Mr Jon has been teaching Dance Rascals dance classes for me for years and years to 3-5 year old children. His attention and focus on each child while simultaneously keeping the attention of the whole group is unparalleled. They have a great learning experience that involves fun dance moves explained in a manner kids can relate to while getting to actively move their bodies. It is a win!!
TRICA and Jon Swarthout is such an amazing organization in the treasure valley. Jon’s understanding of how to engage children and teach them dance is a true gift. I’ve been in the professional dance world for over 20 years and was thrilled when I found Jon in Boise for my own 3 young boys. He teaches respect, excitement, creativity, and love for dance in a way that very few people in the country can do. We love TRICA!!
Both of my daughters have participated in many of the TRICA programs over the years. They love them and have really enjoyed all of the different programs. I feel that they have gained confidence and are open to learning.
My two kids have participated in summer programs with TRICA for three years in a row. John and company have created a fun, enriching experience each time and my kids look forward to returning each summer. Even with COVID-related complications this year TRICA still put on a great socially distanced program. It meant a lot to my kids to have this "normal" part of summer when may things around them were different. Thanks to TRICA for all you do!
My 8-year old daughter loved this 5-day dance class! It was a perfect intro to hip hop/breakdancing, and now she wants to take more classes. Jon is a passionate, fun, energetic instructor who makes learning fun. Will definitely return for future classes!
TRICA is a treasure. Mr. John gave my child, and all the children, personal attention, with clear expectations and nurturing compassion. My child can be a handful, but the teachers never lost patience when his focus strayed. The class had 2020 challenges that TRICA adapted to beautifully. We will be back for more programs in the future, and I’ll be enrolling my second child as soon as he is old enough. I wish all teachers could witness how Mr. John engages his students.
This is the third year we've enrolled our daughter in a TRICA summer camp. Each year she looks forward to being taught by Jon! Jon has such a special gift with kids. Our daughter exudes confidence and joy every day I pick her up from camp as well as throughout the year as she retells and displays to friends and family what she's learned from TRICA camp. I feel so grateful for TRICA and want to scream form a mountain top (or camels back) how AMAZING Jon and his team are! Thank you TRICA for being such a bright light in our Boise community!
As a preschool administrator and teacher, I worked with TRICA for at least 14 years. The programs offered were very diverse and open ended. The emphasis was on having fun while learning about different cultures through dance. Laughter and smiles were a huge part of Dance Rascals! Jon and his instructors were wonderful with the children, and open to all of their abilities.
Classes were available to all children, whether they could pay or not. Jon is easy to work with and is very passionate about his work. This is a very unique program in the Treasure Valley. It was a wonderful addition to the program which I ran!
As preschoolers, my daughters' lives were impacted by the unique arts instruction of TRICA. They didn't just learn dance steps in a fun and supportive atmosphere, they learned about history, culture and character values. Their participation in TRICA's Dance Rascals experiential learning program was by far the highlight of their time in preschool. I've described it to friends and family in other parts of the country and no one else seems to have access to anything like this. Our whole family feels deep gratitude to this amazing organization.
My daughter and I are so grateful for TRICA and the magical, creative and educational programs they provide. I look forward to enrolling her year after year. The financial assistance TRICA offers is generous and instrumental to our being as active as we are with their programs. What a gift!
TrICA has drifted far from their service and programs mission of providing dance and arts experiences to children. Their onsite programs are widely enjoyed by young children, but they charge thousands of dollars for these programs to cash-strapped public schools, using up PTA budgets. While they are draining arts funding from public schools, they are also paying executive salaries of $125,000 each year as well as launching a capital campaign to raise $5 million for an elaborate, fancy facility. If they can raise so much money, why not spend it on services, programs, and teachers?
Dance and arts programs are good. The facility/church that they're renovating is expensive and massive. The note on the property is still held by one of the founders. All donations should be earmarked for programs only until the property is owned in full by TrICA and all proceeds can benefit TrICA and not the private note-holder.
