ABOUT THIS PROGRAM

This 10-month long program is carefully designed to provide a safer space for students of color to learn and grow in a dance studio environment. We strive to share a program where students build self-confidence, are eager to learn from their teachers and foster positive engagement with their peers.

Before enrolling into the program, students and families should carefully consider this commitment in light of academic and other activities. All students have the opportunity to participate in performances. Full participation is important as students prepare for their end-of-semester performances and for overall personal growth and team building. 

History of the BIPOC Youth Dance Program (written by Mia O’Connor-Smith):

This seed was planted out of the need in my community. In 2017 I got a call from a mother that got my number from my former teacher Steve Gonzalez. We worked together to build a program and in April 2017 we spread the word to our community. I began with 30 students and since the genesis of this program it has impacted many more families. In 2019 students performed at Headwaters Theater with grant support from the Regional Arts and Culture Council. Steps PDX was the last place I rented studio space from. They appreciated what I was doing and wanted to implement the program into the school as well as provide funding support. I taught for their non-profit, Steps for Youth, at a Youth Day of Dance event and in March 2022 we launched the BIPOC Youth Dance Program serving 30 children. During the 2022/2023 school year, the program has increased to 42 students, 3 teachers and multiple dance styles (Ballet, Creative Movement and Tap). It is beautiful!

*Note: This program will be a combination of Ballet, Creative Movement, and Tap.

TUITION & OTHER FEES

  • Sliding Scale $200, $400 or $600 per student for the full 10-month program. Option to pay in full or monthly.

  • Costume fee $100

*This program is partially funded by grants and donations. To help continue making dance accessible to students of all backgrounds, follow this link to make a tax-deductible donation! 

 

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS

 

Jill Giedt is a passionate creative with a focus on movement, dance and cultural exploration. She holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Directing. Jill taught, directed and choreographed musical theatre for over a decade at Park Academy. She currently teaches at Portland Public Schools through community outreach with OBT and is a resident artist with Young Audience where, through creative movement, she teaches a program that honors the African American experience and the lessons of resilience. In her youth, Jill was a member of the American Contemporary Ballet Company where she trained with Elizabeth Abts. She also studied and performed African dance with Obo Addy.

 

Karida Griffith Walker grew up training in a variety of dance styles in Portland, OR, primarily with local legend, Sally Mack. After finishing her business degree at New York University, Karida actively pursued her professional dance career. Highlights include: The Radio City Rockettes, Cirque du Soleil, The Tony Awards, Today Show, recurring appearances on HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, European tour of Black & Blue, and the critically-acclaimed Tap dance company, Dorrance Dance. As an educator and choreographer, Karida has worked in a variety of settings including Pace University as an adjunct professor, Broadway Dance Center in NYC, the Children’s Theatre Company of NY, for Festivals & Conventions, and in a variety of wonderful recreational & competitive local dance studios. Karida also provides choreography, in-school residencies, and lectures about Tap Dance History in the public school setting for students of all ages. Karida founded The Tap Teachers’ Lounge in 2018, a comprehensive online training program for Tap Dance educators. And in 2020, Karida began offering seminars about Race & Dance History to public and private institutions. She also founded the Roots, Rhythm, Race & Dance program, a six-week professional development program which helps dance educators (from all styles & educational settings) to confidently introduce age-appropriate lessons around race and dance history to their students.

 

Adrianna Audoma is a Portland based dance artist with 20 years of dance experience, ranging from classical ballet training to highly athletic contemporary modern work to various improvisational studies. Adrianna has been a collaborative member of Tongue Dance Project since 2016 and is currently an Alembic Resident at Performance Works Northwest. Adrianna has been teaching dance to children of all ages for 9 years and has been a part of the Step PDX family since 2017.