Local Motion Project

For residents across Virginia, and particularly those in Alexandria and the wider Northern Virginia area, Local Motion Project stands as a true beacon for anyone looking to connect with the transformative power of dance and movement. This vibrant non-profit organization is built on a mission to bring people together in dynamic, collective movement experiences that foster personal growth and social change. Whether you've harbored a lifelong dream of dancing, are looking for a creative outlet for your children, or simply want to rediscover the sheer joy of movement, Local Motion Project offers a welcoming, inclusive, and inspiring environment. It’s a place where every step, every beat, and every shared moment contributes to a richer, more expressive life.

Local Motion Project centers dance as a vehicle for expression, connection, and human understanding, striving to bring diverse dance experiences to the community through education, participation, and observation. The genuine warmth and positive energy of the studio are consistently highlighted by its patrons. As one delighted customer put it, "The moment I stepped into the studio I was welcomed by a wonderful soul, Liz. She was pleasant, radiant, and interested in my story. She inspired me right from hello." This sentiment of feeling instantly part of a community is a recurring theme, emphasizing Local Motion Project's commitment to creating a safe haven for self-expression and rediscovering the absolute joy of movement. Being a non-profit, Local Motion Project is deeply dedicated to its mission of making dance accessible to everyone, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent anyone from experiencing the benefits of dance. This commitment is not just a philosophy but is woven into the very fabric of their operations, from their diverse class offerings to their community engagement initiatives.

Local Motion Project is conveniently located at 2377 S Dove St, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA. This Alexandria address places it within easy reach for residents throughout Northern Virginia and the broader D.C. metropolitan area. The studio’s location on South Dove Street provides relatively straightforward access, with parking available, which is a significant convenience for busy individuals and families. Its position within Alexandria, a city well-served by public transportation, further enhances its accessibility, allowing more community members to participate in its diverse range of dance and movement programs without logistical hurdles. The ease of getting to the studio plays a crucial role in fostering a vibrant and consistent dance community for locals.

Local Motion Project offers an extensive and diverse range of dance and movement programs catering to individuals of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds, truly embodying their mission of accessibility and inclusivity.

• Studio Youth Dance Program: Serving youth ages 3 to 17, this program offers classes in creative dance (including a class for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities), modern, ballet, hip-hop, tap, and jazz. It includes a youth performing ensemble with multiple performance experiences and a youth choreographic mentorship. The curriculum emphasizes creating, performing, and understanding movement as artistic expression, incorporating social-emotional learning and diverse dance histories.
• Studio Adult Dance and Movement Program: A wide variety of adult classes and workshops including tap, contemporary modern dance, ballet (from intro to intermediate levels), belly dance, improvisation, conditioning, sound healing, and aerial hammock. Classes emphasize movement for well-being, creativity, and community building, with a tiered pricing model that includes discount options.
• The LMP Collective (Adult Dance Ensemble): An intergenerational adult ensemble comprised of diverse women (ages 25-55) who collaborate in creating and performing original works, often engaging in paid rehearsals and performances.
• Professional Development: Programs for Classroom Teachers focusing on Dance Integration (teaching classroom content and dance side-by-side) and for Dance Educators (in topics like dance and disability, social-emotional learning, dance history, and anti-racist pedagogy).
• Residencies: Tailored programs for youth and adults, including "Movement for Creativity and Well-being" for adults 60+ (focusing on strength, mobility, balance, flexibility, and joy) and "Community Dance" sessions for collective movement and dance-making.
• Special Events and Workshops: Regularly hosts unique events and intensive workshops, such as "Floor + Barre" (combining floor-based movement with ballet barre), "Pilates Mat," "Somatic Conditioning," "Beginner Pointe" series, and "Beginner/Beyond Beginner Tap" series.
• Scholarship Opportunities: Offers scholarships in partnership with Artspire VA, making dance accessible to more students.
• Private Pilates Apparatus Sessions: Individual, duet, and trio sessions with certified instructors for personalized training.

Local Motion Project distinguishes itself through several compelling features and highlights that underscore its unique value to the Alexandria and broader Virginia community:

• Non-Profit Mission for Accessibility: As a registered non-profit, LMP is deeply committed to making dance accessible to "EVERYONE," regardless of background or financial means, often providing scholarships and tiered pricing.
• Diverse Dance Forms and Styles: Offers a comprehensive array of classes beyond just traditional ballet, including contemporary modern, hip-hop, tap, jazz, creative dance, belly dance, and even aerial hammock, catering to varied interests and ages.
• Inclusive and Welcoming Environment: Consistently praised in reviews for fostering a "safe haven for self-expression" and an instantly welcoming community, where individuals feel comfortable learning and growing.
• Focus on Holistic Well-being: Emphasizes dance as a vehicle for personal growth, social change, stress relief, and "the absolute joy of movement," going beyond mere technique to embrace physical, mental, and emotional benefits.
• Experienced and Inspiring Teachers: Instructors are described as "absolutely wonderful, talented artist and teacher" who are passionate about their craft and effectively guide students to achieve their potential.
• Intergenerational Programs: Offers programs for both youth (ages 3-17) and adults (with an adult ensemble spanning ages 25-55), fostering connections across generations through shared artistic experiences.
• Community and Performance Opportunities: Provides a youth performing ensemble, an adult dance collective (The LMP Collective), and opportunities for students to participate in performances, enriching the local arts scene.
• Commitment to Social-Emotional Learning: Incorporates practices that promote social-emotional learning, culturally responsive classrooms, and an understanding of diverse dance histories in their curriculum.

For those in Virginia interested in becoming part of the vibrant dance community at Local Motion Project, or to learn more about their diverse programs, please use the following contact details:

Address: 2377 S Dove St, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA

Phone: (703) 299-0017

For locals in Virginia, particularly in Alexandria and surrounding areas, Local Motion Project is an exceptionally suitable and enriching resource for anyone passionate about dance and movement. Its convenient location at 2377 S Dove St ensures easy accessibility, making it a practical choice for individuals and families looking to integrate dance into their lives without extensive travel.

What truly sets Local Motion Project apart and makes it ideal for the local community is its deep-rooted mission as a non-profit organization. This commitment means that dance is not just a commodity, but a vehicle for personal growth and social change, made accessible to "EVERYONE." This ethos creates an incredibly welcoming and inclusive environment, as highlighted by numerous testimonials from patrons who felt instantly accepted and inspired. For parents, this means a "safe haven for self-expression" for their children, where learning dance goes hand-in-hand with building confidence and fostering a love for movement. For adults, it's a place to "rediscover over and over the absolute joy of movement and dance," dusting off old dreams and finding new vitality.

The diverse range of classes—from classical ballet and contemporary to tap, hip-hop, belly dance, and even aerial hammock—ensures there's something for every interest and skill level, appealing to a broad spectrum of the local population. Moreover, the emphasis on holistic well-being, experienced and inspiring teachers, and vibrant community-building through performance opportunities make Local Motion Project more than just a dance studio; it's a cherished local institution that enriches lives, fosters connection, and champions the enduring power of movement for all Virginians.

Local Motion Project

2377 S Dove St, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA