The Dance Project

- 8020 Grand River Ave #300, Brighton, MI 48114

Serving the communities of Brighton, Howell, and greater Livingston County, The Dance Project stands as a unique and impactful organization dedicated to fostering positive social dancing. Founded with a clear mission to address the culture of social dancing in schools, The Dance Project has evolved into a comprehensive non-profit that provides dance education to students of all ages. It is much more than a typical dance studio; it’s an outreach program and a community builder that uses the joy of dance as a vehicle for positive change. By focusing on teaching styles like swing dancing to popular music, the organization provides a structured, safe, and fun alternative to unstructured and sometimes problematic dance environments. This approach has resonated deeply with parents, school administrators, and students alike, who appreciate the emphasis on respect, etiquette, and wholesome fun.

Since its inception in 2008, The Dance Project has made a significant mark on the local landscape. The organization has served thousands of students across dozens of schools in multiple Michigan counties. They have not only taught dance steps but have also helped to establish and support student-led swing dancing clubs, creating self-sustaining communities of positive dancers. Their work extends from individual lessons to hosting large-scale community dances that bring together students from various schools in a celebratory, chaperoned, and safe environment. The music is carefully curated to be clean and upbeat, ensuring a fun and appropriate atmosphere for all attendees. The Dance Project’s commitment to providing an affordable and accessible service is a core part of its mission, ensuring that their programs are available to as many people as possible. Their unique focus on swing dancing makes them a distinctive presence in the local dance scene, offering a skill that is both enjoyable and practical for social settings. This combination of community focus, educational mission, and unique dance style sets The Dance Project apart as a valuable resource for families in the region.

The Dance Project is located at 8020 Grand River Ave #300, Brighton, MI 48114, USA. This location places it in the heart of Brighton, making it easily accessible for residents of Livingston County and surrounding areas. Brighton’s central position, with its proximity to major highways, ensures a convenient drive for students and families coming from various communities. The organization’s commitment to accessibility is evident in its facilities, which include a wheelchair-accessible car park. This feature is a crucial part of their mission to be an inclusive resource for everyone in the community. While the physical address serves as a base for many of their operations, a significant portion of The Dance Project’s work takes place in schools and community centers throughout lower Michigan. This mobile and outreach-focused model allows them to reach a broader audience and directly impact the dance culture in a variety of settings. The accessibility and reach of their programs are a testament to their dedication to their mission, ensuring that their positive influence extends far beyond a single location.

The services offered by The Dance Project are centered on social dancing and educational outreach, distinguishing them from traditional dance studios that focus on competitive or performance-based styles. Their approach is designed to be highly adaptable and impactful across different settings.

• School Instructional Programs: The Dance Project partners with schools to teach students how to swing dance to popular, clean music. These programs are often integrated into school events or as part of a physical education curriculum.
• Community Dances: The organization hosts regular public dances for teens and young adults. These events are designed to provide a safe, fun, and chaperoned environment for social interaction and dancing. They often include a lesson at the beginning to help newcomers feel comfortable.
• Wedding Dances: While their primary focus is on social dancing for youth, they also offer lessons for couples preparing for their first dance, as well as father-daughter and mother-son dances.
• Student and Parent-led Planning: The organization encourages students and parents to be actively involved in planning community dances and events, fostering a sense of ownership and community.
• Swing Dancing Clubs: The Dance Project helps to foster the growth of student-led swing dancing clubs in schools and communities, providing a continuous outlet for students to practice and share their skills.

The Dance Project is a truly unique organization in the Michigan dance landscape, and its features and highlights reflect its distinct mission and community focus.

• Non-Profit Status: As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, The Dance Project’s mission is centered on community benefit rather than commercial gain. This allows them to keep event admission costs low and provide services to schools at affordable rates.
• Focus on Positive Dancing: The core mission is to “change the culture by promoting positive dancing,” which provides a clear and valuable alternative to the kind of dancing often seen at school and social events.
• Community Outreach: The organization’s extensive work in schools and community centers is a major highlight, demonstrating a broad and meaningful impact far beyond a single location. They have served students in over 75 different schools and 9 different counties.
• Experienced and Dedicated Leadership: The organization is led by individuals with a clear vision and passion for their mission, who have built a strong reputation of trust and integrity with area families and educational establishments.
• Student Leadership and Empowerment: The Dance Project empowers students to take on leadership roles by planning events and teaching others, fostering valuable life skills in addition to dance.
• Wheelchair-Accessible Car Park: The accessibility feature at their physical location ensures that all members of the community can participate in their programs and events.

For those interested in learning more or getting involved with The Dance Project, you can contact them directly. The phone number is (248) 420-2826, and the mobile phone number is +1 248-420-2826. The physical address is 8020 Grand River Ave #300, Brighton, MI 48114, USA. Their website also provides a wealth of information about their mission, upcoming events, and how to get involved. The best way to stay informed about their events and workshops is to follow their online presence and join their email distribution list, which is supported by thousands of local families.

Choosing The Dance Project is a decision to support a community-focused mission that goes beyond simple dance instruction. While other studios in the area may focus on ballet or competitive dance, The Dance Project offers something fundamentally different: the chance to learn a social skill that promotes respect, confidence, and positive interaction. The organization’s unique model of teaching swing dancing to popular music provides an accessible entry point for students who might not be interested in more traditional dance forms. This focus on making dance fun and relevant to modern social life is a significant reason why it is a worthwhile choice. Parents can rest assured that their children are learning in a safe and chaperoned environment, with clean music and a focus on positive values. The non-profit status of The Dance Project also means that every dollar contributes directly to their mission of community outreach and education. By choosing to attend a community dance or engage with their school programs, local residents are not just learning to dance; they are becoming part of a movement to change the culture and promote healthy, respectful, and joyful social interactions for young people in Michigan and beyond. The lasting impact of their work, from fostering swing dance clubs to influencing dance policy at the collegiate level, showcases that this organization is not just about a single class, but about building a better, more positive community for the long term.

The Dance Project

8020 Grand River Ave #300, Brighton, MI 48114, USA