The Dance Institute of Washington's Community on 14th presents Queen P!
Queen P is a cultural advocate and Beat Ya Feet Pioneer whose journey has been woven into the fabric of D.C. dance for over two decades. As the Co-Founder of the Beat Ya Feet Academy (BYFA), she has dedicated her life to nurturing the District’s native movement, helping it grow from a cherished local tradition into a respected discipline. Her legacy is one of resilience and inclusion, notably as the sole female member of the legendary Beat Ya Feet Kings, where she paved the way for future generations of women in the Beat Ya Feet dance community.
Throughout her twenty-year tenure, Queen P has navigated the evolution of Go-Go culture, moving from the legendary stages of the District to national platforms. Her work is guided by a commitment to Engage, Educate, and Empower, ensuring that the history of Beat Ya Feet is preserved through rigorous pedagogy and artistic excellence. By bridging the gap between street tradition and formal dance education, Queen P has established herself as a curriculum builder and practitioner of the style, serving as both a guardian of its roots and a visionary for its future.
Class Description: The Evolution of Beat Ya Feet
Led by Queen P | Foundations, Evolution & The Contemporary Perspective
In this masterclass, Beat Ya Feet Academy Co-Founder Queen P guides dancers through the rhythmic DNA of Washington, D.C. Drawing from over twenty years of pioneering experience, she provides a comprehensive look at the "bounce" that defines a city.
The Curriculum Includes:
Traditional Foundations (The Roots): Queen P breaks down the raw, syncopated footwork of the 1990s and early 2000s. Students will master the "essential bounce" and the percussive weight-shifting that defines the old-school tradition.
The Golden Era (Trendy & Fun): Dancers will explore the high-energy "trendy" moves that propelled Beat Ya Feet into the global spotlight. This segment focuses on the playful, improvisational social movements that characterize the genre’s peak viral eras.
The Modern Outlook (Perspective & Future): Queen P offers a deep dive into the current state of the art. Dancers will examine how Beat Ya Feet has evolved into a technical dance science, its influence on commercial choreography, and its standing as a sophisticated contemporary art form.
The Experience: Students will gain more than just choreography; they will acquire an understanding of the musicality, history, and cultural significance of Beat Ya Feet. This class challenges agility and stamina while grounding the artist in the District's rich dance legacy.
What is Community on 14th? Community on 14th provides networking and training opportunities that facilitate creative careers in dance and the arts for D.C. talent. A career in an arts industry, be it in dance or theater, film, or arts management, can provide not only personal fulfillment but also a pathway to financial stability. This pathway has historically been blocked based on identity or financial barriers. Our goal is for those in attendance to leave these events with more knowledge of the field, new connections with other creatives and innovators, and clarity about how to reach the next stepping-stone in their arts career.
IMPROVING LIFELONG OUTCOMES FOR DC YOUTH AND COMMUNITIES. ADVANCING EQUITY IN THE DANCE INDUSTRY WORLDWIDE.
The unique model at Dance Institute of Washington (DIW) combines world class dance experiences with comprehensive subsidized services to improve academic, career, and community opportunities. The foremost minority-led dance equity organization in Washington, D.C., Dance Institute of Washington (DIW) impacts racial and economic equity in dance locally, nationally, and around the world.
Learn more on how DIW educators and experts in equity are changing the lives of students, the local arts economy, community-based organizations, and the concert dance industry through its three core areas: Educate, Create, and Advance.
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