A DEEPER DIVE INTO MOVEMENT ARTISTRY
Essence Movement Co. is a dance company based in Grand Rapids, Michigan that offers a non-traditional, open-style, take on dance. We focus on both commercial choreography and freestyle, with predominant influence from hip-hop and fusion experimental movement. Essence is a space for both pre-professional and hobbyists alike, creating opportunity for all different backgrounds, experience, and walks of life. We keep an emphasis on the human-dancer connection at the foundation of all we do. Our hope is to leave a lasting impact on the MidWest dance scene by changing the stigma of what the dance industry can often entail and create a community that is safe, not dominated by ego, and that taps into the deeper, transparent and authentic side of the human experience.
OUR VALUES
Your Essence is what differentiates you in all things. It speaks to something beyond the tangible. Essence stems from who you are, your character, your values, and being in tune with these components. We encourage cultivating a strong relationship to Self as it is not separate from dance, but the mere foundation of one's movement.
CURIOSITY
Aspire to understand the parts of ourselves, others, and situations in which we do not readily understand.
SELF-AWARENESS
Have the audacity to not run from the full picture or an uncomfortable truth, but instead ask questions, go deeper, and be relentlessly honest with yourself.
DISCIPLINE
Take yourself seriously. Stay consistent, keep your word to yourself, and instill a drive that is instrinct in nature.
THE COLLECTIVE
Our company consists of roughly 30 members of all different backgrounds, ethnicities, and cultures.
ELEMENTAL
Elemental is our dedicated weekly training space—an opportunity to invest in movement beyond the next performance or project. Our focus includes choreography retention, foundational training, cyphers, movement exploration, team bonding, and simply dancing for the sake of dance. Elemental prioritizes growth over output. It is a space to build skillset, explore movement, develop confidence, and cultivate the relationships that make our community stronger, keeping the joy of movement at the center.
ESSENCE COMPANY
Essence Company is our dedicated performance sector—where the tangible artistic work is created. While Elemental focuses on the development of the dancer, Essence Company focuses on execution and output. Our work takes shape through video projects, live performances, competitions, and other creative collaborations. Essence Company provides a space for dancers to apply their training, challenge themselves, and bring ideas to life.