Nickerson-Rossi gets $1k grant from Schnitzer Foundation for its commitment to community

Have you heard yourself or someone else say “Let's dance” lately?

You should be saying it to yourself and anyone who will listen because it turns out the therapeutic benefits — not to mention the pure joy — of dance have been well documented. Movement heals!

Those of us in the Coachella Valley are in luck because we have an extraordinary award-winning dance company who have created programs for all ages and abilities. And they have just opened a second location in Palm Desert, so what are we waiting for? Let’s dance!

Here are some statistics: Experts say just five minutes of dance per day can actually help us live longer. The music. The movement. The fun. All of it boosts our feeling of well-being. In fact, they say that even watching the beauty of dance can reduce stress levels.

Nobody knows that better than Palm Springs resident Michael Nickerson-Rossi and his talented company of dancers at Nickerson-Rossi Dance.

Since 2012, they have been inspiring and entertaining our valley with their impressive and award winning programs, instruction and community outreach. A lifelong dancer and choreographer who turned to dance as a way to express himself, Nickerson-Rossi knows the power of movement and the ways it can transform a person.

“We are on a mission to engage, inspire and ignite the mind, body and senses by using dance as a language to reach multiple audiences,” Nickerson-Rossi says. “We currently produce professional, educational, therapeutic and community-centric dance programming to excite the arts community; provide space for and nurturing of new, innovative and creative programs; provide equitable access for youth to train and excel in dance; and provide opportunities for under-invited communities to experience dance at a high caliber platform. It’s my passion, and I believe the students and audience can feel our commitment.”

The nonprofit organization has a beautiful facility in Palm Springs and just recently added an impressive new studio in Palm Desert. Nickerson-Rossi says they look forward to hosting many community events and programs in both spaces.

“We are so happy to serve more areas and people in our community now,” he says. “With our two locations, we plan to really place the Coachella Valley on the map for being known as a mecca for dance and to showcase our wonderful dance company and share our mission to serve our community.”

The organization’s ability to continue this impressive growth is due in large part to its robust support team headed up by board member Laurie Bianchin and her equally dedicated husband, local dentist Dr. John Bianchin.

They discovered Nickerson-Rossi and his program a few years ago, and Laurie immediately committed her time and resources to guaranteeing the dance company would succeed and thrive in the community as well as provide important and crucial outreach to the valley.

“Nickerson-Rossi Dance not only brings an elevated professional dance element to our valley through its dance academy and dance house, but what touches my heart are the programs that connect to the kids,” Laurie says. “As a mother, I know how important it is to offer these kinds of impressive programs and outreach to young people — especially those who have experienced challenges in their lives.”

The organization has offered a multi-faceted dance program to the children at the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center — an especially effective outreach as dance can act as therapy for those trying to cope with a history of abuse — and are also working closely with the local school districts to bring dance curriculums to the students.

Laurie says it has been life changing for her to witness these programs.

“They do so much to inspire young people who otherwise have had little exposure to dance, and they even award many scholarships to those unable to afford classes. It is an amazing outreach that I am proud to be associated with. Both my husband and I are thrilled to work with this talented and giving nonprofit.”

It’s for this impressive and excellent outreach that we award the Nickerson-Rossi Dance Company this week’s Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation Power of Community $1,000 grant to help them continue their excellent work in our community.

Congratulations to all involved in this excellent and joy-filled organization dedicated to the beauty and healing power of movement.

Are you inspired yet? If so, “Let's dance!”

Learn more at nickersonrossidance.com.

Sandie Newton is an award-winning broadcast journalist who began her career in Los Angeles as cohost of the nationally syndicated show "PM Magazine." She went on to host many local and national shows like "Hollywood Insider" before becoming one of the original anchors for E! and a regular on Hallmark Channel's "Home & Family." In 2017, she moved to the desert, creating and hosting NBCares for six years. She is currently the host of "Desert Chat," a half-hour lifestyle show spotlighting all the good people, events and news in the Coachella Valley. Watch it Sundays at 6:30 p.m. on KESQ, at 10:30 p.m. on FOX 11 and noon Mondays on CW5.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Nickerson-Rossi gets $1k grant from Schnitzer Foundation