Expanding Minds Thorough Dance
And Creative Mentorship
FLEX DANCE
What is Flex
Flex Dance – a style of street dance that is characterized by rhythmic movement in different forms such as bone breaking, waving, illusions/punchlines, hat-dancing, connecting, pausing, gliding, get-low and bruk-up.
Our Team
Ragnhild Ragz Bruland is the Founder and Executive Director
Ms. Bruland formed the Flex Program after her work in detention centers and public schools through The Lineage Project. Moving from Norway to New York years ago Bruland was inspired to work with youth and dancing. With a background in dance, theater and music, and as a recent Psychology Graduate she strongly believes in the value of artistic expression and its positive effects on mental health. Her research interests include how institutions affect the development of identity, and how dance may influence resilience and coping skills for youth.
Teaching Artists
Ransford Jeezy Odoi {Head Teacher} Jermaine Flizzo Clement {Head Teacher} Haseem Bivins {Head Teacher}
Steve Harvey | Teaching Artist Joshua Morales | Teaching Artist JoAnna Southerland | Teaching Artist Dravon Washington| Teaching Artist Jeremy Perez | Teaching Artist Havoc Marche | Teaching Artist Giovanie Mccullen | Teaching Artist Dwayne Chrichlow | Teaching Artist Lubnah Bien-Aime | Teaching Artist Infinite Johnshon | Teaching Artist
WHO WE ARE
Staff
Michael Aryee {Program Director}
Leontine Paulos {Program Manager)
Zik Adeyemi {Program Coordinator)
Neuroscience Mindful Movement
Individual Benefits
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Recruitment (FLEX’N)
FLEX’N - Dance sessions for youth in Detention and group home facilities around NYC. The artists have been giving back by volunteering their time teaching, mentoring and inspiring young individuals to dance.
Over the years students have asked where they can go for sessions when they come out, as they want to continue to learn and be a part of a positive and creative community.
Recruitment (Flex Out)
Flex OUT is an initiative to create workshops to unite artists and youth through collaborative and creative workshops on a weekly basis.
These inclusive workshops aim to recruit previous residents of Detention centers as well as kids from the community. Through the workshops we help foster the rebuilding of relationships.
We feel it is important to introduce an outside-option to the young students we work with on the inside. We believe that in an inclusive and creative community based setting, the students can find a secure base in order to create and express themselves.
Recruitment (Champions)
FlexIN:
Flex World (Academy)
“There was a need to create an escape which gave rise to Flex Culture that you see still today. Where it does not matter who you are or what you’re a part of but when you step in this area we settle all differences through dance and show love after each competition. Flex brought these children together when we were together they forgot about the outside world. They saw hope, love, compassion; it was definitely a judgment free zone” - Sandra (Board Member)
Testimonials
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BEYONCE APPROVED ********
NYC MAYOR OFFICE PROFILE
2018 AC3 FESTIVAL Winner
Video Links:
https://www.facebook.com/cooperhewitt/videos/10155501301386764/
https://www.cooperhewitt.org/event/robi-d-light-and-flex-dance-program-07-20-2017/ https://vimeo.com/215119635
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWvvbJeBWyb/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/NYCMayorsOffice/status/887720759019352065 https://www.facebook.com/nycmayorsoffice/videos/1480545712005739/