About edla!

about edla!

Everybody Dance LA! transforms lives and communities through the power of high-quality dance education in low-income areas of Los Angeles. Professional Teaching Artists, described by the LA Times as “some of the best children’s dance instructors in the world,” bring high quality dance instruction to thousands of youth ages 4-19, instilling high expectations and cultivating the lifelong skills of collaboration, discipline and self-expression.

mission

Everybody Dance LA! transforms lives and communities through the power of high-quality dance education for youth in underserved areas of Los Angeles.

vision

To cultivate in our young students of dance the lifetime skills of collaboration, discipline and self-expression so they become confident and engaged participants in their education, career and community.

values

High expectations. We expect focus and commitment from our youth, and our youth in return expect the best of themselves.

Potential. We believe in the innate strength, creativity and potential of every young person we serve.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. We respect all people and perspectives and strive to provide the support every person needs to fully participate.

Safe Community. We believe a safe environment that engages the whole family makes it possible for youth to thrive.

our history

Everybody Dance LA! was founded in 1999 by Liza Bercovici in loving memory of her 13-year-old daughter, Gabriella Axelrad, whose passion for dance continues to inspire the organization’s mission. Originally known as The Gabriella Foundation, home of the Everybody Dance! program, the organization was created to bring the joy, discipline, and transformative power of dance to low-income communities across Los Angeles.

Beginning with just 30 students in the MacArthur Park neighborhood and guided by the creative vision of founding Artistic Director Carol Zee, Everybody Dance LA! grew quickly. Over time, the program expanded to include In-School, Summer, and Enrichment programs, reaching thousands of young people each year. In recognition of its impact, Everybody Dance! received the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award in 2014, presented by Michelle Obama. Liza Bercovici also went on to found the award-winning Gabriella Charter Schools in 2005, where she served as Executive Director until her retirement in 2023. Today, Everybody Dance LA! provides more than 7,000 students annually with access to high-quality dance education, empowering youth through movement, creativity, and community.