The Aspire Project

“The aspire project is a local non-profit 501(c)3 organization that provides year-round quality tap and jazz classes for economically at-risk students who are genuinely interested in the arts and whose families and schools cannot provide such opportunities. We accomplish this through our non-tuition based after-school programs in partnership with the multnomah county sun community schools and classes offered on sliding scale rates at our studio in north portland. By making the arts accessible we strive to serve our community and under-served youth promoting physical and academic discipline and motivating them to believe that with hard work they can become whatever they aspire to become.”

“In 2014 the aspire project reached approximately 150 children in four portland area public schools with our after-school dance program with two instructors per class providing dance wear and costumes free of charge for classes and quarterly performances. At our dance studio approximately 300 students were served during the school year with two semi-annual performances held free of charge to parents and the audience. 70 of students were on significantly reduced tuition or on full scholarship. A significant effort in marketing was conducted in various community events and publications to make the aspire project more visible. This effort resulted in doubling our enrollment at the studio spring term 2014. We served over 120 students at 6 summer capms for low income familes. Two camps in in gresham were provided for free and 4 camps in north portland were offered on a sliding tuition scale.”