12/9/2015

CityDanceDREAMProgramRecognizedasOneoftheCountrysTopAfterSchoolArtsandHumanitiesPrograms

CityDanceDREAMProgramRecognizedasOne
oftheCountrysTopAfterSchoolArtsand
HumanitiesPrograms
November23,20159:47am
MelindaContreras
0comments

DREAMstudent,ValeriaCruzandDirectorofCityDanceDREAM,KelliQuinn
withFirstLadyMichelleObama.PhotobyStevenE.Purcell.
Dancehasaneffect.Youcantakeashystudentandgivethemconfidence,youcanmakeachild
thatdoesntfeelliketheybelongfeelconnected.Studentswhodidntwanttoattendschoolor
didnthaveaconnectionwiththeirschoolwanttogotoschoolforwhattheygettoparticipatein
afterschool.DirectorofCityDanceDREAM,KelliQuinn
ByPunchContributorMelindaContreras
InMay,wespokewithAlexandraNowakowski,ExecutiveDirectorofCityDance,abouttheimportanceof
educationthroughdance.AfterTheNationalArtsandHumanitiesYouthProgramAwards,heldonNovember
17,2015atTheWhiteHouse,weknowthatthePresidentsCommitteeontheArtsandtheHumanities
agrees that CityDance, and more specifically, the DREAM program, leads students on a path of increased
academicsuccess.Theafterschooldanceprogramwasrecognizedalongsideprogramsteachingdigitalmedia,
music,photography,writing,musicaltheater,andmore,forincreasingacademicachievement,graduationrates
andcollegeenrollmentbyengagingchildrenandyouthintheartsandhumanities.Asoneof12recipientsofthe
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CityDanceDREAMProgramRecognizedasOneoftheCountrysTopAfterSchoolArtsandHumanitiesPrograms

National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, CityDance will receive $10,000 and a year of
communicationsandcapacitybuildingsupportfromthePresidentsCommitteeontheArtsandtheHumanities.
BeforetheawardceremonythatfeaturedFirstLadyMichelleObamabeginningtodancebehindthepodiumat
the first mention of CityDance, we spoke with CityDance DREAM student Valeria Cruz and Director of
CityDanceDREAM,KelliQuinnabouteverythingrelatedtodancinganddreams.
PamelasPunch:Pleaseshareabriefeducational/careerbackground,andhowyougotinvolvedwith
DREAM.
ValeriaCruz:ImasenioratPhelpsACEHighSchoolandhavebeeninvolvedwithDREAMsinceelementary
school. I joined the after school program because it allowed me to do what I l really love to dodance and
perform.
KelliQuinn:MyinitialintroductiontoCityDancewasthroughaclassItooktheremyselfamodernclassthat
theyhad.Ilaterfoundoutabouttheopenpositions,andIstartedworkingwithCityDancein2008.Icameinto
theorganizationasaProgramManagerforonecommunitysiteasatrialforthesummer.ThatfallImovedinto
theDREAMmanagementposition.

DREAMstudents.PhotobyBarbaraL.Salisbury.
I dance because it builds my confidence and I like to shine. Valeria Cruz, CityDance DREAM
student
PP:WhatdoyouenjoymostaboutbeingapartofDREAM?
VC: In addition to dancing and performing, I enjoy discovering new things about myself, and building my
confidence.Ialsoenjoytheenvironment,thecommunity,andthesupportsystemthatwehave,whereIreceive
helpineverytypeofway,notjustindance,butinmypersonallifeaswell.
KQ:DanceissomethingthatIamreallypassionateabout.Itssomethingthathasreallyhadaneffectonmylife,
andIlovethatIamabletobeinvolvedwithanorganizationthatisabletohaveasimilareffectonyoungpeople,
providing programming to young people in communities that otherwise wouldnt have access to arts
programming,andspecificallydance.Danceisareallyuniqueartforminthatitreallyaddressestheemotional,
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CityDanceDREAMProgramRecognizedasOneoftheCountrysTopAfterSchoolArtsandHumanitiesPrograms

physical,cognitive,andsocialneedsofanindividual,andthatisareallypowerfulthing.Tobeabletotakethat
intothecommunitiesthatwetakethemintoisawonderfulopportunityformeasaperson,butalsoforallofthe
studentsthatweserve.IdothinkthatwerereallyhavinganimpactandthatissomethingthatIvalue.
PP:WhatisthegreatestthingyouhavelearnedthroughDREAM?
VC:Ivelearnedtwomajorthings.Ilearnedhowtobecomealeader,andhowtocommunicatebetter.Imentor
andassisttheteacherinclassbyleadingwarmupsandhelpingherwithchoreography,andIcommunicatewith
theyoungerstudents,theadults,andmypeers,applyingtheseskillsatschoolandathome.
KQ:Ivelearnedthatdanceisareallypowerfultoolthatcanreallyimpactthelivesofsomanypeopleinareally
wonderfulway.Ialreadyknewthroughpersonalexperiencehowpowerfuldancecouldbeinmylife,butseeing
thattransformationandimpactonotheryoungpeopleslivesissomethingthatIvehadawholenewexperience
learningabout.Dancehasaneffect.Youcantakeashystudentandgivethemconfidence,youcanmakeachild
thatdoesntfeelliketheybelongfeelconnected,anditcantakesomeonewhoalreadyhasleadershipskillsand
helpthemgrowinthoseabilities.Itcanalsohaveaneffectwherestudentswhodidntwanttoattendschoolor
didnt have a connectionwith their school really want to go to school for what theyget toparticipateinafter
school.
Ivealsolearned,becauseofthewaywevegrownasanorganization,andasaprogram,wevereallygrownso
organically,andIvelearnedthatitsokaytolistenandtoberesponsive.Ourstudentswereimpactedbyour
programandtheirparticipationindance,butthroughthat,throughtheirgrowthasindividuals,theywantedmore
and had more needs, and they were looking for CityDance to provide those needs. We as adults, and as an
organization,canreallyworktomeetthoseneeds.Wehavetheabilitytolistentoourstudentsandtheirfamilies
andreallyhearwhattheywant.Tobeabletogrowinthatway,andfindmoreresources,hasreallybeenan
amazingjourneyforme,bothformycareerandformeasanindividual.

DREAMstudentValeriaCruz.PhotobyBarbaraL.Salisbury.
Irememberfeelingsouncomfortableinthatmoment,andthenIkindofpushedpassedawall.On
theothersideofthatwasafreedomthatIhadntreallyexperienced,andalsoaconnectiontoa
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CityDanceDREAMProgramRecognizedasOneoftheCountrysTopAfterSchoolArtsandHumanitiesPrograms

partofmyselfthatIdontthinkIhadevertappedinto.KelliQuinn
PP:Whydoyoudance?
VC:IdancebecauseitmakesmefeellikeIcanbemyselfandIcanperforminanywaythatImfeelingthatday.
IfImsad,mad,happy,angry,Icanusethatinthedanceroom,orIcanevenchoosetoleaveitallatthedoor
whenIgetthereandnotworryaboutthat.IdancebecauseitbuildsmyconfidenceandIliketoshine.
KQ:TherearesomanyconnectionsIhavewithValeriasanswer,buttherearealsosomanydifferentreasons
whyIdance.WhatIvefoundindanceisthatitreallyisawayformetoexpressmyemotionsaswell,andfor
metoreallykindofconnectwithmyselfandfeelfreeinthat.IwasalsoreallykindofashychildIdidntlikethe
limelight,andsodancegavemetheconfidencethatIdidntknowIhadinmyself.Itgavemeaspacetoreally
explorewhatthatwas,andinaspacethatIfeltsafein,toexplorewhatitfeelsliketobeconfident,ortoreally
ownwhoIwas.Iactuallyusemyvoiceinamuchstrongerwaynow,andtheauthoritythatIfeellikeIhaveasa
person.,ifdancewasntpartofmylife,IdontknowthatIwouldnecessarilyfeelthat.
PP:Whatisyourfavoritedancingmemory?
VC:DancingatthehalftimeattheWizardsgame,hereattheVerizonCenter.Itwasaverygreatexperience.
Ivedoneitforeightyearsnow,andeverytimeIdoitIgetthesamebutterfliesinmystomach.EventhoughIve
doneitsomanytimes,Istillgetsoexcitedtodoit.SomanypeoplelookingatyouandIgettodancewithso
manykidsthatworksohardforit.Itsagreatexperience.
KQ:IhadtakendanceclassalotwhenIwasyounger,fromabouttheageoffour.Attheageoftwelvewas
whendanceshiftedabitforme,anditbecamemuchmorepersonal.WhatIattributetothatmomentisthetime
wehadanexercisewhereweweresupposedtoimprov.Usuallyindanceclassesyouaregivenchoreography,
and you repeat after the teacher, and you get your body to do what it is being asked to do. That format is
actually something that connected with me as a person, you know, repeat after me. I like knowing my
boundaries,Ilikeknowingtherules,andfollowingthoserules.ButwhenIwasaskedtoimprovitkindofsetme
into this other place where there are no lines, there are no boundaries, and you are just supposed to move
howeveryoufeellikeyouaresupposedtomove.Irememberfeelingsouncomfortableinthatmoment,andthen
Ikindofpushedpassedawall.OntheothersideofthatwasafreedomthatIhadntreallyexperienced,and
alsoaconnectiontoapartofmyselfthatIdontthinkIhadevertappedinto.Thatiswhendancereallystarted
toshiftformeasaperson,whatitwastomylifeandwhatitcouldbe,andwhatitisnow.

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CityDanceDREAMProgramRecognizedasOneoftheCountrysTopAfterSchoolArtsandHumanitiesPrograms

DREAMstudentValeriaCruz.PhotobyMaggiePicard.
PP:Whatisyourfavoritestyleofdance?
VC: : Hiphopits a fun way to dance, its what Im strong at, and I like the music and the way your body
moves.
KQ: Modern contemporary. I feel like its something that my body connected better with in terms of what it
requiresyoutodoandwhatthegenreisaskingofyourbody.IthinkbecauseIwasstrongerinthatareaitjust
naturallybecamesomethingIwasmoresuccessfulin,andsoithasbecomemyfavorite.
PP:Whatisthelastdreamyourememberhaving?
VC:Iwasskippingdowntown,andIsawmyselfonthevideoboardoutsidetheVerizonCenter,notdancing,
butjusttalking.Iwasdoingabroadcast.Iactuallywanttomajorincommunicationsincollege,soformetosee
myselfwasabitshocking.Irememberstandingbackandthinking,Ohhey,thatsme!Thatwasabigmoment
formebecausethatiswhatIwanttopursueandkeepondoing,sothatwasagreatexperiencebutthenI
wokeupandrealizedIwasntonthere(laughs)
KQ:Iwasataweddingforoneofmyreallyclosefriends.Actually,shesalsoonourteachingfaculty,andIwas
atherwedding.Becauseofthat,alotofourDREAMstaffwereatthewedding,herfamilywasthere,anditwas
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CityDanceDREAMProgramRecognizedasOneoftheCountrysTopAfterSchoolArtsandHumanitiesPrograms

justaverycelebratorydream.Irememberlittlethings,likethedressIwaswearing,andtheotherpeoplethat
werethere,andalittlebitoftheceremony,andImostlyjustrememberthefunthateveryonehadafterwards.I
alsoclearlyremembertheemotionthatmyfriendwasgoingthroughduringthewholeprocessitssomethingthat
stoodout.
PP:Whatisyourdream?
VC:Mydreamistokeepondancing,andkeeponperforming.
KQ:Mydreamsoundsverycliche,butIpersonallystrugglewiththedisparitythatexistsinourworld,soIhave
veryutopiandreamsofpeoplesupportingeachother,andpeopleuniting,andbeingproudofourdifferences,
andcelebratingeachothersdifferences.IthinkthatthosedreamshaveincreasednowthatIamamom.Iwant
thosethingsformykids,andIdefinitelythinkthatdreamhaslargelyimpactedthecareerthatIhavechosenfor
myself,wantingtofightforthatforothers.Ithinkthebestplacetostartsolvingallthoseproblemsisbylooking
toyoungpeople,toourkids.Whentheyareyoungtherearesomanychoicesthataremadeforthem,soifwe
kindoffocusourattentionondoingwhatsbestforyoungpeople,andgivingthemthesupporttheyneedandthe
resourcestheyneed,itcanreallyshifthowwealloperatetogetherandwitheachother.Inmydreamswereally
doliveinaperfectworld,andeveryoneisskippingthroughdaisesholdinghands.
PP:Whatareyourlongtermgoals?
VC:Iamcurrentlyapplyingforcollegestomajorincommunicationsandminorinperformingarts/dance,orvice
versa.TheDREAMprogramismentoringmethroughouttheentireprocess.
KQ:Itsexcitingtotalkaboutthisnowbecausewereembarkingonreallyreachingourdreamsatthismoment.
In three years well be moving into our own home in downtown DC with state of the art dance studios, with
academicservicerooms,officespace,andablackboxtheater.Thespacewillenableustotripleourstudent
population,anditwillalsoallowustodeepenandexpandtheserviceswecanoffer.Whatwellbeofferingto
375studentsisworldclassdancetrainingandaccesstoworkingwithprofessionalartistsanddancecompanies,
in state of the art facilities. Well be offering full academic services and family services onsite to all of our
students,andthatisadreamthatwehavebeenreallystrivingfor,thatwerealizedafewyearsagoandhave
beenworkingtowardeversince.Thisyearweareembarkinguponathreeyeartransitionspacetoreallyenter
intothatdreamandtherealityofthatdream.Itsreallyexciting.
AboutMelindaContreras:
MelindatraveledcrosscountryfromasuburbofLosAngelestoattendcollegeinDC,andhasbeenenjoying
DCeversince.AsaProductDevelopmentCoordinatorforThinkfun,anAlexandriabasedcompanythat
creates"addictivelyfungamesthatsharpenyourmind,MelindaisoftenaskedifherjobislikethemovieBig.
Basically,yes.Whennotplayinglogicpuzzles,MelindalikestotrackdownthecoolesteventsinDC(alongwith
thecontestsandgiveawaysthatwillgetyouintothemforfree).Youcanfindhertweetingaboutgiveaways
(andpizza)at@withabambipurse.
TAGS:AlexandraNowakowski,CityDance,DancePrograms,DREAMprogram,Interviews,KelliQuinn,
MelindaContreras,PeopletoKnow,President'sCommitteeontheArtsandtheHumanities,PunchProfiles,
TheNationalArtsandHumanitiesYouthProgramAwards,ValeriaCruz

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