About MOMENTA
Photo by Paul Park
MISSION STATEMENT
MOMENTA cultivates and presents repertory and contemporary dance works that strive to educate, innovate and amplify the artistry of students and professionals, inclusive of artists with disabilities.
VISION STATEMENT
Enriching lives through the art of dance.
VALUES STATEMENT
Artistry:
We strive to achieve excellence in creative expression
Respect:
We value and appreciate differences.
Cultivation:
We nurture and promote personal growth.
Community:
We offer a safe space to connect, collaborate and create.
History
MOMENTA was founded by Stephanie Clemens, Larry Ippel and James Tenuta in 1983. While MOMENTA initially focused on modern dance and theater, the company began presenting historical modern dance works in 1988. MOMENTA eventually expanded into two companies, a Senior Company composed of professional dancers with advanced high school dancers as apprentices, and a Junior Company composed of talented young dancers. MOMENTA trains these student dancers in performing skills that cannot be taught in a traditional classroom, and exposes younger dancers to Modern dance. In 2003 MOMENTA expanded its repertory to include physically integrated works for dancers with and without disabilities. As the repertory grew so did the desire to engage a larger community of movers, and thus EveryBody Can Dance! (originally called Dance On Wheels) was born. While Oak Park is home for MOMENTA, the company has performed in festivals in the greater Chicago area, out of state, and internationally.
Larry Ippel and Stephanie Clemens (1993)
Photo by Anne Bradley
Board of Directors
President
Robby Williams
Vice-President / Secretary
Megan Lewis
Treasurer
Ladonna Freidheim
Jacqueline Bass
Sandra Kaufmann
Mary Kelly
Cathy Kestler
Leslie Schafer de Ochoa
Funding
MOMENTA is partially supported by grants from Arts Work Fund, The Walder Foundation; The Manaaki Foundation; The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; the Oak Park Area Arts Council, in partnership with the Village of Oak Park, the Illinois Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. MOMENTA also has a significant history of private support: individual financial contributions from the families of our young dancers; and countless hours of volunteer support.
Contact Us
MOMENTA resides at
The Academy of Movement and Music
605 Lake Street
Oak Park, IL60302
(708) 848-2329