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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Nicole Touzien, Executive Director of Dancewave
4:54:39
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148 sec
Nicole Touzien, Executive Director of Dancewave, testified about the organization's efforts to increase accessibility to dance education and performance training for youth across New York City. She highlighted Dancewave's programs that provide equitable access to dance education, including initiatives that address financial barriers and bring dance training to underserved communities.
- Dancewave's keystone program brings together youth from 50 NYC public schools for dance and performance training with professional choreographers.
- The organization provides free and low-cost access to over 500 young artists annually at the Dancewave Center.
- Dancewave Through College and Beyond program helps high school students navigate the college search process for dance programs, facilitating $1,000,000 in scholarships annually.
Nicole Touzien
4:54:39
Chair Rivera, Chair Joseph, members of the committee and staff, thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony on behalf of Dance Wave where I serve as executive director.
4:54:49
Dance Wave is intentional with its efforts to increase accessibility to dance.
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We explicitly name equitable access as part of our mission, vision, and core values, and we also back this promise through focused action.
4:55:03
I'll use my time to share some examples for your awareness and continued advocacy.
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Our keystone program brings together youth across 50 New York City public schools for cutting edge dance and performance training with professional choreographers.
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We provide free and low cost access to over 500 deserving and under resourced young artists each year at the Dance Wave Center through city and private investments.
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While we focus heavily on financial accessibility, we acknowledge that inequity takes many shapes and that there are other barriers to participation.
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With NEA funding, we piloted a community company program bringing our signature performance training curriculum from the Brooklyn based Dancewave Center out to partner sites like MS three zero eight in The Bronx.
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In communities where arts programs like this do not exist, Dance Wave is able to provide real and needed solutions.
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Dance Wave Through College and Beyond is another program seeking to tackle systemic inequity, specifically regarding access to college and careers in the arts.
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We provide high school youth with the information and support necessary to navigate the college search process, including the opportunity to audition for dance programs without the expense of travel and audition costs for each school.
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Each year we transition 400 youth into collegiate and professional training programs at over 50 colleges with $1,000,000 in scholarships awarded to participants.
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Despite the current climate, Dancewave remains steadfast in stewarding life affirming arts experiences for all New Yorkers.
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We look to our elected leaders in the New York City Council to stand with us, to advocate for our work, and to ensure that the City Of New York remains the cultural capital of the world by deepening its investment in the arts and cultural organizations that keep our city thriving.
4:56:55
Thank you for your time and interest in learning more about our work and our deep commitment to the people of New York City.
Rita Joseph
4:57:02
Thank you.
4:57:02
Can you state your name for the record?
Nicole Touzien
4:57:04
I sure can.
4:57:05
It's Nicole Tuzin at Dancewave.
Rita Joseph
4:57:07
Thank you.