Our newest local dance company is raising the "barre"!

"To dance is to be out of yourself.

Larger, more beautiful, more powerful.

This is power, it is glory on earth and it is yours for the taking."

Agnes de Mille

Dance, like music, is a universal language. Dance, however, is a language that every body can speak.

SONdance is a company of dancers who understand and embrace the power of dance to go beyond performance to serve others. To speak powerfully. To share beauty. And, to ignite the spirit.

SONdance is a new independent non-profit liturgical dance company for women and girls. The company was first launched in the summer of 2018 as G.O.L.D., Girls of Liturgical Dance, for girls who love to dance and whose families want them to be involved in meaningful activities that improve their overall health and fitness while building their characters. As soon as the word got out about G.O.L.D., women asked to dance! So, SONdance for women was formed alongside SONdance G.O.L.D.

Liturgical dance has traditionally been offered within and directed by houses of faith. Not so with SONdance. From its inception, the vision for this dance company was that of an independent dance company that crosses boundaries of denominations and traditions, embraces dancers throughout the community, and shares the beauty and power of liturgical dance unlimited by traditional structures and religious venues. Their mission is to serve - so much so that the word "performance" is not in their vocabulary. SONdance women and the parents of G.O.L.D. dancers recognize the community service and character-building program elements as valuable assets that set SONdance apart and increase its impact. One local mom shared this heartfelt feedback the night after her daughter participated in the first SONdance G.O.L.D. Trial Class:

"G.O.L.D. has already impacted (my daughter) in a joyful way!"

SONdance is a diverse sisterhood of girls and women who want to do more than dance and "perform." The company's rich dance curriculum includes instruction in a wide variety of dance types and artistic expressions that are incorporated into liturgical dance choreography: ballet, modern, mime, sign language, African and Caribbean dance, and instruments such as flags, streamers, and tambourines. That broad spectrum of artistic instruction allows girls and women to find a blissful niche and stretch beyond their comfort zones. Any girl or woman can easily find her place at SONdance. No previous dance experience is required - just a heart to learn, dance, and serve the community. Having mastered the choreography, the SONdance dancers don't keep their gifts of dance to themselves. Not only does SONdance hold its own local Showcases, but the company welcomes invitations to serve in community settings. The company seeks opportunities to serve in schools, nursing homes, homeless shelters, churches, concerts, festivals, parades, and other community celebrations.

The team of accomplished Instructor/Choreographers have a combined total of more than 200 years of dance and teaching experience. The Faculty's depth and breadth of experience drive SONdance to set high bars for technical and artistic dancer development while maintaining a commitment to meet every dancer where they are. They are compassionate, generous women who volunteer with SONdance because they consider themselves "called to dance." The Leadership Team also includes a fitness consultant from Body & Soul Fitness as well as a volunteer Chaplain. Team members are consistently at work in the community and actively serve in their local neighborhoods, schools, churches, and other non-profit organizations.

The atmosphere created by the Leadership Team intentionally embraces the whole dancer as well as the parents of girl dancers - from the facilitated "Sister Chat" sharing sessions incorporated into regular rehearsals, expert-led mini-workshops for dancers and parents, and character building class themes throughout the September to May dance class session. Internal and external "fitness" are core values of SONdance, and those values go beyond the dance studio to encourage and support dancers at home, in school, and in their faith journeys. This full-spectrum fitness commitment is reflected, for example, in the open invitation Body & Soul Fitness extends to SONdance families to participate in exercise classes at very affordable rates in convenient locations throughout the local area. Dancers' families are also able to access a range of education and support services offered by the dance company's non-profit parent organization, Venterprises, and its collaborating partner organizations.

As a non-profit organization, SONdance relies on the support of volunteers as well as donors to help make its programs affordable and accessible, including providing scholarships. Anyone interested in taking a free trial class, enrolling in SONdance, attending a Showcase, volunteering, or donating can reach the company at sondance@venterprises.org.

When music starts to play, do you always seem to have the urge to MOVE?

Have you always wanted to dance, but never thought you could?

Would you love for your daughter to experience the joy of dancing among peers and women who help her strengthen her body, mind, and spirit?

Can you see yourself serving your community through dance?

If so, SONdance is the perfect place for you.

Article by Valarie Davis, Executive Director

www.venterprises.org

Venterprises is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Silver Spring, Maryland.