ABOUT US

Our mission is to provide our youth and their communities with experiences in dance and the arts that inspire and nurture passion, artistry, and creativity, leading them through a path to uncover their full potential as performers, individuals, and visionaries. We aim to provide these experiences through accessible arts, educational enrichment, and cultural programs for the Southwest Chicago community; we utilize curriculum and structures based on best-practice education and youth development principles, as well as rooted in cultural relevancy to the community we serve.

We focus on providing our students with a strong foundation in classical and contemporary movement vocabulary, as well as building strengths in cultural styles and forms, including Breakdance, Hip-Hop, and Baile Folklorico.

We offer extensive dance training for children and youth ages 3 to 18 years old, including Beginning and Advanced Ballet, Jazz, Gymnastics, Hip-Hop, Breakdance, and Tap. Our advanced training classes lead into the opportunity to be a member of ‘Matli Dance Crew- our resident Youth Performance Troupe- which performs at community events. Younger students who demonstrate potential also receive to join ‘Matli Junior or ‘Matli Minis – the younger performance troupes at our dance academy.

Please stop by during office hours to receive the most updated program and events schedule. We offer free trial classes and love meeting new students!

Arts and Community Supporters! ‘Matli is a non-for-profit 501(c) 3 with a FIERCE commitment to providing QUALITY dance training and youth development to the students of the Southwest Chicago “Communidad” Please contact us to learn how you can be part of the team that ensures EQUAL access to performing arts training for students, regardless of family income level or ability to pay tuition.