You’ve probably seen the bright, modern building sitting right next to the Edgewood-Candler Park MARTA station. It’s hard to miss. But if you think Moving in the Spirit Atlanta is just another neighborhood dance studio where kids learn a few counts of eight and put on a recital, you’re missing the entire point.
Dance is just the hook.
The real magic is what’s happening beneath the surface. For over 35 years, this organization has been using contemporary dance to basically deconstruct the cycle of poverty and systemic inequity in Atlanta’s most overlooked zip codes. It’s not about finding the next prima ballerina—though they’ve certainly produced world-class talent—it’s about using the discipline of the stage to teach a kid how to advocate for themselves in a boardroom or a college interview.
Honestly, it’s one of the few places in the city where the art feels as urgent as the activism.
The Secret Sauce of the "Youth Development" Model
Most arts nonprofits talk a big game about "empowerment." It’s a buzzword. We hear it constantly. But Moving in the Spirit Atlanta does something different. They use a specific, evidence-based curriculum that integrates the Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets. This isn't just fluffy "feel-good" stuff. It’s a roadmap for building resilient humans.
Kids start as young as three. By the time they reach the "Stepping Stones" or "Apprentice Corporation" levels, they aren't just dancers; they're mentors.
The structure is intentional. You see the older teenagers—members of the Apprentice Corporation—working with the younger "Men in Motion" boys. It creates this ecosystem of accountability. You can’t slack off in school if your dance mentor is checking your report card. And they do check. The program boasts a near 100% high school graduation rate among its long-term participants, which is staggering when you consider the statistics of some of the neighborhoods they serve.
The commitment is intense. It’s not a drop-in class.
If you’re in the Apprentice Corporation, you’re training several days a week. You’re touring. You’re performing at places like the Woodruff Arts Center or even traveling internationally. This kind of exposure changes a young person's internal compass. It expands what they think is possible for their own life.
Why the Location Matters More Than You Think
For years, Moving in the Spirit operated out of the Glenwood Park area. It was fine, but it wasn’t central.
The move to the "Space to Soar" campus at the Edgewood-Candler Park MARTA station was a massive strategic play. It’s what urban planners call Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). Because the studio is literally steps from the train platform, a kid from Bankhead or Decatur or East Point can get there without needing a parent to fight Atlanta’s legendary traffic.
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Accessibility is equity.
If a child can't get to the class, the best curriculum in the world doesn't matter. By planting their flag at a major transit hub, Moving in the Spirit made a loud statement about who belongs in high-quality, state-of-the-art facilities. The building itself is gorgeous—all glass and light and high ceilings—designed by Perkins+Will. It doesn't feel like a "community center" in the traditional, often-dilapidated sense. It feels like a professional conservatory.
That matters. Environment dictates expectation.
Men in Motion: Breaking the "Boys Don't Dance" Stigma
Let’s talk about the boys.
In many communities, especially within the Black community in the South, there’s a heavy stigma attached to boys in dance. Moving in the Spirit tackled this head-on with their "Men in Motion" program. This isn't just about teaching boys to leap; it’s about masculinity, brotherhood, and emotional intelligence.
They focus on the "Seven Pillars" of the program:
- Scholarship
- Community Service
- Leadership
- Artistry
- Physical Fitness
- Integrity
- Brotherhood
I’ve seen these performances. They aren't "dainty." They are athletic, powerful, and often deeply political. The choreography frequently touches on themes of police Reform, racial identity, and the pressure of growing up in the city. It gives these young men a safe container to express vulnerability, which is something the world rarely offers them.
The Economic Reality of "Pay What You Can"
Here is the part that usually shocks people. Moving in the Spirit Atlanta operates on a sliding-scale tuition model.
They don't turn anyone away based on their ability to pay.
In a city where a competitive dance team can cost a family $5,000 to $10,000 a year in fees, costumes, and travel, this is revolutionary. It’s funded through a mix of individual donors, corporate sponsors like Georgia Power and Chick-fil-A, and foundation grants. They are essentially redistributing the city’s wealth to ensure that a child’s zip code doesn't determine their access to the arts.
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But don't mistake "affordable" for "easy."
The technical training is rigorous. They bring in guest choreographers from across the country. The students study modern, jazz, and ballet with a level of intensity that rivals any elite private academy. The difference is the culture. There’s no "Dance Moms" toxicity here. The focus is on the collective growth of the group rather than the individual ego.
It’s Not Just About the Kids
The staff at Moving in the Spirit are some of the most dedicated people you’ll ever meet. Many of them have been there for decades. Founder Dana Lupton and Co-founder Carol Nixon built something that outlasted the typical nonprofit burnout cycle.
They also offer "Dance for Life" classes and various community workshops. The goal is to make the building a "third space"—somewhere that isn't home and isn't school, but a place where you are known and valued. In a rapidly gentrifying Atlanta, where many long-term residents feel pushed out of their own neighborhoods, having a stable, welcoming institution like this is a lifeline.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Program
A common misconception is that this is a "charity" program for "at-risk" youth.
I hate that term. "At-risk."
Moving in the Spirit rejects that deficit-based mindset. They view their dancers as "at-promise." The program isn't about "fixing" kids; it's about providing the tools for them to build their own futures. It’s an asset-based approach.
Another myth? That it’s just for "serious" dancers.
While many alumni go on to professional careers in New York or LA, many more go on to become doctors, lawyers, teachers, and community organizers. The point isn't the pirouette. The point is the discipline it took to learn the pirouette. If you can master a complex piece of choreography through months of sweat and failure, you can master a organic chemistry mid-term or a project management certification.
How to Get Involved (The Real Way)
If you're looking to support or join, don't just send a check and walk away.
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- Attend a Performance: This is the best way to understand the impact. The "Showstoppers" showcase or the year-end performances are genuinely moving. You’ll see the level of talent and the pride on the kids' faces.
- Volunteer Beyond the Surface: They often need mentors, tutors, and administrative help. If you have a professional skill—marketing, law, accounting—your time is often as valuable as your money.
- Spread the Word to Parents: If you know a family in Atlanta looking for more than just a hobby for their child, tell them about the "Apprentice Corporation" or "Stepping Stones."
- Advocate for Arts Funding: Moving in the Spirit is a case study in why public funding for the arts is a public health necessity.
The Long-Term Impact on Atlanta’s DNA
Atlanta is a city in flux. We are dealing with massive growth, soaring housing costs, and a widening wealth gap. Organizations like Moving in the Spirit Atlanta act as the glue. They remind us that a city is more than just skyscrapers and highway interchanges; it’s the people and the culture we cultivate.
When you see a group of teenagers from completely different backgrounds—some from affluent Buckhead families, others from subsidized housing in South Atlanta—sweating together in a rehearsal room, you see what the city could actually be.
It’s messy. It’s hard work. It’s beautiful.
Actionable Steps for Newcomers
If you’re interested in checking out the program for your own child or as a supporter, start by visiting their website to look at the class schedule. But better yet, just take the Blue or Green line to the Edgewood-Candler Park station. Walk out of the station and look at the building.
See the dancers through the glass.
Sign up for their newsletter to get alerts for the "Men in Motion" annual show. It usually sells out, and for good reason. If you're a parent, schedule a tour. Don't just look at the studios; ask about the leadership curriculum. Ask about the "Point System" where students earn rewards for good grades and community service.
That’s where the real story is.
Moving in the Spirit isn't just teaching Atlanta how to dance. It’s teaching Atlanta how to show up for each other. And honestly, in 2026, we need that more than ever. The city is changing fast, but as long as those kids are in the studio, pushing their boundaries and supporting their peers, the soul of Atlanta is in pretty good hands.
Go see a show. Bring a friend. Witness the power of art as a tool for social change. It’s not just a tagline; it’s the truth.