Capitol Movement: 20 Years of Dance & Empowerment
It was the moment Co-Founder Stephanie Jojokian attended a dance workshop led by the late choreographer Andre Fuentes in Los Angeles that sparked the creation of Capitol Movement. “This is the class I should have taken. This is what we need in DC,” she realized. During the class, Fuentes treated his dancers with care and compassion, as if he were creating a new piece that was an extension of himself.
In February 2005, Co-Founders Stephanie Jojokian and Amber Yancey established Capitol Movement’s multigenerational dance company, and they formed a non-profit organization in October 2006. Central to our mission is dismantling barriers to the field of dance and promoting wellbeing for women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ dancers. Our founding members brought top choreographers from New York and Los Angeles to Washington, DC, to work with the Capitol Movement Dance Company and co-create original pieces that uplift social and racial justice. In fact, Fuentes set new work on the company during its first three seasons.
Capitol Movement’s inaugural concert took place on June 10, 2006, at the historic Lincoln Theatre and featured an original cast of 45 dancers. After the concert, Janice Hill, then Executive Director of the Lincoln Theatre, requested that Capitol Movement become the resident company of the theatre. Her words still resonate today: “[Capitol Movement] represented the diversity of the people in DC, where audiences could see people who looked like them.”
Now entering its 20th season, CMI has presented concerts to over 20,000 youth, seniors, and community members, often free of charge. Our youth dance companies serve 40-45 young dancers (ages 5-17) annually through weekly open dance classes. Additionally, we have taught school-based classes, camps, and workshops for more than 5,000 children (ages 3-18) through our Dance Outreach Program.
Recent Accomplishments:
Our Spring Concert, *Homegrown*, on May 3-4, 2024, at the Fichlander Stage of Arena Stage, highlighted social issues affecting our community and nation through original works choreographed mainly by artists who began their careers in Washington, DC. These artists have performed worldwide and returned this season to mentor and set pieces for the next generation. The Free Day of Dance Friday matinee engaged 500 students from ten DC area schools.
CMI Kidz (ages 5-12) collaborated with youth dancers CheeRing of Tokyo for a cross-cultural exchange and performance at the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on April 13, 2024. CMI Kidz also performed “Girl Power” by Capitol Movement Dance Company member Marcia Smith on March 9, 2024, at the sold-out Intersections Festival at the Atlas Performing Arts Center.
CMI premiered its first-ever “DC Artist Exchange” on November 18, 2023, at the Atlas Performing Arts Center for a sold-out crowd of 300 community members. This concert advanced inclusivity in the arts, featuring performers from diverse backgrounds, including spoken word poets, painters, musicians, and outside dance companies.
Join us in our $20for20 campaign as we strive to raise awareness and secure funds to help CMI bridge the gaps between grants and sponsor donations. It’s not always easy to make funding stretch throughout the year. With your help and belief in us, we can continue Building Better Lives Through Dance for many years to come.
