Bringing an international experience home to Washington, DC.

Education. It's at the heart of everything we do. No matter how rich and rewarding performances are, no matter the romance of the road and the magic of movement, nothing beats the passion of young people finding out what they're capable of. That's true at every point of longitude and latitude where we're lucky enough to find ourselves.

But nowhere is it more special than at home in DC.

From his days as Director of CityDance Ensemble through to Company E Executive Director Paul Gordon Emerson has been devoted to education every bit as much as performance. They are equal parts of Company | E's mission. That is true, in particular, in the communities in DC that too often go without.

Company | E's community engagement programs began with the founding of the Company with a program at Simon Elementary. Today, in partnership with Washington Perfoming Arts' Capital Dance Program and DC Public Schools, that relationship continues stronger than ever.

In 2016 Company | E began a re-imagining of Capital Dance with an in-school, daytime program of dance at two DC Public Schools, Langley Elementary and Columbia Heights Education Campus. Program Director Tara Ashley Compton continues a long-standing commitment -- but with a difference.

Unlike previous programs, which focused solely on after-school classes, Company | E's commitment is to in-school programs -- programs which take place as a part of the formal school day. That makes a statement. Dance is a part of education - in-school education. As powerful and needed as after-school programs are, daytime programs are designed to build towards recognition that art lives inside the academic experience.

Building a New Curriculum with DC Public Schools

As a part of Company | E's education work, the Company has been involved with DCPS in the re-design of its music and movement curriculum. From sessions with DC Public School educators to week-long curriculum planning sessions, Company | E is honored to be a part of imagining dance and music for the next generation.

In 2016-2017 the Company, under Ms. Compton's direction, returns to DCPS to build on a great beginning and to take new steps, and build on new ideas, to give young artists a chance to thrive.