URBAN JAMM DANCERS
PROMOTE POSITIVE MESSAGE
by Muriya Marwah— Michigan Journal
Urban Jamm is about unity and believing in oneself. It was started by Detroit native, Johnnie Smith in 1992.
Since then, professional dancers/choreographers have been touring the United States promoting unity and personal success through dance.
The dancers come from different ethnic and racial backgrounds: African-American, Hispanic, Brazilian, Asian and Caucasian, each teaching his/her own style of dance.

This diverse group incorporates a positive message into their dance styles. All the dancers have their own unique style and do whatever they feel inside. Smith’s personal dance style is street jazz. This is the funk/hip-hop style seen in music videos of such artists as Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, and many rap artists as well as on television commercials.

Being your own person is what Urban Jamm dancers teach their students. Their message is that everyone is different, and as long as you put your mind to doing something, anything is possible. Smith expresses his belief, saying, “It doesn’t matter what you look like or who you are; you can do anything you want if you put your mind to it.” He is a prime example of persistance paying off. Having grown up in an urban area, Smith has set out to prove to youngsters that no matter what color you are, if you continue to go after your goals, they will always be within reach.

Smith moved to Los Angeles from Michigan to pursue a career in dance and choreography, becoming one of the top choreographers in L.A. He also took the group Urban Jamm to the Star Search finals in 1995, walking away with the Grand Championship title in dance.
As Urban Jamm says, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me.”

Don’t miss your chance to grace the cover of Urban Jamm’s 2002-2003 brochure sent to over 10,000 dance studios and seen in advertisements all over the country!!
Each season Urban Jamm chooses one Well-Rounded Dancer from every city and donates money to a charitable youth organization in that student’s and their studio’s name. There is no audition for this award, students are simply viewed and critiqued throughout the convention weekend by the Urban Jamm faculty. The student excelling in all areas of dance, working hard, and showing the most admirable attitude will be chosen as the Well Rounded Dancer for that particular city. At the end of the season, one person will be chosen from all of the recipients to be the Well Rounded Dancer of the Year!!
This person will then be flown to Los Angeles for an all expenses paid trip to participate in a professional photo session, dinner with the Urban Jamm crew, and a day to play in LA!!

In the past Urban Jamm has donated monies to The DiDi Hirsch Teen Suicide Prevention Center totaling over $3000! This season some other charities will include Kids Konnected, a support group started by kids for kids that have a parent with cancer and The Southern Poverty Law Center, which is devoted to teaching tolerance and unity among all people. Specifically concentrating on schools’ curriculums at the elementary and middle school levels, this is a great way to put today’s youth on the right track and wipe out racism, cruelty and judging of others.
Here’s your chance to make a difference…strive to be named the Well Rounded Dancer in your city!!