Giving the Gift of Dance: 954 Dance Movement Collective
“Our mission statement is moving people to dance. So if we were completely successful, every person would be dancing today. It’s a massive mission statement, because it includes everyone,” explained Keila Cordova of 954 Dance Movement Collective.
From dance programs for young children, to classes for adults with Parkinson’s Disease, 954 DMC strives to reach all types of people. A peek in the Northern Liberties studio would reveal a myriad of genres, from ballet, African dance, and flamenco, to belly dance, tap and dancehall. The vibe in the studio is one of inclusion, positivity and creativity.
Since 2010, 954DMC has taken their mission to local public and charter schools, bringing dance education to students in Philadelphia. Cordova is one of the lucky few of us who actually had dance classes infused into her public school curriculum when she was a child growing up in California. She still thinks back to dance lessons she had in school, when college students would come in as guest-teachers, or when Filipino dancers came and taught a traditional bamboo dance. When I heard about how extensive dance education was in her school district, I was amazed. Unfortunately, Cordova then spoke about how statewide budget cuts completely erased the dance program. This part of the story, sadly, didn’t surprise me. It’s no longer common to hear of public schools (or even charter schools) where dance education is offered as a part of the daily agenda. This is one of the reasons Cordova has worked hard to bring dance education to local students through after-school programs at no cost to the students.
Currently, 954DMC is partnering with Young Scholars Charter School, and with Kearny Middle School through El Concilio (the oldest Latino non-profit in Philadelphia). Cordova knows that most of the students she reaches would not be able to afford dance classes, and she is grateful for the opportunity to show them the beauty of dance. She also appreciates the chance to see the ways that the middle school students grow during the after-school programs.
“On the first day of one of our yoga classes, the teacher told all the students that they would sit and say ‘ohm…’” Cordova explained. But, as middle school students are apt to do, they keeled over in laughter at the thought of it. Fast forward to the closing weeks of the program, when Cordova heard one of the girls ask the teacher, “What about our ohm’s? Are we going to do our ohm’s today?” It became a moment of peace for the girls that they truly looked forward to.
One student who participated in the after-school program said, “Yoga has helped me with my reactions. As in if I got in trouble last year I would freak out. Now I'm a better more mature calm person, so I say, ‘Ok.’ Or I will deal with it. Yoga teaches you how to relieve stress and be calm."
Another explained, “Sometimes I have a lot on my mind. When I have a lot on my mind I take it out on other people. I don't like when I take it out on other people. Yoga takes everything off my mind." These are powerful thoughts from middle school students, and the skills they talk about learning are skills that will help them through high school and beyond.
Cordova gets to observe students breaking out of their comfort zones as well. She’s seen one of the after-school hip-hop classes full of girls yelling, “I can’t do a cartwheel! I don’t want to try!” transform into a room where girls were practicing, improving, and achieving!
As any dancer knows, dance education doesn’t just teach you dance steps. There are essential life lessons to be learned from dance as well. Cordova talked about the importance of learning how to “be present.” Dance classes require the presence of your body and your mind. Sitting at a desk, it’s easy for students’ minds to drift off (or even to doze off). Not in dance class. Students learn to be present in the space they are in at the time, and how dance transforms that space.
Cordova hopes to bring her after-school dance programs to more schools in the area. She knows first hand the difference that dance can make in a students’ life.
“Even if you don’t recognize it in the moment,” she explained, alluding to her own dance classes as a child, “what you do in school, the lessons you learn, they come back to you later in life.” Obviously this was true for Keila, who has made her mission “moving people to dance.”
It’s inspiring to see people like Keila Cordova in our community, working to bring the beauty of dance to our future dancers. Even those students who don’t pursue a future in dance may grow up to understand and appreciate the power of dance education. Supporting dance education for children, especially those who may not otherwise be exposed to dance classes, is such a worthy cause, and we’re lucky to have 954 Dance Movement Collective as part of a powerful force for dance education.
This post was part of the "Giving the Gift of Dance" article series, which highlights just a few of the amazing programs in Philadelphia that bring the beauty of dance to kids in our community at no cost. Check out the introduction to the series, and find links to the other articles in the series here. Read, be inspred, feel good, and spread the word! These programs deserve our attention and our thanks!
Article written by Hannah Lorenzo.
