C o m m u n i t y
Joe Orrach established the Joe Orrach Performance Project (JOPP), a nonprofit organization, to support his community outreach initiatives in public schools and with at-risk youth and adults. Combining dance and performance, Joe aims to inspire youth to appreciate the joys and discipline of physical activity, rhythm, and expression through dance. He involves youth in creating new performance pieces, providing them with opportunities to express personal stories and creative ideas while fostering participation and self-confidence.
JOPP's mission is to develop and nurture new performing arts productions that combine dance, movement, and storytelling through community outreach, actively engaging youth and disadvantaged student groups in project development. "IN MY CORNER" exemplifies JOPP's vibrant embodiment of Joe Orrach's outreach work for schools and community organizations, with fiscal sponsorship provided by DancersGroup.
Joe's passion for working with youth stems from his personal journey. Growing up in a Latin household in the Bronx, he discovered dance as a discipline and an art form at age 15. Ballet, recommended by his boxing trainer to refine footwork, provided Joe with a sense of community, culture, inspiration, and purpose. Mentored by NYC ballet instructor Carl Sandemar, Joe transitioned to tap dance, launching his professional career. Dance became a transformative outlet, guiding him away from a life dominated by violence towards structure, inspiration, and self-expression.
Current activities show how development of a new production is combined with community outreach events.
Joe's teaching approach emphasizes the integration of physical, psychological, and emotional awareness to unlock creative potential. Drawing from his experiences with esteemed artists like Graciela Daniele and Gregory Hines, he emphasizes the significance of the body in communication and expression.
"In My Corner" has already impacted thousands of students in the Bay Area and Los Angeles, providing insights into the development of a production, storytelling through dance, and the expression of emotion. As a touring production, Joe brings the project to public schools nationwide, using it as a platform for discussions and workshops with students, making art and storytelling accessible through dance and movement.
Through JOPP, Joe continues to develop projects that empower youth to explore their personal stories through dance and movement. The success of his programs is evident in the enthusiasm and progress of students, who gain confidence and new forms of expression through his approach. In the upcoming year, JOPP anticipates reaching over four thousand students and expanding its impact on audiences through various programs and performances.
Some of the youth and community organizations Joe has worked with, formally and informally, include:
Passaic New Jersey School District
Jacques D'Amboise National Dance Institute
Dance Genesis
Oakland (CA) School for the Arts
Lee Strasbourg Studio (NYC) Movement /Dance instruction
San Francisco School of the Arts (SOTA)
Seven Tepees Youth Organization (San Francisco)
San Francisco County Youth Authority (lock-down environment)
Volunteer performances for various Foundations including:
The Edible Schoolyard
Delancey Street
San Francisco Bay Club Community Benefits
Heart to Heart Children's International Medical Alliance
Joe Orrach and JOPP have received support from:
Zellerbach Family Foundation
William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
Caroline H. Newhouse foundation for Dancers in Transition
James Irvine Foundation Production to Performance Dance
USADancersGroup (San Francisco)
Some of the artists active in JOPP are:
Matthew Clark, pianist and composer (San Francisco)
Micha Patri, percussionist (San Francisco)
Eugene Warren, bassist (Oakland)
David LaBua, psychologist and artist (San Francisco, CA)
Dariun Robinson, film director (San Francisco)
Michael Davis, comedian and director (San Francisco)
Community organization and schools may reach JOPP and IN MY CORNER for programs, performances, and related services through: