Movement Exchange unites dance and service. We are a growing community of dance diplomats—movers and shakers, activists and global citizens, dreamers and achievers, teachers and learners, volunteers and friends. We believe that when we move the world, we move to change.
MISSION
Movement Exchange unites dance and service through its network of university chapters, international dance exchanges, and year-round programs in underserved communities.
VISION
We envision a world in which:
• Dance education is accessible to all
• Dance is synonymous to service
• Dance enables all to achieve their optimal mental, social, and physical well-being
VALUES
• Cross-cultural understanding
• Civic engagement
• Social equity and inclusion
• Creative expression
• Sustainable dance education
IMPACT
Since 2010…
Movement Exchange: More Than Dance
Check out this short documentary showcases Movement Exchange’s mission to unite dance and service and facilitate cross-cultural understanding. Dance is a universal language and we are all born as dancers and movers! Featuring our 10th Annual Show and our 2019 Open International Dance Exchange in Panama City, we see how dance and movement can facilitate connection between people of different cultures and backgrounds and be a driving force for social justice.
Producer & Cinematographer: Katy Scoggin
Editor: Taj Kokayi
State of the Movement Address
Each month, Movement Exchange releases video updates featuring recent events, interviews, international dance exchanges, and news on our university chapters.
Annual Theater Shows in Panama
Movement Exchange organizes annual performances at the National Theater of Panama and Teatro Anita Villalaz for over 80 students. Guest performers from the community are also invited to dance on stage with our students. Shows are free to the public, further supporting our mission to make the arts accessible to all.

SUSTAINABILITY
Movement Exchange creates a sustainable impact through dance and service by supporting year-round, locally staffed dance programs. We have dance programs at two orphanages and an at-risk youth foundation in Panama. Additionally, Move-Ex university chapters provide free weekly dance classes at various institutions in the U.S. including domestic violence shelters, youth programs, nursing homes, and refugee centers.
WHERE WE SERVE



UNITED STATES
Our network of university chapters provide free, accessible dance education in their own communities throughout the U.S.
PANAMA
We organize international dance exchanges and year-round classes at orphanages and foundations throughout Panama.
BRAZIL
Our international dance exchanges to Rio de Janeiro provide the opportunity to explore and discover Brazil through dance.


TEAM

dana@movementexchanges.org

isabel@movementexchanges.org

She has received additional training from: the Festival of Contemporary Dance and Physical Theater (Colombia, Bogotá), and completed summer intensives with the University of Panama, the New York City Ballet, and the Finish Ballet (in residency in Las Vegas, Nevada). She loves dancing because it is a way to express herself and experience the creative process with her body and she loves Movement Exchange because it gives her the opportunity to use dance to serve!
violeta@movementexchanges.org

anna@movementexchanges.org




Board of Directors
United States:
Lider Sucre
Zachary Jones
Alan Sussna
Panama:
Lider Sucre
J Michie
Anna Pasternak
Advisory Board
Blair Brown
Juan Carlos Claudio
Kirsten Torchalski
Megan Maggi
Alyssa Quicquaro
Alice Lu
Kimberly Lucht
Angie Pan
Andie Duong
PARTNERS & SPONSORS
U.S. Embassy in Panama
The U.S. Embassy has been a supporter of Movement Exchange since its conception. With the support of the U.S. Embassy, Move-Ex organizes yearly performance starring over 100 at-risk youth at theaters throughout Panama.
Malambo Orphanage
Movement Exchange teaches weekly dance classes at Malambo. Dance diplomats also teach at Malambo during international dance exchanges. 95% of the orphanage are Afro-Panamanian or Indigenous girls, many of whom have been sexually or physically abused. Over 100 children live there full-time.
Aldea SOS Orphanage
The Aldea SOS Orphanage receives weekly classes from Movement Exchange’s Panamanian team in addition to classes from our international volunteers during dance exchanges. Over 60 youth live at Aldea.
Barrio Activo
Barrio Activo provides classes and workshops in hip hop culture including breakdance, rap, and graffiti. Barrio Activo works mainly in and around Panama City, serving children in El Chorrillo and Curundu.
University of Panama
Movement Exchange teaches and takes class with the dance department at the National University of Panama. The dance department offers concentrations in ballet, modern and Panamanian folklore.
National Dance School
The National Dance School offers affordable dance education to children and teenagers in Panama City. They offer classes in an array of dance styles including Panamanian folkloric, flamenco, ballet, modern, and more. Movement Exchange offers classes to, and takes class from the school.
Escuelita del Ritmo
Escuelita del Ritmo in the historic town of Portobelo is an after school music program created to preserve the Afro-Panamanian traditions of the Colon region. Movement Exchange teaches dance classes at the foundation and takes folklore classes from their pupils.
Viva Rio - Brazil
Viva Rio works in underserved communities throughout Rio de Janeiro providing health and education services. Movement Exchange provides free dance classes to the community of Pavao/Pavaozinho.
PRESS
General Press
- Dance Spirit – We’re Obsessed with this TEDx Talk on Dance Diplomacy (January 6, 2019)
- Instituto da Criança – ONG Movement Exchange leva a dança para instituição da rede do Instituto da Criança (August 16, 2018)
- La Prensa – La unidad que da la danza (July 19, 2018)
- The Breakfast Show with Gerry D – Movement Exchange (July 12, 2018)
- Giving Compass – Movement Exchange Changes Kids’ Lives Through the Power of Dance (March 28, 2018)
- La Prensa – Cuando la danza une a dos países (June 30, 2017)
- Newsroom Panama – Talent in Movement an Inspirational Dance Experience (June 22, 2017)
- La Estrella de Panamá – La Danza que Transforma al Mundo (February 11, 2017)
- Half Moon Bay Review – Coastside dancers make strides around world (March 7, 2013)
- Half Moon Bay Patch – Founder of Movement Exchange Returns to Martin’s Beach (February 18, 2013)
- Dance Magazine – Making it Happen: Dancing to Change (December 1, 2012)
- La Prensa – Danza Para Niños (July 22, 2012)
- La Opinion – Movement Exchange Dicta Taller de Danza (July 20, 2012)
- Sport and Dev – New Dance Organisations (September 21, 2011)
- Napa Valley Register – Napa Man Brings Dance to Panama Orphanage (August 21, 2011)
- La Prensa – Niños: Danza y Expresión Corporal (June 19, 2011)
- The Visitor/El Visitante – Inter-Cultural Dance Week Culminates on July 4 at Teatro Nacional (July 2010)
University Chapter Press
- Saint Louis University (SLU) – Making the Spirit Move Them: SLU Group Uses Dance, Culture to Connect with Kids (January 10, 2019)
- Western Herald (WMU) – RSO Spotlight: Movement Exchange (November 17, 2017)
- Fairfax County Times (GMU) – ¡Bailamos! (May 12, 2017)
- The Finer Points (Utah) – Panama Movement Exchange: School of Dance Students Engage in Arts Advocacy (May 3, 2017)
- @theU (Utah) – Empowering Youth Through Dance (March 27, 2017)
- The Daily Utah Chronicle (Utah) – U Students Travel to Panama to Teach Orphans to Dance (March 23, 2017)
- Her Campus (FSU) – Adele Switzer: Moving Feet and Feelings (October 7, 2016)
- Western Michigan University Magazine (WMU) – Moving to Serve, Page 28 (September 2016)
- The Fine Print (WMU) – The Power of Dance (June 30, 2016)
- FSU News (FSU) – Students Travel to Panama to Teach Dance to Orphans During Spring Break (March 2, 2016)
- IU Newsroom (IU) – IU Students Share Universal Language of Dance in Panama with Movement Exchange (February 8, 2016)
- Indiana Daily Student (IU) – Students dance in worldwide movement (February 15, 2015)
- Studio (Utah) – Dancers Without Borders, Page 16 (March 27, 2014)
- The State Press (ASU) – Students Plan to Help Children through Dance Group Movement Exchange (March 2, 2014)
- The Salt Lake Tribune (Utah) – U Dancers Raising Money for Panama Exchange (January 29, 2013)