Moving in the Spirit

In the heart of Atlanta, Georgia, Moving in the Spirit stands as an extraordinary and award-winning creative youth development program, transforming lives through the power of dance. Since its founding in 1986, what began as a hopeful vision to unite a love for dance with a commitment to social justice has blossomed into a large and diverse organization impacting hundreds of children and teens annually. Moving in the Spirit is not merely a dance school; it's a vibrant community dedicated to nurturing confident, resilient, and compassionate leaders who are poised to make a significant difference in their communities and beyond the stage.

The core of Moving in the Spirit's mission is to provide a safe, nurturing environment where young people can study the art of dance, build friendships, and develop essential life and leadership skills. Their curriculum is rooted in modern dance and creative movement, offering diverse opportunities to explore ballet, hip hop, jazz, and West African dance. Artistic content frequently focuses on themes of unity, empathy, compassion, diversity, tolerance, and social issues relevant to youth, often developed in collaboration with the students themselves. This unique approach ensures that dancers are not only honing their artistic talents but also growing as engaged and thoughtful individuals.

The profound impact of Moving in the Spirit is evident in the heartfelt testimonials from community members. One audience member was "blown away" by a performance, noting the palpable emotion in the room and the impressive maturity of the young performers during a Q&A session. Another expressed the deeply spiritual connection to the program, stating, "Love being a part of drumming with the music of Giwayen Mata, it warms my spirit." These sentiments highlight the transformative power of the program, which extends far beyond dance technique to touch the very spirit of its participants and audience. Moving in the Spirit is a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of arts education in shaping future leaders in Georgia.

Moving in the Spirit boasts a state-of-the-art facility located at 1458 La France Street Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30307, USA. This strategically chosen address places it directly next to the Edgewood/Candler Park MARTA station, making it exceptionally transit-accessible for residents across Atlanta and the wider Georgia region. The intentional decision to build their new performing arts center at a Transit Oriented Development site underscores their commitment to equity and accessibility, ensuring that transportation is not a barrier for young people wishing to participate in their programs.

The facility itself is a testament to thoughtful design, created by renowned architects Perkins&Will with input from a wide range of stakeholders, including students, alumni, and community partners. It is fully ADA compliant, welcoming to guests of all physical abilities, and features one of the few wheelchair-accessible technical booths in Atlanta. For those driving, the proximity to a MARTA station also often means more available parking options in the surrounding area, though specific parking instructions should always be confirmed through their official channels. This central and well-connected location allows Moving in the Spirit to double its capacity, serving more young people and acting as a resource for Atlanta's professional dance community and creative industries, broadening its reach to thousands more families each year through performances and workshops.

Services Offered:

• Dance Classes (Ages 3-18): Comprehensive instruction in modern dance, creative movement, ballet, hip hop, jazz, and West African dance.
• Stepping Stones Program: Open-level, age-appropriate dance classes for students ages 3-18, focusing on foundational skills.
• Men In Motion: A program for young men (ages 10-13) focused on learning values, building confidence, and practicing leadership skills through dance.
• GLOW In Motion (Girls Leading Our World): An intermediate-level program for girls (ages 9-12) empowering young women through dance technique and positive identity development.
• Apprentice Corporation: An intensive training program cultivating advanced dance technique and leadership skills in teens.
• Summer Dance Camp: Combines dance instruction with leadership training for young people ages 7-13.
• Technical Theater Production Program: Intensive hands-on instruction for teens interested in theater lighting, sound, and stage management.
• Ambassador Team: Moving in the Spirit's premiere performance company, performing locally, regionally, and nationally.
• Sliding-Scale Tuition: Available to ensure affordability and accessibility regardless of financial background.
• Workshops and Performances: Regular opportunities for students to perform and engage with audiences, fostering artistic growth and public speaking skills.
• Professional Development: Programs integrate high-quality dance instruction with performance, leadership, and mentor opportunities.
• Community Workshops: Engaging with schools and other organizations to share the benefits of dance and creative youth development.

Features / Highlights:

• Award-Winning Creative Youth Development Program: Nationally recognized for its innovative approach to integrating arts and youth development.
• Holistic Curriculum: Combines dance technique with social, emotional, and cognitive skill-building for well-rounded development.
• Experienced and Diverse Faculty: Guided by professionals with degrees in dance, counseling, dance/movement therapy, and education.
• State-of-the-Art Facility: Features two 40'x60' studios with Harlequin sprung floors (one marley, one wood), and a 138-seat theater.
• Transit-Oriented Location: Directly next to the Edgewood/Candler Park MARTA station, ensuring high accessibility.
• ADA Compliant: Fully accessible facility, including one of the few wheelchair-accessible technical booths in Atlanta.
• Focus on Social Justice: Artistic content often developed in collaboration with students, addressing diversity, tolerance, and relevant social issues.
• Strong Community Impact: Annually impacts hundreds of children and teens, fostering confidence, resilience, and compassion.
• Alumni Success: Graduates become confident artists and leaders, often succeeding in higher education and professional careers.
• Affordability: Offers sliding-scale tuition to ensure financial challenges are not a barrier to participation.
• Public Performances: Provides numerous opportunities for students to showcase their talents and engage the wider community.
• Intergenerational and Diverse Community: Welcomes students from all backgrounds, fostering a strong sense of family and belonging.

Contact Information:

Address: 1458 La France Street Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30307, USA

Phone: (404) 624-5295

Moving in the Spirit is an exceptionally suitable and invaluable asset for locals in Georgia, particularly those in the Atlanta metropolitan area, who are seeking more than just dance classes. For parents, it offers a transformative environment where children not only excel in various dance forms but also develop crucial life skills such as leadership, confidence, resilience, and empathy. The testimonials underscore the profound emotional and social impact the program has on young performers, preparing them to be successful artists and compassionate leaders in their communities.

The program's commitment to affordability through sliding-scale tuition ensures that high-quality dance education and youth development are accessible to all families, regardless of their financial circumstances. Furthermore, the state-of-the-art, ADA-compliant facility, strategically located right next to a MARTA station, eliminates significant barriers to participation, making it easy for young people from diverse neighborhoods across Atlanta to access their programs.

For the broader Atlanta community, Moving in the Spirit serves as a vital cultural hub. Its performances are not just showcases of talent but deeply moving experiences that resonate with audiences, fostering a sense of shared emotion and understanding. By supporting or engaging with Moving in the Spirit, locals are investing in an organization that actively shapes the future leaders of Georgia, using the universal language of dance to inspire positive change and build a stronger, more connected community right here at home.

Moving in the Spirit

1458 La France Street Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30307, USA