Vitalidad Movement Arts Center (VMAC) Introduce
For parents in Oregon seeking a dynamic, enriching, and joyful experience for their children, the Vitalidad Movement Arts Center (VMAC) is an exceptional destination. Far more than just a dance studio, VMAC is a vibrant community hub that offers a wide array of programs for all ages, with a special focus on youth. The center’s mission is to promote happiness, vitality, and longevity through movement arts, and this philosophy is clearly evident in their children's offerings. As a professional dance school and a creative space, VMAC provides a safe and non-competitive environment for kids to explore various dance styles, from hip hop and breakdancing to ballet and flamenco. The center's children's camps and weekly classes are designed to be both educational and fun, focusing on technique, personal enrichment, and building confidence. It’s a place where kids can not only learn new skills but also build character and connect with a positive and supportive peer group.
Vitalidad Movement Arts Center is conveniently located in the heart of Portland, making it an accessible option for families across the city and surrounding areas. The address is 2648 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214, USA. Situated near the Laurelhurst and Mount Tabor neighborhoods, the studio is easy to get to, whether by car or public transportation. A key element of VMAC's commitment to inclusivity is its exceptional accessibility. The facility provides a wheelchair-accessible car park, a wheelchair-accessible entrance, wheelchair-accessible seating, and a wheelchair-accessible toilet. This ensures that the joy of movement arts is available to everyone, regardless of physical ability. The studio also features gender-neutral toilets, adding to its welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. This dedication to providing a safe and barrier-free space is a core part of the VMAC experience, ensuring that all visitors, young and old, feel respected and welcome.
The services offered at Vitalidad Movement Arts Center are extensive, catering to a wide variety of ages and interests. For children, the offerings are structured to provide a fun and comprehensive introduction to the world of movement arts.
Children's Camps: VMAC hosts various children's camps, including popular summer camps and day camp programs. These camps are designed to be both engaging and educational, often focusing on a blend of dance, theater arts, and visual arts to cater to a range of learning styles. They are a great way for kids to stay active and creative during school breaks.
Weekly Youth Classes: The center offers a wide range of weekly dance classes specifically for kids, from toddlers to teens. These non-competitive classes focus on building foundational skills, coordination, and a love for movement. Styles include Hip Hop, Breakdancing, Ballet, and more.
Private Lessons: In addition to group classes and camps, VMAC provides private lessons for youth who may want one-on-one instruction to focus on specific skills or prepare for a performance.
On-site Services: All services, from weekly classes to children's camps, are provided on-site at the well-equipped and spacious studio.
Payment Options: The center accepts credit cards and debit cards, making the registration and payment process smooth and convenient for parents.
Several key features and highlights distinguish Vitalidad Movement Arts Center and make it a standout choice for families in the Portland area. These elements contribute to the positive and transformative experiences shared by its community members.
Inclusive and Safe Environment: VMAC is a community-focused organization that identifies as LGBTQ+ friendly and a transgender safe space. The studio’s commitment to providing a zero-tolerance environment for abuse and an inclusive space for all is a major highlight, ensuring children feel secure and respected.
Diverse Ownership: The business proudly identifies as Black-owned, Latino-owned, and women-owned. This unique combination of leadership brings a rich cultural perspective to the center’s programming and fosters a diverse and representative community.
Focus on Community and Growth: Customer reviews consistently praise the supportive and welcoming culture. The studio’s instructors and ambassadors are known for their professionalism and ability to help students grow. The learning environment is centered on fun and equal attention, regardless of a child's skill level.
Variety of Classes: The extensive list of class types, from Hip Hop to Latin dance, ensures that there is a perfect fit for every child's interest. The curriculum is designed to be well-structured and educational while maintaining a fun and engaging atmosphere.
Non-Competitive Philosophy: VMAC’s non-competitive approach to youth dance classes is a significant highlight for many parents. The focus is on organic growth of movement, technique, and creative expression rather than on high-pressure competition. This allows kids to learn and build confidence at their own pace.
For those interested in learning more or enrolling a child in a camp or class, Vitalidad Movement Arts Center is easy to contact.
Address: 2648 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214, USA
Phone: (503) 327-8168
The team is known for being supportive and professional, ready to assist families with any questions they may have about the programs or registration.
What makes Vitalidad Movement Arts Center a top choice for families in the Oregon region is its holistic approach to a child’s development. The camp and youth programs are more than just a summer activity; they are an investment in a child’s creative, physical, and social well-being. As one parent noted, their child had a blast at the summer camp, which placed "a lot of emphasis on social skills and arts." The welcoming culture and positive learning environment, created by dedicated and professional instructors, are a consistent theme in the studio's excellent reputation. The fact that the studio is a certified safe space for all identities is a critical consideration for many modern families, providing peace of mind that their child is in a secure and accepting environment. The rich diversity of class offerings means a child can find a style they love, and the non-competitive philosophy ensures that the experience is about personal growth and enjoyment rather than external pressure. Whether your child is a complete beginner or already has some dance experience, VMAC provides a supportive community where they can thrive, build confidence, and discover the joy of movement. It's a place where kids can truly be themselves and find a passion for the arts, all within a vibrant and inclusive community right here in Portland.
Vitalidad Movement Arts Center (VMAC) Services
Dance School
- Adult lessons
- Advanced classes
- Beginner's classes
- Choreography classes
- Intermediate classes
- Private lessons
- Youth classes
- Zumba
- Adult Salsa Classes
- Arts Classes
- Bachata Classes
- Bachata Training
- Beginner Salsa Classes
- Belly Dance Classes In
- Bellydance Classes
- Breakdance Classes
- Choreo Classes
- Classes Private Lessons
- Dance Classes For Kids
- Dance Hip Hop
- Dance Workshop
- Drop-In Classes
- Group Private Lessons
- High Heels Dance Classes
- Hip Hop Classes
- Hip Hop dance classes
- Home Classes
- House Classes
- House Dance
- Intensive Course
- Intermediate Class
- Introductory Class
- Latin Classes
- Latin Dance
- Latin dance classes
- Learn To Belly Dance
- Movement Class
- Partner Dancing Classes
- Private Bachata Lessons
- Private Salsa Lessons
- Salsa Dance Studio
- Salsa Dancer In
- Social Dancing Event
- Solo Dances
- Special Events Dance
- Stretch Class
- Studio Rentals
- Twerk Classes
- Vogue Classes
- Weekly Class
- Zouk Classes
- Zouk Lessons
- Zumba Classes
Vitalidad Movement Arts Center (VMAC) Details
From the business
- Identifies as Black-owned
- Identifies as Latino-owned
- Identifies as women-owned
Service options
- On-site services
- Online classes
Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Amenities
- Gender-neutral toilets
Crowd
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safe space
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Vitalidad Movement Arts Center (VMAC) Photos
Vitalidad Movement Arts Center (VMAC) Location
Vitalidad Movement Arts Center (VMAC)
2648 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214, USA
Vitalidad Movement Arts Center (VMAC) Reviews
communityclassessalsazoukbachatalearnculturalambassadorsbeautifulsocial dancing
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1TL:DR This is a welcoming place to learn dance and have fun in equal measure.I've been taking zouk classes at Vitalidad for over a year and I love the learning environment and culture. The instructors, ambassadors, and students are welcoming and positive. The classes are big, but I like that because dancing with a lot of people is really helpful for learning faster. The social dances are fun and the instructors are always setting the tone for folks to dance across levels and help new folks feel welcome. I think most folks here are as excited to dance with someone just starting their journey as with someone who has years of experience. Big shout out to the ambassadors as well! Y'all rock!
July 19 · Adam ZahnI absolutely love this studio! Highly recommend it. I have been taking salsa classes for about 7 months. The teachers are very fun, supportive and professional. I also love the community that they create and support. We have regular salsa socials so I can always practice my new skills in a social setting and keep improving. I especially recommend Carolina & Jamal's class and all of the ambassadors are wonderful. Come dance with us!
June 11 · Megan PietraI’ve been taking salsa at VMAC for about 8 months. So many great things to say. The instructors are phenomenal.The studio makes dance accessible to beginners, while creating a pipeline with opportunities to help you advance and become a part of the dance community - classes with thoughtfully leveled up curriculum, workshops, the ability to join the competition team, etc. Along the way they teach you about different styles of salsa music and dance and their origin.One of my favorite things about VMAC is they’re really focused on encouraging people to go social dancing - helping dancers experience what is truly the best part of learning salsa.
June 10 · Liane O'NeillWe are a married couple, registered to enjoy a dance class together. At the beginning of the first class we were taken aback when, without asking anyone for consent, instructors informed us that we must “rotate” because there are not enough people to lead.The description of the class did not include that we have to dance with total strangers or dance alone. Yes, a partner is not required to register. So why people who made a decision to come without a partner should be expected to dance with mine? They could be practicing with other people that came alone or with instructors.Over the years, we took classes at different studios. Never before we were put in such uncomfortable situation. They won’t refund money for the rest of the session, so we either have to count our loses or announce in class that we won’t be rotating partners.The facility is clean. Parking is difficult to find.
August 05 · Luba CIt's been a little over 6 months of classes at VMAC, so I thought I would update my review.I love this dance studio.I have taken level 1 and 2 classes for Bachata, Salsa, West Coast swing and Lindy Hop classes.(Currently only offering level 1) I have been to several of their socials, VMAC instructor led workshops, (the Lead and Follow workshop is a must) workshops with world renowned dancers and I take advantage of the free Practica lesson for my classes. (Level 1 is after class, level 2 is before class) I have found all of the instructors to be incredibly knowledgeable about the history and origins of the dances they are teaching. They even have a workshop/lecture for Salsa where you have the opportunity to learn the cultural origins of the dance. In the very first Lindy Hop class each month they stress the importance of preserving the cultural integrity of the dance. VMAC makes it so clear that dance is for everyone and that everyone can feel welcome in their space to learn about, explore and enjoy other cultures without the assumption of someone's role based on race or perceived gender. That level of inclusivity is a wonderful feeling in our current world where we are being constantly torn apart based on our differences instead of coming together as a global community where our differences make us stronger together.I love that the team at VMAC are also an integral part of the Portland dance community as a whole. They are out dancing at other socials around town and participate in non-VMAC led events. They encourage you to approach them to say hello or, because all of their ambassadors and instructors have Safer Dance Spaces training, to come to them in the event someone on the dance floor is making you uncomfortable. That's community.I love what you're doing VMAC. Your studio has brought me confidence, joy, fun and laughter. I'll keep coming back to dance with you!_______________________________________________I have been having a great time at VMAC so far. I have been taking the beginners bachata and salsa classes. Of course we're all slightly awkward but I really enjoy the moderate pace of the classes and all my interactions with fellow students and teachers have been fun, relaxed and encouraging. The complimentary practica classes afterwards have been very helpful. They have a few "ambassadors" teaching the practica so you have more opportunity for one on one assistance. Some of the ambassadors are also in the classes to assist with the partner dancing. It's so helpful to have some more experienced folks helping out in class. I am really look forward to progressing in my skills and continuing classes through VMAC, but I love that it isn't a pretentious, showy, exclusive dance studio. I am learning the foundations of these beautiful dances and I feel super welcomed and comfortable learning here.
June 30 · Jennifer Mara
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