Youth Performance Companies (YPCs) are training programs for young dancers (Grades 3-12) who love to perform.
In the 2019-20 School year, Joy of Motion will be offering eight companies, spanning ballet, hip hop, jazz, street jazz, and tap. Companies meet twice weekly and perform around the DC region.
The Pulse (Street Jazz)
Monday August 26 at 4-5:30 PM
Joy of Motion | Bethesda
Rhythmix (Hip Hop)
Monday August 26 at 6-7:30 PM
Joy of Motion | Friendship Heights
Shades (Ballet and Hip Hop)
Tuesday, August 27 at 4:30-6 PM
Joy of Motion | H Street
Vibe Tribe (Hip Hop)
Tuesday August 27 at 6-7:30 PM
Joy of Motion | H Street
Jazz Factor and Jazz Corps
Wednesday, August 28 at 5-6:30 PM
Joy of Motion | Bethesda
Soles of Steel (Tap)
Thursday, August 29 at 4-5:30 PM
Joy of Motion | Friendship Heights
Hype Company (Hip Hop)
Thursday August 29 at 5:30-7 PM
Joy of Motion | Friendship Heights
Hip Hop Companies
Rhythmix (Grades 3-7)
Company Director: Jasmine Andrews (2018-19) and Dez Jordan (2019-20)
Rhythmix is a company for budding dancers who show interest in performance at an early age. Rhythmix dancers train in an environment where each individual’s unique abilities are respected and cultivated, in addition to learning to dance as one strong unit. Through rehearsals and company training classes, Rhythmix company members learn and understand the history of hip hop culture and how we continue to mold and recreate it today. Choreography learned for performances not only serves as a fun and high-energy entertainment, but it also expands the members’ knowledge of hip hop culture. Company members learn both old- and new-school movement and perform choreography that can be shared with audiences of all ages.
Vibe Tribe (Grades 5-9)
Company Director: Jasmine Andrews
Vibe Tribe explores many techniques and sub-genres within hip hop, exploring the cultural origins and subtleties of this varied dance form. Through their performances, Vibe Tribe inspires youth in the community to view hip hop and other urban dance styles as a positive, creative way to understand each other and to express their authentic selves.
Hype Company (Grades 8-12)
Company Director: Ayden Elder
Hype Company offers dancers diverse hip hop training cultivated through exposure, education, and performance. Hype Company members learn both old- and new-school movement while developing an appreciation for hip hop as a rich and growing art form. The dancers have the opportunity to work with other professional choreographers and perform at an array of noteworthy events, while developing their own individual voices as unique and talented dancers!
Jazz Performance Companies
Jazz Corps (Grades 3-6)
Company Director: Samantha Greymont
Jazz Corps aims to help young dancers set a foundation of jazz technique and performance. The company is exposed to choreography in various genres of jazz dance including Broadway jazz, swing, classical jazz, pop, and more. In a nurturing environment, young dancers learn the expectations and hard work of company-level performance, setting the stage for them to dance throughout their lives.
Jazz Factor (Grades 6-9)
Company Director: Sara Herrera
Jazz Factor company members develop their technique and performance presentation skills as they grow into more mature dancers. This high energy company encapsulates the excitement of jazz hands!
The Pulse Street Jazz Company (Grades 9-12)
Company Director: Maurice Johnson
In this exciting company, students’ artistry and range will be challenged through street jazz. Embodying funk, jazz, and commercial hip-hop with cutting-edge choreography, this high-energy style deeply influences popular artists such as Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, and more.
Multi-Style Companies
Shades Company (Grades 3-12)
Company Director: Krystal Odom
Shades is Joy of Motion Dance Center’s one and only interdisciplinary Youth Performance Company. A celebration of various styles of dance and the beautiful shades of each dancer, Shades focuses on ballet, jazz, and hip hop on a rotating schedule over the course of the year.
* Shades is slated to have Junior & Senior Company in 2019-20
Tap Companies
Soles of Steel (Grades 7-12)
Company Director: Stephanie Vadala
Soles of Steel pushes the limits of tap! This explosive company continues to build upon rhythm tap skills in a range of styles and techniques by infusing traditional tap with contemporary choreography.
