Lisa Perrins - Rhythm & Moves

Haven in a community where kids can come and experience art - that is what Rhythm & Moves, a dance studio located in the heart of North Philly, is. Rhythm & Moves opened in 2002, with a state of the art, yet affordable and accessible, studio. Dance classes catering to children from 2 years old to senior citizens are offered, with diverse kinds from yoga, jazz, karate, hip-hop, to cardio and kickboxing.

The vision is to use movements as a way to enhance confidence and self esteem, building a strong sense of self worth - getting kids out of trouble, giving them a place to be, and keeping them motivated through dance. A big Kwanzaa celebration is held in every December - families bring in meals; there are storytelling, African dance and drumming, and kids demonstrate what they've learned through their classes. Then they pay homage to the elders and end with a feast. It is the studio's biggest as well as a truly community-building event.

It is not all that easy, however. The classes are offered at very low cost. "I don't even know how we stay open," says Lisa Perrins, who runs the studio and teaches some of the classes as well. She is also finding it a challenge to install a $40,000 ramp for handicapped access, required by the city officials. Perrins is also a full time mother with three children, living in New Jersey - juggling home life with the studio is tough business. She could have just turned the building into apartments and clock in rent money, but she is still struggling to stay open as a dance studio. Just what is her motivation?

"I want to reach out, share with the kids in the community, and let them know what's beyond the community." says Perrins. Perrins herself is from a broken family; she was raised by her grandmother and used to get into trouble all the time, until she wound up in an art program at Society Hill Playhouse. There she had an outlet - an outlet to be creative, an outlet to know that someone was counting on her. She had a voice, people listening, and a challenge she was trying to meet.

From there on she went on to University of Arts, the first one in her family to go to college. She graduated with the most achievement award, made international friends, and even went to Thailand to stay with her friend's familiy for a month. It was an experience she would have never had - through that she had a family, mom and dad who looked out for her from the other side of the world, and the confidence that she could do anything. "I came up with no good upbringing but my grandmother... But the stone that the builder refused, I'm the head cornerstone now. And I gotta be there for these kids, because I walked in those same shoes, and I can help them." That passion and heart for the kids in inner city, keeps her going despite the troubles. Perrins hopes to offer her studio space for the artists in the community, so that the studio runs itself and the kids can be exposed to more artists.

Classes as well as events for Diga Brazil are held at Rhythm & Moves during the Expo week. For more information, call 215.727.1050.