Joy of Motion Dance Center

Joy of Motion Dance Center is a non-profit dance education organization founded in Washington, DC in 1976 by Michelle Ava, M.A., built on the premise that 'Dance is for Everyone' and intended to serve non-dancers and aspiring professionals alike regardless of means. It now operates from a studio at 1333 H Street NE inside the Atlas Performing Arts Center, where it is an Arts Partner, and is supported in part by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Programming spans Tiny Movers creative movement for ages 2-4, youth classes in studio and street dance styles for ages 5-14 with an emphasis on musicality, technique and choreography, a musical theatre ensemble for ages 8 and up, teen classes, drop-in adult classes for 18 and over, plus camps, workshops and master classes. As of a January 2026 notice on its site, youth and adult programming is paused with hopes of resuming in the spring.