We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jennifer Oliver. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jennifer below.
Jennifer, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
One of the most meaningful projects I’ve had the privilege of working on is helping to build the nonprofit organization, A Step Beyond, from the ground up. The mission of this organization is rooted in providing dance education to youth, empowering them not only through creative expression but also through personal growth and mental health support. What makes this project so meaningful to me is both my deep connection to dance and the profound impact it has on young people’s lives—especially those in low-income communities.
As a dancer myself, dance has always provided me with a sense of belonging, both within a community and within my own body. There’s a unique experience when you can connect to your physicality, as dance allows you to communicate and experience the world through your senses in a way that words often cannot. Growing up, dance was my outlet, helping me feel grounded, empowered, and deeply attuned to myself. It created a space where I was not only learning techniques or steps but also understanding my emotions, pushing my boundaries, and cultivating resilience.
When I joined the team at A Step Beyond, I knew the transformative power of dance on a personal level, but seeing its potential to empower youth in a broader, systemic way was truly inspiring. We started with a team of passionate individuals—founders, educators, community organizers—coming together with a shared vision of using dance as a platform to uplift young people. But building this organization wasn’t a linear process. We worked hand-in-hand with the youth and families in our community, listening to their needs, adapting our approach, and constantly changing our expectations to ensure we were meeting them where they were. This level of responsiveness was key, as we recognized that creating something that would last meant being flexible and receptive to growth.
From a research standpoint, the value of dance education in fostering youth empowerment and supporting mental health is profound. Studies show that dance offers significant benefits, including increased self-confidence, reduced anxiety, and improved emotional regulation. These are just a few of the ways dance has the ability to heal, to help young people develop a strong sense of self-worth, and to create an environment where they feel supported. For many of our youth, dance provides an opportunity to be heard, to express emotions that may otherwise go unspoken, and to feel that they belong to something greater than themselves.
What makes A Step Beyond even more powerful is how we’ve created an inclusive community that evolves based on the needs of our youth and families. It’s not just about teaching dance moves—it’s about instilling a sense of agency, self-awareness, and social connection that translates into positive mental health and resilience. It’s about helping young people realize their worth and giving them the tools to navigate life’s challenges with creativity and confidence. Through our work, I’ve seen firsthand how dance education can spark joy, provide healing, and create long-lasting change.
Ultimately, building this nonprofit has been one of the most meaningful endeavors I’ve ever undertaken because it blends my personal history with dance, my commitment to community, and my belief in the power of the arts to change lives. It’s an ongoing journey, one that adapts and grows as we learn from those we serve, and I am grateful every day for the opportunity to contribute to something that will continue to empower young people for years to come.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’ve always believed in the transformative power of movement, creativity, and community. My journey into the arts, particularly dance and nonprofit work, has been deeply personal and driven by a desire to make a difference in the lives of young people. Growing up, dance was not just a hobby for me—it was a lifeline. It provided me with an outlet for self-expression and gave me a profound sense of belonging, both within myself and within a community. Through dance, I learned to connect with my body, express my emotions, and experience the world around me in a way that words could never fully capture. This early experience with dance ignited a passion within me, and I realized that I wanted to share the same sense of empowerment with others, especially youth who might face similar challenges.
I was fortunate to have found my place in the dance world early on, but it wasn’t always easy. Growing up, I struggled with feelings of insecurity and self-doubt, but dance was always there, helping me to feel more grounded, more confident, and more connected to myself. It’s this experience that has driven my commitment to helping others find that same sense of inner peace and empowerment, particularly through dance education. This is why, years later, I joined the founding team at A Step Beyond, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth through dance.
A Step Beyond is more than just an after-school program —it’s a creative, nurturing environment where young people can explore their potential, build confidence, and develop essential life skills. Our programs include dance classes and performance opportunities, mental health services, academic support, and guidance to help youth thrive. What sets *A Step Beyond* apart is our holistic approach. We don’t just teach dance techniques; we teach young people how to navigate challenges, embrace their unique identities, and empower themselves through creative expression. It’s about helping them build resilience and feel seen, heard, and supported.
What I’m most proud of is how we’ve built this nonprofit from the ground up, working closely with the families and youth we serve. It’s been an incredible journey of collaboration, growth, and adaptation. We’ve learned that to truly make an impact, we must listen to the community and be responsive to their evolving needs. This adaptability has been key to our success. We constantly reevaluate our programs to ensure we’re offering the best possible support, whether through personalized mentorship, connecting families to important resources, or providing opportunities for students to perform and engage with the broader community.
The impact of our programs speaks to the power of dance as an agent for positive change. For our students, dance is often the space where they can feel truly seen, where they can express their emotions, and where they can develop the confidence to tackle life’s challenges. This resonates deeply with me, as I understand the profound effect dance had on my own life. It gave me the tools to understand myself better and to navigate the world more confidently. That’s the gift I’m proud to pass on to the next generation.
What truly sets our team at A Step Beyond apart is our commitment to being adaptable and community-driven. We believe in the potential of every young person we work with. We don’t just provide services; we build lasting relationships that support their growth and future success. We understand that each student’s journey is unique, and we create a space where they can grow at their own pace, learn from their peers, and express themselves authentically.
What I hope others take away from our work is that at A Step Beyond, we are committed to empowering youth—body, mind, and soul. We offer more than just dance; we offer a platform for personal growth, emotional healing, and community building. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built so far, but I’m even more excited about what the future holds. There’s always more to be done, and I’m passionate about reaching even more young people and supporting their journey toward self-discovery and empowerment.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned on my creative journey is the importance of surrounding myself with a dynamic, diverse team of individuals who are united by a singular mission and vision. Early on, I realized that the people you choose to bring along on your journey are crucial to your success—not just because of their individual talents or expertise, but because of the perspectives they offer and the ways in which they challenge and push you to grow, both as a creative and as a person.
Throughout my journey, I’ve been fortunate to work alongside brilliant and passionate youth leaders and dancers who have stretched my thinking and my approach to creating. We didn’t always agree on everything, but it was in those moments of disagreement, in the tough conversations, where the real growth happened. I’ve learned so much from being challenged by people who had different perspectives, ideas, and experiences. It was in navigating these differences and learning to listen deeply that we were able to build something stronger together. Our collective voices—our collective strengths—are what ultimately made the work sustainable and meaningful.
What I’ve come to understand is that a successful, thriving creative journey isn’t about creating alone in a vacuum. It’s about collaboration, vulnerability, and willingness to grow from those who see things differently. Having the right people around you can push you to new heights, to stretch beyond your limits, and to develop solutions you never would have considered on your own. When everyone is working together toward a shared purpose, it creates a dynamic that fosters innovation, resilience, and longevity.
Building A Step Beyond has been a testament to this. Working with a team that embodies diverse perspectives, life experiences, and talents has made this organization what it is today—successful, sustainable, and impactful. The collective energy, vision, and commitment of everyone involved is what drives us to keep pushing forward and doing the work that’s making a difference in the lives of the young people we serve. And at the heart of it all, the one thing I’ve come to appreciate more than anything is the power of people working together with a shared mission.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Early in my journey, I came across a quote that truly resonated with me. It speaks to the idea that every individual has an inherent brilliance waiting to be discovered and shared with the world. This concept became a driving force in my work. I quickly realized that all children and youth have an innate desire to be their best—to do their best. But for many, they need someone to give them permission to see and express that brilliance.
This became my goal as a teaching artist, to help youth see the potential and light within themselves. When a child knows they are seen, safe, and loved, they shine brighter, they work harder, and dream bigger. They start to believe in their own potential. My mission is to create opportunities where youth can discover their brilliance and understand that everything they need to succeed is already within them. I help them uncover their gifts, explore their questions and, when necessary, offer a push of encouragement to help them bring those gifts to life.
A story that stands out in my experience is about a young boy named Michael, who was in one of my after-school dance programs. Michael was an exceptionally talented dancer—he moved differently than his peers, full of creativity and uninhibited expression. However, Michael also had a quick temper and was easily provoked by his classmates, which led to moments of frustration, and in some cases, physical outbursts. The administration made it clear to me that if his behavior didn’t improve, they would have to remove him from the program, as they saw it as a privilege. I knew I couldn’t let that happen. I took Michael aside one day, outside of class, and I told him that he was brilliant—that, in fact, he was one of the best dancers I had seen in a long time. His creativity set him apart, and I wanted to see him shine on stage. But I also told him that in order to reach that potential, he would need to allow me to help him manage his anger so that it wouldn’t affect his interactions with others. We agreed that he could stay in class as long as we worked together on this. From that moment forward, Michael didn’t lash out at his peers again. He began to channel his energy into his dance, and at our closing performance, he performed a solo that left the audience in awe.
After the performance, Michael’s mother came to me, tearfully expressing her gratitude. She said, “This is the first time I’ve seen my son shine. You made him a star, and I can’t thank you enough. We’ve spent so much time in the principal’s office with complaints about how he’s not succeeding, but today, you showed him that he is a star.” That moment reinforced for me the power of seeing the brilliance in every child, even when others might overlook or dismiss it.
My role isn’t just to guide; it’s to help youth see the brilliance they may not even recognize in themselves. I create opportunities for them to step into the spotlight, to perform, and to share their talents with others. When they do, and others see their brilliance too, that’s when they understand their power and potential.
This is the heart of my mission—to provide young people with the space, support, and encouragement they need to discover and nurture their best selves. When a young person’s brilliance is recognized and celebrated, they not only see it in themselves, but they also understand the impact it can have on the world around them. That’s the gift I strive to give every young person I work with: the opportunity to shine.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.a-step-beyond.org
- Instagram: A.Step.Beyond
- Facebook: @astepbeyond2014
- Linkedin: A.Step.Beyond
- Youtube: @AStepBeyond
Image Credits
Various Photographers including Angela Kohler, Rich Soublet, and more.