ABOUT

[to see more of our work, visit our YouTube Channel]

Rhythmically Speaking is a Twin Cities-based 501(c)3 nonprofit dance organization with a | MISSION | to spark vibrancy and connectedness through jazz and American social dance ideas. Using the rhythm that is at our shared human core to groove together, the | VISION | of our work – since our founding in 2008 – has been cultivating vibrant, embodied human connection in the Twin Cities and beyond. Our creative work emphasizes the concepts of groove, interaction and improvisation – key among  jazz and American social dance forms including hip-hop styles and tap – and is inspired by both social and concert dance movement and driven by classic and contemporary jazz music alike.

We | VALUE |:

• Access: Everyone can groove to a beat, and should have opportunities to do so with others
• Inclusiveness: Grooving together socially builds community
• Diversity: We are committed to engaging people in the ongoing conversation around redefining jazz and American social dance styles, and in this unity in difference, which makes for vibrant art and relationships
• Equity: We prioritize rooted innovation in jazz that centers and celebrates its African diasporic roots, and position this in relationship to equity-building measures
• Resourcefulness: Improvising with the tools at hand
• Playfulness: Not just for kids!
• Joy: An important human emotion we feel is far too underrated in capital A Art

Touted by Dance Magazine as “revitalizing jazz dance in the Twin Cities area,” we are the only organization in Minnesota and one of few in the nation dedicated to creating, presenting and conducting outreach work inspired by jazz and other American social dance ideas including tap, hip-hop styles, and many others. From our co-founding by Erinn Liebhard and Heather P. Westerlund in 2008 through our 10th anniversary in 2018, our programming focus was an annual production that featured 7-9 dance works by different line-ups of mostly local and some visiting artists each year who each had their own casts, celebrating the breadth of what ‘jazz and American social/ vernacular’ ideas in dance can mean.

After 10 successful years of this model, we decided to innovate around our core mission in 2019 by shifting our programming to include performance and education-based outreach work and regular training and performance opportunities in a company model for local dancers. We produce two evening-length productions per year, one in the Winter featuring the work of Artistic and Executive Director Erinn Liebhard and the other in the Summer, which continues to offer a presenting platform to local and visiting choreographers creating jazz and American social dance-inspired works for the stage, and since 2022, for the screen as well. We also conduct a variety of education-based outreach work for K-12, older adult, professional dance and general populations, and tour performances to other parts of Minnesota and beyond.

We acknowledge that our work occurs on Dakhóta Oyáte lands, and honor with gratitude the land itself and the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations. We also acknowledge that as a company built around jazz and American social dances, forms with African diasporic roots and branches, anti-racism and intersectional justice efforts must also be central in our work. We view bettering these efforts as an ongoing journey, and welcome you to read more about this at our Anti-Racism page.

 

| WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING | :

• “What a truly amazing show you have put together! It brings all the parts about jazz dance that make it so unique – it’s sense of community, the essence of cool, the communicative use of call and response, the improvisational elements, and of course it’s connection to the music! You and the roster of guest choreographers have put together something so magical, it had me moving and grooving in my seat, not to mention wishing I was on that dance floor!” – Crystal Secor, Audience Member for The Cohort (2019)
• “I am so glad that I got to know you this summer/work with you. Seriously, keep doing what you are doing. You have a great mission, amazing work ethic, and you are creating some amazing opportunities for artists out there. I feel lucky to be a part of the Minnesota family.” – Rohan Bhargava, Choreographer for The Cohort (2019)
• “Saw this last night… it was fantastic! There’s so much diversity with the various dances and music. I loved how some dancers shared insights into their creative process/motivation using spotlight/ voiceovers. I also loved the live JAZZ. It all flowed effortlessly! Thanks performers for a great evening.” – Colleen Schaefer, Audience Member
• “Congrats on a wonderful performance! It was lush, polished and generous. It was clear from the opening curtain speech the love, care and passion that was poured into the evening.” – Carl Flink, Dept. of Theater Arts and Dance, University of Minnesota
• “Thank you Rhythmically Speaking for your support of rhythm-based choreographers and your work to bring this diverse community of unique and passionate artists together.” – Karla Grotting, Past RS Choreographer
• “Erinn was very interactive and had great questions that made our residents think about how to engage with jazz music and dance. I think residents would benefit from more of this kind of interactive programming! We hope to have Rhythmically Speaking back again soon.” – Molly Stoltz, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Sholom Home West Senior Care
• “Thank you so very much for the great experience this past week. From start to finish, the show was run impeccably. You have a truly fantastic thing going here. The show is eclectic, professional, and currently provides a vital foray into otherwise uncharted territory in this community. Bravo. You’ve allowed me to continue a crucial aspect of my personal technical and creative journey, and present that to an audience. Thank you again for a fantastic experience.” – Jeffrey Peterson, Past RS Choreographer