Recap: Ivivva Dreams Dance Convention
by Jonathan Lazatin
We’re excited to announce that we recently finalized details on an amazing collaboration between Design Dance and Ivivva for a new in-school residency coming soon to Palmer Elementary. Recently, the Ivivva community invited us to check out an event they were hosting with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago for dancers in the Chicagoland area.
In the sunlit Studio A of Hubbard Street, over 80 girls from studios across Chicagoland met for the Ivviva Dreams Dance Convention. Here, they had the opportunity to learn from some of Chicago’s most esteemed instructors in jazz, hip hop, contemporary and ballet. Ivivva and Hubbard Street hosted the convention to promote friendship and camaraderie among girls in the dance community, as well as empower girls to set goals and chase their dreams.
Ivivva (ih-vee-vah) is a word we created meant to embody the strength and beauty in all girls.
Before each session, the instructors shared their stories of struggle, hard work and success. Describing the experience, one dancer said, “Their stories were really inspiring, and they taught me a lot about my life and how my story will be different from them... I just have to work hard and try to achieve my goals.”
At the end of the day, the girls were guided through a Dream Mapping workshop where they were prompted to envision where they saw themselves in five years and what inspires them to continue pursuing their dreams. By identifying their dreams and gaining clarity of near-term and long-term goals, girls can move confidently through life with intention and drive.
The convention also fosters a sense of community among the girls around a common passion--dance. The instructors are selected for their inspiring stories that bring the dancers closer through the shared experience of dance and emotional connection. This community empowers each dancer to design lives they’re excited about and work they love.
We’re excited to grow our community and partner with Ivivva for our in-school residency this coming winter. Ivivva and Design Dance will work together to teach life skills through yoga as well as teach students to be future oriented through our dreams and goals curriculum. To learn more about our programs check out our programs page.
