Today, the group performs about 10 free shows a year in low-income senior homes. They also perform for paying audiences in theater a few times each year, with three shows coming up in the next two weeks at Denver’s Crossroads Theater, 2590 Washington St. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children.

Laura Morales, JVA’s Managing Associate for Evaluation dances with the company, serves on its board of directors, and has also ventured into choreographing for the upcoming show.

“I started dancing when I was a toddler, and I just never stopped,” she says. “When I was 23 and out of college, I just realized I had to have it in my life. I am at my happiest when I am dancing.”

She says the senior home audiences are the best audiences in the world. “They are just so appreciative and engaged,” she says.

Laura says her evaluation skills come in handy when she works on grant applications for Life/Art Dance Ensemble and in making sure they are evaluating their impact and progress whenever possible (which ranges from surveys to digital storytelling).

Next week will be a busy one for Laura. She’s also kicking up her heels to lead JVA’s Evaluation Intensive on August 27 and 28.

From the Life/Art website:

“Life/Art Dance Ensemble is a charitable and educational 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that collaborates with other artists and artistic mediums to explore the intricacies of personal and social issues, thus creating an artistic interface with the community.  Additionally, Life/Art Dance Ensemble focuses its outreach on enhancing the quality of life and independence of Metro Denver’s low-income senior population by providing them with free dance performances and facilitating social interactions within their communities.

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