CMI co-founders Amber Yancey and Stephanie Jojokian decided in 2005 that it was time to help elevate the quality and integrity of dance training and opportunities in the District of Columbia by producing an annual dance concert titled “The Capitol Movement Project” (CMP). It was their dream to create an outlet for the DC dance community to train with and perform at the elite level. Now beginning its fourth season, CMI has become a multi-faceted organization. CMI’s outreach includes dance scholarships, camps, classes, and workshops for disadvantaged schools and children, and arranging for DC residents of all ages to patronize CMI’s annual dance concert free of charge. CMI’s training program is unique in that it encourages dancers from all techniques to experience all forms of dance. CMI’s performance company reflects this vision with a cast of more than 80 dancers, with ages ranging between 8 and 45, making it the largest and most diverse dance company and outlet for dancers in Washington, DC.
It is the dream of Capitol Movement, Inc. (CMI) to assist young people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds via a scholarship program and training they can receive at CMI’s Summer Camp Intensives, Summer Convention, and outreach classes. All of these are made possible through partnerships with ‘DC Aftercare for All’ and the ‘Horizons at Maret School.’
To bring this dream to fruition, in 2005 Amber and Stephanie began hosting master classes, workshops, and auditions with choreographers from New York and Los Angeles including Darrin Henson, Liz Imperio, and Lee Martino, as well as locals like Adrain Bolton, Tony Powell, and Tim Roberts. They then commissioned the choreographers to create original works to give local dancers an opportunity to train with these professional artists. After months of auditions and rehearsals, these new works were performed at the 1st Annual Capitol Movement Project at the historic Lincoln Theatre in the heart of the U Street corridor.