The Dance Foundation

Name: The Dance Foundation
Address: 1715 27th Court S, Homewood, AL, 35209, US
Telephone: +12058700073
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.4

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Homewood, AL
The Dance Foundation

a place of discovery. The Dance Foundation is also home to dozens of artists and arts organizations for classes, workshops, rehearsals and performances.
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The Dance Foundation’s programs spark creative thinking, encourage collaboration and build confidence in the lives of children, teens and adults in our community. We dance with 2000+ students of all ages and abilities in our studios and at more than 20 social service agencies, child care centers and schools throughout Birmingham. Our dance classes and performances inspire all involved – the growin

g toddler, the child who is homeless, disadvantaged or at-risk, the child who has special needs, and the inquisitive teen. Creativity and collaboration are at the heart of our mission. The Dance Foundation. A Place of Discovery. Our programs include:

Community Partnership Program
Studio Use for community artists and organizations
Dance and Acting classes for all ages
summer camps

The Dance Foundation was founded in 1975 by Jennie Robertson, Virginia Samford Donovan, and Mary Conyers Cooper. Today, our work continues to embody our founding mission of providing opportunities for students of all ages and abilities to learn through the power of dance and the arts. What began in the mid-70’s as age and developmentally appropriate dance classes for small groups of young children and those with challenges has flourished into something extraordinary. The Dance Foundation is an organization now serving more than 2,000 students each week. The Dance Foundation has a professional staff of dancers and musicians to share our mission. Less than 10% of our budget is for management and administration. Programs are provided virtually every day, year-round. As a not-for-profit dance education organization, The Dance Foundation is able to provide unique, creative programs and services through the strong partnership of professional staff, a committed board of directors and a diverse collection of supporters.

“Dance is a celebration of life,
a widening of horizons, an exercise in communication,
an exploration into self-awareness. Through this discipline all the arts come into focus. Let us journey together.”

– Jennie Robertson, Founder

11/13/2024

Check out our stories today for a video link to learn more about Ella Jenkins, the “First Lady of Children’s Songs” and a national treasure (1924-2024). We’ve been using her songs to teach children at The Dance Foundation since our beginning in 1975. For decades, she inspired countless educators with her joyful melodies and profound love for teaching. Her music transcended generations, giving educators tools to nurture young minds and celebrate diversity. Through her songs, her legacy will continue to inspire new generations of educators and children alike.

11/01/2024

Tickets are on sale!
TheDanceFoundation.org/FREEFORM

10/24/2024

FREEFORM GUEST ARTIST Sanspointe is a Birmingham-based contemporary dance company composed of a group of artists with various backgrounds, values, and approaches to working in the field of dance. Together we challenge and inspire each other to create work beyond what we would make on our own. Founded in 2003 by Michelle Hamff, Sanspointe has been dedicated to the art of modern dance and the impact the arts can have on our community. We provide professional performances, community classes, workshops for pre-professional students, and much more. We are a 501(c)3 organization, working to make modern dance accessible for one and all. Our mission is to create, collaborate, and connect – with our artform, our fellow artists, and our community. https://www.sanspointe.org

Make plans to join us for this annual eclectic dance performance!

Tickets on sale November 1st. 🎟️

10/23/2024

Dancers may wear a costume and/or festive accessories to class starting this Saturday, October 25-31.

Students need to be able to dance in their costume (be aware hotdogs and mermaids) and should still wear their appropriate dance shoes to class.

Thursday classes - check the student portal for an important update on our October 31st abbreviated schedule of classes.

10/22/2024

A great introduction to dance and Hip Hop that starts this week…

An upbeat short-term (6 weeks) class for 2nd-5th graders set to fun, popular music that combines the basics of hip hop and break dancing and focuses on learning short combinations each week.

Confidence-building ✔️
Challenging ✔️
Fun ✔️
Improves coordination and rhythm ✔️

Class is taught by Stephanie Murphy on Wednesdays 3:45-4:45.

Register online for session 2: Oct. 23 through Dec 3; no class on Nov. 26

10/22/2024

Did you know that our studios and 100-seat theatre are available for you to rent for your class, private lesson, workshop, rehearsal, performance, or meeting? Each of our five spaces features a sprung floor with a marley surface, a piano, bluetooth speaker and white board. A rolling smart TV can be provided upon request. Our theatre has professional lighting and sound, a backstage area, and two dressing rooms. Our affordable rental fees and a virtual tour are available on our website at TheDanceFoundation.org/studio-use-program. You will also find a form there to fill out if you have interest in renting space.

10/21/2024

We had an absolutely fascinating and important professional development session last Friday with Joy Wi******er and her therapy dog Goose. She supports adults in understanding challenging behaviors through a neuroscience lens. We are grateful for the work she is doing and the information we learned today…and we all fell in love with Goose.

Sharing a couple of slides from her presentation as a reminder and encouragement to all of us when we, or our children, step out of our comfort zones to try new things. It is only there that growth happens.✨

10/19/2024

A new session of six classes begins Monday! Register at any point during the session, even after classes have begun, and the tuition cost will be prorated. A discount is provided for two or more classes in the same session. We will be closed the week of Thanksgiving.

Let’s dance! ✨

10/17/2024

FREEFORM GUEST ARTIST Samford Dance Company is a performance group that produces programs of a diverse repertoire ranging from classical ballet to innovative contemporary works. The student dancers strive for excellence in their technique, performance, and artistry while working with a variety of faculty and guest choreographers. The Samford Dance Company produces two programs each year – the Student Choreography Showcase in the fall and the annual dance concert in February. “Blank Slate” will be presented February 14-16 in Samford‘s Wright Center in collaboration with Sanspointe Dance Company. Samford University is also proud to announce a brand-new Bachelor of Arts in Dance that will officially kick off in the fall of 2025.

Make plans to join us for this annual eclectic dance performance!

Tickets on sale November 1st. 🎟️

10/15/2024

This is it folks! Shop this week during regular business hours:
Tuesday 9:15am-8:30 pm
Wednesday 9:15am-8:30pm
Thursday 9:15am-8:30pm
Friday 9:15am-12:00pm

10/11/2024

FREEFORM GUEST ARTIST Cathy del Sol is a professional flamenco dancer with over 25 years of experience teaching and performing worldwide. Trained in Seville, Spain, under renowned flamenco masters, she has led numerous events and performances through her flamenco company. Currently, she directs Flamenco Huntsville in Alabama, USA.

FREEFORM GUEST ARTIST MosaicoFlamenco, co-led by Julia Quijano and Ana Diaz Worden, is a passionate flamenco group in Birmingham, Alabama. For over 20 years, they have been dedicated to performing and preserving authentic flamenco, collaborating with local and international artists, and fostering a vibrant flamenco community.

Make plans to join us for this annual eclectic dance performance!

Tickets on sale November 1st. 🎟️

10/10/2024

Shop through Friday, October 18.

10/09/2024

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, we want to give a shoutout to Forge, our partner in offering Breast Cancer and Ballet: An Introduction to Healing. This ballet class with Melissa Turnage on Wednesdays at The Dance Foundation is an aid in physical and mental healing for breast cancer survivors and caregivers. This is a wonderful example of one of many community partnerships we have. This is our second year hosting their dancers and we are thrilled to celebrate how dance and all the arts are healing experiences.

On Thursday, Oct. 17th help celebrate all those impacted by breast cancer at the fourth annual Haute Pink benefiting Forge Breast Cancer Survivor Center. 10 breast cancer survivors will hit the runway wearing looks created for them by 10 Birmingham fashion and costume designers. Haute Pink is designed to inspire, honor and remember everyone impacted by breast cancer in Alabama while raising support for those who need it most. Because until there’s a cure, there’s Forge.

Tickets on sale now

10/03/2024

We are excited to announce the fabulous guest artists who will perform in our annual performance Freeform that will be taking place a month earlier than usual!

Save the dates! Ticket go on sale November 1.

Cathy del Sol Flamenco Cia & Mosaico Flamenco

Samford Dance Company

Sanspointe Dance Company

09/27/2024

Thanks to Emily and Madison at Nova Physical Therapy and Wellness for speaking at our faculty meeting this morning to address prevention of common dance-related injuries. 🤗

09/18/2024

In our Adaptive Learning classes, students have more one-on-one interaction with their teacher along with adaptations to some of the movement that meets their individual learning needs.

Classes provide a creative environment for improving gross motor skills, building strength and coordination, and working together with friends.

The goals are the same for all of our classes, and that is for each student to feel challenge, accomplishment and joy in dancing.

Movement to Music, Adaptive Learning for ages 5-10 is offered in six-week sessions this season on Thursdays at 3:45 (to 4:30) and 5:30 (to 6:15).

Ballet/Modern, Adaptive Learning for ages 8-15 currently has a waitlist. Please join if interested so that we can notify you if an additional class is added.

Register online. Link in profile.

09/09/2024

It’s National Arts in Education week! This fall, we’re taking our programs Math In Motion, Brain Body Balance, and Dancing With Words to several schools, including West End Academy, Hall Kent (R.I.S.E.), and Washington Elementary.

Like this post if you agree that the arts ARE education.

THANK YOU to the Alabama State Department of Education’s Arts Education Initiative grant that supports these programs for the new school year as well as the Avondale Samaritan Place program from this past summer.

📷 pictured is our program in action at the Avondale Samaritan Place “Use Your Noodle” camp.

09/07/2024

Join us for a 5-week series on Wednesdays at The Dance Foundation with Melissa Turnage

Address

1715 27th Court S
Homewood, AL
35209

Telephone

+12058700073

Website

http://www.thedancefoundation.org/

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Videos

Another day, another program highlight! Day FOUR - learn more about Dancing With Words in our Community In Motion Program. Dancing With Words is for 1st and 2nd grade students. In this program, we use dance to strengthen language and reading skills. This semester, we’re dancing with 2nd graders at Booker T. Washington School. With input from the classroom teachers, we’re using movement to reinforce sequence words and the relationship between nouns and adjectives. Not only are the academic concepts reinforced, but the students have the opportunity to learn elements of dance, be creative, and get some energy out. https://secure.everyaction.com/ZNgc8yBJW0ehJ4F7d_55Zg2 We invite you to share the love for this important work - your tax-deductible donation supports our Community In Motion and tuition assistance for students in need. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Another day, another program feature - Math In Motion is for 3rd-5th grade students. In this program, we use dance to make math concepts tangible and memorable. This semester, we’re spending eight weeks with 3rd graders to explore rhythmic patterns, polygons, and fractions… all through movement. Not only are the math concepts reinforced, but the students have the opportunity to move their bodies with purpose, be creative, and problem solve together in groups. We invite you to share the love for this important work - your tax-deductible donation supports our Community In Motion and tuition assistance for students in need. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! https://secure.everyaction.com/ZNgc8yBJW0ehJ4F7d_55Zg2 #ShareTheLove #GiveToWhatMovesYou #EveryBodyDance #MathInMotion #DancingWithWords #MovementToMusic #ArtsInEducation #ArtsAreEducation #DanceToGrow #DanceToLearn #LetsDance

Movement To Music is for children ages 2-5 years old. In this program, we use fun songs, stories, and colorful props to ignite the imagination and improve fundamental skills like coordination, gross motor movement, balance, and strength. Each week, year round, for nearly 50 years, our dance teachers and musicians travel to more than a dozen schools and agencies to enrich the lives of children through dance. This program is the cornerstone of our mission. We invite you to share the love for this important work - your tax-deductible donation supports our Community In Motion and tuition assistance for students in need. https://lnkd.in/gAgDkSnf Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! #ShareTheLove #GiveToWhatMovesYou #EveryBodyDance#MathInMotion #DancingWithWords #MovementToMusic#ArtsInEducation #ArtsAreEducation #DanceToGrow#DanceToLearn #LetsDance

At The Dance Foundation, everybody learns to dance....and dances to learn! Our program Community In Motion encompasses three curriculums - Movement To Music for preschool ages and Math In Motion and Dancing With Words for elementary school ages. Through these unique dance curriculums, we inspire curiosity, nurture creativity, reinforce academic concepts, and build confidence in hundreds of students. We invite you to share the love for this important work - your tax-deductible donation supports our Community In Motion and tuition assistance for students in need. https://lnkd.in/gAgDkSnf Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! #ShareTheLove #GiveToWhatMovesYou #EveryBodyDance#MathInMotion #DancingWithWords #MovementToMusic#ArtsInEducation #ArtsAreEducation #DanceToGrow#DanceToLearn #LetsDance

We’re ready for you! ✨The past few weeks have been spent learning and inspiring, cleaning and painting, tuning and sprucing to be ready to dance with our students beginning this Tuesday, September 6. We can’t wait to see you soon!

The annual SALE is fast-approaching! Shop October 1st! Donations welcome! . #thebargaincostumecloset #bargaincostumecloset #tonemefotthedancefoundation #fundraiser #aplaceofdiscovery #tutus #dancewear #balletshoes #halloween #leotards #dressup #accessories #donatecostumes #danceshoes #tapshoes #jazzshoes #shoplocal #bargains

The choreographers of Tiny Dances talk about their work, their inspiration and their process of creating. Tiny Dances >> a live performance this Saturday (7:00 and 8:30) at The Pizitz Food Hall, rain or shine, by adult professional artists in a variety of dance styles. Free admission. Live-streamed at thedancefoundation.org/tinydances . #tinydances #danceperformance #adultprofessionalartists #thepizitzfoodhall #danceconcert

Tiny Dances on June 12 features “They Came In The Evening”, choreographed by Anna Foshee, performed by Ariana Pellegra and Sara Wallace. Inspired by the short story Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach. Originally performed at The Samford Wright Center in Sanspointe Dance Company and Samford Dance company’s collaborative performance “To Soar”. Music is Hurricane by Slow Meadow. . “The two gulls that appeared at his wings were pure as starlight and the glow from them was gentle and friendly in the high night air. But most lovely of all was the skill with which they flew, their wingtips moving a precise and constant inch from his own." . Join us at Pizitz Food Hall on June 12 for an outdoor performance. . #tinyDANCES #pizitzfoodhall #outdoordance #outdoorperformance #tinystage #moderndance #screendance