Soaring Steps

Your First Dance Moment

noreply@blogger.com (andresra) — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 08:13:00 +0000

Here at Soaring Steps we introduce cultural dances to youth in schools and community centers.

Please share a paragraph or two with our readers and tell us when dance entered your life? Pictures are fine. You don't have to be a dance performer, student, instructor, or professional. Just one of the many people who read this blog and support young dancers.

For me it was when I was 4 years old partying with my friends and family in the living room. Normally I watched the adults dance but something inside of me changed. I felt the music and began danc with it. The feeling was amazing, I moved with freedom and joy. To this day my parents still talk about that evening. They said I danced in front of the speaker for hours!

Andres Acosta
Director, Dance Instructor
www.soaringsteps.org

Shifter

noreply@blogger.com (andresra) — Sat, 27 May 2006 03:15:00 +0000

Shifter
Originally uploaded by andresra.

Dance really is a thing of beauty and power shared by all cultures and humanity. Enjoy this picture from the 2006 Native American Powwow.

Artist a Day

noreply@blogger.com (andresra) — Thu, 02 Feb 2006 01:12:00 +0000

In a tribute to Black History Month Soaring Steps is featuring one distinguished African American artists a day. This online exhbit connects you with past and present dance figures. San Francisco Bay Area residents of all ages are invited to attend a live showcase of this project at Black History Now on Saturday Feb 18, 2006.

Soaring Steps invited to re-opening of the de Young

noreply@blogger.com (andresra) — Fri, 21 Oct 2005 04:40:00 +0000

Art & Cuture
Originally uploaded by andresra.

It was an honor to participate in the re-opening of the de Young museum last weekend. Our students from the community summer program at the African American Art and Culture Complex performed a Colombian Cumbia dance. Feel free to view a slide show of the performance.

Visit our Flickr Group!

noreply@blogger.com (andresra) — Sat, 08 Oct 2005 10:50:00 +0000

mundo imaginário
Originally uploaded by pook_art.

Soaring Steps has invited the world to share pictures that showcase young dancers. Check out this amazing collection of photos. Sign up and post one yourself, it's free!

View the Slideshow

AAACC Summer Program Thanks (Keiana)

noreply@blogger.com (andresra) — Sat, 20 Aug 2005 18:37:00 +0000

AAACC Summer Program Thanks (Keiana)
Originally uploaded by andresra.

Another thank-you card from one of our students in the Raising the Standard Summer Program!

AAACC Summer Program Thanks (Sachea)

noreply@blogger.com (andresra) — Sat, 20 Aug 2005 18:33:00 +0000

AAACC Summer Program Thanks (Sachea)
Originally uploaded by andresra.

Yesterday was the conculsion of the Raising the Standard Summer Program. Our young students performed a traditional Afro-Colombian Cumbia Dance titled “La Magdalena”. They did a superb job! This is a thank you card from one of the students.

Youth Dance Video Program

noreply@blogger.com (andresra) — Fri, 08 Jul 2005 23:38:00 +0000

When I started Soaring Steps a year ago, my goal was to bring dance into the lives of youth and families across the Bay Area. Initially, my expectations were minimal due to challenges regarding marketing, fundraising, and time restrictions. However, my expectations have changed after collaborating with Schools of the Sacred Heart and The African American Art and Culture Complex. My staff and I are currently working with youth in schools and community centers 5 days a week. We teach a variety of dance genres including African, Modern, Salsa, and Merengue.

This week we are starting a new project. A documentary video that captures a group of inner city youth learning, sharing, experiencing, and performing traditional African and Latin American dances. For the past month, I have been working with Susan Brown, a documentary video specialist. Together we have taken the time to help a select group of inner city students interested in learning more about Arts and Technology.

The students selected for this project are typical “Pre-teens.” A common misconception of their generation is the lack of dance awareness portrayed by pop culture. This is a challenge I expect to confront with this project.

As an executive project director and Soaring Steps representative, my focus will be on the components pertaining to dance education. Instead of just documenting the students receiving dance instruction, students will be exposed to the cultural and historical components of African and Latin American dances. They will attend and participate in educational arts and cultural events throughout San Francisco. After developing an understanding of these cultures students will receive instruction and guidance from professional instructors and choreographers. I am proud to be a part of this project and look forward to posting the latest developments and accomplishments on our website at http://www.soaringsteps.org.