often lacked growth potential, per- petuating a cycle of financial instability for teachers. With the help of our friend and c olleague Styles Alexander, who was instrumental in shaping the early vision of the program—initially imagined as a platform for festivals and youth programs—we officially launched Bodies of Empowerment in 2021 as a free dance class initiative.
FOSTERING INCLUSIVITY THROUGH DIVERSE STYLES
One of the things that makes Bodies of Empowerment unique is its commit- ment to showcasing diverse dance styles, thereby fostering inclusivity by challeng- ing the dominant racist focus on Euro- centric dance forms. We offer instructors from various dance communities oppor- tunities to teach styles such as Umfun- dalai, hip-hop, vogue, intergenerational dance, drag theater, and more— creating a broad spectrum of experiences within a single program. This not only reflects the diversity of dance in the Bay Area, but also allows participants to engage with movements and traditions they may not have had access to otherwise. Classes are offered at different levels from Begin- ning to Advanced, and oftentimes classes are “All Levels.” Our hope is to create a space where people can try a new style of dance without expectations or judg- ment. Our all-level classes welcome everyone from professional dancers to complete beginners, fostering an envi- ronment where learning with each other, being present in your body, and shar- ing the experience of discovery are what matter most. EMPOWERING TEACHERS AND BUILDING SUSTAINABLE SUPPORT NETWORKS Our approach also empowers our guest teachers by involving them in market- ing decisions, contract drafting, and editing. This ensures that our teachers have autonomy in shaping a welcoming space for their communities and helps create an environment where they feel supported.
PULL QUOTE: PULL QUOTE: SOME STUDIOS OFFERED PAY STRUCTURES AS LOW AS $5 PER STUDENT WITH NO BASE RATE, MAKING EARNINGS CON- TINGENT ON SELF-PROMOTION AND POPULARITY.
Momo Akrami’s class
We are so grateful to all the partici- pants, teachers, and community mem- bers who have supported us on this journey. Without their passion, dedi- cation, and energy, Bodies of Empow- erment would not be what it is today. Together, we’ve proven that when dance is made available to all, it has the power to change lives. Come take class for free! Visit us at boe.dance for all of our classes and ways to support! SHAREEN DERYAN rreceived her initial training at Ballet Arts Academy in Spokane, WA, continuing at LINES Ballet in San Francisco. As a freelance dancer she has danced for companies like Kristin Damrow & Company and Kinetech Arts, performing also with Fullstop Dance, Mud Water Theatre, Bellwether Dance, ZiruDance and Rawdance. Currently Shareen is in her seventh year of dancing for Jennifer Perfilio Movement Works. Alongside co-directing BOE, she also owns a Reiki and sound healing practice. KRISTIN DAMROW is a San Francisco-based contemporary choreographer, director, and educa- tor. She founded Kristin Damrow & Company ( KDC) in 2013, earning award nominations for her choreography and visual design. KDC has since expanded to programs like BOE and the artist commissioning Merde Project. Her work blends design theory, movement, scenic elements, and sound, creating immersive experiences. She has taught in the Bay Area for 15 years and nationally at leading institutions.
to raise the standard for how dance educa- tors are compensated and, in doing so, ele- vate the value of dance classes themselves.
THE ROLE OF FUNDING AND
LOOKING AHEAD For the past three years, Bodies of Empowerment has been sustained in part
Maurya Kerr’s class
Kristin Damrow
we intentionally don’t push for them, knowing that for many of our par- ticipants, having the ability to dance without financial strings attached is absolutely crucial. Dance should never be out of reach because of a person’s income level—that’s something we hold at the core of our mission. “Free” does come with some com- plexity. While we are committed to offering free access to dance, we also believe in the value of dance classes themselves. In many fitness and well- ness spaces, the cost of a class can be double what you might pay for a dance class, despite the fact that dance requires just as much (if not more) skill, expertise, and physical effort. By paying our instructors fairly, we aim
divides. The dance world has long been criticized for its exclusivity, where access to classes and opportu- nities is often limited by one’s finan- cial status. Bodies of Empowerment seeks to dismantle these barriers by offering dance classes at no cost. Offering free classes is a beau- tiful thing, but it’s not without its financial challenges. For each Bod- ies of Empowerment class, we spend almost $500 per class: $175 to pay our instructors, $100 for space rental and insurance, and $200 in admin- istrative costs (even with donating some of our own time). That adds up quickly, especially when the goal is to keep these classes free for partici- pants. While we do accept donations,
by portions of Kristin Damrow & Com- pany’s (BOE’s parent company) Cali- fornia Arts Council General Operating Grant. However, as those funds are now nearly exhausted and unable to fully meet the growing needs of our commu- nity, we find ourselves seeking new sup- port to continue this vital work. As our program continues to grow, we are committed to expanding our impact, reaching even more partici- pants, and creating a lasting legacy of inclusivity and empowerment in the dance world. But we cannot do this alone. We are actively seeking addi- tional funding and partnerships to ensure that Bodies of Empowerment remains a sustainable and accessible resource for all.
Many of our teachers work across the Bay Area and beyond, extending the reach of BOE by connecting partic- ipants to their other non-BOE classes. This network amplifies their impact and creates sustainable support sys- tems for those needing ongoing dance classes or community resources. As a result, Bodies of Empowerment fosters long-term engagement in the dance world and contributes to the growth of strong, supportive networks for dancers in the Bay Area. THE REAL COST OF FREE CLASSES A diverse, inclusive dance scene enriches our culture, fostering cre- ativity and collaboration that tran- scends socioeconomic and cultural
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WINTER 2025 in dance 57
In Dance | May 2014 | dancersgroup.org
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