Let’s Dance Again…
DuYe Moves welcomes Jess Grippo’s Dance Again family for a day of movement and play.
⏰ 1pm-1:45pm - Jazz It Up - with Dana DeFrancesco
Jazz with Dana blends classical jazz and theater styles with a fun and dynamic warm-up, across-the-floor combos, and expressive choreography. Expect to sweat, smile, and feel fully alive as you move to music that spans Broadway to pop. All levels welcome—just bring your flair.
Teacher Biography:
Dana brings over 20 years of experience in musical theater, jazz, and storytelling through dance. With a background in choreography and performance, she infuses her classes with humor, heart, and a love of expressive movement. Dana’s teaching celebrates individuality and encourages dancers to channel their inner performer while building skills and confidence.
⏰ 2pm-2:45pm - Contemporary-ish - with Kanami Kusajima
Contemporary-ish with Kanami invites you to explore emotional expression and grounded, fluid movement. With a warm-up rooted in breath and sensation, followed by phrase work and improvisation, this class supports both technical exploration and personal expression. Open to all levels.
Teacher Biography:
Kanami is a contemporary dancer, choreographer, and teaching artist known for her nuanced and nurturing approach as well as her street performances in Washington Square Park as Let Hair Down. With roots in Japan and deep training in somatic practices and modern dance, she encourages dancers to move from within and embrace their full selves. Her classes offer space to connect with body, emotion, and artistry in equal measure.
⏰ 3pm-3:45pm - Dance Again - Family Style - with Jess Grippo & Niki Carlotti
A kid-friendly guided dance party for little ones and their grown-ups! Join Jess and Niki for a playful, music-filled class with easy follow-along moves, creative games, and lots of joyful expression. All ages and wiggle-levels welcome.
Teacher Biography:
Jess is the founder of Dance Again and a firm believer that it’s never too late to start dancing - or start again. Her journey from self-conscious ballet dropout to TEDx performer and dance entrepreneur has inspired thousands of adults to reconnect with their creativity and bodies through movement. Jess creates joyful, supportive spaces for all bodies and backgrounds to explore dance, and leads both in-person and digital offerings that blend dance, self-expression, and healing.
Niki has always enjoyed moving and grooving with little ones. She began teaching children's dance classes in high school, and has also coached dance teams and cheerleading squads for children and middle schoolers. Niki was also a DJ party motivator, and those roots still hold strong. She now dances with her 3-year-old every chance she gets.
