Everybody Dance LA!

Are you a California local searching for an organization that truly makes a difference in the lives of young people through the power of dance, right here in Los Angeles? Everybody Dance LA! is a remarkable non-profit dedicated to transforming lives and communities by providing high-quality dance education. This isn't just another dance school; it's a vibrant and inclusive community where youth aged 4-19 from low-income areas of Los Angeles are instilled with high expectations, fostering lifelong skills like collaboration, discipline, and self-expression. Since its founding in 1999 (originally as The Gabriella Foundation), Everybody Dance LA! has grown into a leading provider of accessible, impactful dance instruction, serving thousands of students annually.

The mission of Everybody Dance LA! goes far beyond teaching steps and routines. It’s about cultivating confidence, inspiring creativity, and empowering young individuals to become engaged participants in their education, careers, and communities. The organization believes in the innate strength, creativity, and potential of every young person it serves, striving to create a safe, equitable, and inclusive environment where every child can thrive. For families and supporters in California, Everybody Dance LA! represents a vital resource that harnesses the transformative power of the arts to build a stronger, more vibrant Los Angeles.

The impact of Everybody Dance LA! is evident in the profound changes seen in its students. For instance, reports indicate that 94% of surveyed students reported improved self-esteem, and 100% of after-school program seniors graduated high school and went on to college. These statistics highlight the effectiveness of their programs in not only developing dance skills but also in building character and paving pathways to success. For anyone seeking to support or benefit from a truly impactful local organization that enriches the lives of youth through dance, Everybody Dance LA! stands out as a beacon of hope and opportunity in our Californian communities.

Everybody Dance LA! has a presence in several locations to best serve the communities it reaches. While their mailing address is listed as 3183 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 196 #K22 Los Angeles, CA 90010, and some program staff information references "Townhouse" and "Burlington", their primary physical studio presence for the After-School program is at 661 S Burlington Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90057, USA. This strategic placement in low-income neighborhoods of Los Angeles is central to their mission of providing accessible dance education where it's needed most.

The studio's location on S Burlington Ave in the 90057 zip code makes it accessible to a significant portion of the Los Angeles community. For those relying on public transportation, the area is well-served by various Metro bus lines, with stops likely within reasonable walking distance of the studio. This ensures that students and families can reach the dance programs without significant transportation barriers, which is crucial for the communities Everybody Dance LA! serves. Information about specific bus routes should be verified based on individual starting points.

If traveling by car, the studio's urban location means it is integrated into the city's street network, offering routes from different parts of Los Angeles. Proximity to major thoroughfares would typically provide relatively straightforward access. However, as is common in urban areas, street parking might require some searching, especially during peak hours. The choice of location directly reflects Everybody Dance LA!'s commitment to reaching underserved youth, placing their high-quality programs directly within the communities they aim to empower, thus maximizing accessibility for their target population.

Everybody Dance LA! offers a comprehensive range of high-quality dance education programs tailored for youth ages 4-19, designed to instill lifelong skills and foster holistic development. Their services include:

• After-School Dance Program: Operating in dedicated dance studios within low-income neighborhoods, this program focuses on technical mastery of dance in a safe and supportive environment. It is a cornerstone of their offerings.
• In-School Dance Program: Professional Teaching Artists bring dance instruction directly into schools across Los Angeles throughout the academic year, integrating dance education into daily learning.
• Summer Dance Sessions: Offering 4-week summer sessions for both new students and returning after-school program participants. This is a great opportunity for new students to explore multiple dance forms.
• Diverse Dance Styles: While specific styles might vary, the program aims to offer a variety, covering genres necessary for technical mastery and creative expression.
• Student Leadership Team: A program for middle and high school-aged students interested in developing leadership skills and preparing for college.
• Student Teacher Education Program (STEP): Places interested middle and high school students as Teaching Assistants in dance classrooms, allowing them to learn job skills and accountability.
• Student Office Internship: Offers middle and high school students the opportunity to learn office skills and how a non-profit organization operates.
• Ballet Conservatory (Levels 1, 2, and 3): Audition-based programs for students (ages 8 and up) interested in intensive ballet training, including pointe and variation work, with opportunities to represent the organization at community events.
• Performance Companies (Levels 1 and 2): Audition-based programs for students (ages 8 and up) interested in Hip Hop and Jazz, involving additional rehearsal hours and performance opportunities at community events.
• Mentorship Program: Middle and high school students are matched with mentors to discuss goal setting and post-high school aspirations.

Everybody Dance LA! boasts several distinctive features and highlights that underscore its unique value and profound impact in the Los Angeles community:

• Transformative Mission: Founded in memory of Gabriella Axelrad, the organization's core mission is to transform lives and communities through high-quality dance education in low-income areas.
• Exceptional Teaching Artists: Described by the LA Times as "some of the best children's dance instructors in the world," these professionals bring high-quality instruction directly to students.
• Holistic Student Development: Beyond dance technique, the programs instill crucial lifelong skills such as collaboration, discipline, self-expression, self-confidence, and a sense of belonging, as noted in various accounts and a documentary about the program.
• Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Access, and Inclusion (EDAI): EDLA! actively works to challenge bias, harassment, and discrimination, ensuring a safe and equitable space for all to learn and work, celebrating differences in all forms.
• Proven Impact: Boasts impressive outcomes, including 94% of students reporting improved self-esteem and 100% of after-school program seniors graduating high school and attending college.
• National Recognition: Was a recipient of the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award from Michelle Obama in 2014, a testament to its excellence and effectiveness.
• Extensive Reach: Serves thousands of youth (over 7,600 in 2023-24) annually through its in-school and after-school programs, making a broad impact across Los Angeles.
• Focus on Under-resourced Communities: Deliberately places its programs in low-income areas to provide opportunities where they are most needed.
• Performance and Leadership Opportunities: Offers students pathways for advanced training (Ballet Conservatory, Performance Companies) and leadership development (Student Leadership Team, STEP), including public performance experiences.
• Community-Centric Approach: Engages whole families in a safe environment, fostering a sense of community that allows youth to thrive.

For more information about Everybody Dance LA!, their programs, or how to get involved, please contact them using the details below:

Address: 661 S Burlington Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90057, USA

Phone: (213) 365-2491

For locals in the California region, particularly those residing in Los Angeles, Everybody Dance LA! is an exceptionally suitable and impactful organization for numerous compelling reasons. Firstly, its core mission to provide high-quality dance education in low-income areas directly benefits local communities by offering invaluable opportunities to underserved youth who might otherwise lack access to such enriching programs. This local focus ensures that the benefits of dance—from physical fitness and artistic expression to discipline and self-confidence—are extended to a broad spectrum of the city's young population.

The strategic placement of their studio at 661 S Burlington Ave, within a central Los Angeles neighborhood, maximizes accessibility for the families they serve. This makes it feasible for students to consistently attend classes, fostering long-term engagement and development. Furthermore, the organization's commitment to creating a safe, equitable, and inclusive environment means that every child, regardless of background or ability, can feel welcomed and supported. This fosters a sense of belonging that is vital for personal growth and community cohesion, making it a true local gem.

The tangible positive outcomes, such as improved self-esteem and high school graduation rates among their students, demonstrate that Everybody Dance LA! is not just about dance steps but about building brighter futures for Los Angeles youth. For families seeking a nurturing and empowering after-school activity, or for individuals looking to support a non-profit that genuinely transforms lives within their own city, Everybody Dance LA! stands as an exemplary local resource that embodies the power of dance to uplift and inspire.

Everybody Dance LA!

661 S Burlington Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90057, USA