The Contra Costa Times profiles "Dance South Africa," a unique summer travel course in SMC's Liberal Education for Arts Professionals (LEAP) program. As part of the education offering, six Saint Mary's students and two faculty members - all highly experienced professional dancers and teachers - traveled to South Africa to teach and interact with young at-risk dancers from impoverished townships outside of Cape Town.

The Times interviewed LEAP founder Claire Sheridan and LEAP alumna Kristine Elliott, who also teaches at Stanford University, about the South Africa dance course and the program's partnership with Dance For All, an organization that's worked with young dancers from the townships of Cape Town for more than 20 years.

Read the Contra Costa Times story "Beyond cultural exchange: In Saint Mary's dance degree program, learning begets enthusiasm, and vice versa."