{"id":3924,"date":"2011-09-16T10:00:33","date_gmt":"2011-09-16T15:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.joyofmotion.org\/?p=3924"},"modified":"2020-01-24T00:14:39","modified_gmt":"2020-01-24T05:14:39","slug":"outreach-step-ahead-dance-ensemble-steps-into-the-new-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.joyofmotion.org\/outreach-step-ahead-dance-ensemble-steps-into-the-new-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Outreach: Step Ahead Dance Ensemble Steps Into The New Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"The Step Ahead Dance Ensemble<\/a> stepped into the new school year with their first class on Monday,\u00a0September 12th. The program is Joy of Motion Dance Center\u2019s training and performing ensemble that focuses on the dance traditions of the African Diaspora. The program is offered to DC youth between the ages of 14 and 18 years old. Ensemble dancers train on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at our Atlas studio in a variety of African and African- derived movement forms, such as Afro Jazz, hip hop, tap and West African dance. The Ensemble keeps DC teens engaged and safe during risk-filled after-school hours, boosts their levels of physical activity and develops a sense of pride in their cultural heritage. Last year, our teens gave examples of how the Ensemble helped them achieve positive outcomes:<\/p>\n