transcenDANCE Youth Arts Project

transcenDANCE offers a three-tiered program model:CONNECT, CREATE, CONTRIBUTE. transcenDANCECONNECTSto youth and communities through in-school and out-of-school time dance classes, artist-in-residency programs, community arts work in public spaces, and outreach performances. Through the CREATE Performance Group, youth ages 9-18 years engage in rigorous dance training, are immersed in a social change and social emotional learning curriculum, and have access to holistic wraparound services. transcenDANCE alumniCONTRIBUTEthrough performances, teaching and choreography assistantships and paid roles, and mentoring of incoming students, and are eligible for college scholarships. 2023 HIGHLIGHTS CONNECT programs: Overall through CONNECT in 2023, served 1,740 students. Held onsite dance classes each week throughout the year. Partnered with 15 schools in Lemon Grove and Central San Diego to provide school-year dance education residencies. Engaged 3 new community partners. Through 9 sessions, intergenerational participants turned 4 local parks into safe, fun summer dance spaces led by our Teaching Artists with the City of San Diego Parks After Dark program. One TEDx summer performance showcasing the poetry and dance talents of CREATE teens at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center. CREATE Programs: 3 CREATE Performance Groups of 45 students held 3 performances at the Joan Kroc Theatre for over 1,000 audience members 350+ program hours provided mental health services, a rich curriculum on cultural preservation, leadership development, and college readiness support for high school seniors, in addition to dance and performing arts 54 students attended an intensive Summer CREATE session, with 225 hours of dance, drumming, visual art, poetry, storytelling sessions, and an August performance. Youth Leadership Team expanded to support 8 roles, as CREATE leaders and summer camp assistants. CONTRIBUTE Programs: 18 leadership positions for teens and alumni over the summer as choreographers, performers, teaching artists, and staff assistants 10 alumni performed at the New Childrens Museum week-long residency 8 college scholarships for over $24,650 were given to program alumni