On Saturday, September 22, the Youth Dance Ensemble Program held its annual KICK OFF party at Joy of Motion Dance Center Friendship Heights. Dancers from the Ensemble Company and all four Preparatory levels, as well as their teachers and families, came together for an evening of modern dance improvisation and community building. What a beautiful sight to see YDE dancers of all ages, as well as parents, brothers and sisters enter the dance space and communicate so clearly through the language of dance. The evening was enhanced by the presence of JOMDC’s Artistic and Executive Director Douglas Yeuell, as well as the work of JOMDC’s Director of Production Rachel Pearl who created a moving background for the party by playing the Youth Dance Ensemble Millennium Stage concert on the scrim for all to dance in front of. What a vision! The evening concluded with remarks from Youth Dance Ensemble Director Helen Hayes, introductions, the viewing of the YDE promotional video and a community dance in which EVERYONE came together to share in the joy and magic of the YDE program at Joy of Motion Dance Center.