When I was nearly 50, I started dancing with the aim of doing some kind of physical exercise and I never thought that I would end up getting to know the innovative project for solving social problems ‘Dança com Impacto’ (Dance with Impact), making new friends, performing at the Tivoli Theatre and falling in love with dance. Dance gives us tolerance for diversity and discipline, allows us to better accept each other's differences and fosters resilience.
When I learned about the Associação Ensaio d'Elogios (Association Rehearsing Compliments) project three years ago, a national private non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting sports and cultural activities in the performing arts, specifically dance, in all educational, cultural and social contexts, I was amazed.
The ‘Dance with Impact’ project aims, among other things, to increase self-esteem, self-confidence and general well-being and to promote healthier lifestyle habits. It is aimed at children and young people who fail at school and/or are absent, are socially excluded, isolated or drop out, engage in risky behaviour or live in low-income families.
The activities are designed to promote physical, mental and emotional well-being, while fostering social inclusion and community connection. The beneficiaries of ‘Dance with Impact’ can be included in regular dance classes alongside the other students at the dance school, they can take part in workshops and talks or be part of community projects.
These community projects are nothing more than initiatives that take dance to schools, old people's homes or isolated neighbourhoods. Some of these events have partners, such as IAC - Instituto de Apoio à Criança. For more specific health cases, there are also therapeutic dance sessions to help with emotional and physical recovery, using dance as a therapeutic tool.
In any case, the beneficiaries of ‘Dança com Impacto’ always have the chance to take part in shows and presentations that allow them to demonstrate their talent and progress, as is the case with the end-of-year shows organised by Jazzy Dance Studios in Lisbon and Porto.
To summarise, the ‘Dance with Impact’ project not only promotes dance as an art form, but also as a powerful tool for personal and social transformation. The project offers an inclusive and diverse platform where everyone can benefit from the many positive aspects that dance brings.
Because each person expresses themselves and dances in a unique way, it is beautiful to see that we are similar, but not the same. Dance promotes acceptance, empathy and inclusion, bringing together people of different ages, genders, backgrounds and cultures. We create new bonds in search of harmonious movement. And, above all, dance infects all those who take part or watch with joy, providing an atmosphere of happiness and well-being.
‘Dancing is never just dancing *’, dancing is a liberation of body and mind, it's a call to live in the present, to be aware of the music and the movement of our bodies. With each step we challenge ourselves, we learn new things, it's always a unique experience, an unforgettable moment and constant learning.
An association in the USA, The Wooden Floor (TWF), helps young people, mainly of Hispanic descent, reach their full potential through dance and has a 12-year track record of 100 per cent university enrolment among its students. At the heart of TWF's programme are highly disciplined ballet and modern dance classes, based on an eight- to 10-year commitment from students and their families to attend the dance school.
Dance is also an act of sharing, where we share our feelings and emotions with others. Through dance we meet new and different people and take a significant step in our personal growth. Movement helps people change their perspective and opens up conversations, increasing their potential for success, says Jennifer Bassage Bonfil, a dance teacher since 2006: ‘Students express emotions through dance, including school-related frustrations.’
A 2019 study by the Brookings Institution in Houston public schools found that a group of students who received greater access to arts education experiences saw improvements in academic, social and emotional outcomes. Local arts and cultural institutions have the power to help promote equity and inclusion within and between communities, incubating talent and improving health and educational/professional outcomes.
Dancing is much more than just movement; it's a powerful way to connect, learn and grow. By dancing, we not only hone our physical skills, but also enrich our spirit and soul. Each dance tells a story, expresses an emotion and allows us to live intensely in the present moment. Dance is undoubtedly a celebration of Life in all its forms.
* quote made by Álvaro Lopes, founder of Jazzy Dance Studios and Associação d'Elogios, in his motivational speech before the 2024 end-of-year show at the Tivoli BBVA Theatre with around 600 student dancers, more than 40 classes of different styles (ballet, hip-hop, salsa, funk, contemporary dance, pop dance, jazz, etc.).
