY)
Emma Benson, a junior at Bedford High School, takes the stage and leads a group of dancers last year at The Glory Project dance charity event. (COURTESY)
Last year, about 40 young dancers joined forces for the first ever Glory Project dance charity event in Bedford. The Second Annual Glory Project will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. July 9 next to the Bedford town pool. (COURTESY)
Student looks to repeat success of dance project
Emma Benson, 16, is the organizer of The Glory Project, a event geared toward raising money for the arts and art education. (COURTESY)
Emma Benson, a junior at Bedford High School, takes the stage and leads a group of dancers last year at The Glory Project dance charity event. (COURTESY)
Last year, about 40 young dancers joined forces for the first ever Glory Project dance charity event in Bedford. The Second Annual Glory Project will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. July 9 next to the Bedford town pool. (COURTESY)
BEDFORD — A dancer at heart, Emma Benson will share her talent with others this summer in an effort to raise money for an artistic cause.
Benson, a 16-year-old junior at Bedford High School, is using her passion and love of dance to organize The Second Annual Glory Project. The charity dance event will take place next week, and Benson is seeking as many participants as possible.
She kicked off The Glory Project last summer when about 40 dancers joined together to perform a jazz dance to Lady Gaga's billboard hit, “The Edge of Glory.”
This year, Benson has choreographed a new jazz routine to Kelly Clarkson's hit song “Stronger,” which incorporates big, flash mob style dance moves.
“This is really an empowering song, which is what this event is all about,” said Benson.
For $5, participants will have the opportunity to learn Benson's routine, practice the choreography and then be featured in a dance video that will eventually be posted on YouTube.
Money raised from the dance charity event will go to Big Thought, a nonprofit theatrical arts education group based in Dallas, Texas.
Big Thought is a collaborative organization that provides artistic, creative learning in school, after school, at home and in the community. In 2009, the group received the prestigious Art Education Award by Americans for the Arts.
Benson, who is active with the Bedford Dance Center, Bedford High School theater program and the Teen Actorsingers troupe in Nashua, is a strong supporter of the arts. She said it is important to get involved in the arts at a young age, and become passionate about dance, theater, music or whatever is inspiring.
The young dancer performed last month in the Bedford Dance Center's annual recital at the Capital Center for the Arts in Concord. She has been dancing for 13 years, now studying a variety of dance styles, her most favorite being tap.
“After last year's Glory Project, people watched the video and all commented on how amazing it was. There seems to be a lot of talk about it again,” said Benson, the daughter of Martha and Eric Benson. “This year I'd like to get at least 50 dancers, but even more would be great.”
Three of Benson's friends will be helping to teach the choreography, along with her younger sister, Hannah.
“Anyone can show up,” stressed Benson, adding dancers or non-dancers of all ages are welcome to participate and support a good cause. She is optimistic this new dance initiative will continue each year, and is hopeful it will become a bigger success every time.
Last year, more than $500 was raised, and the dance video received about 600 hits on YouTube.
The Second Annual Glory project will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. July 9 on the grass by the Bedford town pool. The rain date will be July 10. Participants are encouraged to bring a water and snack.
Benson, a 16-year-old junior at Bedford High School, is using her passion and love of dance to organize The Second Annual Glory Project. The charity dance event will take place next week, and Benson is seeking as many participants as possible.
She kicked off The Glory Project last summer when about 40 dancers joined together to perform a jazz dance to Lady Gaga's billboard hit, “The Edge of Glory.”
This year, Benson has choreographed a new jazz routine to Kelly Clarkson's hit song “Stronger,” which incorporates big, flash mob style dance moves.
“This is really an empowering song, which is what this event is all about,” said Benson.
For $5, participants will have the opportunity to learn Benson's routine, practice the choreography and then be featured in a dance video that will eventually be posted on YouTube.
Money raised from the dance charity event will go to Big Thought, a nonprofit theatrical arts education group based in Dallas, Texas.
Big Thought is a collaborative organization that provides artistic, creative learning in school, after school, at home and in the community. In 2009, the group received the prestigious Art Education Award by Americans for the Arts.
Benson, who is active with the Bedford Dance Center, Bedford High School theater program and the Teen Actorsingers troupe in Nashua, is a strong supporter of the arts. She said it is important to get involved in the arts at a young age, and become passionate about dance, theater, music or whatever is inspiring.
The young dancer performed last month in the Bedford Dance Center's annual recital at the Capital Center for the Arts in Concord. She has been dancing for 13 years, now studying a variety of dance styles, her most favorite being tap.
“After last year's Glory Project, people watched the video and all commented on how amazing it was. There seems to be a lot of talk about it again,” said Benson, the daughter of Martha and Eric Benson. “This year I'd like to get at least 50 dancers, but even more would be great.”
Three of Benson's friends will be helping to teach the choreography, along with her younger sister, Hannah.
“Anyone can show up,” stressed Benson, adding dancers or non-dancers of all ages are welcome to participate and support a good cause. She is optimistic this new dance initiative will continue each year, and is hopeful it will become a bigger success every time.
Last year, more than $500 was raised, and the dance video received about 600 hits on YouTube.
The Second Annual Glory project will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. July 9 on the grass by the Bedford town pool. The rain date will be July 10. Participants are encouraged to bring a water and snack.
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