Dissonance Dance Theatre Dancers With Cynthia Gauthier, Super Bowl Choreographer
Community Outreach
Dance as a vehicle for change — in the studio, on the stage, and in the streets.
At Ngoma Center for Dance, we believe the impact of the arts extends far beyond the performance stage. Our community outreach work is rooted in a simple but powerful conviction: that Black and Brown communities deserve equitable access to the arts — not as an afterthought, but as a fundamental right.
Through Dissonance Dance Theatre and The Ngoma School, we bring professional-caliber dance experiences directly to the communities we serve. Our teaching artists provide free classes to youth and perform in partnership with nonprofit organizations throughout the Washington, D.C. area, ensuring that cost is never a barrier to experiencing the transformative power of dance.
Where We’ve Shown Up
Ngoma has been proud to bring the art of dance to stages and spaces across the DMV, including health expos, community conferences, wellness events, cultural celebrations, scholarship forums, and civic gatherings. From the halls of Howard University to the stages of the Lincoln Theater, Ngoma has consistently used dance to amplify the voices of communities that matter.
DDT Dancer Damon Foster, dances for the Former Mayor Vincent Gray, at a Kwanza Celebration.
Bringing the Community Together on Stage
One of our proudest outreach milestones was the community production ME — a landmark performance featuring Dissonance Dance Theatre, Ngoma School students, community dancers, and acclaimed hip-hop ensembles Culture Shock and Phunktions Dance Company. ME embodied what Ngoma is at its core: an organization that opens its arms wide, inviting the full community to create, perform, and celebrate together.
Pro Bono Arts Consulting
Ngoma has provided more than 600 hours of pro bono arts consulting to Black dance organizations locally and nationally, helping emerging arts entities build stronger, more equitable foundations. Organizations served span Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and Texas — reflecting Ngoma’s commitment to a rising tide that lifts all boats in the dance community.
Our Reach Is Growing
Community engagement is not a program at Ngoma — it is woven into everything we do. From mentorship and youth showcases to media appearances and collaborative performances, Ngoma continues to deepen its presence across the Greater Washington, D.C. area. We remain committed to meeting our communities where they are and using dance to inspire, connect, and uplift. In keeping with its mission of developing a diverse community of artists, Dissonance Dance Theatre is now a member of the International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD).
Students in Outreach Workshop