Moving Together Dance Series

Are you up for a dance challenge or maybe just want to learn some new moves?

You can dance with the “Moving Together” Dance Series - a high-energy hip-hop/urban contemporary dance program created by award-winning choreographer and teaching artist Robert Gilliam and funded by the Ed Foundation’s For The Arts endowment.

This online program is a true celebration of movement, self-expression and creativity. You will cover the foundations of hip-hop dance through to the current street styles of today, along with a warm-up, a stretch/flexibility session, and two master classes taught by professional dancers Kim Borgaro and Ceylon Harris from OTE Dance Studio. Borgaro teaches a high-energy Jazz class and Harris offers her popular Acro 4 Dance.

“Moving Together” is offered in two different modules: beginner and intermediate. Both programs are open to all levels and abilities. You’ll even see that some videos are in both levels. No dance experience needed!

Beginner - “We Move”

Seven different lessons designed for beginner dancers, but open to everyone! Two of these dances were created with the goal of bringing the family together for a fun movement experience. It’s Mr. Robert’s intention to share the early hip-hop days of celebrating with family through dance.

Intermediate - “U Move”

This module steps it up a level and gives you the tools to move at a higher level and speed. The moves can be used in freestyles or combined to create a performance piece.

By clicking on the links to watch the videos, you agree to the following statement: I acknowledge and agree that Santa Monica Education Foundation has no responsibility or liability for my or my child’s participation in the dance videos being provided. I acknowledge that injury may occur as the result of participating in any sport/activity. I hereby assume that risk for myself and my child(ren) participating in the dance activity in full and with full knowledge of the risks inherent in such sports/activities. I hereby hold harmless the Santa Monica Education Foundation, its employees, agents, and volunteers involved at any level of organizing the sport/activity, from any and all claims or liabilities, whether direct or indirect, for any and all, bodily injury and/or property damage arising out of or resulting from my or my child’s participation in the sports/activity, as a participant or a spectator, including any travel to and from such activities. I assume the full risk and responsibility for any such injury. I have read this statement completely, and I understand its contents.

About Robert Gilliam

Robert Gilliam is an internationally acclaimed choreographer, master teaching artist, and the director of Artist Collective, a non-profit organization that provides high-quality K-12 arts education throughout Los Angeles. He also serves as the Director of Creative Community International, which offers art programs for at-risk youth around the world. He is the co-owner of On The Edge (OTE) Dance Studio in Culver City.

Gilliam started as a street dancer in South Los Angeles as a member of the Wave Masters Crew. After high school, he turned down football scholarships to pursue his real passion - dance. Robert received a dance scholarship from California Institute of the Arts and was the recipient of the Lester Horton Choreography Award. He has since been recognized for his work by the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and the James Irvine Foundation commission. He has received two dance Chancellor’s Awards and has been voted best jazz dance instructor by Los Angeles Magazine.

Gilliam’s original choreography has been performed by professional dance companies and at dance festivals around the world, including Japan, South Africa, London, France, Brazil, and Mexico. He was the first American artist to set a Jazz/Hip Hop piece at the Shanghai Opera House and has worked with the National Song and Dance Ensemble and the Beijing Opera House of China. Before shifting to train dancers at OTE Dance Studio, he was on faculty with Oregon Ballet Theatre, Lula Washington Dance Theatre, Reed College, College of the Canyons, Inland Northwest Dance Association, Lauridsen Ballet Center, and Dance Educators of America. Additionally, he served for eight years as a Master Teaching Artist for the Music Center Education Division, which is the second-largest arts education provider in the country. For the past 11 years, Robert has produced “Moving Beyond Walls,” a 10-week residency dance program for juvenile detention centers and behavioral clinics throughout LA County. Gilliam’s professional work and community-based projects have been funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, The Dana Foundation, United States Embassy Panama, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, MetLife Foundation, Department of Cultural Affairs, Playa Vista Education Foundation, Rose Hills Foundation, and the Santa Monica Education Foundation.