Dance & Bmore

Welcome to Dance & Bmore, a visionary organization nestled within the vibrant Motor House in Baltimore, Maryland. Dance & Bmore is more than just a performing arts group; it's a dynamic force dedicated to fostering meaningful human connections through the universal languages of movement, music, and theater. Under the inspiring leadership of Artistic Director CJay Philip, Dance & Bmore designs innovative, multigenerational programs that enhance the lives and social-emotional well-being of youth, families, and elders across the Baltimore community.

At its core, Dance & Bmore believes that the arts are a powerful source of healing and joy, serving as a vital antidote to stress and disconnect in modern society. Their mission is to create artistic bridges that fill gaps – gaps in society, in the city, and within families – by promoting genuine human connections. From lively family jam sessions that bring generations together to memory-based movement programs for seniors, Dance & Bmore actively works to stimulate imagination, strengthen relationships, and build a profound sense of community.

CJay Philip, the driving force behind Dance & Bmore, is a recognized expert in the field, even nominated for the Excellence in Theatre Education Tony Award. Her philosophy, "You don't have to age out, you just age up," underscores the belief that creativity is a lifelong journey. This ethos permeates every program, inviting individuals of all ages and abilities to participate, create, and contribute, fostering a culture of creative and connected living throughout Baltimore's households and community spaces.

Dance & Bmore is centrally located at Suite #201, Motor House, 120 W North Ave #201, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. The Motor House is a well-known arts hub and creative incubator situated in the heart of Baltimore's Station North Arts and Entertainment District. This prime location offers excellent accessibility for residents across Baltimore and surrounding areas.

Being housed within the Motor House provides Dance & Bmore with access to professional facilities, including performance and exhibition spaces, which enhances the quality of their programs and showcases. The Motor House itself is a community landmark, easily reachable via public transportation and major roadways, making it convenient for participants of all ages. Its presence in a thriving arts district ensures a stimulating and inspiring environment, contributing to the overall experience for those attending Dance & Bmore's various offerings. The Motor House is also ADA compliant, with elevators and accessible bathrooms, ensuring that programs are accessible to a wide range of community members.

• FazaFam Family Jam: This signature program focuses on strengthening families through interactive music, movement, and games. It encourages children (as young as 2 years old), parents, grandparents, and other family members to move, groove, and play together, fostering creative play and physical activity. Classes are designed to be inclusive and gentle, making everyone feel comfortable, even those who feel they have "two left feet."

• Forever Fit & Fun: Tailored for older adults (60+), this program utilizes memory-based movement and storytelling fused with live soul, jazz, and R&B music. It's a holistic approach to health and wellness that stimulates imagination, strengthens relationships, and builds a sense of community. It also includes an Elder Ensemble who performs with the company, capturing and encapsulating the history of elders through artistic expression.

• Youth & Family Programs: Dance & Bmore offers a range of programs for youth and families (ages 2-24 years), emphasizing creative education and enrichment to enhance social-emotional well-being. These programs focus on creative play, physical movement, and fostering a love for the arts.

• AMP Camp and AMP Up: These programs provide teens and young adults (often 17+) with opportunities to hone their theatrical skills, both onstage and behind the scenes. They focus on fostering talent and skill development in acting, singing, and dancing, preparing them for performing arts opportunities.

• Voices of Carmen: An inspiring production that blends chorale and gospel music, spoken word, and dance to explore themes of faith, resilience, and hope. This program provides a platform for artistic collaboration and community engagement.

• Elder Arts & Wellness: Dedicated programs that connect older adults through the arts, promoting well-being, creative expression, and social interaction, often featuring live music and storytelling.

• DAB Ensemble: Dance & Bmore is home to a diverse ensemble of singers, dancers, poets, and musicians who create a fusion of socially conscious, interactive, and empowering work. Their collaborations are less of a performance style and more of an "unforgettable experience" for audiences.

• Bmore Broadway Live: Opportunities for adults (18+) to participate in workshops and performance showcases focusing on Broadway scenes, songs, and dance. This includes community cabarets and auditions for showcases, providing a platform for local talent.

• Training for Arts Facilitators: Dance & Bmore also offers training that prepares like-minded arts facilitators to implement a more holistic approach to creative connective arts for all, expanding their community-building philosophy.

• Workforce Development and Job Readiness: The organization's programs are also designed to offer workforce development and job readiness, particularly for young people, by providing skills that can enhance and monetize their talent.

• Mission-Driven Approach: Dance & Bmore's core mission is to create meaningful human connections through movement, music, and theater, focusing on enhancing social-emotional well-being. This purpose-driven philosophy permeates all their programs.

• Multigenerational Programs: A unique highlight is their commitment to bridging generational gaps. Programs like FazaFam Family Jam bring together young children, parents, and elders, fostering connections across ages, while Forever Fit & Fun specifically engages seniors.

• Artistic Director CJay Philip: The vision and passion of CJay Philip are central to Dance & Bmore's success. Her extensive experience as an arts educator, her philosophy of lifelong creativity ("You don't have to age out, you just age up"), and her ability to inspire joy and confidence are key features. Her recognition (including a Tony Award nomination) underscores the high caliber of leadership.

• Holistic Approach to Wellness: Beyond physical movement, Dance & Bmore emphasizes the therapeutic and healing power of the arts, addressing stress, stimulating imagination, and strengthening relationships. This holistic view of well-being is a core element.

• Emphasis on Joy and Connection: The values guiding their work include Compassion, Connection, Joy, and Integrity. This focus creates a positive and uplifting environment where participants feel free to express themselves and build genuine relationships.

• Live Music Integration: Many programs, particularly for elders, fuse live soul, jazz, and R&B music, creating an immersive and engaging experience that resonates deeply with participants through rhythm and nostalgia.

• Community-Building Philosophy: Dance & Bmore actively works to create a culture of creative and connected living, using the arts to bridge cultural, generational, and other invisible barriers, fostering stronger communities.

• Inclusive and Accessible: The organization strives to make its programs accessible to all, providing creative offerings for every age and stage of life, and designing activities that cater to diverse social, economic, and cultural backgrounds.

• Located in a Major Arts Hub: Being housed in the Motor House, a creative incubator, provides Dance & Bmore with excellent facilities, exposure, and a dynamic artistic backdrop.

Address: Suite #201, Motor House, 120 W North Ave #201, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA

Phone: (410) 871-8322

For residents of Baltimore, Maryland, and the surrounding regions, Dance & Bmore offers a truly unique and invaluable resource for fostering connection, creativity, and well-being through the performing arts. Its central location within the Motor House, a vibrant arts hub in the Station North Arts and Entertainment District, makes it highly accessible for individuals and families across the city.

What makes Dance & Bmore exceptionally suitable for locals is its profound commitment to creating "meaningful human connections." In an increasingly disconnected world, this organization actively uses movement, music, and theater to build bridges between generations and diverse communities. Whether you're a parent looking for an enriching activity that you can share with your children and even grandparents through the FazaFam Family Jam, or an elder seeking engaging activities that celebrate history and promote wellness through Forever Fit & Fun, Dance & Bmore has tailored programs that resonate deeply.

Under the inspiring leadership of CJay Philip, participants are not just learning dance steps or performance techniques; they are engaging in a holistic experience that boosts social-emotional well-being, stimulates imagination, and strengthens relationships. The judgment-free, joyful, and community-focused environment ensures that everyone, regardless of prior experience, feels welcome and empowered to express themselves. Dance & Bmore truly offers Baltimore locals a chance to "be more" – more connected, more creative, and more vibrant in their everyday lives.

Dance & Bmore

Suite #201, Motor House, 120 W North Ave #201, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA