Originally posted on Feb 1, 2017.

During the 1930’s, U Street’s “Black Broadway” brought about the influence of modern dance, which ignited the rise of African American dance schools. One such school, Northeast Academy of Dance (2011 Benning Road NE), emerged in 1934 under founder Bernice Hammond. Ms. Hammond learned classical ballet from a Russian ballet teacher (the same Russian teacher that taught Mary Day – the Founder of the Washington ballet 1944) in the back of a dry cleaner.

Mastering her studies, she formed a performance ensemble called the Africano Americano, that primarily performed on the campus of Howard University (Ms. Hammonds alma mater). The Africano Americano was the first of its kind, having a repertoire ranging from classical ballet to African dance. Her school, (NAD) North East Academy of Dance became an H Street corridor landmark. Not only teaching the communities youth dance, but also etiquette and music.