Capitol
Movement, Inc. (CMI) established
501(c)(3) status in October 2006, but the company actually began in
February 2005. Co-Founders Amber Yancey and Stephanie
Jojokian decided that it was time to help elevate the quality
and integrity of dance training and opportunities in the District of
Columbia by producing an annual dance concert titled “The
Capitol Movement Project” (CMP). It was their dream
to create an outlet for the DC dance community to train with and perform
at the elite level.
To bring this dream
to fruition, Amber
and Stephanie
began hosting master classes, workshops and auditions with choreographers
from New York and Los Angeles like Darrin
Henson, Liz
Imperio, Lee
Martino, and locals like Adrain
Bolton and Joseph
Nontanovan. They commissioned the choreographers
to create original works for the show and to give local dancers an opportunity
to train with these professional artists and perform their works in
a concert at a prominent venue.
The inaugural concert
took place on June 10, 2006 at the historic Lincoln Theatre, with an
original cast of 45 dancers. The Lincoln Theatre quickly became a home
for the project as the Executive Director, Janis Hill, requested that
CMI establish itself as “The Resident Dance Company” for
the Theatre.
In addition to our main
concert, CMI is fulfilling part of its mission by providing local dancers
the opportunity to showcase their talents at major media events. On
August 17, 2006, CMI had the honor of performing for the 25th anniversary
gala for Radio One. The company was commissioned by Cathy Hughes, founder
and owner of Radio One, to choreograph and perform with award winning
gospel harpist Jeff Majors. Other professional credits include:
- Invited to perform with
Jazz musician Gerri Allen at the 2007 Congressional Black Caucus,
as well as commissioned to perform the opening number for their annual
gala
- Directed the 2006-2007
Washington Wizards Junior Dance Team and has been invited to direct
them again for the 2007-2008 season
- Participated in the
filming of a reality show Pilot for BET titled, "Coming up Christie"
- Performed in the 2007
DC Hip-Hop Theatre Festival at Dance Place
- 2007 Grantees from the
NFL Retired Players Association
Now in our third season,
CMI has become a multi-faceted organization. Our outreach includes:
dance scholarships, camps, classes and workshops for disadvantaged schools
and children, and arranging for DC residents of all ages to patronize
our annual dance concert free of charge. Our training program is unique
in that we encourage dancers from all techniques to experience all forms
of dance. Our performance company reflects this vision with a cast of
more than 72 dancers making us the largest and most diverse dance company
and outlet for dancers in Washington, DC. Ages range between 8 and 43.
In
addition to community outreach, CMI holds workshops
and auditions each year for intense training
and to select dancers for our annual CMP concert. Our company provides
constant opportunities whether it be company dance classes, workshops,
camps or conventions.
CMI continuously searches
for opportunities to partner with community organizations, schools and
programs to further our mission of “Dance for All”. In addition,
we endlessly search for space to rehearse for our appearances, shows
and kids programs as well as to house company classes, workshops and
auditions.