Marc Siegel and Pamela Lehan-Siegel are the managing directors and co-artistic directors of Dance Theater of Oregon (DTO). In February 2003, they linked a group of teen dancers from the Eugene Youth Ballet with their artist residency at Guy Lee Elementary in Springfield. Marc explains "the teens that we worked with want to be professional dancers. This gave them the chance to feel like they are artists in residence; to take responsibility for teaching the kids...it gave them and the elementary students a chance to work with others close to their age and to perform in front of their peers." Work with the teens was supported by funds from the Oregon Community Foundation Edna L. Holmes Fund through YouthArts.

"We feel like we connect with almost every child," Marc expresses. "It's a great experience to see kids overjoyed by dance. It's a fun job and we hate to see a residency end!"

Marc and Pamela's work at Guy Lee is a great example of what YouthArts artists can provide to the community.

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