Evelyn T. Brandt Scholarship to Benefit Joy of Motion Dance Center ’s Rising Stars

Joy of Motion Dance Center (JOMDC) is proud to announce the new Evelyn T. Brandt Scholarship Fund, designed to benefit the area’s promising young dancers.  Local arts enthusiast Evelyn T. Brandt has established the Fund for students of exceptional dance ability and character enrolled in the Youth Dance Ensemble at Joy of Motion Dance Center.

            Mrs. Brandt’s donation was inspired by her own wish to take dance classes as a child and her lifelong desire to dance.  “I want to make sure that little girls who want to dance are able to,” expressed Mrs. Brandt.  “I firmly believe in Joy of Motion’s motto, that dance should be for everyone.”

Mrs. Brandt, a Washington , D.C. native, first gained recognition in the area by founding Body Line known as the “Rolls Royce of exercise studios.”  She is also known for her unique and memorable special events, most recently winning two ISES Awards (International  Special Events Society) for her Masked Venetian Ball.  Her passion for interior design, the arts and dance is second only to her biggest joy in life, her three children and seven grand children.

 Mrs. Brandt discovered a love for dance late in life.  She has studied tap & jazz and is also an accomplished ballroom dancer.   Her passion for dance is a direct result in her establishing this scholarship for the Youth Dance Ensemble at Joy of Motion Dance Center.

The Brandt Scholarship Fund will be a part of Joy of Motion Dance Center’s Dance is for Everyone Youth Scholarship Program.  The Scholarship Program assists families seeking quality dance education for their children through full and partial scholarships.  Students are awarded scholarships for their talent and potential, financial need, and County or Ward of residence.  Douglas Yeuell, Artistic/Executive Director of Joy of Motion Dance Center comments, “I have been impressed with Mrs. Brandt’s dedication to dance and the arts since I first met her.  Her generosity is a huge boost to our existing Scholarship Program and will really touch a young dancer’s life.”

Dance is for Everyone Scholarships are for students taking dance classes or who are enrolled in one of the eight youth companies Joy of Motion Dance Center houses.  The Evelyn T. Brandt Youth Scholarship Fund will benefit children in the Youth Dance Ensemble , a pre-collegiate program for the developing young dancer in the 1^st through 12^th grades, directed by Helen Hayes.  With core classes in ballet, jazz, and modern at the Bethesda studio location, the Youth Dance Ensemble provides an experience that inspires excellence in dance, education, and life.  The Ensemble received the prestigious Metro DC Dance Award for Outstanding Youth Performance in 2006. 

Joy of Motion Dance Center is dedicated to providing high quality learning and performance opportunities that reinforce the principle that “Dance is for Everyone.”  For more information on JOMDC programming, visit www.joyofmotion.org.

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