** Welcome **

Thank you for visiting The "7" Step Hand Dance Academy (The Academy), where the original 1990s' D.C. Hand-Dance teaching methodology is still being used to teach hand dancing. The Academy is a 501(c)(3) equal opportunity educational institution where all rights, privileges, and programs are available to all students regardless of race, color, age, gender, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation. Children and young adults between 8-17 years of age are welcome to attend classes at no charge.

The purpose of the academy is to teach, preserve and promote the African-American art form of D.C. Hand Dancing. Our commitment to the community is to provide quality, structured dance classes for all participants, and to provide an environment that fosters the development of positive social skills, self confidence, self discipline and academic growth in our youth.

D.C. Hand Dancing is unique to the Washington, D.C. area. D.C. Hand Dancing derived from the Lindy Hop, a six-count rhythm swing dance that originated in Harlem, New York in the 1930's. The Lindy Hop evolved into D.C. Hand Dancing in the 1950's. In it's current evolution, hand dancing combines sophisticated slick moves with syncopated rhythmic footwork, that allows the dancers the opportunity to blend their creative talents into showcase artistry.

Hand dancing is an important part of the Washington D.C. culture. In 1999, Mayor Anthony Williams declared hand dancing as the official dance of the District of Columbia.

MEMBERSHIP COMPONENT BENEFITS

In additional to our other programs, the "7" Step Hand dance Academy, Inc. also has a membership component. Membership is open to anyone who desires to become a member of the "7" Step family. The cost of membership, and other important information can be found on the membership application. It is important to note the following:

1. students are not members automatically;
2. the membership fee is for a life-time membership (no annual dues); and
3. this is a non-voting membership.

After becoming a member of the "7" Step family, members are entitled to:

1. a discount on all events "sponsored by "7" Step;
2. a "7" Step t-shirt;
3. a hand dance CD; and
4. a hand towel.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Please complete and download the application form. Submit the application, and membership fee (check, cash, or money order) in one of the following ways:

Students - Please submit your application and membership fee to your instructor; and
Non-students - Please submit your application and membership fee to any "7" Step Board member, or mail it to

Ray Morton
Chair, Membership Committee
5009 Boydell Avenue
Oxon Hill, MD 20745

            OR

Edward Sloan
President
5006 Megan Drive
Clinton, MD 20735

Please CLICK on the below MEMBERSHIP button, or the corresponding button in the upper-left-margin navigation bar to DISPLAY the membership application form.

NOTE: After displaying "7" Step Application Screen, INSURE it is MAXIMIZED for better viewing.
To EXIT this SCREEN, CLICK on "X" in upper-right-hand corner.

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