Giving Tuesday – Liberated Movement Kicks Off Campaign with Class

When I lost my day job at the height of the financial crisis and could not get a job, dancing was the only thing that kept me sane. It also broke the bank. Dance classes in the city add up fast at nearly $20 each. I eventually got a job and paid off the debt, but I remember the feeling of not being able to afford dance classes.

Six years ago I started teaching ballet at Liberated Movement, New York City’s only donation based dance studio. I have been really proud to help the studio grow and watch my students blossom. I’ve also made some wonderful friends.

As a donation based dance studio, (suggested donation is $10) we are supported solely by our student donations. We hold two fundraisers a year to help fund our mission to provide open level classes from a place of joy not judgement that are financially and socially accessible to students of all levels. We want to keep our classes donation based because we understand how expensive dance classes can be in the city. Dancers are the lowest paid of any art form, yet taking class can’t be sacrificed if dancers want to stay in working shape.

Giving Tuesday is the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, and is an international day of giving to charities at the start of the holiday season as a response to the consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It’s a way for all of us to give back to charities in need.

~Sarah

Please see the Classes page for my current teaching schedule. I’d love to see you at the barre!