CityStep

Our Mission:

CityStep is an undergraduate organization that aims to enrich the educational experience of public school youth by introducing them to dance and other creative activities as a medium for self-expression, a method to enhance self-esteem, and a means to mutual understanding.

Our Activities:

Dance Classes at IRIS Afterschool
Direct Service
Each week, our volunteers meet with the creative students at the Integrated Refugee and Immigration Services (IRIS) Afterschool Program.

Weekly Classes
Direct Service
CityStep Yale is a group of students who love working with young people, dancing, laughing, and learning together.

At CityStep Yale, we teach young students dance through an exploration of themes like social justice, the environment, and our homes and cultures. Some of our classes feature Yale dance groups (like Yale Movement!) teaching their specialized dance styles like Kpop, Bhangra, and more! We are part of a national arts and social impact organization that unites college students and city school children through an empowering experience of self-expression, collaboration, and mentorship.

We typically one class every week in partnership with New Haven’s Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS). Our students range from 10-14 years old and we usually see around six or seven students in our virtual classes, but sometimes our classes grow up to 15 students!

Teaching dance to promote wellbeing in kids from Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (IRIS)
Direct Service
We teach students in their weekly after-school activities by walking them through dance-related exercises, games, and occasionally, choreography. Through this, we encourage students to creatively express themselves and offer new ideas, while also simply having fun and making friends.

Student Leaders:

Maddalena Ledezma - Co-Coordinator/Co-President Annelise Quintero - Co-Coordinator/Co-President