Founded in 1999, CMDance strives to build healthy, thriving communities through world-class arts education programs that bring the global culture of both solo and partnered vernacular dancing to youth and adults.
Increase access to dance experiences enriching the lives of children and community members.
Our History
P- In 1999, Community-Minded Dance founder and executive director Caryn Carrasco found herself enveloped in the cultural revival of American swing music and dance. Frankie Manning and Norma Miller, swing dancing legends from Harlem’s Savoy Ballroom, traveled to cities around the world, bringing the spirit and movement of America’s roots to a new generation.
Our executive director and founder has been Firsthand the bonds of social dance can build.
Her parents met while dancing at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom in 1955, and she has spent her life meeting new faces and forming relationships thru dances like swing.
We pledge:
We will continue to retool our curriculum to amplify the crucial role diverse people and cultures have plvayed in creating the art forms we provide in our educational programs.
We at CMDance believe that Black Lives Matter, Latin Lives Matter, Indigenous Lives Matter, Asian and Pacific Islander Lives Matter, and LGBTQIA+ Lives Matter.
We recognize the pain and anger of communities of color and diverse gender orientations and would like to see an end to the systemic exclusion that has plagued this country.
We also recognize that, as a voice in the community and as a provider of arts education in Colorado, it is our responsibility to seek out and empower more diverse voices and artists, especially within the art forms originating from these communities, such as Blues, Latin, and Swing dances and music.
We are committed to creating a world where diverse people do not fear for their lives or livelihoods.
We are ever so grateful for our sponsorships and partners to make
dance dreams come true!