The Largest and Most Diverse Dance Company in Washington, DC

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 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 as elite dancers while providing outreach to disadvantaged DC youth.

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 Thomas Ford. They commissioned the choreographers to create original works for the show and 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 when the Executive Director, Janice Hill, requested that CMI establish itself as “The Resident Dance Company” for the Theatre.

By the end of August of that year, Amber and Stephanie realized that it was time to form a 501 (c)(3) organization so they could not only create performance opportunities, but offer monetary and program scholarships to students in need. They wanted to reach out to community organizations and schools in need of arts programs to impact the lives of young people directly. CMI has made it possible for more than 3000 young people and 100 senior citizens to patronize their annual dance concert free of charge. We have also taught classes, camps, and workshops for more than 600 children in all wards of the District of Columbia and offered more than $15,000.00 in monetary and program scholarships.

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:

• Directing the 2009 WNBA Washington Mystics Dance Team
• Featured performance group for the 2009 Childhood Obesity Prevention Summit
• Headliner for the 2009 DC Hip Hop Festival
• Invited to perform at the 2007 and 2008 Children’s Charities Foundation Annual “Basket Ball Gala”
• Performed at the 2008 DC Dance Festival
• Performed at the 2008 Metro DC Dances Concert at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre
• Directed the 2006-2008 NBA Washington Wizards Junior Dance Team (now known as “the Capitol Kidz”). We will direct them again for the 2009-2010 season
• 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
• 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 and 2008 Grant Recipients from the NFL Professional Athletes Foundation

Now in our fifth season, CMI has become a multi-faceted organization and our attentions have been focused on DC’s disadvantaged youth. 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 skilled in all techniques to experience all forms of dance. Our performance company reflects this vision with a cast of more than 80 dancers, making us the largest and most diverse dance company and outlet for dancers in Washington, DC. Ages range from 8 to 46.