SOMA SEVEN kicks off weeklong dance celebration ahead of new studio opening

SOMA Dance Studio opens in early October, bringing new movement and wellness-based dance classes to the Hi-Desert. The studio offers drop-in classes across a variety of dance styles, such as ballet, modern, and free-form courses such as SOMA Wave. Additionally, semester and year-long programs for youth are available as part of the SOMA Conservatory, which will encompass a deep dive into dance traditions and technique. With classes for children, teens, and adults, SOMA emphasizes a multi-generational approach to the multi-faceted world of dance.

SOMA Founder and Executive Director Nicole Tarro has been a lifelong dancer with an extensive background in Pilates; Assistant Director Ella Crowe began dancing as a teenager, and works as a nurse at the Hi-Desert Medical Center. The two connected over five years ago, and with friends organized a dance class to instruct their children. As Crowe explained, that class evolved into SOMA, now a full studio with diverse program offerings rooted in their wellness backgrounds.

“We wanted to really bring a certain aspect of dance to the Hi-Desert. We wanted to introduce improvisation using movement and the semantics of movement as a way to get everyone into their bodies, also finding a very professional level of dance.”

SOMA Dance Studio is currently operating from Home Yoga in Joshua Tree. Tarro notes that they have a team of movement educators from across the Morongo Basin who will each contribute their own techniques to the studio.

“We’ve been able to connect with some amazing teachers, artists, and practitioners. They’re hopping on the bandwagon and providing courses, classes, and experiences for folks who are interested. It has a lot of momentum behind it right now, and it feels really inspiring.”

Ahead of SOMA’s studio opening on October 1, Tarro and Crowe announced the start of SOMA SEVEN, a weeklong dance event throughout the Hi-Desert. Running from September 22 through the 28, the studio will offer $7 drop-in classes as an opportunity for the community to sample their program. SOMA is also collaborating with other wellness studios, instructors, and venues for a week’s worth of dance-infused programming. Events vary in style and scope, from yoga at Cedar & Sage to Intro to Pole at Desert Chrome, a Burlesque night at the Copper Room, to dance parties at Tiny Pony and Mojave Gold. 

“We’ve been fortunate to have really seasoned and accomplished artists like Ryan Heffington and Miss Marquez coming up to host and facilitate classes, and then we’re having a cinema night. We’re trying to cover all the bases of the ways that dance can be seen, heard, and experienced.”

SOMA Seven is a way to call attention to the variety of dance, movement, and wellness opportunities that already exist throughout the Hi-Desert. Tarro and Crowe also highlighted StarStruck Dance Studio, which offers dance programs and competitive training in Yucca Valley. With SOMA, they look forward to adding new courses and expanding the dance scene throughout the community.

“It has been a dream of ours to create something out here that helps bring different styles of dance and modalities to the Hi-Desert. We’re really excited to get moving, integrate it into the community, and bring everyone together.”

SOMA SEVEN runs from September 22 through the 28, with events spanning throughout the Morongo Basin. SOMA Studio officially opens its doors on October 1. For information on classes and the SOMA SEVEN calendar, visit somadancewellness.com.

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