Expanding in central Ohio and into new countries, Momentum's new leader shares plans

For more than two decades, Momentum has been keeping Columbus children on their toes.

Founded in 2003 by arts leader Monica Kridler, the nonprofit organization is responsible for providing dance education to about 1,600 young people in schools throughout central Ohio.

Instructors teach the moves and piano accompanists provide the notes, but it’s the children who walk away with lessons in self-expression, hard work and focus.

Initially operating within the BalletMet organization, Momentum is now a fully independent entity, although it is associated with, and uses the curriculum of, the National Dance Institute.

This year, the organization itself has been abuzz with activity.

In January, Kathryn Stephens was named Momentum’s new executive director. The previous year, Kridler had stepped into the role on an interim basis following the departure of the organization’s previous executive director.

A 48-year-old Texas native and resident of Lewis Center, Stephens studied musical theater and dance at Otterbein University. The new leader wants to keep Momentum on the move by bringing the program to more central-Ohio schools and pursuing cross-cultural opportunities.

Stephens has previously held leadership roles with the Children’s Hunger Alliance and the Buckeye Ranch.

Ahead of Momentum’s annual free end-of-school-year performance − featuring over 900 students in performances May 8 and 10 at Riffe Center’s Davidson Theatre − The Dispatch spoke with Stephens.

Question: What age range is covered by Momentum?

Kathryn Stephens: We start with early learners, so preschoolers. Then we have elementary school kids, which would be our fourth-grade program. Then we have afterschool programs (where) we partner with the YMCA and Columbus Rec and Parks, (and) we have our own after-school program, which is an advanced team that we host on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Question: How regularly does Momentum interact with the kids in school?

Stephens: It’s once a week for a full school year... We have a live accompanist there − a live pianist who plays for the class. Through those classes, (the students) learn the Momentum methodology, and then they learn the choreography of the show that they’ll put on (at the Riffe Center).

Question: Do you follow some students who graduate from one level of Momentum to another?

Stephens: We have a wonderful story of a young man who’s with us right now who’s a senior in high school, and he’s been with us since fourth grade... Those kiddos who want to stay with us could come to our after-school program, which is our advanced team.

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Question: What values and lessons are taught through Momentum?

Stephens: We know that we’re giving physical fitness to our children on a weekly basis through Momentum. They’re understanding how physical activity gets their heart racing and that feels good. We teach the importance of that in addition to even some nutrition literacy around that... Of course, we’re engaging their brains in a different way.

There’s a lot of cognitive development that’s happening for them, but they’re not seeing that and we’re not necessarily calling that out. You see that through memorizing the choreography.

Being able to express yourself through movement, we’re teaching them that. I think that’s invaluable... So much of language is nonverbal, and in so much of the work that we’re doing, we don’t use words. We’re just using our bodies. Being able to leave Momentum and then go out into the world, you’re able to navigate nonverbal differently because of this experience.

Question: In your own life, what did dance give you?

Stephens: It gave me so much. I feel like dance heals me. As a young person going through a lot of adversity, I feel that, through dance, I was able to express myself in ways that language wasn’t able to do for me.

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Question: What do you see as the future for Momentum?

Stephens: We have so much opportunity (for) growth, not only in central Ohio, but I do see us growing beyond central Ohio. The board is very enthusiastic about growing.

We’ve had some interest from outside of Franklin County that we won’t be implementing in this first year (of Stephens’ tenure)... But then I do see expansion outside of central Ohio.

In addition, interestingly, we’re looking at some cross-cultural work with a group in Kenya.

Question: How would that play out?

Stephens: We have a partner in Nairobi that is a wellness organization, and when I took the position, they reached out... (They said), “Can we bring Momentum to Nairobi?”

I said, “Well, we can, but I’m on day seven, so it’s not today!... Is there a way that we could train dance teachers in Nairobi the Momentum methodology, and then they would implement Momentum in their school? And then could we do a show together where we’re working toward the same show over the 30 weeks?"

Question: So the kids in central Ohio and the kids in Nairobi would be learningthe same show?

Stephens: It would really be elevating cultural appreciation and diversity.

Question: What can we expect from the show at the Riffe Center, which is in parta tribute to the 150th anniversary of the Columbus Metropolitan Library?

Stephens: It’s going to be magical. (The dance is) a tour through the library, and each little section of the show goes through different novels and genres of books. You’ll see sci-fi and you’ll see fantasy and you’ll see all kinds of really cool things.

Question: Are the kids building all year toward this performance?

Stephens: It’s the big ta-da at the end.

At a glance

For more information about Momentum and its programs, visit momentum-excellence.org.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Stephens gives insight into organization's cross-cultural opportunities