The arts as a vehicle for social change. It is being done, and done well, by the Topf Center for Dance Education. Founded 30 years ago by Margie J. Topf, the Topf Center is the largest provider of dance outreach programs in Boston. It is committed to providing access to high quality dance program to diverse socioeconomic populations. Located at the Boston Center for the Arts on Tremont Street in Boston, the Topf Center Studio provides extensive scholarship aid to families in financial need. Over 90% of the students, ages range from 3 through adult, come from communities of color, and more than 65% receive scholarships to study ballet, creative movement, jazz, Latin, modern and tap dance. Topf offers programs in preschool through high school, as well as after-school programs, and the Youth Professional Program, serving 2,000 children and adults each week. It has won awards from the Massachusetts Alliance for Arts Education, recognition from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and included in the “17 Successful Community Outreach Programs” featured in Dance Teacher, a national magazine.

One of its outreach programs, “New Friends through Dance” offers year-long residencies at five Boston Public High Schools and reaches 200-250 student per year. Here student work together, through dance, to build self-esteem, confidence and teamwork skills. Feedback shows that the program enhances academic success, builds interracial cooperation and understanding and fosters leadership skills. All one step, or leap, at time!