Changing lives through the power of dance

Danceable! was founded by two remarkable dance instructors who live in Boston: Afro-Haitian dancer, Jean Appolon and Brazilian Samba dancer, Rachelzinha (Hah-kel-ZEEN-ya). Both have been dancing professionally, leading dance classes, and both are involved in youth dance programs in Haiti and Brazil respectively.  These programs provide professional level instruction as well as a safe haven and hope for some very talented young dancers.

"My family’s lives changed," says Maria Erilma da Silva, a mother of two girls in Rio's dance program 'Espaço Aberto' (open space). She lists a whole series of transformations, from changes in eating and personal hygiene habits to "the security of knowing where my daughters are".

The Danceable! Movement is about using dance to improve the lives of children

Danceable! was developed to support the work of youth dance programs in Brazil and Haiti. What is unique about Danceable! is that you can have a direct impact on these kids and this work simply by joining our dance classes.

"For me if it wasn't for dance, for real, I would be dead.  During the disaster (earthquake) I spent one entire day under the rubble of my family home. in order to survive I remembered what I had learned in dance. How to breathe and how to place my body.  I love dance and will always continue to love dance.  The earthquake is not going to prevent us from becoming artists." - dance student in Port-au Prince's dance program 'Janbe'

As these two dance programs in Haiti and Brazil evolve, they have expanded into other educational functions, such as tutoring and English. It is also became necessary to provide food for the students, because many of them were undernourished and had poor eating habits. Dance is a physical language, and it is essential for dancers to be in excellent physical condition and practice good hygiene, such as regularly brushing their teeth. Another cost is subsidising transportation, because some children live in the distant outskirts of the city and often cannot afford the bus fare.

Our goal is to attract over 1,000 subscribers to Danceable to fully fund these two programs for young dancers in Haiti and Brazil.